Please note: there are various links throughout the itinerary that link to relevant sites. Through these links you can find anything from driving directions to information about a particular destination.

Day 1 - 3

The tour begins with a weekend in Massachusetts at The Governor’s Academy, the nation’s oldest boarding prep school. After registration and welcome, intensive rehearsals and tour orientation will be held. Pre-tour performance is given at The Governor’s Academy Performing Arts Center. All meals are included.

Day 4

Following final rehearsals, travel by chartered coach to Logan Airport in Boston for your scheduled flight to Frankfurt, Germany. Meals and overnight on board flight.

Day 5

Arrive in Frankfurt and clear customs. Board private motor coach and travel to the charming, medieval walled village of Dinkelsbuhl. If time permits, stop en route in Heidelberg, where you can see 16th century Heidelberg Castle, the Alte Brucke and the old city center of this famous university town. In the evening following dinner, meet your local guides for a walking tour of Dinkelsbuhl.

Day 6

Today in Dinkelsbuhl following a final rehearsal in the morning, there will be time to form staff-led groups and explore this ancient walled city, featuring a moat and the city towers, cobblestone streets, and half-timbered houses. This evening you will present a concert for the townsfolk of Dinkelsbuhl.

Day 7

Travel through Bavaria today en route to Innsbruck, capital of the Tyrol Region of Austria and site of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympic Games. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 8

Innsbruck. A day for staff-led cultural sightseeing in the city. After dinner, perform a concert in the Hofgarten Pavilion. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9

Depart Innsbruck this morning and travel over the Brenner Pass through the Tyrolean Alps into northern Italy. Arrive in Venice in the early afternoon to visit this fascinating city built on 117 islands and crisscrossed by 150 canals. After a short boat ride to St. Mark’s Square in the center of Venice, you will have free time to visit the famous sites of the city, such as St. Mark’s Cathedral, the Bridge of Sighs, the Doge’s Palace and the Rialto Bridge. Take a gondola ride on the canals or shop for souvenirs in the narrow streets. Enjoy a special group dinner in Venice before checking in to hotel for overnight.

Day 10

Travel from Venice to Lugano, the beautiful lake-side resort of palm trees & breathtaking mountain views, just over the border in Switzerland. Perform a concert in the Piazza Riforma this evening. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 11

The day will be at leisure for staff-led sightseeing options in Lugano. Also enjoy the beautiful pool and resort atmosphere of the Hotel Park Continental, beautifully situated on the bank of Lake Lugano. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 12

Travel through the Swiss Alps today, stopping in Lucerne to visit this beautiful lake-side city. After lunch continue to La Chaux-de-Fonds. Following dinner this evening, perform a recorded concert at the Salle de Musique, an acoustically perfect concert hall. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13

Today travel across eastern France to Paris, the “City of Lights”. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 14

Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Paris aboard coaches in the morning, to include such famous sights as the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Elysees and the Opera. After lunch, transfer to the banks of the Seine River for a “bateaux-mouches” cruise through the heart of Paris. Following dinner, choose from staff-led excursions to the Carnival or to the top of the Eiffel Tower!

Day 15

Paris. Today, if petition is accepted, the choir will perform at the Cathedral of Notre Dame. The String and Wind Ensembles will perform a concert in the Luxembourg Gardens. The balance of the day will be available for a visit to the Louvre or other museums. Overnight will be at the hotel.

Day 16

Today travel to Antwerp and present an afternoon concert at the famous St. Paul’s Church. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 17

Enjoy a guided walking tour of Antwerp in the morning. Depart hotel and travel to Bingen-am-Rhein for your final evening in Europe. Enjoy a gala farewell dinner and special cruise on the Rhine River. View the numerous castles, vineyards and quaint picturesque scenery as you cruise the Rhine and say good-bye to your USYE friends.

Day 18

After breakfast, travel to Frankfurt Airport for your return flight to Boston. Meals will be served in flight. Upon arrival in Boston, clear through U.S. Customs.

* Travel itinerary subject to change.