Program Dates
Festival 2027
Overview
Give your students the opportunity to perform in two countries with a rich musical history — Austria and the Czech Republic — on a trip to the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival. Your students will perform at the Golden Hall of the Musikveiren in Vienna, the city that produced some of the most famous musicians in the world. Add a visit to Prague to learn more about the origins of the country’s deep musical culture at the Czech Museum of Music, the Martinu hall of the prestigious Academy of Music, or the Novodvorská Cultural Center concert hall.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Germany (Munich)
Day 2
Arrive in Munich
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Travel to Salzburg
With its elegant squares and quaint streets, Salzburg is a delightful introduction to the sophisticated world of the classical genius, Mozart.
Day 3
Salzburg city walk
Explore Salzburg’s Old Town, a maze of winding lanes, historic steeples, cobblestone streets, and open squares. Take in the grandeur of Residenz Square and admire the striking façade of Salzburg Cathedral before continuing to Mozart Square, where a statue honours the city’s most famous son. As you explore, listen for the Glockenspiel, an early 18th-century carillon whose 35 bells ring out over the cafés lining the square.
Mozart’s birthplace visit
Feel the rhythm of Salzburg’s Old Town Square as you enter the unassuming yellow home at Getreidegasse 9, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Inside, view an impressive collection of the young composer’s first instruments and immerse yourself in the captivating story of his early life.
Group performance
Day 4
Travel to Vienna
SCL Festival Welcome Ceremony
Attend the Summa Cum Laude Festival Welcome Ceremony and meet fellow youth music groups from around the world.
Conductor's Kick-Off Meeting
All conductors and directors will meet this evening.
Day 5
Vienna guided sightseeing tour
Join a professional, licensed tour guide on a sightseeing adventure through Vienna—the city of brilliant musicians, Baroque art and architecture, and velvet-clad coffeehouses. Along the way, you’ll sense the power and decadence of the city’s early ruling family, the mighty Habsburgs. Stroll down the famous Ringstraße, a grand boulevard commissioned by Emperor Franz Josef in 1857. Visit Schönbrunn Palace, where the Habsburgs ruled until 1918 and a six-year-old Mozart once serenaded Marie Antoinette.
SCL Festival Competition & Celebration
Your group will take part in the exciting festivities of the Summa Cum Laude Festival, which may include cultural exchanges with local ensembles, professional workshops, rehearsals, and performances. The official schedule is TBD.
Boxed lunch
Group performance
Day 6
SCL Festival Competition & Celebration
Your group will take part in the exciting festivities of the Summa Cum Laude Festival, which may include cultural exchanges with local ensembles, professional workshops, rehearsals, and performances. The official schedule is TBD.
Workshops at the University of Music in Vienna
Boxed lunch
Group performance
Day 7
Haus der Musik visit
This interactive museum is located in the former home of Otto Nicolai, founder of the Vienna Philharmonic. Explore the lives of classical composers, compose your own waltz, and discover the science behind sound and hearing. Step onto a virtual conductor’s podium to lead the Vienna Philharmonic, and receive feedback from the musicians themselves.
Boxed lunch
Workshops at the University of Music in Vienna
Day 8
SCL Festival Competition & Celebration
Your group will take part in the exciting festivities of the Summa Cum Laude Festival, which may include cultural exchanges with local ensembles, professional workshops, rehearsals, and performances. The official schedule is TBD.
SCL Gala Winner's Concert
Tonight, the winners of the competition will take the stage at the grand Wiener Konzerthaus, while the rest of the performers enjoy watching their new friends shine.
Award Ceremony and Farewell Reception
Following the Gala Winners Concert, the official standings will be announced and awards will be presented.
Day 9
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 2 Days in Prague
Travel via Dresden and visit the Zwinger Museum, a Baroque palace complex renowned for its art collections, including works by Raphael, Rembrandt, and Vermeer, as well as porcelain and scientific instruments. Continue to Prague, where a guided sightseeing tour features Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, the John Lennon Peace Wall, and Prague Castle. Conclude with a city walk through Mala Strana and the historic Jewish Quarter.
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
With TourFlex, available for tours departing October 2027 or later, you get the flexibility to shape an itinerary that's as unique as your group. Dial your trip up or down for more choice, more control, and more unforgettable hands-on moments, all while getting the right experience at the right value. Available options vary by program and destination.
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theatre tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions.
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Daily meals, with options varying by program (ask your Program Consultant for details)
Tips for local guides and drivers (excluding full-day bus drivers and Tour Director)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Scenes from Prague and Vienna
Health & Safety
The well-being of our travellers is our top priority. WorldStrides Canada is a Certified Student Travel Organization (CSTO) by the Center for Student Travel Safety. We adhere to the highest safety standards and include a comprehensive safety network that includes 24/7 support on your trip, global risk management, dedicated medical support and comprehensive liability coverage.
Travel Protection Plan Plus
Every program includes comprehensive travel protection with medical and cancellation coverage. Add our optional Cancel for Any Reason waiver for complete peace of mind.
Doctors on Call
An exclusive relationship with the George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates that grants our travelers 24/7 access to medical care through telehealth consultations.
WorldAssist
WorldStrides staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help.
AXA Mental Health Services
For added peace-of-mind, all travelers have confidential access to a behavioral health care specialist while on tour should the need arise.
24-Hour Tour Director
This 24-hour Tour Director be with your students at all times, leading them through the incredible destinations included in your program.
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
Through the WorldStrides Canada Financial Assistance Program (FAP), we provide travel grants to elementary and secondary school facing financial hardship. These grants, which can be up to $250 for coach tours and up to $1,000 for flight tours, are designed to make our programs more accessible to students from all backgrounds. Interested families are encouraged to speak with their school to learn more about our confidential application process.
Payment Plans
Monthly Automated Plan
Enroll with a deposit of $99 plus the cost of your travel protection plan (if included). We’ll automatically debit the rest of your tour fee from your chequing account in equal monthly payments, with the final payment due 35 days before you travel.
Please note: If two consecutive payments are declined, your account will be moved to the 4-Step Manual Plan.
4-Step Manual Plan
Manage your payments manually with a $249 initial payment plus your travel protection plan costs (if included). You’ll then make three more payments at key milestones as your departure date approaches. The final balance is due 65 days before your trip.
Please note: Payments on this plan are not automatically deducted and must be made manually.
Fundraising Tools
We are committed to helping you make your educational travel dreams a reality. We offer a comprehensive Fundraising Guide packed with creative ideas, tips, and resources to help you and your students reach your fundraising goals. From setting a timeline to brainstorming innovative campaigns, our guide provides a structured approach to make fundraising a fun and engaging experience for everyone involved.