ama gold tour

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American Music Abroad

American Music Abroad is a performance tour program for high school, college, and adult-aged band, choir, musical theater and orchestra musicians. Each tour performs in multiple countries for 10-20 day tours.

Dedication to Music, Culture, and Education

The best way to experience europe.

Student Tours

A cultural performance tour of western Europe for high school and college aged musicians.

Community Tours

A Community Band, Choir and Orchestra Tour for adult musicians.

Ensemble Tours

AMA tours for your community, college and high school musical groups throughout Europe.

Friends & Family Tours

Shadow tours for friends and family of our student tours, offering a separate schedule but attendance at 3 student ensemble concerts.

About American Music Abroad

American music abroad was founded in 1975 by a high school band director and his wife to fulfill their dream of sharing their love of europe with high school students, college students and adults..

American Music Abroad has organized over 350 musical tours with a specialization/concentration on Western Europe involving over 40,000 participants. In 2022, the company was purchased by Peak Group Travel and the owners look forward to continuing legacy of this program for years to come.

Each tour is structured to maximize cultural and educational opportunities. A full-time experienced tour escort travels with each group to ensure that group members will have an enjoyable and rewarding travel experience.

In the view of American Music Abroad, music is indeed an “international language”. It is our mission to provide opportunities for musical exchange fostering better understanding and friendship.

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"amazing experiences" gives an inside look at the life changing cultural, musical and social experiences that hundreds of students witness each summer traveling and performing as "musical ambassadors" with american music abroad tours, traveler impressions, what everyone is saying, we receive rave reviews from our students, vendors and concert goers throughout europe.

“I cannot begin to describe to you haw amazing this trip truly was for me. You have done something that I did not know was possible and changed 150 lives in three weeks. Your hard work and dedication to this trip is amazing and it is what made the trip the experience that it was. I want to thank you for inviting me on this tour and changing my life forever."

“I am so delighted that my son is feeling the freedom of the experience and is able to separate in a way that feels quite natural. It is showing me that he is enjoying his newfound liberty and growing into a young adult. Our collective job is to teach them to fly. This is an experience that is allowing them that to do just that under the guidance of the leaders."

“I wanted to let you know that my daughter had a fabulous experience with American Music Abroad. She loved the program, the travel and the music. She said she looked forward to every concert! I did not hear one negative comment about the trip. We are so thrilled that she participated this year. Thank you again for providing such an incredible opportunity for these kids."

“Having been the only participant from my high school, I wondered how I would become good friends with others. I have many many special friendships. To share an experience such as this one with others creates a bond with them. I have learned so much from this trip. From the rich history of Europe to the workings of relationships."

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American Music Abroad has had 45 years of successful experience in arranging and organizing music tours for student and adult musical groups.

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• 6542A Lower York Road, Suite 144 New Hope, PA 18938
• Copyright ©2023 All rights reserved by American Music Abroad

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American Music Abroad Celebrating 45 years!

Gold tour ​to europe 2023.

INTERESTED IN TRAVELING & PERFORMING IN EUROPE? Start Here:

Click here to apply now, gold tour 2023 informational meetings, homebound coaches & millersville coaches click here to reserve and pay for transportation http://bit.ly/amagoldhomeboundbus, interested in being a musical ambassador to europe 2 short must see videos:  , more videos & photos below, gold tour informational videos, 2015 "trip review" slideshow gold tour summer experience in review   (12:40min).

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Gold tour poster history, gold tour (dvd) history ....

AMA Red Tour 2024

Itinerary: italy, croatia, austria, germany and switzerland., follow the tour.

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Head Director

Symphonic band directors.

Dan Miller Taylor Rehe Jennifer Pham

Concert Choir Directors

Graham Terry Holden Maiorana Emily Obenauer

String Orchestra Directors

Dave Beck Eileen Miller

Jazz Band Directors

Gary Fink Alex Miller

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The US Am Tour is an extremely well-run tour that provides quality tournaments at outstanding venues. I enjoy the opportunity to compete for trophies and prizes and have met many competitors who have become great friends. If you love golf and like to compete, you have to join!

The US Am Tour is run in a very professional manner by local & regional tournament directors at top-notch venues. The multiple flights are suited for all levels of players. The camaraderie with players you meet at each event is great & the level of competitiveness is high, so bring your A-game. The tournaments will make you play within your own abilities & tests all aspects of your game. Try and minimize the bad holes and go have fun doing it!

The US Am tour is special to me because of the friendships and camaraderie you build with people who love the game as much as you do. With their flight system it opens up competitive golf to all ages and skill levels and drives you to work harder to get to the next level in your own game. We play amazing courses, with great competition and the chance to feel like a pro is what keeps me coming back for more. Thank you US Am Tour!

As a Senior still working full time, playing golf is enjoyable. And playing competitive golf is great fun. But playing golf on the US Am Tour is the ultimate competition for those of us “committed” amateur golfers. Competitive golf helps me to improve and test my golf game against other players of the same age and skill set. That is the unique quality of the USAT. The tournament venues, while varied with both private and public courses, always present challenges. As the USAT is a true Amateur tour, you can set your schedule to include course venues, cities, and regions that you live in or would like to travel to. Qualifying events are never a prerequisite for entry. Friendships are made with your fellow competitors, with genuine respect for each other. The end result is quality competitive golf, with a professional tour staff that makes for the ultimate amateur golf experience.

After picking up golf as an adult, The US Am Tour has been an amazing way to learn the game and meet good friends through friendly competition. My first year on Tour, I placed 2nd in the 20+ flight at Nationals the year my husband took 1st place in the 12.0-15.9 flight. Now, after playing many Am Tour events together, I have improved my game and won my first US Am Tour tournament in Hogan (8.0-11.9)! Nationals is an awesome week and brings together all of the amazing friends we have made over the years. US Am Tour has become our little golf family, and I am so thankful to be a part of this amazing group!

I really like the camaraderie, the courses, and definitely the competition. These parts of the US Am Tour combined with top notch run tournaments has definitely helped me step up my game!

What I enjoy about playing on the US Am Tour is I get to play competitive golf and meet great people that become lifelong friends. Playing competitive golf has truly made me a better tournament player. 10 years ago when I started playing competitively more often I was a 15 handicap and have worked my way into a mid-single digit now and am having a lot of fun!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find answers to our most frequently asked questions. For any additional questions please contact [email protected].

What is the US Am Tour?

US Am Tour is the best amateur golf tour in North America.  US Am Tour provides an authentic TOUR-style tournament golf experience to players of all ages and abilities, allowing golfers to compete with others at their skill level, gain access to top courses in their area and across the country.

Who can join?

Membership is open to everyone who loves to play competitive golf. US Am Tour offers 12 flights.  Whether you’re an accomplished scratch player or a higher handicap, there’s a place for you on the US Am Tour.  Players can join at www.usamtour.com. 

Am I good enough to play on the US Am Tour?

Absolutely. There’s a spot for you. US Am Tour offers different flights based on skill level and, when prudent, by age.  You’ll only be competing against players of the similiar skill level.

Which flight would I be placed in?

We offer 6 Open flights for under the age of 50 and 6 Senior flights for those over 50.

What does membership include and how much does it cost?

Memberships are valid for 365 days from the date of registration for $139.  Memberships include the ability to compete in TOUR-style quality, professionally-run golf tournaments in more than 50 cities across the U.S., and Puerto Rico. There will be approximately 700 local tournaments and more than 20 Major Championships each season. Membership does not include entry fees to individual tournaments which vary based on tournament location, time of year, number of rounds and venue. 

Memberships will renew annually after expiration at a reduced rate of $99

How can I sign up for a membership?

Sign up online at www.usamtour.com or contact your the Tour Director in your area to learn more.

Once I register, how long does it take to receive my Member Pack item?

Train Throws it Back to the Past on “AM Gold,” Set for Tour with Jewel, Blues Travelers

by Tina Benitez-Eves March 16, 2022, 9:28 am

“It has to start with love—love that goes into work comes out of work,” says Train frontman Pat Monahan. “We love this song, this album, and our fans.” Picking up long after where Train left off with A Girl, a Bottle, a Boat in 2017, the band’s upcoming 11th album, AM Gold, out May 20, is a throwback to the AM 1960s and ‘70s radio rock and new influences and concentrated on self-love.

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“The whole album is a throwback,” said Monahan. “When we were making the album, my manager said ‘hey man, you’re making an AM gold album,’ and I was like, ‘well, that sounds really fun, but we don’t have a song called ‘AM Gold” yet, so why don’t I write that.”

On “AM Gold,” Monahan is still exploring Train’s musical peripherals. The slinky, disco dancer captures the core of loving oneself above all else in the chorus, Breathe, baby, you ain’t gotta worry no more / Just breathe, we’ll be waiting on the dance floor / And let your body let it go / You’re best case scenario / Love don’t come in stereo / Baby, you are AM gold.

The last song written for the album, captured the more retro fields of AM Gold, crossing over into R & B, Motown, and disco. “The gold is more of the disco portion,” says Monahan. “That’s the idea of ‘Am Gold.’ It’s just a self-love song. That seems pretty necessary right now. It also has to do with if he leaves you or she leaves you. If they leave you, just get on the dance floor, because you got all the people that you need and who love you there.”

“AM Gold,” also explores the disenchantment of real-life predicated by constant broadcasts on social platforms. “Social media has made life crazy, in some ways,” says Monahan. “The fact that children are more interested in getting likes on video, just means that there’s a lot of insecurity and these kids really need to take a minute and understand that you can’t be loved until you figure out what’s lovable about you.” Monahan adds, “And the song is that to me. If you don’t love you, then how do you expect me to? It’s a good time to hear somebody talk about that.”

Writing along with drummer Matt Musty and keyboardist Jerry Becker, AM Gold started coming together naturally, said Monahan, from music—new and old—that was inspiring him at the time. “I love hip hop, and I can’t get away with writing hip hop songs,” said Monahan. “But this one was more of a visit to the past instead of the future.”

Recorded in 2021, AM Gold was written within the last two years and comes more than 20 years after the band’s debut Drops of Jupiter . “Writing songs is hard, not compared to so many things I suppose, but it’s difficult to create something that you love and then other people love as well,” says Monahan. “Writing songs for two and a half years in front of video screens instead of being in the presence of other humans has been a long, strange trip. And now here we are.”

Alongside the new music, Train is ready to hit the road this summer, featuring Jewel and Blues Traveler on select dates. The 35-stop tour kicks off June 8 in Mansfield, Massachusetts, and closes big on Aug. 6 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. Monahan said that the year of the Tiger has been prophetic for a big year ahead. “It has begun in a strong, beautiful, and encouraging way,” said Monahan, “and it’s only the beginning.”

Photo: Brooke Clarke

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Amazon Announces Documentary on Black Country Music Artists, ‘For Love & Country’

© 2024 American Songwriter

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Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

Red Square & Moscow City Tour

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Description

Highlights:.

• Experience medieval Kitay Gorod (China town).
• Wander picturesque Red Square and Alexander Garden.
• Explore grand Christ the Savior Cathedral on our Red Square tour.
• Breathtaking panoramic views from Patriarch bridge.
• Enjoy a hearty lunch on the large open verandah and marvel at the stunning views of the Kremlin.
• Learn about Russian culture from the local through relaxed cultural discussions.

Tour Itinerary:

Red square:.

Russia and Moscow are synonymous with Red Square and the Kremlin and that's hardly surprising as you'll find these places absolutely stunning!

• - Walk-through the Resurrection Gate and don’t forget to flip a coin so you’ll be sure to come back one day!
• - Visit the world's famous Kazan Cathedral .
• - See the State Department Store (GUM), once the Upper Trading Stalls, which were built over a century ago and still operating!
• - Admire the lovely St. Basil's Cathedral! The French diplomat Marquis de Custine commented that it combined "the scales of a golden fish, the enamelled skin of a serpent, the changeful hues of the lizard, the glossy rose and azure of the pigeon's neck" and wondered at "the men who go to worship God in this box of confectionery work".
• - Walk by Lobnoye Mesto (literally meaning "Execution Place", or "Place of Skulls"), once Ivan the Terrible's stage for religious ceremonies, speeches, and important events.
• - Entering the Alexander Garden , you’ll take in spectacular views of Russian architecture from ancient to Soviet times, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with an eternal flame. Watch Changing of the Guard Ceremony every hour in summer and every half an hour in winter.

Kitai-gorod:

Stroll along medieval Kitai-gorod with its strong ancient Russia feel, known for its bohemian lifestyle, markets and arts.

• - Nikolskaya Street. Here you will find the Russia's first publishing house, the second oldest monastery, and Ferryn Pharmacy, known as the number one pharmacy back in Soviet times and famous for its Empire-style architecture.
• - Ilinka Street. The financial street of the Kitaigorod (China Town) district, where you’ll find the Gostiny Dvor (Merchant’s Yard), which is now a showroom for Ferraris and Maseratis. The street was designed in the 1790s by Catherine the Great.
• - Varvarka street. The oldest street in Moscow, which dates back to the 14th century, and still has remnants of early Muscovite architecture, such as the Old English Court and the Palace of the Romanov’s.
• - Kamergersky Lane. Only a small road of about 250 meters, it is home to some of the oldest artifacts of the city, as each building holds a fascinating story. Some of Russia's most famous writers, poets, and composers from as far back as the Golden Age of Russian culture, have lived or worked on this lane.

Historic City Center

Walk the historical old center of Moscow with its cool local vibe, including the main Tverskaya street , and indulge in desserts in the first grocery “Eliseev's store” , housed in an 18th century neoclassical building, famous for its baroque interior and decoration.

From our tour. Impressions of our American tourist:

At 3:30, as energy flagged, lunch was on the agenda at a Ukrainian restaurant.  Just in time!  We asked our guide to order for us.  We all had the same thing....borscht (the Ukrainian version has beans and more tomatoes than the Russian version, which has more beets and includes beef). 

The special high bread served is called galushki.  Our main course was golubtsy...a dish of minced meat rolled in braised cabbage leaves.  Both dishes called for optional sour cream as a topping....of course, yes, please....I recommend it. 

Full, satisfied, and completely refreshed, it was off to Red Square and St. Basil's and GUM department store.  Red Square is not so named because of the color of the brick walls of the Kremlin.  Rather the word for 'red' and the word for 'beautiful' are similar in pronunciation....and, there you have it. 

As we made the turn by the National Museum in front of which is the mounted sculpture of the "Marshall of Victory," Giorgy Zhukov from WWII and caught our first view of St. Basil's, my friend and I simultaneously emitted "Oooohhhhh!"  There it was....the iconic onion domes of St. Basil's!  Hooray....it was open until 7....we had about 30 minutes and were allowed in, AND we could take photos with no flash. 

Now, I can give you a taste of what we saw in the other cathedrals in Cathedral Square.  What we learned is that St. Vasily and St. Basil are one in the same....Russian/English.  He was a common man who wandered Moscow unclothed and barefoot.  But, all, even Ivan the Terrible, heeded his opinions derived from his visions.  Ivan had this cathedral built over his tomb. 

As we exited and took photos up close of the onion domes, Inna presented us with chocolate (how did she know we were ready for another energy boost, and we each got a big piece of chocolate.  The baby's name pictured on the wrapper of this famous Russian chocolate is Alyonka....the Russian Gerber baby, don't you think? 

One could wear out the credit card in GUM's (capitalized because it is actually a government abbreviation), but the 'kitty' and my credit card stayed in my pocket as we strolled through the glass-topped arcade. 

We then strolled through some of Moscow's lovely pedestrian streets; paused to listen as a wonderful quartet performed Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" in an underground passage to cross the busy street (hooray!....we DID have our 'classical concert' experience after all; a request Alina tried in vain to fill because none was scheduled those days), saw the Bolshoi, which means 'big' (my friend has yet to recover that their performance schedule did not coincide with our cruise), saw the Central Telegraph Building, dating from the 1930's, and made our way to the Ritz-Carlton to see the night view of Moscow from the rooftop bar, called O2. 

There were fleece blankets to wrap yourself in....yes, it got that cold when the sun set.  We each ordered something hot to drink...the ginger, mint, lemon tea served to me in a parfait glass (for 600 rubles...about $9....you pay for the view here!) was delightful and hit the spot perfectly.  It was time to call it a night....

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting city tour, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time.

*This Moscow city tour can be modified to meet your requirements.

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Moscow, St Petersburg and the Golden Ring / 12D

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  1 DAY /  ARRIVAL IN MOSCOW

Free time in the city, although if you arrive in the morning we can organise an excursion on this day.

2 DAY / MOSCOW - CITY TOUR - KREMLIN

• Red Square – one of the most famous squares in the world, famous for St Basil’s Cathedral which is one of the most recognisable symbols of Russia.
• Lenin’s Mausoleum – where the body of Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the World Proletariat, still lies, embalmed in a glass box.
• GUM – a famous shopping centre located on Red Square.
• Aleksandrovsky Gardens – gardens which run along the northern wall of the Kremlin.
• Lubyanka KGB Building – an impressive building once home to the KGB; it is now the headquarters of the Federal Security Bureau.
• Zaryadye Park - a unique park built where the massive Soviet-Style Hotel Rossia once stood. It contains representations of various natural landscapes found in Russia.
• Christ the Saviour Cathedral – the largest place of worship in Russia, it was rebuilt in the 1990s after the original was destroyed on the orders of Stalin.
• Ulitsa Arbat – a popular pedestrian street which has souvenir shops and many bars and restaurants.

You will also have the following excursions around:

• Moscow Kremlin - you will go inside the famous fortress which is now home to the Russian president and will see the Tsar Canon, Tsar Bell and go inside the Kremlin’s cathedrals.
• Moscow Metro – you will go to the most beautiful stations of the metro system which is often said to be the most beautiful in the world.

3 DAY / TRETYAKOV GALLERY - ZAMOSKVORECHIE DISTRICT

4 DAY / FREE DAY IN MOSCOW

5 DAY / VLADIMIR - SUZDAL

Arrival in Vladimir and transfer to the starting point of the excursion. 

• Dormition Cathedral - the main cathedral of the city. For over 200 years this cathedral held the revered Our Lady of Vladimir Icon, which Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky brought from Vyshgorod in Ukraine to Vladimir. The icon was later transferred to Moscow and can now be seen in the Tretyakov Gallery. According to legend, the icon was created by Luke the Evangelist.
• Golden Gates - a rare monument of Russian 12th century defensive architecture and all that remains of the walls which once surrounded Vladimir.
• St Demetrius’ Cathedral - one of the most remarkable monuments of mediaeval Rus. It was built in the 1190s as a palace temple of Grand Prince Vsevolod the Big Nest of Vladimir and is decorated on the outside with engravings of plants and animals, while the interior still retains fragments of frescos by Andrey Rublev.

6 DAY / SUZDAL 

• Suzdal Kremlin - this is the oldest part and historical core of the city. Although the kremlin's walls no longer stand, parts of the earthen mound fortifications do remain. The buildings inside the kremlin are now used as museums.
• Nativity Cathedral (1222) – the kremlin’s cathedral is the Nativity Cathedral and the current version stands on the place of an 11th century version which was built on the orders of Vladimir Monomakh. The interior features stunning frescos as well as a necropolis where the sons of Yury Dolgoruky have been interred along with several members of various noble families from Suzdal.
• Spaso-Yefimiev Monastery (1352) – this is the largest monastery in Suzdal and with its large fortified walls it is often mistaken for being the Suzdal Kremlin. Today it is a museum with various exhibitions including its main cathedral with its amazing frescos.
• Museum of the Wooden Architecture and Peasant life – this collection of wooden buildings, including churches and windmills, from various parts of European Russia is one of the best of architectural museums in Russia. It now resembles a village in itself made up of beautiful examples of 17th - 19th century wooden buildings which have been brought here to protect them from fire or from being dismantled.
• Trading Rows (1812) – Suzdal’s set of trading rows are still used for their original purpose and a souvenir market is held outside where you can buy a whole range of souvenirs, including bottles of the mead for which Suzdal is famed.

During the transfer you will pass through the territory known as Opolye where the landscape is not at all typical for the north-eastern part of European Russia and characterised by its open fields and wide open spaces.

7 DAY / ROSTOV VELIKY

• Rostov Kremlin  – the former residence of the metropolitan of the Rostov Eparchy which is called a kremlin due to its large, fortified walls which were built more to look impressive rather than to provide a defensive function. The white stone kremlin is a monument of pre-Petrine Russian architecture.
• Dormition Cathedral  – the main cathedral in the kremlin which dates from the 16th century and was modelled of the Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. It is 60 metres in height. Next to the cathedral is a belfry containing 15 unique bells, whose sound is widely celebrated across Russia.
• Museum of Rostov Finift  – Rostov finift enamel painting has been a famous local handicraft since the 18th century. This museum has over 3000 examples on display.
• Spaso-Yakovlevsky Monastery  – Rostov’s Spaso-Yakovlevsky Monastery was founded in approximately 1390 by Bishop Jacob (Yakov) of Rostov, after whom it is now named. After the Kremlin it is the most beautiful sight in the city with its eclectic Conception of Anna Church and St Jacob of Rostov's Church.

8 DAY / YAROSLAVL

• Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery  – one of the largest, richest and best fortified monasteries of the 16th century. It is closely associated with the volunteer army of Minin and Pozharsky which was based here while it prepared to liberate Moscow from the Poles in the early 17th century. Inside the monastery is the Transfiguration Cathedral which is the oldest surviving building in Yaroslavl and was built on the site of an even older church between 1506 and 1516. It interior is decorated with spectacular frescos. To protect these unique frescos it can only be visited between May and October.
• Volga Embankment  - this embankment running along the River Volga is one of the prettiest places in Yaroslavl and several historical churches and other buildings are located here. From here you can enjoy great views of the largest river in Europe. 
• St Elijah the Prophet’s Church  (17th Century) - this church is a masterpiece of ancient Russian architecture which is stunningly beautiful on the outside and on the inside thanks to its detailed frescos and amazing iconostasis. To protect these unique frescos it can only be visited between May and October.

9 DAY / ARRIVAL IN ST PETERSBURG 

10 DAY / CITY TOUR - HERMITAGE - PETER AND PAUL FORTRESS

• Our Lady of Kazan Cathedral - one of the city's most famous landmarks with its instantly recognisable semi-circular colonnade with 96 columns.
• Peter the Great Monument (The Bronze Horseman) - the most famous monument in St Petersburg and one of its most recognisable symbols. It was a gift from Catherine the Great to the city.
• Field of Mars - a memorial field where many revolutionaries were buried and also where the first eternal flame in Russia was ignited.
• Rostral columns  - symbols of the city which were used as lighthouses up until 1885.
• Guided Tour of the  Peter and Paul Fortress – the original point of foundation of St Petersburg which later served as a prison for political prisoners. Its cathedral is the resting place for almost all Russian monarchs after Peter the Great. 
• Guided Tour of the State Hermitage - one of the most famous art galleries in the world which receives over 3.5 million visitors a year. It is located inside the Winter Palace which was once the official residence of the Russian emperors and empresses. Many of the palace's 365 rooms are filled with sculptures and paintings of world-renowned artists of all ages, although quite often the interiors of the palace outshine even these masterpieces. It is said that if you stand next to each of the exhibits or pictures for a minute, it will take eight years of your life to see everything. Our guide though knows shortcuts and will take you to the must-see exhibitions and rooms so you won’t need to stay there that long!

11 DAY / SAVIOUR CATHEDRAL - CATHERINE PALACE

  Breakfast in the hotel.

• The collection of mosaics of this cathedral is one of the largest in Europe. The mosaics cover the whole interior of the cathedral, and the production of these masterpieces delayed the completion of the cathedral by ten years! Famous Russian masters - Vasnetsov, Nesterov, Belyaev, Kharlamov, Zhuravlev, Ryabushkin - took part in the work. Even the iconostasis features mosaics .
• Pushkin (formerly known as Tsarskoe Selo) is located in 25km from St Petersburg. The Catherine Palace here is among the top five most beautiful palaces in Russia and its Amber Room is often called as the most beautiful palace hall in the world. About 100kg of gold was used to decorate the palace .

12 DAY | DEPARTURE 

• The tour is available the whole year round starting on any day, but please take into account that the museum’s working hours and days-off vary so we reserve the right to change the itinerary while trying to save the excursion programme.
• Optional excursions should be booked before the start of the tour to schedule the itinerary.
• Transportation in Moscow, where travel by metro is designated, can be changed to a car upon request, but please note that the transport situation in Moscow is not very good, so you could get stuck in a traffic jam.
• Tickets to museums cannot be sold without an excursion with a guide.
• During state holidays and celebrations, Red Square may be closed (either partially blocked off or completely closed).
• The price of the tour may be increased during the period of the White Nights (11JUN-10JUL) and when the International Economic Forum (end of May or beginning of June) is being held in St Petersburg. Please check the price when booking.
• In cities of the Golden Ring where there are no 4 or 5-star hotels, the cost includes hotels of 3 or 4 stars.
• All excursions/guided tours included in the itinerary are private which means private guides and private transport along with the programme - unless otherwise stated.
• Best time to travel on this route: from the end of April to mid-October and from December to mid-March.

•  CANCELLATION POLICY  •

Date of the tour

Number of travellers, accommodation:.

• Individual excursions according to the programme.
• Entrance tickets to the museums
• Transfers in a private car according to the programme.
• Second class tickets for the high-speed train from Moscow to Vladimir
• Second class tickets for the Premium train from Yaroslavl to St Petersburg
• Accommodation in a hotel of a category of your choice, central location, standard DBL rooms with breakfast.
• 24h emergency support during the tour
• Visa support documents

• Meals (except for breakfast where stated).
• Tips for the guides and drivers.
• Optional excursions.

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• October 30, 2023:  Applications open for the 2024 – 2025 tour season
• January 29, 2024 at 11:59pm PST:  All completed applications and supplementary materials must be submitted.
• February 2024:  AMA announces finalists selected for auditions.
• March 4 and 5, 2024:  Auditions will be held in New York City
• March 7, 2024:  Auditions will be held in Las Vegas
• May 2024:  Bands are selected and notified.
• September 2024:  Earliest Bands will start tours.

Band Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated outstanding musical talent, aptitude in performance and educational programming, and adaptable skills for diverse international audiences.
• High artistic standards.
• Demonstrated commitment to education.
• Knowledge of and experience in the Music Business.
• Experience and/or potential to thrive as cultural diplomats.
• Bands are selected for tours through a competitive online audition process.
• Bands must be able to tour internationally  for a total of  15 to 20 days between  September 2023 and May 2024 (based on band availability).
• All musical genres are welcome to apply. This includes but is not limited to Blues, Bluegrass, Cajun, Country, Folk, Latin, Native American, Gospel, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, Jazz, Punk, R&B, and Zydeco. Once on tour, ensembles will participate in cross-genre collaborations, creating a rich musical tapestry that transcends traditional boundaries.
• All Artists must be U.S. Citizens (no exceptions).

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the United States Department of State strives to embed diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in all aspects of its work. Public diplomacy is most effective when people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives participate in people-to-people exchanges and programs to promote mutual understanding. The Bureau incorporates DEIA best practices throughout its exchanges and programs, grants, community partnerships, and in its workforce and workplace. ECA is committed to addressing barriers based on race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, geographic location, education, income, socioeconomic status, and other diversity dimensions that may hinder inclusion in the organization. The Bureau’s commitment to DEIA strengthens U.S. foreign policy and is vital to building trust and partnerships here at home and around the world.