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MOUNTAIN BROOK CITY SCHOOLS
Band and Choir to Central Europe

Munich – Salzburg – Vienna
March 20 – 28, 2026 – 9 Days / 7 Nights

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Munich
Salzburg
Vienna

And we are off to Europe! Join Mountain Brook City Schools Band and Choir in the Spring of 2026 for Europe. This seven-night tour will immerse you in European culture! On this trip you will take in the famous landmarks of central Europe as well as participate in once in a lifetime performances.

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary is subject to change.

Day 1

DAY 1, Friday, March 20, 2026

Overnight Flights from  Atlanta to Munich, Germany.

Day 2

DAY 2, Saturday, March 21                                                                                                                ARRIVAL MUNICH (D)

  • AM – Arrival Munich Airport.
    Meet your GMT Travel Director, who will remain with you throughout the tour
    Load your luggage on your private coach and transfer to the old town of Munich
  • PM – Free time for lunch on own at the Viktualienmakt (fresh food market).
    Short walking tour of Munich with a local guide.
  • EVE – Welcome Dinner at the famous Hofbräuhaus with folkloristic entertainment (depending on availability).
    Overnight at your hotel in the Munich area.
Day 3

DAY 3 – Sunday, March 22 – PERFORMANCE #1                                                                    DACHAU – MUNICH (B)

  • AM – Breakfast at your hotel. Tour of Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial with local guides. (Optional – others not traveling to Dachau will have free time in Munich).
  • PM – Return to Munich.
    Possible afternoon visit of Munich based school for a concert at the school or possible joint concert – band and choir.
  • EVE – Enjoy dinner on your own and overnight Munich
Day 4

DAY 4 – Monday, March 23                                                                                                        DACHAU – SALZBURG (B,D) 

  • AM – Breakfast at your hotel then check out, load the motorcoaches and depart for Salzburg.
  • Tour of one of King Ludwig’s fairy tale castles: Neuschwanstein Castle (depending availability) or Linderhof Palace (as an alternative).
  • PM – Continue to Salzburg.  Upon arrival check-in at your hotel
  • EVE – Group dinner and overnight at your hotel in Salzburg.
Day 5

DAY 5 – Tuesday, March 24 – PERFORMANCE #2                                                                                    SALZBURG (B)

  • AM – Breakfast at your hotel.
    Walking Tour of Salzburg with local guides.
    End your tour with Visit of Mozart’s Birthplace in Salzburg.
  • PM – Afternoon visit of Hohensalzburg fortress.
    Late afternoon possible outdoor Performance in Salzburg at, for example Mirabell Gardens (subject to availability) or evening indoor performance at, for example the Orchesterhaus or Musikum – possibly with local ensemble.
  • EVE  – Dinner on own and overnight at your hotel in Salzburg
Day 6

DAY 6 – Wednesday, March 25 – Choir recital                                                                  SALZBURG – MELK – VIENNA (B,D)

  • AM – Breakfast at your hotel.
    Check out of the hotel, load the coach and depart for Vienna. En route visit of Melk Abbey – possible informal choir recital – at Melk Abbey 20 minutes a Cappella.
  • PM – Afternoon arrival Vienna – check-in at hotel.
  • EVE – Group dinner. Overnight at your hotel in Vienna.
    • Optional attend the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra at supplement
    • Pending on schedule of VPO we might need to put the Central cemetery on the final day
Day 7

DAY 7 – Thursday, March 26                                  PERFORMANCE #3                                           VIENNA (B)

  • AM – Breakfast at your hotel. City Tour of Vienna with local guide and see highlights.
    Start with a visit of the Central Cemetery.
  • PM – Have lunch on own at the famous Naschmarkt (fresh food market).
    Afternoon visit of House of Music Museum.
  • EVE – Possible evening performance at the MuTh Concert Hall (TBC)- concert hall of the Vienna Boys’ Choir – concert can be for both ensembles.
    Dinner on own near venue and overnight at your hotel in Vienna
Day 8

DAY 8 – Friday, March 27                   Choir performance #4                                                                       VIENNA (B,D)

  • AM – Morning visit of the Kunsthistorishes Museum.  Possible lunchtime choir performance at the St. Stephens Cathedral – subject to confirmation
  • PM – Schönbrunn Palace (Imperial Tour with audio-guide).
  • EVE – Farewell dinner and overnight Vienna.
Day 9

DAY 9 – Saturday, March 28                                                                                                    DEPARTURE/FLIGHT HOME (B)

  • AM – Breakfast at your hotel.
  • Check out of the hotel, load your private coach and transfer to Vienna International Airport. Check in for your flights, move through security onto your departure gate.
  • Return home with great memories of your trip to Central Europe.

INCLUSIONS & PRICING

INCLUSIONS

Please Note:
Please note that this offer and itinerary are subject to change in case of modification of travel dates or unexpected circumstances not known to us today (concerts, fairs, political meetings, state funerals/weddings, natural disasters, viruses etc.)

Price Includes:

  • Roundtrip air from Atlanta to Europe (into Munich/from Vienna)
  • 7-night accommodation in superior tourist class hotel – outside city centers – based on mix of multi-bedded and twin bedded rooms with private facilities
  • Breakfast: daily.  All breakfasts include juices, tea and coffee.
  • 4 x Dinners (set menu, including tap water) as a group at the hotels or at a local restaurant
  • Multi-lingual GMT Tour Manager throughout the tour 1 per coach
  • Private deluxe coach for all transfers necessary according to the itinerary, incl. all drivers’ costs
  • One (1) Trailer for luggage behind the coach
  • One (1) Truck for instruments, incl. all drivers’ costs
  • City Tours with local licensed step-on city guides: Munich (bus), Vienna (bus), Salzburg (walking),
  • Tour activities and admissions: BWM World / Neuschwanstein or Linderhof Palace, / Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial (audioguides) / Mozart’s Birthplace / Hohensalzburg /Melk Abbey / St Stephens Basilica / House of Music / Kunsthistorisches Museum / Schönbrunn Palace
  • Organization & promotion of Four (4) performances including the MuTh Concert Hall (or similar – choir and band will each have a stand alone concert)

Not Included:

  • Travel insurance
  • Bus Drivers, Truck Driver, Step-On Guides, GMT Tour Managers gratuities*
  • Meals and attractions not listed “as included”
  • Contracted dinners include tap water but unless otherwise stated, do not include bottled water, juices or soft drinks.
  • Hotel porterage
  • Any medical testing required per itinerary
  • Items of personal nature, such as souvenirs, etc.
  • Anything not listed as “included”

*Tipping/Gratuity Guidelines

Tips are not included in this offer

Tipping in Europe is very much appreciated but not compulsory and depends on the level of satisfaction/service.

If the quality of the service has been good to excellent we suggest the following gratuity guidelines:

  • GMT Tour Managers: minimum of Euro 2-3 per person per day
  • Bus driver: minimum of Euro 1-2 per person per day
  • Truck Driver Instruments (if applicable): minimum of Euro 1-2 per person per performance
  • Local licensed step-on city guide: Euro 20 per tour
  • Restaurants: minimum Euro 1 per person

PRICING

Estimated Tour Price

$4,999 per person based on a minimum of 120 traveling
* 599 single room supplement

Payment Schedule

– $700 per person by June 06, 2025
– $700 per person by July 04, 2025
– $700 per person by August 01, 2025
– $700 per person by September 05, 2025
– $700 per person by October 03, 2025
– $500 per person by November 05, 2025
– $500 per person by January 02, 2026
– Trip balance due by February 01, 2026

Credit card payments will incur a 3% processing fee. There are no processing fees if paying by Bank Transfer or mailing in a check. Please make checks payable to Grueninger Music Tours. A $35 late fee will be charged for payments overdue. A $30 fee will apply for disputed credit card transactions on any previously authorized amount.

INDIVIDUAL CANCELLATION SCHEDULE

INDIVIDUAL CANCELLATION SCHEDULE

Grueninger is required to pay all suppliers well in advance of your tour date. All suppliers have their own cancellation policies, which apply to your booking. Should a cancellation become necessary, please inform Grueninger immediately in writing and request a written confirmation of your cancellation. Upon, receipt, Grueninger will follow industry procedures for any applicable refunds as outlined in the supplier’s terms and subject to their review. If you are entitled to a refund, please note that the supplier is responsible for the amount and timing of the refund, not Grueninger. Generally, flight tickets, hotel accommodations and other items provided for the traveler cannot be refunded if they are partially used. Grueninger is not responsible for a supplier’s failure to pay a refund.

All cancellations must be submitted in writing to Grueninger Music Tours (emails should be sent to [email protected]).

In the event an individual must cancel the following schedule will apply using the estimated individual package cost and any non-recoverable costs set forth by Grueninger for the purpose of acquiring vendor services:

In the event an individual cancellation is received from the initial deposit to 151 days prior to departure, the individual will be charged 10% of the total trip cost in addition to any loss of airline seat value and/or any non-refundable costs set forth by GMT for the purpose of acquiring vendor services for the individual.

In the event an individual cancellation is received 150 days to 121 days prior to departure, the individual will be charged 20% of the total trip cost, in addition to any loss of airline seat value and/or any non-refundable costs set forth by GMT for the purpose of acquiring vendor services for the individual.

In the event an individual cancellation is received 120 days to 91 days prior to departure, the individual will be charged 35% of the total trip cost, in addition to any loss of airline seat value and/or any non-refundable costs set forth by GMT for the purpose of acquiring vendor services for the individual.

In the event an individual cancellation is received 90 days to 61 days prior to departure, the individual will be charged 50% of the total trip cost, in addition to any loss of airline seat value and/or any non-refundable costs set forth by GMT for the purpose of acquiring vendor services for the individual.

In the event an individual cancellation is received 60 days to 31 days prior to departure, the individual will be charged 75% of the total trip cost, in addition to any loss of airline seat value and/or any non-refundable costs set forth by GMT for the purpose of acquiring vendor services for the individual.

There is no refund for an individual cancellation 30 days to 0 days prior to departure.

Note: GMT must receive written notice of all cancellations and changes. Emails should be sent to [email protected]. The date of the postmark is the date used to determine the amount of the cancellation fee.  All money and fees paid prior to individual cancellation are non-refundable.  No refunds or credits will be issued for a cancelled participant.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Grueninger Music Tours strongly recommends that participants purchase a travel protection plan. 

To help protect your investment of travel and to help protect yourself while you are away, consider purchasing travel protection from Travel Insured International. These protection plans include pre-departure benefits such as Trip Cancellation and post-departure benefits such as Accident & Sickness Medical, Baggage/Baggage Delay, Evacuation, Missed Connection, Trip Delay and Trip Interruption. In addition, plans include 24/7 Emergency Assistance Services that are provided by an independent organization, and not by United States Fire Insurance Company or Travel Insured International.

Travel Insurance Option:
Grueninger Music Tours partners with Travel Insured International.

  • Travel Insured Student Plan can be purchased (restrictions apply). Plan details found here.
  • This plan must be purchased through Travel Insured International within 10 days of your initial payment.

Below is a link that will allow you to purchase Travel Protection for your trip. Rates are based on overall trip cost and not age. You will need to enter the cost of your full trip cost and make sure you purchase within the time sensitive period listed in the plan to be eligible for specific plan benefits. For questions on the plan, coverage or procedures, please contact the Group Support Desk at Travel Insured 844-440-8113.

https://www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=161355&guid=13bfcc5b6e5044e69d300120122b99c9

NOTE:  Grueninger Music Tours is not qualified to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of travel protection plans. Grueninger cannot evaluate the adequacy of the prospective insured’s existing insurance coverage. If you have any questions about your travel protection, call your insurer or insurance agent or broker.

Declining travel protection plan coverage could result in the loss of your travel cost and/or require more money to correct the situation. You also acknowledge that without this coverage, there may be no way to recoup any losses, costs or expenses incurred. If a participant chooses to travel without adequate travel protection, Grueninger will not be liable for any of your losses howsoever arising, which would have been covered by adequate travel protection.

FAQ

How do I pay GMT?

GMT will create a dedicated web site registration and payment portal available May 20, 2025. You will be able to pay by credit card, electronic check or by mailing in a check to their office. Any missed or late payments beyond that are subject to the GMT’s policies.  There are fees associated with paying by credit card. 

Credit card payments will incur a 3% processing fee. There are no processing fees if paying by Bank Transfer or mailing in a check. Please make checks payable to Grueninger Music Tours. A $35 late fee will be charged for payments overdue. A $30 fee will apply for disputed credit card transactions on any previously authorized amount.

Can I just wait and pay it all later when I’m sure?

Unfortunately, not.  A deposit is due upon registration for the trip.  The trip payment plan will be posted on the site. You may register for the trip at any point but availability is limited and will be based on date of registration.

If I change my mind and decide not to participate, or can’t go, do I get a refund?

A timeline will be provided so travelers will know what percentage of a refund is possible at a certain date. Travel insurance with “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage is highly recommended. We will make a third-party travel insurance provider available for you but you may also purchase travel protection through any vendor of your choice.

What other meals in Europe am I responsible for?

All breakfasts, and four dinners are included.  You are responsible for the other meals. Drinks for included dinners are NOT included. A majority of airlines include meals on the flights to/from Europe but there are a few airlines that still charge for meals. You obviously, can bring snacks aboard the flight but need to be concerned about bringing food/snacks into Germany and especially back to the United States.

Are flights included in the price?

Yes, but the flight itineraries will not be available until June 2025.  If the airfare increases over the budget, GMT will share this information with the directors by June and share the increase with all the travelers.

Will all students fly to and from Europe on the same plane?

No.  There will be several flights through various connecting cities.  

Can I meet the group in Europe and not fly with the band?

Yes, GMT can provide a “land only” rate and you will be responsible for your transportation to Germany (and return from Vienna). There are no one-way options.  If you are meeting the group in Germany, you will need to meet the group at the Munich International Airport on March 21st by 7:00am at the latest. 

To inquire about the “land only” rate, please email [email protected]

Can I use miles for my flight?

Yes, you would purchase the land-only rate then meet the group in Europe.  To inquire about the “land only” rate, please email [email protected]

Does is cost to check luggage under the plane?

Typically, it does not cost to check luggage as long as you follow their rules such as bag size, weight and the number of bags.  You will be able to contact the airline for more specific information when the flights become available in January.

Will we have any help getting passports?

You are required to obtain your own passport for the trip.  For details, visit https://travel.state.gov

If I forget and wait too long to get the passport, is there a way I can go on the trip anyway?

Unfortunately, not.

What about spending-money in Germany and Austria?

They use the EURO as currency.  There will ample opportunity at airports to exchange currency as well as an explanation to the students on how to do this. The trip is priced on the exchange of 1 Euro for US $1.10.

What about debit/credit card purchases?

Major credit and debit cards work in Europe the same as the U.S.  Be sure your bank knows you will be traveling before leaving.  Many travelers use Apple Wallet or similar.

Will there be a package for my family members or friends to join us in Europe?

Yes, family and friends are encouraged to join the trip.  This will include air, hotel, ground transportation and special events with the band and choir.  This package will join the students throughout Germany and Austria.  You will use the same registration site and registered as Chaperone/Family & Friends.  If you have a child traveling with you (in addition to your student), please add them in the Chaperone/Family & Friends package too.

Who can travel as part of the Family and Friends group?

Anyone other than students and staff.

What is the bed configuration on this trip?  How many travelers can share a room?

Bedding in Europe is typically different from what we are used to in the United States.  A single occupancy room could have a single twin in it or a German Queen Bed.  A double occupancy room could have two twin beds or a German Queen Bed.  The double bed is a German Queen Bed that consists of two separate mattresses and one bed frame.  A triple occupancy room could have a German Queen Bed plus a sofa bed or roll-away.  Rooms that can accommodate three travelers are limited so it is important to register early.

Is it required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to go on the trip?

Though the trip is too far in the future to know for sure, but as of January 1, 2023, for all COVID19 travel restrictions have been lifted for travel to Germany and Austria and back to the United States for US Citizens.  However, travel requirements are constantly changing and will be monitored and will be communicated as needed.  For more information, please visit travel.state.gov.

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QUESTIONS?
Contact: [email protected]

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