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Behind the Scenes At the Edinburgh Festival and the Military Tattoo

Program Number: 12252RJ
Start and End Dates:
8/5/2013 - 8/13/2013;
Duration: 8 nights
Location: Scotland, UK:Scotland
Price starting at: $3,075.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Music Festivals
Meals: 13; 7 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 4 Dinners    
Meal Options: Low Fat; Vegetarian; Low Salt; Gluten Free    

First-class performances by illustrious artists and distinguished speakers immerse you in the living culture of this historic city where music, dance and theater command international acclaim. Free time and excluded meals allow you to explore the Festival and Fringe at your own pace.




Highlights

• Get a peak behind the scenes when you meet a theater professional.
• Attend five performances including the world-famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.
• Whisky tasting and discussion about “The Water of Life.”



Activity Particulars

Edinburgh Military Tattoo attendance requires climbing steep incline to Edinburgh Castle esplanade and many stairs to high, tiered seats. Information about specific performances provided four weeks prior to program commencement.




Date Specific Information

8-5-2013

Receive $200 off the program price when you book before 12/20/12
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Edinburgh, 7 nights; departure.



Overnight flight from the U.S.A.
1 night
Arrival Edinburgh
7 nights
Departure

In one of Europe’s most dramatically beautiful cities, special guests, such as an Edinburgh International Festival director, share intimate insights into the making of the festival and Scotland’s cultural legacy. One of Scotland’s leading drama critics shares inside tips on getting the most out of the festival, while an arts impresario provides professional perspective on the festival’s place in European culture. A background lecture provides an overview of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and its traditions of massed pipes and drums, military bands and Highland dancers set against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. On excursions into the majestic countryside of the Borders, enjoy 12th-century Melrose Abbey and Traquair House.




Scotland

The lochs and highlands of Scotland have long been a source of inspiration for folklore, poetry and song — influencing movements from the Romanticism of Robert Burns to the Kailyard school of J.M. Barrie. Through the years, Scotland has maintained a strong pride in the arts and boasts notable museums, theaters and events including the Edinburgh International Festival, an annual celebration of arts from around the world.
Accommodations
Edinburgh: Four-star hotel with views of Edinburgh Zoo.
Meals and Lodgings
   Holiday Inn Edinburgh
  Edinburgh, UK:Scotland 7 nights
 Holiday Inn Edinburgh
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: Modern Hotel located 3 miles from Edinburgh's centre on the main bus routes. 15 minute ride. Rooms have views across Edinburgh Zoo or the Pentland Hills
  Contact info: 132 Corstophine Road
Edinburgh,  EH12 6UA UK:Scotland
phone: +44 8704009026
web: www.holidayinn/edinburgh
  Room amenities: Cable/Satellite TV. Direct Dial Telephone. Air conditioning. Tea & Coffee Making facilities. Trouser press.
  Facility amenities: Trader's Restaurant, Sampans Oriental Restaurant. Trader's Bar. Cafe Express, Gallery Bar. High Speed Internet Access (fee). Heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, spa.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior:  For additional pre and post program accommodations, please contact Road Scholar Travel Services at (800) 241-1404 or via email to travelinfo@roadscholar.org
  Check in time: 2:00 PM
  Additional nights after:  For additional pre and post program accommodations, please contact Road Scholar Travel Services at (800) 241-1404 or via email to travelinfo@roadscholar.org
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
A light lunch will be served in the hotle at 12:30pm. Welcome meeting 5:30pm in meeting room in the hotel. You will be staying at Holiday Inn Edinburgh that night.
  End of Program:
Breakfast endsat 10:00am and check out is by 11:00am. Some flights may require transfer before breakfast. You will be staying at Holiday Inn Edinburgh the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
No parking.
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: Buses available.
To Start of Program
  Location:  Edinburgh
  Nearest city or town:  Edinburgh.
  Nearest airport:  Edinburgh.
  Transportation to site: Take Airline 100 or Airbus Express from the airport. A taxi direct from the airport to the hotel will cost around GBP13. A taxi from Waverley Train station is approx. GBP5 (3 miles).
  From End of Program
  Location: Edinburgh
  Transportation from site: As above but in reverse.
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1:
(Monday, August 5)
   
 Depart From: Depart from N. America for overnight flights to UK.

Day 2: Transfer to Edinburgh./Welcome meeting and introduction.
(Tuesday, August 6)
   
 Arrive To: Edinburgh Airport. Transfers by coach to hotel.
 Lunch: Lunch in the hotel dining room for those arriving in time for lunch.
 Afternoon: Free time.
 Dinner: In the hotel.
 Evening: Welcome meeting with your Course Director and programme introduction at approx. 7:30pm.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Edinburgh
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Tips on the Festival./Edinburgh Old Town walk./Performance.
(Wednesday, August 7)

Note: Stairs at Tattoo. Steep walk to Castle.
   
 Breakfast: Full Scottish breakfast in the hotel.
 Morning: Hear from a a well known Scottish journalist: Tips on the Festival--What's Hot and What's Not!
 Lunch: Excluded--participant's own choice to explore local restaurants.
 Afternoon: Assimilate the cultural layers that comprise Scotland's capital city as you walk Old Town and the Royal Mile followed by free time.
 Dinner: Dinner out. Whisky Heritage Centre tasting.
 Evening: Performance--Military Tattoo. 9:00pm.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Lectures./Performance.
(Thursday, August 8)
   
 Breakfast: Full Scottish breakfast.
 Morning: Meet a theatre professional.
 Lunch: Excluded.
 Afternoon: Performance-venue and title TBC.
 Dinner: Excluded.
 Evening: At leisure.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5: The Borders.
(Friday, August 9)
   
 Breakfast: Full Scottish breakfast.
 Morning: Venture into the magestic countryside of the Borders and Mellerstain House.
 Lunch: Excluded.
 Afternoon: The excursion continues to 12th century Melrose Abbey.
 Dinner: Excluded
 Evening: At leisure.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: Performance.
(Saturday, August 10)
   
 Breakfast: Full Scottish breakfast.
 Morning: Lecture on Scottish theatre.
 Lunch: Excluded-participant's own choice.
 Afternoon: Free afternoon for you to explore the Festival on your own.
 Dinner: Excluded-participant's own choice.
 Evening: Performance.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7: Lecture./Performance.
(Sunday, August 11)
   
 Breakfast: Full Scottish breakfast.
 Morning: Optional Sunday service. Lecture on the Festival.
 Lunch: Traditional Sunday lunch in the hotel.
 Afternoon: Free time.
 Dinner: Dinner out.
 Evening: Performance.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Course Round Up./Performance/Farewell meeting
(Monday, August 12)
   
 Breakfast: Full Scottish breakfast.
 Morning: Course Round Up with course director Giles Ramsay.
 Lunch: Excluded-participant's own choice.
 Afternoon: Free afternoon. Pre-dinner Farewell meeting.
 Dinner: In the hotel.
 Evening: Performance-venue and title TBC.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9:
(Tuesday, August 13)
   
 Breakfast: Full Scottish breakfast depending on transfer times.
 Morning: Coach transfers to Edinburgh Airport for flights to N America.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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