Music Tour of Europe with John Howie
- 19 Nights
- Includes Flights, Accommodation, Guided Sightseeing, A selection of entertainment & meals
- Departs 9 July 2026
- Berlin, Hamburg, Hoorn, Amsterdam, Maastricht, Amiens, Bayeux, Quimper (Brittany) & Paris
Join John Howie on an unforgettable 20-day journey through Europe, blending music, culture, and history. Explore Berlin's and Hamburg's legendary blues and The Beatles scenes, and wander along the canals of Berlin, Hamburg & Amsterdam. Enjoy Bavarian Hofbrauhaus-type music in Berlin, Johann Strauss-type classical music in Maastricht (optional; TBC), The Beatles music in Hamburg, and folk music throughout the tour. Discover the charms of Maastricht, where you may wish to attend a magical Andre Rieu concert (optional; TBC) in his hometown. Pay tribute at Villers-Bretonneux, visit the D-Day Beaches at Normandy, and experience the colour and spirit of Brittany's Festival de Cornouaille. In Paris, marvel at the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the famous Moulin Rouge show (optional). With guided sightseeing, live music, quality accommodation, and many meals included, this tour offers a rich and rhythmic European adventure.
TOUR LEADERSHIP BY JOHN HOWIE
John was a secondary school music teacher for 23 years (taught Kylie Minogue). He and his twin brother, Graeme, perform as The Howie Brothers. John has been leading successful music tours and music cruises for 30 years.
INCLUSIONS
- Return economy-class airfare from Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane/Perth to Berlin and return from Paris.
- 17 nights' accommodation in centrally located first-class and moderate first-class hotels, with private facilities, on twin-share basis. Hotel taxes and service charges.
- 1 hour Canal Cruise in Amsterdam, including afternoon drinks.
- Meals as per the itinerary (as indicated by B,L,D, etc.). Breakfast daily. 4 dinners.
- Entry to all sightseeing attractions mentioned in the itinerary, except for those marked 'optional' or 'own expense'.
- Admission to music concerts/entertainment events mentioned in the itinerary, except for those marked 'optional' or 'own expense'.
- Transport by first-class chartered coaches throughout.
- All airport/hotel transfers.
- Tour leadership/management throughout by John Howie.
DAY 1 Thursday 9 July 2026 Depart Australia
Depart Australia on our flight to Berlin.
DAY 2 Friday 10 July 2026 Berlin, Germany
This afternoon we arrive in Berlin and transfer to our hotel. Overnight: Ibis Berlin Hauptbahnhof. (B)
DAY 3 Saturday 11 July 2026 Berlin
Morning: Enjoy a sightseeing coach tour of Berlin, with a local guide. Explore the city, visiting the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, the Reichstag building, and more. Afternoon: Free time. Evening: Commencement of Tour Dinner at a Hofbrauhaus (Beer Hall) with German 'Oom-Pah' music. (B,D)
DAY 4 Sunday 12 July 2026 Hamburg, Germany
Morning: Travel to Hamburg. Afternoon: Sightseeing tour of Hamburg, with a local guide. Visit the Star Club memorial. Evening: Dinner at a pub with live German folk music, if available. Overnight: Intercity Hotel Hamburg Dammtor-Messe. (B)
DAY 5 Monday 13 July 2026 Hamburg
Morning: Free time. Afternoon: Enjoy Stefanie Hempel's Beatles Tour. Evening: Enjoy a Beatles Tribute Band performance, if available (optional). (B)
DAY 6 Tuesday 14 July 2026 Hoorn, The Netherlands
Travel to the port city of Hoorn. Visit Café 't Schippershuis. Evening: Enjoy dinner and a folk music session with local musicians. Overnight: Hotel Villa Groet Uit Avenhorn. (B,D)
DAY 7 Wednesday 15 July 2026 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Morning: Visit the Volendam region and Alida Hoeve Cheese Farm. Afternoon: Coach tour of Amsterdam. Evening: John Howie will take interested people on a walking tour of Amsterdam's Red Light District. Overnight: Leonardo Hotel Amsterdam Rembrandtpark. (B)
DAY 8 Thursday 16 July 2026 Amsterdam
Morning & early afternoon: Free time. Late afternoon: Enjoy a 1-hour canal cruise. Evening: Enjoy dinner in a pub with live Dutch folk music, if available. (B, Afternoon Drinks)
DAY 9 Friday 17 July 2026 Maastricht, The Netherlands
Travel to Maastricht, visiting Rotterdam and the Kinderdijk Windmills on the way. Evening: Explore the historic centre of Maastricht. Overnight: Hotel Porta Cité, Maasmechelen. (B)
DAY 10 Saturday 18 July 2026 Maastricht
Morning: Sightseeing tour of Maastricht. Afternoon: Free time. Evening: You may wish to attend a concert by Andre Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra (optional). (B)
DAY 11 Sunday 19 July 2026 Villers-Bretonneux/Amiens, France
Travel to Villers-Bretonneux. Afternoon: Visit the village and the Australian War Memorial. Travel on to Amiens. Evening: Group dinner followed by a music/singalong session with John Howie. Overnight: Ibis Amiens Centre. (B,D)
DAY 12 Monday 20 July 2026 Bayeux, France
Travel to the Normandy region. Visit the Memorial de Caen. Afternoon: Walking tour of Bayeux. Overnight: Novotel Bayeux. (B)
DAY 13 Tuesday 21 July 2026 Bayeux
Morning: Visit the D-Day Landing beaches, including Omaha Beach, with a local guide. Also visit the American Cemetery. Afternoon: Free time. Evening: Informal music/singalong session with John Howie. (B)
DAY 14 Wednesday 22 July 2026 Quimper, France
Morning: Travel to Quimper. Afternoon: Sightseeing tour of Quimper, with a local guide, including the Quimper Cathedral. Also visit the Breton County Museum. Evening: Attend a Festival de Cornouaille music or dance event. Overnight: Hotel Escale Oceania Quimper. (B)
DAY 15 Thursday 23 July 2026 Quimper
Morning: Excursion to the coast, with visits to Concarneau and Pont-Aven. Afternoon: More time at the Festival de Cornouaille. Evening: Enjoy some of the Festival's live Breton music. (B)
DAY 16 Friday 24 July 2026 Paris, France
Travel to Paris. Check into our 4-star hotel. Overnight: Holiday Inn Paris Gare de Lyon Bastille. (B)
DAY 17 Saturday 25 July 2026 Paris
Morning: Sightseeing coach tour of Paris. Afternoon: Visit the Musée d'Orsay. Evening: Attend the Moulin Rouge show (optional). (B)
DAY 18 Sunday 26 July 2026 Paris
Today is a free day for you to explore Paris at your leisure. Evening: Farewell dinner at a Parisian restaurant with live French café music. (B,D)
DAY 19 Monday 27 July 2026 Departure
This morning we transfer to Charles de Gaulle Airport and begin our journey back to Australia. (B)
DAY 20 Tuesday 28 July 2026 Arrive Australia
We arrive back in Australia. The tour concludes.
| Per person twin-share | Air taxes and fuel surcharges at 1/8/25 | Total per person twin-share | Single supplement |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,595 | $340 | $10,935 | $2,195 |
INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE
- Return economy-class airfare from Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane/Perth to Berlin and return from Paris.
- 17 nights' accommodation in centrally located first-class and moderate first-class hotels, with private facilities, on twin-share basis. Hotel taxes and service charges.
- 1 hour Canal Cruise in Amsterdam, including afternoon drinks.
- Meals as per the itinerary (as indicated by B,L,D, etc.). Breakfast daily. 4 dinners.
- Entry to all sightseeing attractions mentioned in the itinerary, except for those marked 'optional' or 'own expense'.
- Admission to music concerts/entertainment events mentioned in the itinerary, except for those marked 'optional' or 'own expense'.
- Transport by first-class chartered coaches throughout.
- All airport/hotel transfers.
- Tour leadership/management throughout by John Howie.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
- Travel insurance.
- All items of personal nature, such as drinks, room service, laundry and phone calls.
- Meals and drinks, unless specified in itinerary.
- Entry to concerts/entertainment events (1) not mentioned in the itinerary, or (2) mentioned in the itinerary, but marked 'optional or 'own choice'.
- International airport and departure taxes above the rate quoted.
- Domestic flight connections to and from departure cities (& arrival cities) in Australia.
General Information and Booking Conditions
It is important that all tour participants have a basic level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the need of assistance from others.
TOUR OPERATOR:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd. ABN 64 005 817 078 is the tour operator.
TOUR COSTS:
The tour's costs are based on transport, accommodation costs and entrance costs at 1 June 2025. Travelrite reserves the right to alter the costs if any of these factors change including currency changes, giving any passenger that has booked the right to withdraw with full refund of monies paid or modify arrangements. No alterations to costings will be made within 60 days prior to departure.
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS:
A non-refundable deposit of $900 per passenger is required at the time of booking. Full payment will be required 60 days prior to departure. A 1.5% administration charge will be added to payment by Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
CANCELLATIONS:
Cancellations within 60 days of departure will result in the loss of all monies paid. Cancellation outside 60 days from departure will result in a cancellation fee of $900 per person. Travel insurance is recommended to cover the costs of cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc.
MINIMUM TOUR NUMBERS:
The tour has been costed on the basis of a minimum number of passengers having booked 60 days prior to departure. Travelrite reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a full refund of all monies paid or offer arrangements to proceed with the tour at a modified cost if the minimum number is not achieved.
REFUNDS:
The tour is based on arrangements which do not allow for any refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals or other services not utilised after the tour has commenced.
BAGGAGE:
All passengers qualify for 1 piece free baggage allowance.
RESPONSIBILITY:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd. (Licence number 30858) is the tour organiser. Travelrite International acts only as agents in making of arrangements with carriers, hoteliers and others for the tour. As a result we cannot accept liability for any act or omission whatsoever, whether negligent or otherwise of those carriers, hoteliers or other persons providing services in connection with the tour over whom we have no direct or exclusive control. We do not accept responsibility for any injury, damage, loss, delay, change of schedule or any other events which are beyond our direct control, such as, but not limited to, war, flood, fire, civil disturbance, acts of God, acts of government, or any other authorities, terrorism, accidents to or failure of machinery or equipment, or industrial action. The passage contract in use by the carriers concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation companies or firms and the purchasers of these tours and the passengers. Baggage is at own risk throughout the tour. This contract shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia and any legal action must be taken in the State of Victoria.
DELAYS AND UNFORESEEN EVENTS:
You engage Travelrite to book this tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite acts as your agent for the purpose of making contracts between you and the various providers of accommodation, transportation and other services that comprise the tour. Travelrite may without reference to you provide or make available to you, or may as your agent engage any third party to provide or make available to you, any good or service which Travelrite reasonably believes is necessary for your benefit to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite your attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite any cost thereof and you indemnify Travelrite in respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of the risk that any such good or service may become required.
HOW TO BOOK:
Bookings can be made by completing a booking form and sending it with a non-refundable deposit of $900 per person to: Travelrite International Pty Ltd 423 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn Victoria 3103
Further information can be obtained by telephoning Toll Free: 1800 630 343 Phone: (03) 8803 6868 Email: sales@travelrite.com.au www.travelrite.com.au www.musictours.com.au
ABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is a well-established family-owned business that's been operating in Melbourne's eastern suburbs for more than 40 years. Traveirite International is a full member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), is fully Accredited with ATAS (A10538) and IATA. As such they directly represent the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international hotel, tour and transport operators.
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