The Woodlands Chorale Italy 2027

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Thursday June 10: Overnight Flight

Depart from Houston today on your flight to Florence.

Day 2, Friday June 11: Montecatini

Arrive in Florence today and meet your Encore Tours Tour Manager in the arrivals hall. Trasnfer to the Tuscan spa town of Montecatini for hotel check-in and an orientation walk with your Tour Manager to introduce you to your surroundings. Enjoy a welcome dinner together this evening at a local restaurant. (D)

Day 3, Saturday June 12: Montecatini

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Florence and meet a local guide for sightseeing of Florence that includes a timed-entrance to the Accademia Museum, home to Michelangelo's David. Your guide will highlight other wonders of this Renaissance capitol like the Duomo, Santa Maria dei Fiori, The Baptistry with it's stunning bronze doors by Ghiberti, and Santa Croce. There is an optional Florentine Cokking Lesson with a local chef available for an additional $150 per person with a minimum 10 people. Alternatively afternoon is free to shop for Italian fineries. Meet later today for rehearsal at the venue for this evening's first concert performance. After rehearsal there is time for dinner on your own before your premiere performance! After a wonderful concert, return to Montecatini for the overnkight. (B)

Day 4, Sunday June 13: Montecatini

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy an excursion to San Gimignano to see this beautiful hill town with its skyline of ancient towers. Next, enjoy a special Tuscan wine tasting. Savour local vintages complimented by delicious regional sausages and cheeses. Return to Montecatini for dinner on your own and the overnight. (B)

Day 5, Monday June 14: Montecatini

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a full-day excursion into Tuscany. Visit Pisa and its famous leaning tower at the Piazza dei Miracoli. Enjoy a leisurely and delicious Tuscan Farmhouse Lunch together this afternoon. Later this afternoon, continue to the birthplace of Puccini, Lucca for rehearsal for this evening's concert performance. A local choir will welcome you and start the evening off with a few selections at the start of the concert. Dinner is on your own in Lucca before the concert. Following the performance, return to Montecatini for the overnight. (B,L)

Day 6, Tuesday June 15: Rome

After breakfast and hotel check-out, depart Tuscany and head for trhe Italian capitol, Rome. Before arriving in the "Eternal City" enjoy a stop for a special visit to Tivoli and Villa D'Este (entrances included). Continue to Rome for hotel check in and a walking tour of some of the city's most beautiful piazze, and time for dinner on your own. (B)

Day 7, Wednesday June 16: Rome

After breakfast at the hotel, meet a local guide for a tour of the vast collection of art in the Vatican Museums. This tour includes the amazing works of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel and concludes with a guided tour of the Basilica of St. Peter. The rest of the day is free to explore Rome on your own before providing music for daily lityurgy at St. Peter's Basilica. After this amazing experience, enjoy dinner independently at one of the city's amazing restaurants. (B)

Day 8, Thursday June 17: Rome

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a guided visit to an icon of Rome, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. After free time for lunch on your own, transfer together to your Rome Concert venue for rehearsal for this evening's concert. There is time for everyone to get an early dinner on their own before the evening performance. Concert venues include some of Rome's most beautiful and historic churches such as St. Agnes in Agone in Piazza Navona and Sant' Andrea della Valle, known to Opera lovers as The Tosca Church. Enjoy a special farewell dinner to celebrate a fantastic concert tour! (B, D)

Day 9, Friday June 18: Departure

After breakfast at your hotel and hotel check out, transfer to the airport for return flight to Houston. (B)