Why this route
A compact tour built around three of Europe's most rewarding performance settings: a Roman basilica, a Renaissance church in Florence and a concert on the Venetian lagoon.
- Rome
- Florence
- Venice
In Rome, ensembles sing Mass or give a concert in a basilica, with guided days at the Forum and the Vatican Museums. Florence brings a performance in a Renaissance church and a Tuscan countryside day. The tour closes in Venice with a concert on the lagoon and time to explore the city on foot and by vaporetto.
Italy is the route we recommend for bands and orchestras: short internal transfers, instrument storage at every hotel, and audiences that fill a church for a visiting wind ensemble.
Sample itinerary
Day by day, 9 days
-
1
Day 1Overnight flight from the US to Rome
Travel day
-
2
Day 2Arrive Rome. Trastevere walk, welcome dinner
-
3
Day 3Vatican Museums and St Peter's. Afternoon rehearsal
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4
Day 4Mass participation or Concert 1 in a basilica. Forum and Colosseum
Performance
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5
Day 5Coach to Florence via Orvieto
Travel day
-
6
Day 6Florence: Duomo and the Uffizi. Concert 2 in a Renaissance church
Performance
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7
Day 7Tuscan countryside: Siena or San Gimignano
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8
Day 8Train to Venice. St Mark's, Concert 3 in a lagoon church, farewell dinner
Performance
-
9
Day 9Fly home from Venice
Travel day
Order of cities, length of stay and excursions are adjusted to your group. Directors usually add or remove one to two days.
Price and inclusions
From $3,490 per person
Per person, land only, based on 40 paying travelers and spring 2027 departures. Airfare quoted separately or included on request.
Included
- Hotels: central 3 and 4 star, twin or triple rooms for students, singles for directors
- Private touring coach for the full program, with instrument and luggage space
- Breakfast daily, dinners as listed, welcome and farewell dinners
- All performance venues, fees, piano and percussion hire where listed
- Guided visits and entrance tickets as listed in the itinerary
- Hollis Ridge tour manager with the group from arrival to departure
- One complimentary place per ten paying travelers
- Pre-departure planning kit, parent meeting support, 24-hour emergency line
Not included
- International airfare (quoted separately or included on request)
- Lunches and drinks not listed
- Travel insurance (available through our group policy)
- Passport fees, personal spending, gratuities for drivers and guides