West Milford High Choir - Budapest Festival

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, Friday March 19: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States.

Day 2, Saturday March 20: Budapest

Arrive in the capital of Hungary: Budapest! Your Encore Tour Manager will meet you at the airport. After checking into your hotel, have dinner together this evening. (D)

Day 3, Sunday March 21: Budapest

After breakfast at the hotel (provided everyday of your trip), see Budapest by foot with a local guide! On the tour, you will be able to enter Matthias Church and Fisherman Bastion. This afternoon join with other participants in the Budapest International Choir Competition and Festival to rehearse together for the Festival opening concert and conductors' reception. There is a festival opening dinner tonight (B,D)

Day 4, Monday March 22: Budapest

Today is the first of two days of competition and collaborative performances as part of the festival, with dinner in a local restaurant (B,D)

Day 5, Tuesday March 23: Budapest

Today is the second day of competition and collaborative performances as part of the festival, with dinner in a local restaurant (B,D)

Day 6, Wednesday March 24: Budapest

This morning sees the final workshop and competition sessions, before a free afternoon to explore the city. Tonight come together for the gala Festival event including the Grand Prize Award Ceremony and dinner (B,D)

Day 7, Thursday March 25: Bratislava

This morning after breakfast, transfer to the beautiful city of Bratislava. Upon arrival, take guided sight seeing tour of the historic center of this magnificent city. Have dinner on your own this evening. (B,D) This morning after breakfast, check out of your hotel and travel to Eisenstadt over the Austrian border. Here you will visit Schloss Eszterhazy, home of the composer Josef Haydn for decades, and see the concert hall where many of his symphonies were premiered. Later pay homage to the man himself in the church where he rests. Continue to Bratislava and check in to your hotel in time for dinner. (B,D)

Day 8, Friday March 26: Bratislava

This morning take a guided sightseeing tour of Bratislava, a compact and pretty capital city. After an independent lunch transfer to the nearby town of Skalica, and perform your first Slovakian concert in the Jesuit Church, now used exclusively as a concert hall and boasting a wonderful acoustic. Dinner tonight will be in a local restaurant after your concert (B,D)

Day 9, Saturday March 27: Bratislava

This morning take a boat trip on the mighty Danube to the nearby town of Devin, with some wonderful views of Bratislava along the way. This afternoon rehearse for your final concert this evening in a church in the city such as the Fransiscan priory or the Jesuit Church, before a farewell dinner to celebrate your successful tour! (B,D)

Day 10, Sunday March 28: Departure

Transfer to the airport for return flight to the United States. (B)