The Dream Vacation Tour for Beatles Lovers

 

Never could John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr have imagined they would go on to form one of the most successful bands in modern history, influencing pop culture in not only music, but also fashion, film, and global representation.

Their very first album, ‘Please Please Me,’ was inspired by American pop but rooted in British determination. By the time they made their sixth album, they were writing their own songs and, more importantly, shaping a rock landscape that would be explored and expanded on for decades to come.

If you were one of the many million Americans who tuned in to “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1964 as the Beatles certainly changed rock and roll, prepare yourself for perhaps the perfect vacation idea.

Do you admire The Beatles? If the answer is an enthusiastic “Yes,” then the “Icons of Britain” tour may knock your Paul-loving socks off. While it’s not quite All Beatles, the tour has several other must-sees in London, Scotland, and Wales. One big draw is seeing where the Band got their start and recapturing what’s described as “the fevered feel of the early ’60s in Liverpool.”

Here’s some of what you’ll see:

• The Beatles’ Boyhood Homes: It’s easy to imagine the young Paul and John writing the lyrics to “I Saw Her Standing There” in the living room of the future Sir Paul McCartney’s humble 20 Forthlin Roadhouse. As McCartney recalled: “I’d start off with ‘She was just 17, she’d never been a beauty queen.’

• The Cavern Club: Still a live-concert venue today, the club hosted the Beatles 292 times. It’s especially packed when a tribute band dons mop-tops and “yeah, yeah” their hearts out. There was supposed to be a 293rd time promised by manager Brian Epstein before the band ventured to America but it never happened.

• Jaw-Dropping Castles: You will glimpse inside The Queen’s official residence, Windsor Castle, including recent and possibly juicy tidbits from a local tour guide about the goings-on there. Furthermore, a loud evening banquet at Cardiff Castle will explain what’s meant by “Welsh hospitality.”

• The Beatles Story: Settled in the heart of Liverpool’s revitalized wharf district, this state of the art attraction includes a behind-the-scenes look at Abbey Road Studios, an underwater trip on the Yellow Submarine, and a “Fab 4D” extravaganza that uses the latest technology to bring the band’s music to life.

• A Taste of Scotland: Backpackers can enjoy a dinner of Scottish specialties including the infamous haggis and a lively show featuring songs, stories, and a display of traditional step-dancing.