Performance Tour of Italy

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 April 4: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States.

Day 2, Friday April 5: Venice

Arrive in beautiful Venice today and meet your Encore Tour Manager at the airport. Check into your hotel before taking the Vaporetto water taxi into St. Mark's Square. Start exploring with your tour manager and enjoy dinner together this evening! (B,D)

Day 3, Saturday April 6: Venice

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, provided each morning of your tour. Then transfer to downtown Venice by boat where you will see St. Mark's Square and the Basilica, the famous "Bridge of Sighs" which connects the Doge's Palace to the old prison, and much more! During your free time, you may wish to take a gondola ride through the city's beautiful canals! Enjoy dinner together this evening. (B,D)

Day 4, Sunday April 7: Florence

This morning, depart Venice and transfer to Florence, the Cradle of the Renaissance. Along the way, stop in Padua where you'll have time to have lunch on your own. Arrive in Florence and check into your hotel followed by some free time to enjoy this beautiful city! Have dinner together this evening. (B,D)

Day 5, Monday April 8: Florence

Enjoy a full-day excursion to Montecatini and Lucca today! The first stop is Montecatini, a gorgeous Tuscan spa town where you will have lunch and explore on your own. Then continue to the charming town of Lucca where you will have time for exploration in its beautiful streets and piazzas! After dinner together, perform the first concert of the tour this evening at the Santa Maria Nera chruch in Lucca at 9:00pm! Return to Florence after the concert. (B,D)

Day 6, Tuesday April 9: Florence

Today's sightseeing tour with a local guide and headsets shows you the splendid Duomo, Ghiberti's famous Baptistry Doors, Santa Croce and the Piazza della Signoria, the political center of the Renaissance city. Also, enjoy a timed entrance to the Accademia to see Michelangelo's David. Enjoy luch on your own and an afternoon at leisure. This evening, enjoy some Tuscan culinary specialties with dinner in a restaurant. Afterward, you might wish to visit the Boboli Gardens for its panoramic views of Florence and the Tuscan hills - the ideal place to end your day! (B,D)

Day 7, Wednesday April 10: Rome

Depart Tuscany this morning and enjoy a lovely drive to Assisi, the birthplace of Saint Francis. Arrive and spend some time exploring the Basilica on your own. Here, you will participate in Mass at St. Francis Basilica. Have lunch on your own before continuing on to Rome, the "Eternal City". Built on seven hills, Italy's capital is renowned for its history, architecture, art, culture, culinary delights and exquisite shopping. After checking into your hotel, enjoy dinner together in a local restraunt. (B,D)

Day 8, Thursday April 11: Rome

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the Colosseum, where an entrance is included. Imagine the bloody battles that once took place in this awe-inspiring structure and marvel at the nearby richly decorated Arch of Constantine! More than just a monument, this arch marks the end of pagan Rome and the beginning of Christian Europe. Have an afternoon at leisure before beginning rehearsal. At 5:30pm, you'll perform a concert at Sant’ Agnese in Agone. Following the concert, enjoy dinner together! (B,D)

Day 9, Friday April 12: Rome

Your local guide will accompany you through the Vatican Museums today to see the Sistine Chapel and magnificent Raphael rooms. Continue to St. Peter's Basilica, the largest and most prominent church of the catholic faith. Stroll across the Piazza San Pietro towards the dome, designed by Michelangelo and almost as large as that of the Pantheon. Today's highlight will be participation in celebration of Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure; perhaps sample some unique flavors of gelato or purchase some last minute souvenirs. Celebrate your successful concert tour with a special pizza-making activity and dinner this evening! (B,D)

Day 10, Saturday April 13: Departure

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