SJYS 2027 Tour

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 24: Overnight Flight

Depart from the San Francisco airport for your 2027 European Concert Tour.

Day 2, Friday June 25: Sofia

arrive in Sofia and meet your Encore Tour Managers in teh arrivals hall. Transfer via deluxe motor coaches to the Ramada Hotel Sofia. Your Tour managers will take you on an introductory walking tour to aquaint you woith your surroundings. Enjoy a welcome dinner together at a local restaurant this evening. (D)

Day 3, Saturday June 26: Sofia

After breakfast at your hotel, travel to Rila for a guided tour that includes entrances to the Rila Monastrary. The Monastery of Saint John of Rila, also known as Rila Monastery, is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. After your tour and free time for lunch on your own, return to Sofia for dinner at a local restaurant and the overnight. (B,D)

Day 4, Sunday June 27: Sofia

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your local guides for a tour of sofia that includes the Aleksand Nevski Cathedral. As one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, located in Bulgaria’s capital Sofia serves as one of the nation’s primary tourist attractions. The cathedral was built to honor Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877, after which Bulgaria was liberated from Ottoman rule, and was named after Saint Alexander Nevsky, a Russian prince in the early 13th century. The foundations were laid down in 1882 but structure was not completed until 1912. The main features are the cathedral’s central dome, which is 150 ft high and the bell down, which reaches 175 ft. The design and construction are representative of the trade boom of the time as the marble parts and lighting fixtures were created in Munich, the metal elements in Berlin, while the gates and mosaics were shipped from Venice. This afternoon there is free time for lunch on your own before your rehearsal at thge venue for your premier concert. This evening's concert venues include the Bulgaria Hall or the NKD Cinema Hall. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant following this evening's performance to celebrate a great night of music. (B,D)

Day 5, Monday June 28: Bucharest

After breakfast at your hotel, depart Bulgaria for Romania. Stop later this morning in Veliko Tarnovo for free time and lunch on your own. Often referred to as the "City of the Tsars", Veliko Tarnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famously known as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. The old part of the town is situated on three hills, Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora, rising amidst the meanders of the Yantra. Trapezitsa is known for its many churches and as the former main residence of the nobility. During the Middle Ages, the town was among the main European centres of culture and gave its name to the architecture of the Tarnovo Artistic School, painting of the Tarnovo Artistic School, and to literature. Continue to Bucharest later, arriving later this afternoon for check-in at your hotel, an orientation walking tour with your Tour Managers and dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 6, Tuesday June 29: Bucharest

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your local guides for a city tour of Bucharest with entrances to the Parliament House. This "People's House" as it was referred to when built during the Communist era, is the heaviest building in the world, weighing over 9 billion pounds. There is free time this afternoon for lunch on your own before meeting again for rehearsal for this evening's concert. Propsed venue for tonight's performance is the Bucharest Radio Hall. Celebrate another wonderful concert with dinner at a local restaurant following your performance. (B,D)

Day 7, Wednesday June 30: Timisoara

Depart Bucharest this morning after breakfast anmd travel to Timisoara with a stop en route in Sibiu. Nicknamed The Town with Eyes for the eyebrow dormers on many old buildings, the town is a popular tourist destination. It is known for its culture, history, cuisine, and architecture. After free time for lunch on your own, continue to Timisoara for check-in at your hotel, and dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 8, Thursday July 1: Timisoara

After breakfast at your hotel, your Tour Managers will lead you on a walking tour of Timisoara. Timi¿oara is considered the informal capital city of the historical Banat region. From 1848 to 1860 it was the capital of the Serbian Vojvodina and the Voivodeship of Serbia and Banat of Temeschwar. After free time for lunch on your own, meet for rehearsal for this evening's concert. Your performance is proposed to be held at the Vigado Concert Hall. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant following your third performance of the tour! (B,D)

Day 9, Friday July 2: Budapest

After Breakfast at your hotel, depart Romania for the Hungarian capitol, Budapest. Arrive in this glittering city on the Danube for check-in at your hotel and an orientation wwalking tour of Castle Hill before dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 10, Saturday July 3: Budapest

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your local guides for a tour of this magestic city oincluding the House of Pariament, Castle Hill, The Fisherman's Bastion, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. After free time for lunch on your own, meet for rehearsal at the venue for your farewell concert. Proposed venues include Vigado Hall and the Liszt Academy. Celebrate an amazing final performance with dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 11, Sunday July 4: Budapest

After breakfast at your hotel, the day is free to further explore Budapest at your leisure. This evening, enjoy a wonderful farewell dinner with Folklore Show to celebrate an amazing concert tour! (B,D)

Day 12, Monday July 5: Departure

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