Destinations
Every ACFEA tour planning process starts with "Why do you want to tour?" -- but "Where?" is an important piece, too!
Our vast history of planning tours, and our global network of concert representatives have given us an extensive collection of destinations, each one with something special to offer your group. We receive regular requests from groups who have been “everywhere” and who want to forge a new path, knowing they will still receive a top quality experience.
Europe
Our vast history of planning tours, and our global network of concert representatives have given us an extensive collection of destinations, each one with something special to offer your group. We receive regular requests from groups who have been “everywhere” and who want to forge a new path, knowing they will still receive a top quality experience.
Austria is, quite simply, the land of music – Bruckner, Mozart and Schubert were all native Austrians, and their musical heritage pervades the cultural life of the country.
The former Yugoslav republics of Serbia, Bosnia and Montenegro offer a wondrous variety of cultures and landscapes as well as unique concert tour possibilities.
Music, and particularly choral music, has played a central part in the history of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. It helped unite the population in defiance against Soviet domination in the 1980s.
Famous for its deep tradition of choral music, Bulgaria’s rich cultural heritage also has roots in traditional dance and crafts like pottery, textiles and painting.
- Dubrovnik is an easy drive from excellent concert sites in Montenegro and Bosnia — three countries, one home-base!
- Stunning Adriatic coastline, Slavic and Mediterranean identities influence culture
The Czech Republic has always been one of our most popular tour destinations. The elegant concert halls of marvelous Prague, laid-back spa towns, and beautiful countryside are all draws to this musically and culturally rich nation.
- Gothic Cathedrals abound, it’s a perfect destination for any choir or orchestra, especially if there is a need for excellent organs.
- A necessary pilgrimage for any classical enthusiast, Germany boasts an incredible number of historic musical sites, from Bach’s organ bench at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig to Strauss’s Podium in Weimar.
- Visit Deutschland for discerning audiences, logistical efficiency and lots of sausages!
- For a group looking for something a little different, Greece makes an interesting destination. Visit the north for mountainous coastlines, or, for a smaller ensemble, hop through the islands and add on a bit of Turkey!
- Music festivals are common in Greece in the summer months, but visiting in the spring and fall comes with smaller crowds and idyllic weather.
- Hungarians take music very seriously. The pedagogical methods of Kodaly alone are the basis for music education all over the world, and those fundamentals are evident in the high quality of music making today.
- The heritage of Liszt and Bartók is plain to see in the range and quality of concert venues and the audience’s sophistication.
- Fun fact: the Hungarian language is not Slavic, nor Romance, and in fact, it’s only relative is Finnish! Egészségére!
Looking for a relaxed pace and a lot of fun? Ireland is for you. Never too hot, sometimes a little damp, but always warm in spirit, this is a destination that always feels like the scene of a great novel. Don’t be surprised if the entire village shows up to your concert in a quaint country church — or if you end the night in the local pub listening to the traditional music of fiddles and drums.
Once devastated by war, Poland’s cities have been painstakingly reconstructed, and their central squares are among the finest in Europe. Exchange opportunities are plentiful thanks to numerous choral and instrumental ensembles.
With a wealth of performance opportunities and a number of summer music festivals, Portugal delights both musically and culturally, with Roman ruins, seaside villages, and the exquisite architecture of Lisbon.
Not only is Romania stunningly beautiful, but the welcome that is given to visiting choirs and orchestras is truly remarkable. Picturesque Transylvania holds special cultural interest, as home of the legend of Dracula – as well as a jazz concert series.
Scandinavia’s major churches have excellent organs, pianos and sound equipment, and they are very flexible about repertoire. Many concert halls, even in the major cities, are open to presenting amateur ensembles.
- Sophisticated audiences, especially for sacred music, in wonderful church acoustics
- In the south of the country, many stunning venues are former mosques
Quite literally bridging the gap between Europe and Asia, Turkey has been home to some of the world’s greatest civilizations. Music has always played an important role in its culture, and performance opportunities abound.
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are home to a multilingual, cosmopolitan population with well-established and emergent musical institutions and contacts. A plethora of music festivals and venues welcome ensembles.
Africa
The African continent is vast and diverse, and every region has something unique to offer visiting ensembles. Morocco and South Africa are popular — and for good reason! — and opportunities abound in between.
Part of the Maghreb-Arab region of North Africa, with a significant Berber identity and ties to France and Spain, Morocco’s language, music, cuisine and architecture are further influenced by Ottoman, Jewish, and other ethnicities from neighboring regions.
In South Africa, they sing when they are happy. They sing when they are hurting. They sing to reach the innermost parts of the human heart. No concert in South Africa can finish without the entire audience joining in, usually in perfect multi-part harmony – its electric!
Middle East
In the Middle East, you’ll find audiences eager to connect with Western performing ensembles and share their hospitality, some of the finest the world has to offer. A tour to this exciting region will challenge every preconception you may have had about what has occurred here from the cradle of civilization to the present day.
In Israel, you will make extraordinary connections to a remarkable and diverse culture. There are few places that mean so many different things to so many different people. No matter your background, you can’t help but be moved by the history.
Jordan provides a wonderful taste of the Middle East, from contemporary Amman to ancient Petra to the seaside resort of Aqaba. Performance opportunities range from modern cultural centers to open air Roman amphitheaters that are thousands of years old.
- For a group that can accept the inevitable unpredictability that is the Middle East, a tour to Palestine can be the most impactful and life-changing experience of one’s life. Prepare to have your eyes opened, but don’t be surprised if you leave more confused than when you arrived.
- For extra credit, you can study Arabic scales to better grasp the music making in this region. Hello quarter-tones!
- Performance opportunities abound in Bethlehem’s many churches and cultural centers, including joint concerts with Palestinian ensembles. NGOs and academic institutions provide a unique insight into the struggles of the Palestinian people.
Asia
Sophisticated audiences, fine concert halls and superb musical collaborations draw touring ensembles to Asia; well-preserved historical relics, peaceful temples and shrines, futuristic transportation, and incredible food make them want to stay.
- While neither Cambodia nor Vietnam is known for its classical music scene, visit these places to learn about a chapter in world history that is hard to grasp, especially for young people.
- French influence in Vietnam means European-style opera houses and churches.
- In Cambodia, don’t go for the venues. Go for the cultural outreach, the lessons to be learned, the food (!) and the extraordinary Angkor Wat.
Packed with amazing sightseeing such as the Great Wall and the terra cotta warriors of Xi’an, China also features fantastic modern concert halls and a rich musical tradition.
Hong Kong is a melting pot of world cultures and performance opportunities range from modern, world-class concert halls to more intimate venues at universities and churches.
India is very keen to welcome visiting ensembles, and offers an exhilarating array of diversity, color, energy, scenery, temples, millennia-old history, and a vast range of cultural opportunities.
Down Under
In Australia and New Zealand, you’ll find magnificent scenery, fascinating local fauna combined with exceptional hospitality, a casual lifestyle and a rich tradition of and love for music.
Australia has beautiful cosmopolitan cities and beaches that rival any in the world, and getting off the beaten track offers a taste of the unique nature of rural life in this vast country.
Formed by intense volcanic action, New Zealand’s landscape is nothing short of breathtaking, from the geothermal region of Rotorua to the limestone caves of Waitomo and the wine region of Hawkes Bay.
Latin America
In Central and South America, touring ensembles find friendly, enthusiastic audiences who are interested in hearing all varieties of repertoire, and dynamic local groups eager for cultural exchanges and joint concerts. They also find the amazing sights, scenery and cultures that the continent has to offer.
Argentina is a land of extremes, but its people possess a common curiosity, passion and fervor for life. Tango, fine wine, soccer, and the traditions of the estancia (ranch) all mark Argentinean culture.
Between the indigenous areas of La Paz, the silver mines in colonial Potosi, the Amazonian jungle, the beautiful Lake Titicaca (which also borders Peru) and the rugged Andes, Bolivia is a study in extreme nature and lively culture
Brazil is South America’s largest country and one of the most intriguing due to its ethnically and culturally diverse population. The distinctive Brazilian identity sets itself apart with its unique musical style, culture and language.
Cultured and quirky, Chile is equal parts laid-back locale and emerging tourist hot spot, with the vastness of the ocean horizon and the backdrop of mountains always nearby.
Any group that’s up for a slight logistical challenge will find Colombia to be well-worth the effort. Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena, are all musts, but require internal flights between them. Colombia’s classical musical scene, especially as it pertains to young people, is exploding, with many initiatives based on neighboring Venezuela’s El Sistema program.
Costa Rica is often considered one of the most accessible of the Latin American countries, when it comes to infrastructure, familiarity, friendliness, and ease of travel. Perfect for youth ensembles not quite ready for Argentina and Brazil, Costa Rica provides lots of opportunities for joint concerts, service and outreach — as well as ecological exploration. It’s a great destination for groups wanting to combine music and nature.
Only 90 miles from Florida, Cuba has a tropical climate, diverse topography and a multiethnic population of over 11 million people. Music is present in every facet of Cuban life, from concert halls to street corners.
Ecuador takes great pride in its indigenous and European heritage, from the Andes to the Galapagos. Performing in exquisite colonial churches immerses you in the mestizo legacy of this unique place.
Mexico is a fascinating country with colorful traditions, natural splendor and welcoming people. Visit colonial silver towns such as Guanajuato, admire majestic pyramids, and taste local delicacies crafted with pre-Colombian ingredients.
With locations that integrate traditional Incan cosmovision, hybrid pre- and post-colonial architecture, and stunning natural beauty, Peru offers many worlds in one.
While Uruguay probably isn’t on the tip of everyone’s tongue when thinking about a tour destination, perhaps it should be! Argentina claims tango as its own, but the art form is just as much Uruguayan. If you’d like to compare the two, why not visit both? A quick ferry from Buenos Aires will drop you off in the quaint town of Colonia, on route to the cosmopolitan city of Montevideo.
USA & Canada
The extent of the North American continent north of the Mexico border offers innumerable regions for groups to explore. The diversity of musical history, culture, landscapes and cuisine.
The San Francisco Bay Area has a thriving arts and culture scene, spanning every discipline and genre imaginable.
Native Hawaiians share their traditions and aloha spirit with visitors in this beautiful land.
The Canadian Maritime provinces are unlike anywhere else. Largely untouched by commercialism and chains, the Maritimes seem somehow pure and unspoiled. With their very strong ties to the British Isles, the musical tradition here runs deep, with an emphasis on folk music and storytelling. Locals speak with a lilt and a warmth that instantly enhances the experience.
Seattle and Vancouver immerse visitors in the natural beauty of its seas, islands and mountains. First Nations people and their customs continue to influence the identity of the region, along with a cosmopolitan population that collectively speaks most of the languages in the world.
A performance tour of the Northeast USA is a student’s rite of passage, certainly. But maybe this time, think outside the box – instead of Boston and NYC, there’s lots more to consider – leaf peeping and autumnal concertizing in the colonial-era parish churches of Vermont or Maine, for example. In the summer, swing by Tanglewood and take in a festival performance.
Cities such as Memphis, Birmingham and New Orleans speak volumes about the history of Civil Rights in the United States, with many important historical sites, churches and interpretive centers telling the stories of those who fought for freedom and equality.
More than just Hollywood and show business, Southern California has renowned institutions of higher education, vibrant arts districts, and gourmet food trucks. Its many neighborhoods are a microcosm of world cultures, all connected by the impressive freeway system.
The province of Québec embraces its French, English and Cree identity with pride in its customs, its land, and its legacy of preserved antiquity: Québec City is the only walled city north of Mexico.
Where will you go?
Which of these destinations excites you most? Or are you thinking about somewhere else, perhaps off the beaten track?