Guilford HS in Italy 2025

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 10: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Friday April 11: Monastier

This morning arrive at Venice Airport and meet your Encore Tour Managers! Load your luggage on to your tour buses for transfer to the hotel, while you board a fleet of private motor launches for an exhilarating ride through the Venetian lagoon right to St Mark's Square! Begin to explore this unique city with your Tour Managers. Later transfer to Tronchetto to meet your touring bus and driver and head to your hotel in Monastier for dinner and the overnight. (D)

Day 3, Saturday April 12: Monastier

This morning after breakfast, transfer by bus and motorlaunch into downtown Venice for more exploration including a glass blowing demonstration. Perhaps visit the Guggenheim, ascend to the top of St Mark's Bell Tower or take a gondola ride. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant tonight. For those who may wish to attend a Seder dinner, an option will be offered at additional cost. (B,D)

Day 4, Sunday April 13: Cremona

This morning head to Verona, the impressive setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. A walking tour introduces you to the city's classic buildings and includes entrance to the Roman Arena. Continue to Cremona for dinner and the overnight. (B,D)

Day 5, Monday April 14: Cremona

Today explore Cremona and meet a local guide for a visit of the birthplace of Monteverdi and Antonio Stradivari. Enjoy visits in small groups to the luthier's workshops as well as admission to the Violin Museum that houses the priceless stringed instruments, then take in a very special recital by a virtuoso playing a selection of them. To top it off, this same unique acoustic space, the Arvedi Auditorium is the venue for your first concert of the tour. (B,D)

Day 6, Tuesday April 15: Montecatini

Drive south towards the coast then wind up the mountain roads into the very quarries where Michelangelo sourced the marble for his famous statues such as the David. Go inside one of the marble caverns, carved out over many years and where you can experience a very different acoustic by way of a short impromptu performance (choral only). Continue to Montecatini where you'll have dinner and check into your next hotel. (B,D)

Day 7, Wednesday April 16: Montecatini

Today's excursion starts with a visit to Pisa and the Campo dei Miracoli to view the famous tower and an inside visit of the Cathedral. Continue to Lucca for a typical Tuscan lunch and time to explore the city with your Tour Manager, then prepare for your final concert at a beautiful venue in Lucca such as Santa Maria Nera. (B,L)

Day 8, Thursday April 17: Montecatini

After breakfast, drive to Florence and meet your local guides for a walking tour taking in the major sights from the Duomo to Piazza della Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza Santa Croce. Entrance to the Accademia to view Michelangelo's David is included during the day. Enjoy a farewell dinner together in Florence before returning to your hotel in Montecatini. (B,D)

Day 9, Friday April 18: Departure

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