Concert 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 9: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States.

Day 2, Friday April 10: Venice Mainland

Benvenuti in Italia! Meet your Encore Tour Manager and transfer your hotel in Venice Mestre. Venice, known as the Queen of the Adriatic, consists of an archipelago carved by nearly 150 canals into 118 different islands, and is simply incomparable. On arrival, check into your hotel on Venice Mainland and enjoy dinner together at your hotel. (D)

Day 3, Saturday April 11: Venice Mainland

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, provided each morning of your tour, enjoy a tour through downtown Venice with your tour manager, including St. Mark's Square and St Mark's Basilica. See gondolas, gondaliers and the famous "Bridge of Sighs" which connects the Doge's Palace to the old prison. During your free time, you may wish to take a gondola ride through the city's beautiful canals or enjoy time shopping for souvenirs. This afternoon, come together to rehearse for your debut concert that will take place this evening! Dinner will be together at the hotel. (B,D)

Day 4, Sunday April 12: Montecatini

This morning, you will attend Easter Sunday Mass before departing for Florence, the Cradle of the Renaissance. Subject to the timing of the day, enjoy preliminary sightseeing with a local guide and headsets that will show you the splendid Duomo, Ghiberti's famous Baptistry Doors, Santa Croce and the Piazza della Signoria, the political center of the Renaissance city. A timed entrance is included to the Accademia to see Michelangelo's David! Later, continue to nearby Montecatini, enjoy dinner together in your hotel and your overnight in Montecatini. (B,D)

Day 5, Monday April 13: Montecatini

Today enjoy a full-day excursion to Florence. Enjoy free time in the Open Air Art Museum of Florence and later this afternoon, transfer to your next venue where you will set up and rehearse for tonight's concert performance. Enjoy dinner together and return to your hotel for your overnight. (B,D)

Day 6, Tuesday April 14: Rome

Depart Tuscany for the "Eternal City" of Rome today. On arrival, check in to the hotel before heading into Rome for an introductory walking tour and some free time with your tour manager. Today's highlight will be the choir's participation in the Mass at St. Peter's Basilica! Later, enjoy dinner together in a resturant. (B,D)

Day 7, Wednesday April 15: Rome

Your local guide will accompany you through the Vatican Museums today to see the Sistine Chapel and magnificent Raphael rooms. Today, enjoy panoramic city sightseeing of Rome with a local guide including the Circus Maximus, the Imperial Forum, the Pantheon, and the Monument of Vittorio Emanuele (Rome's "Wedding Cake monument"). Entrance is included to the Colosseum. 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. Later this afternoon, you will rehearse and prepare for your final concert of the tour. Celebrate your successful concert tour with dinner together this evening. (B,D)

Day 8, Thursday April 16: Departure

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