All That Jazz
We've been running jazz tours for some 20 years and we aim to appeal to all types of travellers not just jazz buffs. We are fond of saying that it's a holiday first and foremost and the jazz is a bonus. If you like the idea of a lively holiday staying at nice hotels in lovely surroundings with evening entertainment laid on then read on!
In 2012 we'll be travelling abroad with the Panama Jazz Band, The Sussex Jazz Kings and the Dart Valley Stompers (though not simultaneously!!), the bands provide excellent entertainment and will warmly welcome friends old and new to their circle of devotees.
If you've travelled to Brittany with one of the Bands in the past you'll notice a new format for this year which has been caused by the withdrawal of the Friday lunch time sailing from Plymouth to Roscoff.
Unfortunately it's not possible to pick up here there and everywhere so we can only start the journey from the respective Band's home base and try to incorporate as many picks ups as possible on the way to the port of departure. Parking at the ports is available, but please contact us if you don't live near any pick up point so we can examine the options together. See Information . Where there's a will, there's a way! Please note that single rooms are limited at all hotels.
The Panama Jazz Band
The band's motto is "Happy Jazz" and this certainly reflects the members attitude to their music. They excel in playing the jazz classics but are not averse to playing old music hall songs etc.if that brings happiness to the audience.
The band always carries with it a bag of "silly instruments" a spare tuba and a washboard and on the right occasion will invite members of the audience to participate.
Don't be misled by their fun attitude for they are also deadly serious exponents of fine jazz. We've been taking them abroad for over 20 years and they have consistently delivered the goods to their enthusiastic audiences.
Listen to the Panama Jazz Band
Jazz in Green Spain (Isla) 6 days
We are returning, by popular demand, to the excellent and welcoming Hotel Olimpo situated in the small village of Isla some 25 miles east of Santander. The hotel overlooks a sandy beach and the spacious rooms are very well appointed. Good food has always pleased our clients and there's plenty of it on offer! Apart from the first day, there's a choice of menu and wine with lunch and dinner is standard. There's an outdoor swimming pool and tennis court and a fitness room. We've made the excursions as "driving time reduced" as possible in order to give you time to enjoy Isla and its surroundings.
We set off on Tuesday and pick up as indicated below en route to Portsmouth. Here we catch the 1700 sailing to Santander. During the crossing we anticipate that the band will play for your entertainment. In the evening we'll have dinner together in Le Flora Restaurant.
Next morning, enjoy the included breakfast in Le Flora in your own time and then look out for the dolphins as we approach the Spanish coast. When we land in Spain on Wednesday at 1800 we drive out of the city eastwards and will reach the Hotel Olimpo at Isla after about 40 minutes and will check in for three nights . We'll then have dinner and afterwards the Band will play for your entertainment.
On Thursday we set off for the short drive to Santoña . This resort and fishing town was the birthplace of the navigator Juan de la Cosa who discovered the New World with Columbus. We will return to the hotel for lunch and in the afternoon you can either explore Isla at your own pace or join us for another short drive, this time to Laredo, a popular Spanish holiday resort, returning to the hotel for dinner and entertainment by the Band.
On Friday we drive to Santander, stopping at the Hypermarket before extended sightseeing in the city. You'll have lots of time in the city centre to wander around its main square, the covered market and cathedral and maybe discover one of its many attractive restaurants. In the afternoon we'll drive to Sardinero Beach and then the lighthouse before returning to the hotel for a special candlelit dinner and entertainment.
We leave the hotel after breakfast on Saturday and drive eastwards to the charming resort of Castro Urdiales where we will spend the morning. In the afternoon we drive to Bilbao and will park by the Guggenheim Museum. You can either do some individual exploring in Bilbao or we will arrange for a visit to the museum(optional).We catch the 2045 sailing on the "Cap Finistere"to England. (Please note that meals are not included this crossing as we can't pre-book them on the "Cap Finistere".)
We reach Portsmouth at 1930 on Sunday and after disembarkation the coach then returns to the original pick up points with a late arrival at the most westerly destinations.
The cost includes: travel by executive coach; ferry crossing with cabin; breakfast and dinner on outward sailing ; three nights 4* hotel accommodation with buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner each day at the hotel with wine; entertainment by the Panama Jazz Band; excursions as detailed. All rooms have private facilities and the hotel has a lift. Details of cabin upgrades can be viewed under Information – the Santander sailing
Departure date
| DATE 2012 | Price |
|---|---|
| May 15th | £409 |
Single supplement (Room & cabin) £80
Seaview £40 (per room-not per person)
Online Booking click here
Pick up points :
Portsmouth Ferryport - Exeter– Plymouth
Cardiff- Bath – Bristol – Taunton - Newton Abbot
Jazz on Brittany's "Emerald Coast" 5 days
So successful was the 2011 visit that we are making a speedy return to this outstanding location at fashionable Dinard. We'll be based at the 3* Hotel Printania, right by the water's edge and facing St Malo across the Bay, you couldn't get closer to the sea without getting wet! The hotel is an old fashioned Breton establishment with rambling corridors and period furniture with outstanding sea views from its public rooms and most bedrooms. At dinner, the Staff dress in Breton costume to serve you with charm and grace. The cuisine is based on fresh local produce and is of very high quality. There is NO lift and it is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties. Very leisurely excursions are laid on, nothing too strenuous!
We leave on Wednesday at 1500 on the Plymouth-Roscoff sailing. During the crossing we anticipate that the Band will play on board.
We reach France in the late evening then drive eastwards to Dinard to check into the hotel for four nights. Because of the late arrival dinner will not be provided tonight.
On Thursday we drive to St Malo and park by the ramparts of the walled town where you are free to spend the rest of the day sightseeing in this fascinating "City of Corsairs". In the early afternoon we'll make our way back to Dinard for more sightseeing and relaxing before dinner and overnight.
On Friday we will set off along the coast and into Normandy to visit one of France's most important heritage sites, Mont St Michel. We'll return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
On Saturday, take it easy and stroll around Dinard at your leisure. In the late morning we drive through the outskirts of St Malo and thence to the fishing port of Cancale which is famed for oysters. You can sample these delights(?) straight off the beach at one of the stalls or in one of the many restaurants that adorn the promenade. We return to the hotel in the mid-afternoon.
We depart Dinard on Sunday after breakfast and we travel to Roscoff where we catch the 1500 sailing to Plymouth which arrives at 2000 and the coach then returns to the original pick up points.
Cost includes: all travel by executive coach; ferry crossing to and from France; four nights' 3* hotel accommodation with breakfast and dinner with wine on three nights, B & B on one night;excursions as described;jazz every evening;Tour Escort
Departure date
| DATES 2012 | Price |
|---|---|
| September 19th | £399 |
Single supplement £60
Seaview £40 (per room,not per person)
Online Booking click here
Pick up points :
Cardiff-Bath-Bristol-Taunton-Exeter-Newton Abbot-Plymouth
The Dart Valley Stompers
Introducing, from Devon, the sensational sound of the Dart Valley Stompers.
The band is led by young virtuoso Jeremy Huggett. A one-time UK award winner for best reed player, Jeremy clearly demonstrates his skill and maturity on the clarinet, saxophones and vocals.
As well as playing some wonderful music for listening and dancing, the DART VALLEY STOMPERS also like to have fun on stage and quickly establish a good rapport with their audience, quite simply, Traditional and New Orleans Jazz at its best - guaranteed to get your feet tapping and stomping !!
Hear the Dart Valley Stompers
Jazz on Brittany's "Breton Riviera" 6 days
This tour is a repeat visit to a popular hotel which has been pleasing our clientele for many years. The 3* Hotel de l'Océan is situated on the Baie de la Forêt at Concarneau and there's always a genuine welcome from the Hénaff family for their guests especially the jazz followers. Nicely decorated rooms with flat screen TVs and private facilities with either sea view or garden view. There's a heated covered pool in the garden and a jacuzzi and Hammam next to it. The cuisine is exactly what you would expect from a family-run hotel of fine repute.
Tuesday We pick up as indicated below and drive to Plymouth to catch the 2200 overnight sailing to Roscoff. (If you live a long way from any of the pick up points please contact us to discuss the options available). The Band will play a short session on board after we set off.
Wednesday We reach France at 0800 and after disembarkation we drive westwards to the main city of the region, the port and Naval Base of Brest. We spend the morning here and in the early afternoon resume our journey to Concarneau to check in to the Hotel de l'Océan for four nights. There'll be time to relax and explore the immediate area of the hotel, maybe stroll on the beach or take a dip in the swimming pool before dinner and entertainment by the Band.
Thursday After a leisurely buffet breakfast we will drive southwards to the old city of Vannes which has an interesting jumble of cobbled streets around its cathedral. On our way back we'll stop at St Anne d'Auray where a penitents' staircase outside the church will be of great interest. It's then back to hotel for dinner and music.
Friday We are heading northwards today to Pointe du Raz, the most extreme point in France. From here we travel to Locronan, a medieval village, one of the most popular tourist sites in France.We return to the hotel in the late afternoon for dinner and entertainment by the Band.
Saturday This morning we'll set off on the short drive to Quimper, ancient capital of Cournouaille, where it is market day. In the early afternoon we drive to Bénodet for a stroll along the promenade and then we return to the hotel. After dinner the band will play to entertain you.
Sunday We leave the hotel after breakfast and begin the journey northwards to Roscoff. We stop at the Hypermarket en route and our final time in France will be at Roscoff itself. We catch the 1630 sailing to Plymouth which arrives at 2130. Once again, we anticipate that the Band will play a set on board.
After disembarkation we return to the original pick up points.
Cost includes: all travel by executive coach; ferry crossing to and from France with cabin overnight; four nights' 3* hotel accommodation with breakfast and dinner with wine; excursions as described; jazz every evening; Tour Escort
Departure date
| DATES 2012 | Price |
|---|---|
| May 1st | £399 |
Supplements: Single room & Cabin £90
Room with seaview: £30 (per room,not per person)
4-berth cabin(for 2) £20(per cabin,not per person)
Online Booking click here
Pick up points :
Bath-Bristol-Taunton-Exeter-NewtonAbbot-Plymouth
Newquay-Bodmin-Liskeard-Saltash-Plymouth
Jazz on Brittany's "Pink Granite Coast" 5 days
Once again we are travelling to Brittany and our destination is Tréguier on the North Coas close to the regionknown as "The Pink Granite Coast. This little "Ville de of Caractère"(the French classification) sits on a hill above the confluence of the Rivers Jaudy and Guidy and our hotel in set on the river bank. The 3* Hotel Aigue-Marine offers good food and attentive service, has pleasant gardens in which a swimming pool is situated. They are looking forward to hosting their first Jazz event!
Wednesday We pick up as indicated below and drive to Plymouth to catch the 1500 sailing to Roscoff. The Band will play a session on board the ferry during the crossing. We reach France in the late evening and after disembarkation we drive just over an hour to check in . No dinner is provided tonight because of the late arrival. If there is time, the Band will play a short set.
Thursday Taking it very easy this morning we'll drive to the fishing port of Paimpol for sightseeing. From here we head inland to the pretty village of Pontrieux for a stroll around before returning to the hotel for dinner and entertainment.
Friday This morning we set off for the "Pink Granite Coast" and Perros Guirec where we'll stop first in the port area and then continue to it beach. From here we drive the "Breton Corniche" to Trégastel then Lannion for sightseeing in this pleasant riverside town before returning to Tréguier for dinner and entertainment.
Saturday This morning we head eastwards to St Brieuc where the street market will be in full swing. It is one of the best and biggest in Brittany and no doubt you'll enjoy the atmosphere.
In the early afternoon we'll stop at the Hypermarket for essentials and then continue to Binic, a small resort on the coast where we'll take the sea airs before returning to Tréguier. Dinner and entertainment.
We leave after breakfast on Sunday and drive to Morlaix for some sightseeing. As we make our way to the port, we'll stop at "Red Cash" for drinks purchases. We then continue to Roscoff for final sightseeing. The ship leaves at 1630 and the Band will play a last session on board.After arrival at 2130 the coach returns to the original pick up points.
Cost includes: all travel by executive coach; ferry crossing to and from France; four nights' 3* hotel accommodation with breakfast and dinner with wine on three nights, B & B on one night;excursions as described;jazz every evening;Tour Escort
Departure date
| DATES 2012 | Price |
|---|---|
| September 26th | £399 |
Online Booking click here
Single supplement £70
Room (per room,not per person)with river view £20 supplement.
Pick up points :
Bath – Bristol – Taunton – Exeter – Newton Abbot – Plymouth
Newquay-Bodmin-Liskeard-Saltash-Plymouth
The Sussex Jazz Kings
The 'SUSSEX JAZZ KINGS' are led by Dave Stradwick, the well known player of hot, traditional, jazz trumpet. Having been with many top bands in the past, Dave now fronts his 'Jazz Kings', who were formed some 11 years ago and are enjoying a high level of popularity on the British scene. They play at most of the major festivals and have had many very successful tours around the UK, Europe and beyond. The musicians chosen to join Dave are, without doubt, some of the best exponents of this New Orleans jazz style playing today. The success this band has achieved, not only comes from their musical ability, but the fun and rapport they build with their audiences. Possibly one of the busiest bands in the country, the 'SJK' also run a jazz club in Surrey, which has proved a great attraction for many of their loyal fans. Details of this can be seen on their web site.
Jazz in Green Spain (Isla) 6 days
Our base is the modern 4* Hotel Olimpo overlooking a sandy beach in the resort of Isla about 20 miles east of Santander. Spacious rooms, a small outdoor swimming pool, sauna,solarium;gardens and tennis courts are features of the hotel which is about 10 minutes stroll from the centre of the village. There's a choice of menu (except on the first day) and no one goes hungry! During our stay we'll be going on excursion in the region every day though they will be leisurely rather than arduous.
We set off from Redhill and pick up as indicated below en route to Plymouth. Here we catch the 15.30 sailing to Santander. During the crossing we anticipate that the band will play for your entertainment. In the evening we'll have dinner together in Le Flora Restaurant.
Next morning, enjoy the included breakfast in Le Flora in your own time and then look out for the dolphins(and possibly, whales) as we approach the Spanish coast. When we land at Santander on Monday at 12.00 we drive out of the city eastwards and will reach the hotel after about 40 minutes and will check in for three nights . After check-in we'll have lunch and the rest of the day is free to explore the area. In the late afternoon we'll make the short drive to Santoña to experience the evening "paseo". We return to the hotel for dinner and entertainment.
On Tuesday we set off for the outstandingly scenic Picos de Europa mountain range and we travel through the Hermida Gorge on our way to the little mountain town of Potes. We'll stop here and you can wander around its cobbled back streets or enjoy refreshment by the river. For those who are interested in a cable car ride, the coach will continue up the mountain to Fuente Dé where the cable car takes them to the plateau above.
On Wednesday we drive eastwards to the attractive fishing port and resort of Castro Urdiales where we spend the morning. We return to the hotel for lunch and an afternoon of relaxation in Isla then dinner.
We leave on Thursday and drive to Santander, stopping at the Hypermarket before sightseeing in the city. We sail from Santander at 15.30 on the "Cap Finistere". We hope the Band will be able to play during the crossing but this can't be guaranteed. ( Please note that meals are not included this crossing as we can't pre-book them on the "Cap Finistere".)
The ship arrives at Portsmouth at Friday at 14.30 and after disembarkation the coach will return to the original pick up points.
(The cost includes: travel by executive coach; ferry crossing with 2-berth cabin(i.e. bunk beds); breakfast and dinner on outward crossing ; three nights 4* hotel accommodation with buffet breakfast and dinner(with choice) each day at the hotel with wine; two lunches with wine ; entertainment by the Band; excursions as detailed.All rooms have private facilities and the hotel has a lift.)Details of cabin upgrades can be viewed under Information – the Santander sailing
Departure date:
| DATES 2012 | Price |
|---|---|
| April 1st | £409 |
Single supplement (Room & cabin) £80
Room with seaview £40(per room,not per person)
Online Booking click here
Pick up points:
Colchester - Redhill / Portsmouth Ferryport-Eastleigh(Concorde Club)-Exeter-Newton Abbot-Plymouth
Jazz in Normandy 5 days
On this holiday to Normandy we'll be based at the 3*Novotel just off the centre of Bayeux, the first city in Normandy to be liberated in 1944 and briefly the capital of France. Our excursions will give you a rare insight to the culture and history of the region and we've tried to strike a balance between the ancient and the modern so that there's something for everyone in addition to their appreciation of jazz.
Saturday Drive to Portsmouth to catch the 1445 sailing to Caen.We anticipate that the Band will play on board during the crossing. On arrival we drive to Bayeux and check in to Novotel for 4 nights. As it is a late arrival, dinner is not provided this evening.
Sunday After a leisurely buffet breakfast we will drive to the centre of Bayeux for individual sightseeing. This is your chance to visit the famous Bayeux Tapestry if you wish. Before reaching the parking area we'll stop at the British War Cemetery to pay our respects.
In the early afternoon we drive the short distance to Port en Bessin for sightseeing and a stroll around this fishing port. We continue to the American Cemetery where the opening of Private Ryan was filmed then back to hotel for dinner and music.
Monday We drive to Arromanches where the Mulberry Harbours were erected off-shore ng then along the coast road to Ouistreham and thence to Benouville to visit the site of Pegasus Bridge. We return to the hotel in the late afternoon for dinner and entertainment by the Band.
Tuesday We drive eastwards to Honfleur for sightseeing in this charming port and resort. In the early afternoon we make our way to Coudray-Rabut where we visit the Cider and Calvados establishment of Christian Drouin. Staggering away from here we return to the hotel for dinner and entertainment.
Wednesday We leave the hotel after breakfast and drive to the centre of Caen for individual sightseeing. We leave in the early afternoon for Ouistreham to catch the ferry which sails at 1530 for Portsmouth arriving at 2030 (English time) when after disembarkation we return to the original pick up points.
Cost includes: all travel by executive coach; ferry crossing to and from France; four nights' 3* hotel accommodation with breakfast and dinner with wine on three nights, B & B on one night; excursions as described; entrances; jazz every evening; Tour Escort
Departure date
| DATES 2012 | Price |
|---|---|
| October 13th | £399 |
Single supplement £60
Online Booking click here
Pick up points:
Colchester – Chelmsford- Redhill- Eastleigh - Portsmouth Ferryport