Concert Tour To Scotland & England
Topic: Performing ToursSample Itinerary | Updated: November 21, 2003
DAY 1 - DEPARTURE
Board your flight from North America for the transatlantic crossing. You're on your way to Great Britain!
DAY 2 - CULZEAN, PRESTWICK
Upon arrival in Glasgow you'll meet the tour manager, who will direct you to the waiting motorcoach. The first drive will take you south of Prestwick along the coast to Culzean Castle, perched in a dramatic hilltop setting. Following your visit here, you'll backtrack to Prestwick, which will be your base for the next two nights. After hotel check-in, you'll have some free time to rest and freshen up before tonight's dinner.
DAY 3 - AYR, DUMFRIES, PRESTWICK
Today you'll visit the Land o'Burns Visitors Centre which makes a good starting point to learn about Robert Burns. An audio/visual presentation introduces the southwest of Scotland and gives the life and times of Burns and 18th-century Ayrshire. We'll see the Alloway Kirk and the Burn's Monument. Following this visit, a scenic drive will take you to the town of Dumfries. Leaving Dumfries, you'll follow a section of the Solway Coast from Dumfries to Dalbeattie. This takes you through unspoiled countryside and picturesque villages nestling around sandy bays and rocky coves. Then you'll travel back up north to Prestwick. A concert performance is planned for this evening.
DAY 4 - LOCH LOMOND, INVERARAY, OBAN
After breakfast, leave Prestwick and travel further north into Scotland. You'll stop at Dumbarton Castle, which has a vast panorama of the River Clyde estuary. Then it's on to the "bonnie, bonnie banks" of Loch Lomond. You'll take a short boat ride on this beautiful lake before continuing to the delightful whitewashed town of Inveraray on the shores of Loch Fyne. After a stop, continue on to the resort town of Oban, your "home" for the next two nights. Following an early dinner a concert performance is planned.
DAY 5 - CRAIGNUR, IONA, OBAN
This morning you'll catch the ferry from Oban to Craignur on the Island of Mull. This inner Hebridean island with its varied scenery and peacefulness is an ideal stepping-stone to the Isle of Iona. At the western end of the island, we'll take another short ferry ride to the Isle of Iona, one of the most venerated places in Scotland. 1400 years ago St. Columba established a monastic settlement here. You visit includes St. Oran's Chapel, the oldest surviving building in the Abbey, resting on the site of St. Columba's original monastery. The tour manager will request permission for you to sing one or two songs here. Before leaving Iona you'll also see the three "high crosses" in the early Irish style. In the late afternoon you'll reboard the ferry from Craignur back to Oban.
DAY 6 - FORT WILLIAM, GLENCOE, LOCH TAY, BLAIRGOWRIE
Another scenic day is in store. You'll be traveling north to Fort William to have a view of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. Afterwards, backtrack the short distance to Glencoe, the splendid glen amid the beautiful mountain scenery of Scotland. Traveling south, you'll make a short stop at the edge of Loch Tay. The destination is the small town of Blairgowrie, east of Loch Tay and north of the larger city of Perth. This evening a concert performance is planned.
DAY 7 - BLAIRGOWRIE, EDINBURGH
Following breakfast, participate as a choir in a local worship service. Then you'll travel south to Edinburgh, the beautiful capital of Scotland. Upon arrival your tour manager will give you a brief overview of Edinburgh. Then transfer to the hotel for a two-night stay.
DAY 8 - EDINBURGH
Today you'll explore Edinburgh, the beautiful capital of Scotland. On your tour,
you'll visit the castle to see the Crown Room and the Royal Apartments. Then continue to St. Giles Cathedral, the present "High Kirk" of Edinburgh for a short concert performance. Following the performance, the remainder of the day will be at leisure.
DAY 9 - YORK
An early morning departure will be necessary today. Leaving Edinburgh you'll travel south. Just outside Newcastle you'll be near the point where Hadrian's Wall once stood. A short stop for lunch will be made before continuing south to the historic city of York. By late afternoon you will be arriving in York, an old city with more than 2,000 years of history crammed within its walls. Upon arrival, you'll have a tour of the Gothic Cathedral of York. Attendance at the Chorale Evensong to hear Yorkminster's Choir of Men and Boys is planned. Then there will be time for independent exploration. Next transfer to the hotel for the overnight accommodations.
DAY 10 - CAMBRIDGE, LONDON
Another full but fascinating day is in store for you as you head south via the motorway to the university town of Cambridge. You'll have a walking tour through the medieval streets and courts of some of the colleges. During the tour you'll visit King's College Chapel. Following the tour attend Evensong services at King's or Trinity College before traveling south to London where you'll be spending the last three nights of the tour.
DAY 11 - LONDON
After breakfast you'll have a guided tour of this grand old city. You'll see some of the main landmarks, including Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and the Houses of Parliament. A visit to the interior of Westminster Abbey will also be made. The afternoon will be free for independent exploration. This evening a concert performance is planned in one of the friendly villages west of London.
DAY 12 - LONDON
It's the last day of the tour and yours to do as you choose. We recommend purchasing a one-day travel card at the nearest underground stop, which will take you anywhere on the London underground or double-decker busses. Besides the historic sites and museums, you may wish to do some last minute shopping. In addition to the more famous Harrod's, some of the best shopping can be found on Oxford and Regent Street. Whatever you choose you're sure to have a wonderful day.
DAY 13 - SATURDAY RETURN
All too soon, it's time to head back! After breakfast, transfer to the airport, where you'll check in for the transatlantic flight back the U.S.
