SMHS Italy River Cruise + Concert Tour

Cantiamo

Sing in Italy & San Marino

The 2025 SMHS CANTIAMO River Cruise starts on Friday, April 4 in Mantova/Mantua, an Italian Renaissance gem and UNESCO World Heritage sight. A concert is being planned here for the SMHS Choirs (at the stunning cathedral, beautiful city palace or the one-of-a-kind octagonal church) on Saturday, April 5. After an excursion to Verona on Sunday, April 6 and visit to the Republic of San Marino on Monday, April 7 (next concert), you’ll be waking up to the beautiful countryside of the Venetian Lagoon. The last two days are spent in and around Venice with one more performance opportunity for Derek Jamieson and his singers.

You’ll travel on the MS Michelangelo, your floating hotel, restaurant, café, lecture hall, perfect pre-concert rehearsal space for the musicians, and so much more. Sea you soon on the Canale Bianco?

A preview of your Italian experiences

The Cantiamo Italy river cruise will take SMHS on the Canale Bianco across Northern Italy, plus your group stays in the heart of Venice for a few nights. A memorable day trip to the Republic of San Marino is also planned. -- along with up to three formal concerts for the choirs.

FAQ SMHS 2025 Europe Tour

Who can register for the SMHS 2025 Italy Tour

Initially, only student performers and immediate family members are welcome to register — to ensure that all eligible singers have a spot on the ship. Immediate family includes parents/guardians, siblings, and grandparents. It is essential to understand that this journey is, first and foremost, a performance tour and that the concert opportunities are the most important events. Sightseeing comes secondary. The ship schedule is subject to change based on the timing of the performances.
Can student/s stay in upgraded cabins?

Yes, if parents or guardians are traveling alongside on the cruise, their student/s may stay in upgraded upper deck cabins — either with the parent or guardian or adjacent. Kindly check with your student/s’ teacher for approval.
Are selected options binding?

Your selected options become binding on Monday, September 9, 2024 — assuming the SMHS river cruise + concert tour is proceeding (with the minimum number of 100 travelers reached by that date at the latest).

Air Add-ons require a minimum of 15 travelers for each group flight.

Do not select Air Add-on if you plan to leave earlier, return later, from a different airport than LAX, or upgrade or require a specific seat.

Once payment is applied to your package, options are confirmed and selections are binding.

Changing options after 9/9/24 results in change fees and/or penalties, especially from the airlines.
Cruise-Only or Cruise + Air-Add-on

When selecting the Air-Cruise from LAX to Venice, with two return flights to LAX from Venice on April 10, 2025 and one returning from Rome on April 13, 2025 (extension option for student/s traveling with adult/guardian).

The Air-Cruise add-on includes one checked bag and airport transfers in Europe. You cannot deviate from the group air schedule, use mileage points towards your ticket, or upgrade your economy class ticket.

When selecting the Cruise-Only package, flights are not included, and no airport transfers are offered.

Important Reminder: Students traveling without a parent or guardian must select one of the group flights.
Air Add-On Group Flight Information

We’ve confirmed three group flight options for the SMHS 2025 Italy Tour.

Students traveling without a parent or guardian must select one of the main group flights, they cannot be on the extended Rome return.

Adding a group flight add-on allows you to travel with the group in economy class.
Group flights cannot be changed or upgraded.

Here are the flight schedules for the two main groups:

ITA AIRWAYS
AZ 621 departs LAX on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 3:15 pm — scheduled arrival in Rome FCO is at noon on April 4, 2025
AZ 1475 departs FCO at 1:20 pm and arrives in Venice VCE at 2:30 pm

LUFTHANSA LH
LH 547 departs LAX on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 2:55 pm — scheduled arrival in Frankfurt FRA is at 10:55 am on April 4, 2025
LH 328 departs FRA on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 4:30 pm — with scheduled arrival in Venice VCE at 5:50 pm

RETURN FLIGHTS

The ITA Airways schedule as of 9/5/24 is as follows:

AZ 1460 departs VCE at 6:20 am on Thursday, April 10, 2025 and is scheduled to arrive at 7:35 am in Rome FCO. AZ 620 departs FCO at 9:30 am and is scheduled to arrive at LAX at 1:15 pm (same day).

EXTENDED RETURN

AZ 620 departs FCO on Sunday, April 13 at 9:30 am and is scheduled to arrive at LAX at 1:15 pm (same day).

LH/AIR DOLOMITI

EN 8201 departs VCE at 10 am to Munich MUC on Thursday, April 10, 2025 and is scheduled to arrive at 11:05 am in Germany.
LH 452 departs MUC at 12:20 pm, and the scheduled arrival time at LAX is at 3:15 pm (same day).

All airline itineraries are subject to change; pricing may also change until ticketing (now February 2025).
Airlines may increase or decrease the taxes and fuel surcharges.

Group flights include one checked bag and a guaranteed seat; however, a specific seat assignment is usually not available until check-in at LAX. Group flights are non-changeable and non-refundable. Mileage earnings are also not guaranteed.

If you’re looking for a specific seat, hope to collect miles or benefit from your airline status, we recommend making an individual flight booking either on your own or via our travel agency partner Nonstop Travel. Flight booking fees apply when working with Nonstop Travel and vary by the number of travelers, your flight itinerary and class of travel. Please do not add a group flight if you plan to leave earlier or return later.

Travelers with Air-Add-On have transportation to/from the cruise ship included from Venice VCE airport.

Cruise Comforts

Sea-ing is believing. Once you’ve embarked on a river cruise for a choir tour, you may never want to check in or check out of a hotel again. The MS Michelangelo is your floating hotel, restaurant, rehearsal space etc.
Amazing Venues

Hearing the SMHS students concertize in prime Italian venues is priceless. Amazing acoustics are guaranteed. Plus, we’ll reserve the best seats for families and friends coming along.
Journey of a Lifetime

Italy is THE destination for performers and music-loving travelers. Experience major musical cities like Venice and Verona, plus hidden Italian gems without any hassle or extra long bus rides. You’ll make memories of a lifetime together.

What's Italy and Traveling Like with Inside Europe: #nofilterneeded

Not only have we been where we're taking you, we're also showing you what it experiencing Italy is like: through the eyes of our travelers. Our pictures and videos are usually taken on an iPhone, with the occasional professional capture added to the mix.