Northern Italy Tour  |  Members Information

In the summer of 2027, YOCJ will embark on a tour of Northern Italy! We anticipate leaving on Saturday June 26 and returning on Sunday July 4th. We will visit Milan, Cremona, Alba, and Torino. YOCJ will visit a state-of-the-art museum featuring breathtaking instruments made by Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati. YOCJ ensembles will perform twice, alongside Cremona music students there, as well as in the Alba Music Festival with musicians from that area. YOCJ is grateful to be partnering with Firebird Fine Arts Tours for our international trips since 2014!

During the planning of the tour, we will keep this page updated for YOCJ members ONLY. This is not a public webpage. Please let us know if you have any questions.

FAQs

WHO CAN GO?
*YOCJ Students who will be 12 years and older at the time of tour (June 26-July 4, 2027) are eligible to register. Seniors, class of 2027 can also register!
*Eligible YOCJ Students may register to travel WITHOUT or WITH family members.
*YOCJ Parents, siblings, and family members (who are able to handle LONG days of activities and significant walking tours during the trip) can register.

WHO ARE THE CHAPERONES?
*YOCJ Staff will function as chaperones for ALL YOCJ students, regardless of whether their families attend or not.
*YOCJ will also bring a full time nurse on the tour, MaryEllen Glynn, a certified WWP School District nurse who has traveled twice with YOCJ.

CAN I DEVIATE FROM THE ITINERARY?
*Be mindful that this a student-centered tour. The itinerary will focus on the YOCJ students and needs of the ensembles. YOCJ will not deviate from the itinerary except in cases where it is best for the YOCJ student experience.

WHAT ABOUT FLIGHTS, HOTELS, & BUSES?
*Registration numbers usually exceed 100 people and Firebird may need to book 2-3 flights. YOCJ students will be assigned flights WITH any attending family members and other fellow flyers.
*On the way to the U.S. & Italian airports, YOCJ students will be assigned coach buses WITH families and other fellow flyers.
*YOCJ students will room with each other and be chaperoned by YOCJ staff. This facilitates the dissemination of musical instructions and creates a bonding experience for the YOCJ students.
*There are 3 cities in the itinerary and 3 hotel changes accordingly. YOCJ students may not always be in the same hotel as their families. The tour company does their best to keep families together.
*In Italy, there may be 2-3 coach buses. YOCJ students may not always be on the same bus as their families. The tour company does their best to keep families together.
*Please keep in mind, regardless of the hotel or bus status, we are ALL traveling to the SAME restaurants, museums, concerts, etc. Thanks for your understanding and flexibility!

WHAT ABOUT PASSPORTS, VISAS, & ETIAS?
*Passports (regardless of country of origin) must be valid through October 4th. If yours expires prior to Oct. 4, please renew it immediately.
*If your passport is expired or will expire prior to Oct. 4th, you can still register for the YOCJ Tour and indicate this issue in your registration response.
*Foreign passports holders (such as China, India, etc.) must also obtain and bring an ORIGINAL Visa and ORIGINAL Green card for traveling. You must notify YOCJ about your Visa appointment and when the Visa is obtained.
*Coming soon: ETIAS stands for European Travel Information & Authorization System. This electronic pre-screening clearance, once obtained, will be linked to your passport. Once launched, this will be required for passport holders from the U.S.A, Japan, and other countries. It is not certain when the ETIAS requirement will launch.
*Passport holders who are required to obtain Visas, do not appear to be required to obtain ETIAS and vice versa.

CURRENT ITINERARY

Click HERE. Updated as of:

PACKAGES & FEES

Regular Package: $
Land-only Package: $
Extended Package: $
Adult Single Room Option – one time fee: $

REGISTRATION STEPS

1. Click HERE to register for the Italy Tour. One registration form per person.
2. OTHER FORMS:
*Parent/Student Contract – Review carefully, for your records. By registering for the tour, you are electronically signing off on the contract.
*RX Form – The RX form MUST be completed by any student who needs to take RX medication during the tour. No RX medication will be stored in student rooms in order to keep everyone safe. All RX medication will be held by the nurse or by parents on the tour. Any parents who attend the tour and wish to administer RX medication to their children must communicate this to the nurse and YOCJ staff well ahead of time.
3. Passport Information Page Photocopy (Passport must be valid through Oct. 4th)
4. $1000/Person Deposit via Zelle or Check. (YOCJ Student name MUST be in the Memo of either Zelle or Check.

PAYMENT DEADLINES

October 20: Deposit #1 – EVERYONE: $1000/person
December 8: Deposit #2 – EVERYONE: $1000/person
February 9: Deposit #3 – REGULAR & EXTENDED: $1000/person | LAND-ONLY: $…./person
April 20: FINAL payment:
REGULAR: $…./person
EXTENDED: $…./person + extension fees TBD
LAND-ONLY: $…./person

PARENT TOUR MEETINGS

Tuesday October 13, 6pm-6:30pm OR 7pm-7:30pm
Tuesday April 20, 6pm-6:30pm OR 7pm-7:30pm

FLIGHTS

Details for the YOCJ flights will be posted here, once reservations have been made by the tour company.

MASS EMAILS

Links to all YOCJ mass emails concerning the tour will be posted here.

TOUR REHEARSALS & LOCATIONS

YOCJ will hold special tour rehearsals after the regular spring semester is done. Dates and locations will be posted here once they are selected and booked.

BON VOYAGE CONCERT

Join us at the YOCJ Bon Voyage Concert to experience our tour music the night before we depart!
YOCJ Student Luggage & instruments will be collected and inspected by YOCJ tour chaperones after the concert concludes. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility!

CANCELLATION POLICY

The tour cancellation and refund policy will be established by Firebird Fine Arts Tours and posted here as soon as possible.