Woodward Academy - Germany/Belgium/Paris

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 May 18: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States.

Day 2, Tuesday May 19: Cologne

Willkommen in Deutschland! After meeting your Encore Tour Manager in Frankfurt, you’ll begin with a visit to Koblenz, a picturesque town established more than 2,000 years ago as a Roman military outpost at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. Take a boat cruise past the Lorelei rock, making sure that the mythical maidens don't lure you on to the rocks! Later continue to Cologne to check into your hotel and take dinner together. (B,D)

Day 3, Wednesday May 20: Cologne

Discover the gothic masterpiece of Cologne as your Encore Tour Manager takes you to see the famous cathedral whose filigree twin spires dominate the skyline, before experiencing its amazing acoustic first hand as you take part and sing in the short midday service. If your breath isn't taken away, climb the 533 steps to the tower viewing platform, with spectacular views for miles around the Rhineland region. Recuperate from your climb with a visit to the Chocolate Museum and learn through engaging exhibits the 5000 year history of this delightful treat. After an early dinner you'll perform a full concert in a church such as St Agnes in Cologne. (B,D)

Day 4, Thursday May 21: Cologne

After breakfast travel the short distance up-river to the town of Bonn, once the capital of West Germany in the post-War years. Here you will visit the birthplace of possibly the greatest symphonist ever, Ludwig van Beethoven, and discover many aspects about his life. Depending on availabilty there may be the possibility to perform a short recital in the chamber music hall adjoining the musuem. Tonight perform in a local church such as the Stiftskirche in Bonn, before celebrating with a traditional German dinner (B,D)

Day 5, Friday May 22: Brussels

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the pretty Ardennes region to learn more about the importance of this region during WWII. Visit the fascinating Bastogne War Museum, located close to the famous Mardasson Memorial; the museum is the principal memorial dedicated to the Second World War in the Ardennes and Belgium. It offers a particular emphasis on the Battle of the Bulge. Continue on to Brussels, stopping to pay homage to another great composer, Cesar Franck, in the city of Liege . (B,D)

Day 6, Saturday May 23: Brussels

After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Brussels with a local guide (on the coach). You will see the Grand Place, the central square of Brussels and part of the UNESCO word heritage list, Manneken Pis, a famous statue which is one of the city’s landmarks, Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral and the Royal Palace. Tonight perform the second concert of your tour in a local church or cathedral. (B,D)

Day 7, Sunday May 24: Paris

After breakfast check out of your hotel and head south towards France, stopping off for an early lunch in the city of Mons, birthplace of the composer Orlando di Lasso. Continue to the capital of France, the romantic city of Paris, and check into your hotel for the next three nights; dinner tonight is at the hotel. (B,D)

Day 8, Monday May 25: Paris

Discover the major sites of Paris this morning during a guided city sightseeing tour. See the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and much more! Enjoy lunch on your own and some free time this afternoon before transferring to your final concert venue. The choir will perform its final concert performance of the tour, potentially at L'Eglise de la Madeleine as part of their afternoon concert series, before dinner together tonight (B,D)

Day 9, Tuesday May 26: Paris

This morning, take the Paris Metro with your tour manager, and pay a visit to the magnificent Louvre, where you'll see world famous works of art such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo! Enjoy a final afternoon at leisure and after dinner tonight, transfer to the Bateaux Parisiens for a celebratory farewell cruise on the River Seine to end your journey across Western Europe! (B,D)

Day 10, Wednesday May 27: Departure

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