2007 Scotland/Ireland
Concert Tour Itinerary Tues. July 31to August 17, 2007
By
Delta Music Makers and Friends
Tour price of $3850CAD includes
airfare,
centrally located character-hotels, luxury air-conditioned coach
(with trailer for band equipment), all taxes, all breakfasts, one
dinner at Kyleakin, and the best driver in the UK.
Jantzen's
recommend keeping picnic snacks, napkins, and plastic utensils in
your bag for impromptu lunches. Entries to castles and attractions
are generally not included, except where the band is performing.
Concert
details and dates are shown in bold. Follow the links.
Wallace Monument, Stirling
Sir Walter Scott, Loch Katrine
Glenfiddich Distillery, Dufftown
Bellfield Park, Inverness
Kibble Palace, Glasgow
Blarney Ramada Golf Resort
St.Stephens Green, Dublin
Tuesday July 31:
Fly Vancouver to Glasgow Scotland on Air Transat, 10pm departure,
2:30pm arrival Scotland time (9-10hr flight). Try to get some sleep
on the plane overnight, in preparation for our exciting 18-day tour!
Wed. August 1:
arrive Glasgow Airport mid-afternoon, meet our professional,
humorous coach driver Mike Hawker, who has become a friend of the
band since our previous two European tours with him. Please load
band equipment into the trailer, and all the personal luggage into
the bus luggage compartments, then stow your carry-on bags on the
racks above your seat. Seating will be rotated throughout the
tour. Jump on board and we depart Glasgow Airport and immediately
drive north to Stirling, Scotland, for 2 nights (we're returning to
Glasgow later in the tour). Stirling grew up around its hilltop
castle, historically one of Scotland's most important fortresses.
Afternoon/evening free to explore the twisting cobble streets of
this hillside town, shopping or researching museums and pubs. You'll
also have time for a nap, if desired, since you'll need to be fresh
for tomorrow's concert. Golden Lion Hotel, Stirling, 2 nts,
www.thegoldenlionstirling.com
Thursday
August 2,
CONCERT #1 takes place at 3pm at the
historic and elegant Wallace Monument, outside Stirling. Your
morning is free to explore the magnificent Stirling Castle and
wander the historic streets of Stirling. Below the castle, the Old
Town is still protected by the original walls, built in the 16th c
to keep Mary, Queen of Scots safe from Henry VIII. Please get back
to the hotel in time to change into uniform and depart at 2pm for
our 3pm-4pm concert. After the concert, enjoy the monument and the
coffee shop before 5pm departure. Evening free in Stirling.
Friday August 3:
CONCERT #2 is on the historic
steamship Sir Walter Scott. We’ll
depart in uniform at 9am, after breakfast, checkout, and loading.
Our driver Mike will take us a short 35 miles west to the Loch
Katrine pier, where we will load our band equipment onto the Sir
Walter Scott. The ship departs at 10:30 and proceeds serenely up
the lake to Stronachlachar, before returning to the dock by 12:30.
Performance will likely be one short concert in each direction.
After re-loading the bus, we head north through the Scottish
Highlands to Inverness, arriving in late afternoon, and stay 3
nights. Inverness is the center of commerce for the Scottish
Highlands, also famous for its summer floral displays. Best Western
Inverness Palace Hotel and Spa, 3 nights, www.bwsitemanager.co.uk
Saturday August 4
CONCERT #3 takes place at
the Glenfiddich Distillery in
Dufftown at 2pm. We’ll depart at 9am for a Highlands daytrip,
carrying instruments and uniforms! First stop is Culloden
Battlefield, where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite Rebellion met
its end, then, if time, Cawdor Castle in Braveheart country, setting
of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” Next the Whiskey Trail: we may stop for
lunch at Craigellachie before moving on to the Glenfiddich
Distillery in Dufftown. Glenfiddich has enthusiastically invited us
to perform in their VIP Suite! Perform first, sample later!
Distillery Tour follows our 2pm concert. We return in the evening
to explore Inverness at our leisure.
Sunday August 5
CONCERT #4 at the Bellfield Park
Bandstand in central Inverness, a joint concert with the Crown
Church Band! Optional morning daytrip departs 9am to go south along
the Caledonian Canal to the beautiful waters of Loch Ness, with a
stop at Drumnadrochit and the Loch Ness Centre. Must return by
noon, in time for 1pm departure to bandstand and 2pm-3pm concert at
Bellfield Park, which is a short drive from our hotel. After
returning, you are free to explore, and of course, there may be an
opportunity to socialize with the Crown Church musicians.
Monday August 6
We load our bus and depart Inverness by 10am and drive west to the
mysterious Isle of Skye, 90 miles. We’ll be staying at Kyleakin,
just near the Skye Bridge, in the Swallow Kyleakin Hotel. But we’re
not done yet. An optional afternoon 100-mile trip is offered,
continuing northwest across Skye to Dunvegan Castle, home of the
McLeod clan, returning late afternoon. This hotel is the location
of the only dinner included in the tour
Swallow Kyleakin Hotel, Kyleakin,
Skye, 1 nt.
Tuesday
August 7: Today we'll end
up at Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, where we'll spend two
nights. But what a journey! We'll depart about 9:30am and drive to
the SE corner of the island for the Armadale-Mallaig ferry. At
Mallaig,on the mainland side, you will have the option of taking
the famous Hogwarts Express, the steam train used in the Harry
Potter movies. It runs from Mallaig to Fort William, the "most
scenic train trip in Scotland!" Cost: around $40CAD. It departs
2pm, arriving 4pm in Fort William, where our driver Mike will pick
us up and continue on southward to Glasgow. After a dinner stop en
route, we'll probably arrive at the Quality Hotel Glasgow around 8
or 9pm Quality Hotel, Glasgow, 2 nights,
www.quality-hotels-glasgow.com
Wed. August 8
CONCERT #5 at
Kibble Palace, 2pm: Explore the sights
of Glasgow in the morning. Buy a ticket on the hop-on-hop-off bus
tour to take you, with interesting commentary, to such places as
George Square, Gallery of Modern Art, Clyde Maritime Centre, Argyle
Arcade (Scotland’s first shopping mall), Princes Square, etc. etc.
Please return by noon or so, for a 1pm departure. We have been
invited to perform at Kibble Palace in the Glasgow Botanical Gardens
at 2pm-3:30pm. Members of the Dunbartonshire Concert Band may be
present, but this will not be a joint concert due to their holiday
schedule. Following the concert, you are free to continue exploring
Glasgow – your hop-on bus ticket will still be good through the
evening. Some of us may choose to socialize with the other
musicians.
Thursday
August 9:
We probably need to depart by 8am this morning to drive the 30 miles
from Glasgow to Troon and report to the ferry terminal by 9am. We
are booked on the 10a.m. ferry from Troon Scotland across the sea to
Larne, Ireland. Arriving about noon, we'll look forward to a
lengthy, scenic drive north along the Antrim Coast. It is about 60
miles to The Giant's Causeway, that famous geological phenomena that
has spawned myriad legends, then about 120 miles to Sligo via
Londonderry. Our destination is Markree Castle, near Sligo! Check
out its website:
www.markreecastle.ie to learn it's fascinating history. Prepare
for a dinner experience that will be elegant and relatively
expensive. Other choices might be to share a taxi to nearby
Collooney, or stock up on groceries earlier and have a sandwich in
your room instead. A previous visitor says “If you are looking for a 'real' castle experience this
is the place for you. It exhudes old world charm unlike some of the
more modern, over-done castle hotels. If you are looking for luxary
and the five-star experiece you'd be best elsewhere but the Markree
is warm, friendly and relaxing. I was sad when they couldn't
accommodate me for longer because of a wedding coming in... but what
a place to get married.”
Markree Castle, near
Sligo, 1 night only.
Friday August 10
Some may choose to relax
and enjoy the morning at the castle, while others take an optional
trip to the Beleek Pottery Centre, 30 miles north, departing 9am,
returning to Markree Castle around noon in time for checkout. Since
we could only book one night at the castle, we must depart this
lovely fortress by 1pm and head southwest to the Welcome Inn Hotel
in Castlebar, County Mayo, about 40 miles southwest, arriving about
2pm. Golfing, horse-riding and other activities are available at
the hotel, though booking ahead via the website might be a good
idea. Traditional Irish music is featured in the pub. Welcome Inn
Hotel, Mayo, 1 night. www.castlebar.mayo-ireland.ie/WelcInn.htm
Saturday August 11:
A full day's drive south takes us to Limerick, with two very
interesting 
stops
en route: the Galway Crystal Factory, where your delightful
purchases and Xmas presents can be shipped home at nominal expense,
and the Cliffs of Moher, the dramatic cliffs on Ireland's west
coast. Have your cameras ready! Arriving late afternoon in
Limerick, we'll spend three nights at the Jury’s Inn, an excellent
base for exploring southwest Ireland. Limerick is the third largest
Irish city, founded by the Vikings because of its strategic location
on the River Shannon. It's history includes various episodes of
siege, occupation, and heroic battle through the ages. Your evening
is free to explore. Jurys Inn, Limerick, 3 nights.
Sunday
August 12 CONCERT #6 at
the Blarney Ramada Hotel and Golf
Resort this evening. Bring your uniforms, and don’t forget your
shirt and shoes! We depart at 11am for our exciting daytrip. Our
first stop is the thatched Village of Adare, a definite Kodak
Moment! Around 2pm, we’ll depart Adare and our driver Mike will
take us south 50 miles to Blarney. Here you’ll have three hours to
kiss the Blarney Stone, and roam the famous castle, its grounds,
the Blarney Woolen Mills shops, and the village. At 5pm we board
our bus and Mike will take us to the Ramada Golf Resort, 3 miles out
of town. The Blarney Brass and Reed Band has made the following
arrangements: “A 3course or 4 course meal with choice of main
course for 40 persons in their bar area is booked for your group. I
will be getting the menu which you can choose from or decide what
you would like on this menu shortly.( price will be 30euro to 40euro
per person depending on what choice you make). The time for your
meal is also at your choice , I presume you will need it around
5ish. Locker rooms for your personal effects and to change into
uniforms are at your disposal , they also have shower facilites if
required, this is all available in the same building just downstairs
from where you have your meal. Just beside the bar is the room in
which we will have our concert.”
Our joint concert will run 7:30-9pm,
with Pevensey once again as the massed number. We’ll arrive back at
the Jury’s Inn in Limerick by 11pm.
Monday
August 13 You have the
option of doing one of two daytrips today, or just staying in
Limerick. OPTION #1:Some people may want a bus-free day exploring
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. You would need to arrange your own
transportation via taxi or public bus. Built in the 15c, this
formidable castle is one of Ireland's major attractions. The castle
tour is extremely interesting. On the grounds of the castle is the
Bunratty Folk Park, a meticulous recreation of historic rural life
in Ireland. Entry fee is 14euros for both. NOTE: you will need to
arrange your own transportation to and from Bunratty Castle, via
taxi or public bus, in your own time.
OPTION #2: Those who wish to see more of
Ireland can join Mike on a 200-mile tour through southwest Ireland
to the isolated, scenic Dingle Peninsula, departing at 11am. Bring
a picnic lunch. Possible stops include such delightful sites as the
iron age Dunbeg Fort, Slea Head, the Blasket Centre at Dunquin, and
the village of Ballyferriter. We hope to stop for early dinner at
Tom Crean’s South Pole Inn at Annascaul. Tom Crean was with
Shackleton through his famous, miraculous adventure at the South
Pole. As well as being a great pub, it is full of Shackleton
memorabilia. We’ll return to Limerick in the evening.
Tuesday
August 14
CONCERT #7: After early breakfast
and checkout, we leave Limerick at 9am to drive across Ireland on
the N7 to Dublin. At noon our first Dublin stop will be
St. Stephen’s Green, where we give
our FINAL CONCERT OF THE TOUR at 1pm-2pm. When packing up after
this concert, please help prepare all instruments and band equipment
for the flight home next Friday. This may require bubble wrap,
tape, straps, and careful attention to detail. Later, we'll check
into the Jury's Custom House, on the River Liffey within easy
walking distance of city attractions and shopping. Dublin is one of
Europe's most interesting cities, with it's rich history of Celtic,
Viking, Norman, and English occupations, all leaving their mark on
the culture and architecture. Your evening, plus all day tomorrow,
is free to explore this vibrant, historic city. Several companies
offer pub/music tours (we appreciate any research you might care to
share on this subject). Jury's Custom House Inn, Dublin, 2
nights.
Wed. August 15:
Total free day and evening to explore Dublin. This is a great city
to explore on foot or on transit. Curt and Jhandie recommend
getting a ticket on the hop-on hop-off bus tour that will take you
to all the main sites of Dublin, including Trinity College (the Book
of Kells), Dublin Castle, the Temple Bar area, and the many
cathedrals and galleries. The drivers give excellent commentary,
and you may get off at any attraction and reboard a later bus to
continue your tour. Tours of the Guiness Brewery and Jamiesons
Distillery are recommended. By the end of the day you'll be able to
make informed pub choices! Several companies offer pub/music tours.
Thursday August 16:
Today we say goodbye to Ireland, departing the hotel about 10:30am
to catch the 12:15 ferry. This is the "Dublin Swift" that will take
us across the Irish Sea to Holyhead in Wales in under 2 hours,
arriving about 2pm. A 2 hour drive across the north coast of Wales
brings us into Chester, England, our favourite walled-city from the
1999 tour, for our final night. Walk the wall! Possible evening
concert. Our hotel is near the Queen's Hotel where we stayed in
1999. Beforehand, try a “virtual” stroll around Chester's famous
defensive wall at this link
www.bwpics.co.uk/chester.html
Best Western
Westminster Hotel, Chester, 1nt
Friday August 17:
After a free morning to explore Chester, most of our group will head
home. Please meet at the bus at noon with instruments when our
driver Mike will take us 32 miles to Manchester Airport for our 4pm
flight to Vancouver, arriving 5:30pm. Others will continue on with
their UK explorations and family visits. We must set a date for a
photo party, so we can relive all the good times! See you at band
rehearsal on Tuesday, September 18. Note: assistance will be
needed from everyone at Manchester Airport to help divvy up the band
equipment between fewer passengers heading home. Note: Colin
Hull has agreed, and would welcome additional help, to meet us with
a van at the Vancouver Airport to carry the band equipment to
someone's garage, to be stored for a week or two until all the
participants come home and claim their instruments and equipment.
HERE’S
LOOKING FORWARD TO A WONDERFUL MUSICAL ADVENTURE WITH ALL OUR GOOD
FRIENDS!
For further information email or
telephone our
TOUR LEADERS:
Curt Jantzen, 604-946-2309;
Hugh Martell
, 604-730-0578
