Why December Is the Perfect Time to Experience the Christmas Markets of France
December turns France into a storybook. Lights glow, wooden stalls fill town squares, and carols drift through the cold air. At American Music Abroad, we know Europe best through music and culture. Our music performance tours for students run in summer, but the festive season shows another side of the continent. Travelers come from around […]
Giving Young Musicians a New Perspective on Performing Abroad
A concert at home is special. A concert in Europe can change how a young musician sees the world. At American Music Abroad, we have spent more than 50 years creating those moments. Our tours are music and cultural exchange programs for youth that go far beyond a concert schedule. They offer a new stage, a […]
Why September Is the Right Time to Start Planning for Next Summer’s Student Tour
September feels like a fresh start. There is a new school year, new music and new goals. At American Music Abroad, it is also a great time to talk about summer. Many families ask us about high school music travel programs abroad this time of year. Starting early is a smart move. Summer 2027 Is Closer […]
How International Travel Helps High School Musicians Become More Independent
Independence rarely shows up all at once; it builds through small moments of figuring things out without a parent standing nearby. At American Music Abroad, we see this play out on every international music tour for student ensembles we run, often starting within the first few days abroad, long before the first concert even begins. New […]
What Parents Should Know Before Sending a Student on an International Performance Trip
Handing your student a passport and a plane ticket for the first time is not a small moment. At American Music Abroad, we talk with parents every season who want to understand exactly what a Pennsylvania student music trip itinerary involves before they commit, and we think that’s exactly the right instinct. Here’s what we tell […]
How European Sightseeing Turns Into a Real-World Musical Education
Sightseeing can feel like a break from the music. On our tours, it is part of the music. At American Music Abroad, we plan each stop to teach students something real about the art they love. That is what makes our music performance tours in Europe far more than a trip. Every museum, palace and concert […]
Why Performing in Iconic European Cultural Capitals Makes a Lasting Impression
A school auditorium can only offer so much. At American Music Abroad, we build our itineraries around cities that have shaped the course of music history, because performing on a music performance tour in Europe setting changes how students experience their own repertoire, often permanently, and it’s one of the biggest reasons families choose us over […]
Is an International Music Tour Right for Your High School Musician?
Not every student is ready for an international performance tour the moment the idea comes up, and that’s completely normal. At American Music Abroad, we work with families every year who are trying to figure out whether a high school music travel program abroad experience makes sense for their student right now, or whether it’s worth […]
What Makes the Red Tour 2027 Different from an Ordinary Student Trip?
A trip to Europe can introduce students to new places, but Red Tour 2027 gives musicians a reason to experience each destination differently. Across Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland, participants rehearse, perform, explore historic sites, and learn how music connects people across cultures. Unlike a typical student vacation, these student music tours combine serious musical preparation with experiences […]
Why Ski Austria Belongs on Every Winter Travel Bucket List
Austria has a way of making winter feel almost cinematic. Snow-covered peaks rise above charming villages, wooden chalets glow against the cold, and mountain restaurants invite you inside for hearty Tyrolean food. For travelers who want more than a typical ski vacation, Austria brings together outdoor excitement, scenery, and genuine local character. That combination makes […]
What Makes Christmas in Colmar Feel Like a Storybook?
Few places capture the feeling of the holidays quite like Christmas in Colmar. Tucked into France’s Alsace region, Colmar combines colorful half-timbered houses, winding cobblestone streets, canals, historic churches, and festive lights into a setting that feels almost too charming to be real. During the holiday season, its historic center takes on an especially magical […]
Why Strasbourg Is Europe’s Ultimate Christmas Market Destination
Strasbourg feels almost made for Christmas. As winter settles over Alsace, historic streets glow with lights, wooden market stalls fill the squares, and the scent of cinnamon, gingerbread, and warm vin chaud drifts through the air. With a Christmas market tradition dating to 1570, Strasbourg offers more than seasonal shopping. It creates an atmosphere that […]