John Paul II High School Choir Tour of 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, Monday June 7: Overnight Flight

Depart from DFW on your overnight flight to Italy!

Day 2, Tuesday June 8: Venice Mainland

Welcome to Italy! Upon arrival in Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic, meet your Encore Tour Manager and transfer to your hotel. After getting checked-in, start exploring this magnificent city of canals and palaces with your 48-hour vaporetto pass, which allows you to come and go throughout the city as you please. Dinner will be together tonight at a local restaurant. (D)

Day 3, Wednesday June 9: Venice Mainland

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before having a group rehearsal in the hotel. Following rehearsal, transfer to Venice to board the Vaporetto waterbus and sail into downtown Venice. This morning and afternoon is yours to explore at your leisure. Suggestions for free time activities include a visit to the historic Fondaco dei Tedeschi for a breathtaking view of the city or the Doge's Palace (entrances to both under own arrangement). Rejoin your group and walk to your concert venue for rehearsal. Present your first concert in Italy tonight for a large local audience! Celebrate your performance while you enjoy dinner as a group in a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 4, Thursday June 10: Montecatini

After breakfast at your hotel and hotel check out, depart for Tuscany! En route enjoy a visit to Padua and the Basilica of St. Anthony. Continue to the beautiful spa town of Montecatini for hotel check in, time to relax and refresh, and dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 5, Friday June 11: Montecatini

This morning after breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the Renaissance capitol city, Florence. Meet a local Florentine guide who will provide commentary while showing you Brunelleschi's splendid Duomo, provhiberti's famous Baptistry Doors, Ponte Vecchio, Santa Croce; where many illustrious Italians, including Michelangelo and Galileo, are buried; and the Piazza della Signoria; the political center of the Renaissance city. Also, breeze by the crowds with your own timed entrance to the Accademia, which houses Michelangelo's David. There will be free time in Florence for lunch on your own and shopping for Italian fineries. Return to Montecatini for dinner together at a local restaurant and the overnight. (B,D)

Day 6, Saturday June 12: Montecatini

This morning, board the bus and travel to Pisa to see its famous Leaning Tower. After time to visit and plenty of photo opps, transfer to a local Tuscan Inn for a delicious Tuscan Farmhouse lunch in the beauriful countyside. After an unforgettable afternoon, transfer to the charming Tuscan city of Lucca, birthplace of Puccini. Enjoy some free time this afternoon before rehearsal and your second concert performance in Italy! Dinner this evening is under own arrangement. After your amazing musical experience, return to Montecatini for the overnight. (B,L)

Day 7, Sunday June 13: Rome

Depart this morning for Rome. En route, visit Assisi where you'll enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis where you'll provide music for liturgy in the Upper Basilica of St. Francis (pending approval). Continue to Rome for check in at your centrally-located hotel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 8, Monday June 14: Rome

This morning, explore the iconic and historic Colosseum with a local guide and learn the many stories of this nearly 2,000-year-old Roman landmark that's considered one of the architectural wonders of the ancient world. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before rehearsal at your concert venue for this evening's performance in Rome. Celebrate your final concert with dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 9, Tuesday June 15: Rome

Rome is called "The Eternal City" because the ancient Romans believed that no matter what empires rose and fell, Rome would endure forever. A local guide accompanies you through the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. Enjoy an afternoon as leisure before participating in a mass at St. Peter's Basilica (pending approval). Celebrate a wonderful tour with a hands-on pizza making class at a local restaurant. Enjoy eating the Roman style pizza that you have helped create! (B,D)

Day 10, Wednesday June 16: Departure

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the US. (B)