France, Italy & Greece

France’s magnificent churches offer exclusive concert venues with superb acoustics for performance groups. It is possible to perform in the greatest Gothic cathedrals ever built:  Notre Dame de Paris, Chartres, Amiens, Rouen, and Strasbourg.  Almost every town and village in the country hosts an annual festival, usually with emphasis on music - excellent opportunities for touring choirs and bands. 

Throughout France it is possible to arrange concerts in small villages for a truly unforgettable experience:  an official welcome and “vin d’honneur” at the City Hall, a buffet of regional foods offered by the local inhabitants, and a large and enthusiastic audience at the concert.  France offers vast cultural and scenic diversity:  the unique regional traditions in Brittany, Alsace, and the Basque country; scenery ranging from the endless beaches to the spectacular Alps.

The country is a living history book covering the Prehistoric Age (the Caves of Lascaux), the Roman era (the best preserved Roman edifices in the world are located in the area of Nîmes), the Middle Ages (the great Gothic Cathedrals, the Hospice of Beaune, the walled towns of Carcassonne and Avignon) and the Renaissance (the châteaux). If this isn't enough to warrant a concert tour to France, the country also boasts superb museums, housing some of the great masterpieces of the world; and French cuisine and wine, envied and copied throughout the world.

Is it any wonder France is the number one tourist destination in the world?  And the country’s central European location allows you to easily include in your tour a bordering country such as Italy, Switzerland, Belgium or Spain.

Italy is a popular vacation destination throughout the year, all seasons being good for a visit. Spring comes early to Italy and autumn lingers - and so will the wise traveler who wants to enjoy at a more leisurely pace. The difficulty facing the traveler to Italy is choosing among the nation's endless cultural attractions! 

All main centers, most of the provincial cities and many quite small towns possess artistic treasures. Museums are bursting with the genius of Italy's finest sons: Raffaello, Michelangelo, Tiziano, Canova.  Two thirds of the UNESCO (United Nations’ cultural branch) historical artistic heritage sites are located in Italy.  Performance groups will have the opportunity to perform in some of the most famous churches of the world:  St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome, Saint Mark’s Basilica in Venice, St. Francis Basilica in Assisi. 

And if you have toured Italy before, why not include this time a stay on the island of Sicily.  It has a unique culture and incredible historic sites from Greek temples, to Arab architecture, to Norman castles.  The island also has a strong music tradition translating into enthusiastic audiences and opportunities for joint concerts.  Your other senses will be seduced as well in Italy:  the taste of Italian food and wine, the sounds of the Italian language and beautiful operas . . . and the exquisite aromas! 

To truly experience the “soul” of the country, you must visit one of the hilltop towns of Tuscany or Umbria, or one of the ancient towns of Sicily.  We encourage groups to include stays in smaller towns and villages in addition to the main cultural centers of Rome, Florence, and Venice.  Ambassador Tours staff will develop an itinerary that suits your needs while guiding you toward the perhaps lesser known areas and towns for a good overview of all the country has to offer.

Greece is located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe where one sees influences of Balkan, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cultures.  However, Americans do not feel as “fish out of water” in this culture where the customs, language, and alphabet differ greatly from our own.   For one thing, many Greeks speak English very well – many have relatives in the United States.  And the Greek people are extremely helpful, warm, and welcoming. 

It is a European country (a member of the European Union where the Euro currency is used) that still offers American visitors a taste of the exotic and the opportunity to explore a culture very different from their own.  And the chance to see where Western Civilization began!  History dating back 3,500 years!  The sites to be visited are simply mind-boggling:  the Athens Acropolis, Ancient Corinth, the site of Alexander the Great’s birthplace in Pella, the ancient oracle of Delphi, the Macedonian Royal Tombs in Vergina, the Byzantine monasteries perched on the pinnacles of Meteora. . . 

And we haven’t even mentioned the beauty of the land from the mountainous mainland to the unique beauty of the Greek islands.  Why not include a mini-cruise to the islands of Rhodes, Mykonos, or Crete?  Performances can be arranged on the cruise ship as well as in the ancient Greek theaters offering fantastic acoustics and large audiences.  Touring Greece now, you’ll benefit from the massive renovations made to hotels, museums, public transport, and infrastructure for the 2004 Olympics.

Contact us for more information regarding a tour.

Ambassador Tours

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France

Italy
Greece
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