Looking for an Awesome Rock’n’Roll Vacation in 2014? This Could Be It

Aussie Greg Clayton has put together an amazing rock’n’roll tour for fans of both British rock and the pirate radio days.  Running through London, Liverpool and Amsterdam, the tour will take in all kinds of landmarks as well as participate in the 50th anniversary of Radio Caroline, the most famous of all the pirate radio stations of the 1960s.

For prices and more details, contact Graham Webb–yes, the Graham Webb who used to work on Radio Caroline– at grahamwebb1@bigpond.com.  A minimum of ten people is required for this thing to happen.  A

Check out the itinerary.  Jeezus!  If you know of anyone who might even be remotely interested, pass this along, okay?

Day One:
15 March 2014

London

 Upon arrival in London you will make an independent transfer to our accommodation, check in and relax for the reminder of the day. N.B. If you arrive on the same flight as your tour leader, a transfer will be provided but only if you arrive on this same scheduled flight.

In the evening we’ll have a Welcome Cocktail Reception where you’ll get the opportunity to meet all your fellow travelers. It’ll be an early night as most will be still tired from their respective journeys from around the world so we suggest a dinner in the hotel or nearby pub, followed by a long rest!

Inclusions:
Meals: Welcome Cocktail Reception

Accommodation:

Jurys Inn, Islington:

IMPORTANT: To really maximise the experiences and fun to be had on the trip, we suggest all travellers consider arriving into London two nights earlier than the commencement date. This will assist greatly in getting over jetlag and travel fatigue in general. If you do this it’ll make you much better prepared for when we get into the tour highlights etc. Contact us for the cost of additional night rates at your London hotel.

 

Day Two:

16 March 2014

London

This morning following breakfast (yes, it’s included!) and suitable refreshed, we head out on the first of many musical highlights associated with our Rock The Boast….Again tour.

Today we depart on our privately hired coach for a morning Magical Musical Tour of London with our very own ‘musicologist/tour guide’. On our trip this morning we’ll see so many famous landmarks, clubs and segments of London’s rich musical history you’ll be exhausted afterwards. We’ll (of course) walk across the famous Abbey Road zebra crossing and se where Sir Paul McCartney still lives! You’ll see Jimi Hendrix’s former home and where he died – where Freddie Mercury hung out and Led Zeppelin’s HQ. Sites associated with The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Cream, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, Elton john, The Sex Pistols, David Bowie, The Who and much more will also be on our Hit List!

The afternoon and evening are free to prepare for our next day’s adventures and to give you time for some independent shopping or sightseeing with new friends.

Inclusions: Magical Music Tour of London (Part One)

Meals: Breakfast (Continental Buffet)

Accommodation:

Jurys Inn, Islington

 

Day Three:

17 March 2014

London

This morning is free to rest up after a (hopefully late night of entertainment options which Webby will be suggesting) prior to our exclusive afternoon tour where we continue our Magical Musical Tour of London.

There’s still lots to see including Apple HQ, Ringo Starr’s house and legendary ‘Tin Pan Alley’ where The Rolling Stones cut their first disc. We’ll also see Pink Floyd’s studios, the place where Jimmy Hendrix burned his first (but not last) guitar and where sadly Amy Winehouse both lived and died. There will be over 50 sites visited over the two days and all are associated with an element of British and London’s musical history. These are two days you’ll remember for the rest of your lives!

The evening has again been left free for independent entertainment options but rest assured Webby will have something up his sleeve for us to consider!

Inclusions: Magical Music Tour of London (Part One)

Meals: Breakfast (Continental Buffet)

Accommodation:

Jurys Inn, Islington

 

Day Four:

18 March 2014

London

Today, after our included breakfast, we have the day to individually explore this amazing city or stay with Webby as he has a few things planned.

Included in our tour is use of a London Public Transport Pass and here’s your chance to use it.

Lunch has been included at Bill Wyman’s famous Sticky Fingers Restaurant and we may even be lucky enough to see the old Rolling Stone himself hanging around. In any case it’s part of London Rock n Roll History so we’ll make the most of it.

This evening we have a special treat included – we’re going to the West End for a performance of the stage show We Will Rock You – this is one of the top shows currently in production in this famous entertainment precinct and we’ll probably spend time afterwards wandering around the area before heading home using our Public Transport Pass.

Inclusions: Performance of We Will Rock You, West End / London Public Transport Pass

Meals: Breakfast (Continental Buffet) / Lunch at Sticky Fingers

Accommodation:

Jurys Inn, Islington

 

Day Five:

19 March 2014

London

Today will be similar to yesterday but with a difference. Using our London Public Transport Pass, we’ll have the day free to explore the sights and sounds of London and will meet for lunch and two beers (included in the tour) at the iconic Kings Arms in Chelsea, meeting place for the Pirate Radio DJs of the past…some of whom may be on our tour! A time for reminiscence, a drink or two with friends and to share a piece of London’s radio history.

This evening we again head out to experience yet another stage show – this time it’s Let It Be, a celebration of all things Beatles : their music in a stage setting. It’s going to be a magic night and another great memory from this very unique tour.

Inclusions:

Meals: Breakfast (Continental Buffet) / Lunch with two (2) beers at Red Lion Pub.

Inclusions: Let It Be stage show

Accommodation:

Jury’s Inn, Islington

 

Day Six:

20 March 2014

London / Amsterdam

It’s time to check out of our hotel and transfer to the airport for our short flight across the English Channel to Amsterdam.

Upon arrival we will be met and transferred to our accommodation for the next 3 nights – and the host hotel for Amsterdam’s Radio Days celebrations which will be held on the 22^nd March and we’ll be there.

The evening is free but you can rest assured we’ll be looking for something to entertain us in this wonderful city.

Inclusions: Air Sector London / Amsterdam

Meals: Breakfast (Continental Buffet)

Accommodation:

Casa 400 Hotel:

 

Day Seven:

21 March 2014

New Orleans, Louisiana

Today we will spend a full day exploring the city of Amsterdam and surrounding smaller villages. Our experience here will include a canal cruise that meanders through the city- we’ll see the bulb fields in full bloom and spend time in two traditional villages – Volendam and Marken. Of course we’ll check out a museum or two and drive past some of the truly beautiful and interesting building and monuments.

We’ll conclude the day with a really interesting experience. We’re going to dine at REM Eiland Restaurant. This amazing structure was originally built and placed in the North Sea and intended to be a Pirate Radio Station! It has since been relocated into Amsterdam Harbour and that’s where we’ll dine tonight. Should be an amazing dinner and part of our Rock The Boat…Again experience.

Inclusions: Full Day Amsterdam Tour

Meals: Breakfast (Continental Buffet) / Dinner at REM Eiland Restaurant

Accommodation:

Casa 400 Hotel

 

Day Eight:

22 March 2014

Amsterdam

Well here are at one of the primary experiences on our tour.

We’ve been invited to attend the full day celebrations that are Radio Day 2014 and held in our host hotel The Casa 400. A lot of the activities are yet to be announced but there will be a screening of a special Pirate Radio Documentary, speeches and presentations by Pirate radio DJ’s over the years. If you’re a fan of music or an old (or young) DJ, this will be a day to remember. Full of nostalgia and the opportunity to rub shoulders with people who have helped shape the music we hear today and radio in all its forms. We’ll be participating in it all and more information will be provided as it comes to hand.

In the evening we’ll either attend a special concert / entertainment option OR take the coach and enjoy an evening at Cruise Inn – Rock and Roll Café – one of Amsterdam’s legendary venues. It’s quirky and not at all what you’ll expect but is an institution amongst music fans in Amsterdam. Who knows, we may even get a few of the old DJs up to spin a few! We’ll leave this option open until we find out what the organisers of Radio Day have planned and then plan accordingly. Either way it looks like being a late night!!

Inclusions: Attend Radio Day in Amsterdam

Meals: Breakfast (Continental Buffet)

Accommodation:

Casa 400 Hotel

 

Day Nine:

23 March 2014

Amsterdam / Liverpool

We say goodbye to new and old friends this morning and transfer to the airport for another short flight to Beatles Territory…Liverpool, England. Upon arrival we will be met and transferred to our hotel and home for the next 3 nights. Once we settle in there’s a special treat late this afternoon. We’re going to take trip on a Ferry Across The Mersey which should bring back memories of that classic Gerry and the Pacemakers song.

There’s more because tonight we’ll be attending a gig at the legendary Cavern Club. The original building is no more unfortunately but this version of the iconic club is just across the street. There’s lots of memories and things to see and do in this area of Liverpool, where John Paul George and Ringo got their start along with many other artists of their time. A wonderful evening for music fans and something to remember for ever!

We’ve even included a bus transfer back to our hotel so those who want to can let loose. If you wish to stay on longer than the scheduled departure time, transportation will be at own cost.

Inclusions: Half Day Liverpool Tour including Ferry Cross The Mersey / Attend The Cavern Club

Meals: Breakfast (Continental Buffet)

Accommodation:

Jurys InnHotel

 

Day Ten:

24 March 2014

Liverpool

Today we will undertaking one of the highlights of the Rock The Boat…Again tour. We’re going on a full day Magical Mystery Tour of Liverpool. Much of Liverpool’s musical history of course, is centred on The Beatles so we’ll be definitely taking in Penny Lane, Strawberry Field, the statue of Eleanor Rigby, Liverpool Art College and so much more. We’ll be exploring all the spots synonomous with The Beatles and other Mersey Beat artists so you can look forward to a very full schedule and one sure to bring back some amazing memories of past radio days.

Inclusions: Full Day Liverpool Music History Tour

Meals: Full English Breakfast

Accommodation:

Jurys Inn Hotel

 

Day Eleven:

25 March 2014

Liverpool

We’ve been on the road for quite a while so today has been declared a ‘rest day’. So put your feet up and just recharge OR take in some of the other sights and sounds of Liverpool – do some shopping or just relax around our hotel. We still have plenty to do and see so a little bit of ‘down time’ at this stage of the journey will get us all in good shape for the end section.

Webby will again be checking the Gig Guides for this evening to see what this swingin’ city has to offer…for those of have had enough rest!

Inclusions:

Meals: Full English Breakfast

Accommodation:

Jurys Inn Hotel

 

Day Twelve:

26 March 2014

Liverpool / Harwich

This morning following a hearty English Breakfast, we depart via coach for the trip through the countryside towards our next destination – Harwich, and the scene of the 50^th Anniversary of Radio Caroline.

Upon arrival, we check into our hotel and following a reasonably long day will enjoy some rest before the bid celebrations start!

Harwich is a small coastal town and will prove a charming stopover after all the big cities! We’ll be looking for something to do tonight just in case the Radio Caroline organisers have nothing planned prior to the actual start of celebrations.

Inclusions: Coach Transfer from Liverpool to Harwich

Meals: Full English Breakfast

Accommodation:

Hotel Continental, Harwich

 

Day Thirteen:

27 March  2014

Harwich

Well the day has arrived! The 500^th Anniversary of Radio Caroline is sure to be an action packed, interest filled day (and night). The organisers are still busy locking down all the components, the activities and the entertainment but you can be assured some of the ‘royalty’ of rock and roll radio will be there…and so will we!!

In addition to all the day time festivities and events, it is planned to have a special entertainment experience at the old Electric Palace Cinema and we’ll have to wait and see what the organisers have planned for us but I’m sure it will be memorable and huge fun!

Inclusions: Attend Radio Caroline 50^th Anniversary Celebrations

Meals: Full English Breakfast

Accommodation:

Hotel Continental

 

Day Fourteen:

28 March 2014

Harwich / London

Well it’s our last day in the UK and the end of a wonderful time exploring the musical history of London, Liverpool, Amsterdam and Harwich as well as having great memories of the Pirate Radio celebrations.

All that’s left is to pack our bags, transfer to Heathrow and board our flight for home. For those ken to get more, radio Caroline celebrations look set to continue for a few more days following the official day. If you’d like to stay on we can arrange additional night’s accommodation for you so just contact us. Enjoy the flight and most of all enjoy the memories!

Inclusions: Transfer to Heathrow Airport
Meals: Full English Breakfast

 

The Important Stuff

TOUR COST – Based on a minimum of 10 travelling together, sharing a twin room.
$6,590 per person

Single room supplement is available subject to availability. Price on application.

Note: Tour cost does NOT include air fare between Australia and UK but does include London / Amsterdam / Liverpool internal flights. You can arrange your own air fares OR allow us to assist you to obtain the BEST cost.

Tour will be escorted by legendary DJ and TV personality, Graham Webb subject to minimum numbers being reached.

ALL enquiries to: greg@rockanrollvacations.com or 0433118454

       This tour is a tribute to the people who endured a daily battle with the elements and
authorities  to provide a soundtrack to the swinging sixties.