Forward Travel, part of the Thomas Cook & Co-operative Group together with The Official Elvis Presley Fan Club of Great Britain invites you to travel with us
MEMPHIS ONLY - AUGUST 2012
Friday 10th August - Monday 20th August 2012: Memphis at any time of the year is a fascinating place to visit. You will experience the wonderful sights and sounds of this vibrant city which is located on the banks of the mighty Mississippi. To visit Memphis in August and to be there to commemorate the life, the legend, and the legacy which is Elvis Presley is wondrous! Graceland bedecked with floral tributes from fans from around the world, and the annual “Candlelight Vigil” is just a small part of the outpourings of love, friendship, and camaraderie from fans from all walks of life, from all countries and from all creeds. And this coming 35th anniversary year will be something extra special.
Because there is a recession, we are offering a basic itinerary allowing fans to budget for their own optional expenditure. We are however using the fabulous Memphis Marriott Downtown Hotel, on North Main Street which has a fantastic indoor pool, restaurant, leisure complex and the most amazing comfortable bedrooms, all with serviced bathrooms, colour TV, and tea/coffee making facilities. Plus we are included a buffet breakfast every morning in our exclusive package.
The price based on two persons sharing a twin or double room inclusive of all flights, airport transfers, airport security and fuel surcharge costs, and nine nights of accommodation and buffet breakfasts at the Memphis Marriott Downtown is £1,530.00 per person. (Triple occupancy, subject to availability will be £1,400 per person, and four persons to a room, again subject to availability, will be from £1,320.00 per person). Prices could be subject to additional government/airline taxes if levied, and remember August 2012 is London Olympic Year so availability on flights is very limited and may only be available at a premium.
IMPORTANT: We are £250 per person less than some other tour operators because we are not including shuttle buses, or admissions. To get to Graceland and back in a taxi should cost no more than $30 each way and with four sharing that is less than £5.00 each (£10 round trip), and you can choose when to go and more importantly, when to return. Also many attractions offer free transport, so why pay for something that you might not use, or can get for free. Our tour staff will be on hand to arrange whatever transport you require. We will also offer optional excursions at competitive rates including a City / Graceland Tour, visits to Sun and Stax plus the Tunica Casinos, and Tupelo, and don’t forget our amazing Stax “Meet the Brits” Party with the Emperor Rosko. Complete your reservation form today and see you in Memphis, Tennessee!
ITINERARY: We have extended our MEMPHIS ONLY 2012 itinerary to include an extra day at no extra cost. Our itinerary is now as follows:
Friday 10th August: Depart London, arriving Memphis early evening. As we leave the airport we can take our first look at Elvis’ Graceland mansion on our way to our “four star” Memphis Marriott Downtown Hotel on North Main Street. After check- in why not go for a leisurely stroll around the area to take in a meal or enjoy some of the free entertainment along Beale Street.
Saturday 11th August: Our after-breakfast familiarisation meeting, useful for those on their first trip to Memphis, will enable your tour escorts to give you a news update on the activities for Elvis Week. This will be followed by a guided tour of Memphis including a visit to Graceland. Elvis week on Elvis Presley Boulevard kicks off with an 8.00pm concert on the main stage of the Graceland Plaza.
Sunday 12th August: Elvis’ birthplace is just 100 miles south of Memphis in the small township of Tupelo. Visitors from all over the world cross the Tennessee state line and drive to Elvis’ modest Mississippi style share-croppers shack which has been tastefully preserved within a beautiful visitors’ complex and chapel. This is an optional day excursion most fans will not want to miss. Meanwhile in Memphis the entertainment continues in and around Graceland.
Monday 13th August: For “Graceland Insiders” there is a meet and greet event at the Plaza complex in the morning, and for our passengers with the taste for the high-life we can book you a bus trip back across the state-line for a late afternoon and early evening casino experience at one of the major gaming hotels located on the banks of the Mississippi. Admission to any casino is free, so too are drinks (if you play the slots or the tables), and there is free lounge entertainment and amazing buffet food for just a few dollars.
Tuesday 14th August: There is always entertainment at Graceland, or you might wish to go shopping on one of the greatest shopping malls in the Southern States. In the evening we have our iconic “Meet The Brits” party being held at the Stax Studios where Elvis recorded thirty tracks for the albums “Raised on Rock”, “Good Times”, and “Promised Land” all during 1973. Our party is being hosted by Emperor Rosko, whose father produced Girl Happy and Spinout for MGM. Rosko, real name Michael Pasternak was the presenter for the European tour of Stax artists in 1967. This is going to be the place to be during “Elvis Week”.
Wednesday 15th August: You have to see it to believe it. Tens of thousands of Elvis fans travel to Memphis from all over the world to pay respects to the man who made all of this possible for what will be the 35th anniversary of his death. Elvis’ outreach is amazing and is warmly displayed at the “Candle-light Vigil” by fans from every country at this special time of the year.
Thursday 16th August: The anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death is commemorated in the way that he would have wanted with his fans celebrating his life, his career and his talent in a joyous happy mood. In the evening there will be a special concert at the FedEx Forum in downtown Memphis, just a few blocks away from our hotel, with special celebrity show-business guests headlined by Priscilla, Lisa-Marie and her children.
Friday 17th August: The morning is free to visit Graceland on anniversary day. In the afternoon we can visit the Rock n Soul Museum, take a riverboat ride on the Mississippi, and go to Sun Records. There is a lot to do and see in and around Memphis. Graceland hosts an evening dance party, and there will be an out-door party at the Elvis Presley Boulevard plaza.
Saturday 18th August: Panel Discussion at Graceland, Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Final Round, and we have extended our “Memphis Only” holiday by a day, because we have heard that something special is going to happen at Graceland in the evening.
Sunday 19th August: Morning free in downtown Memphis, and then a transfer to the airport for our journey home.
Monday 20th August: Arrival back into London by lunchtime.
Memphis Only Friday 10th August - Monday 20th August 2012
RESERVATION FORM
Post to: Elvis Fan Club Travel, PO Box 3456, Cheadle Staffordshire ST10 9BG
Telephone: 0844 800 6881 Fax: 01538 722944 From Overseas Call: 0044 1538 722344
Cut and paste this form and post together with your reservation deposit of £200.00 per person by cheque/postal order made payable to “Forward Travel”. Your booking will be acknowledged upon receipt, and in due course a Terms & Conditions schedule will be issued which you will be required to sign as your acceptance, together with a Confirmation Invoice, and Travel Insurance application form (It is mandatory that every traveller has sufficient insurance cover, and if you choose to use your own existing policy Forward Travel will request to see confirmation that this is both adequate and current.)
I enclose my payment of £ .............. being the deposit of £200 p.p. for .......... persons travelling
Or charge my Visa/ MasterCard / American Express credit/debit card
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Valid From .... / ....... Expiry Date .... / .... Security ........ (last three numbers on the signature strip)
ROOM REQUIREMENTS
I will require ....... Single ....... Double ...... Twin ....... Triple ........ 4 persons sharing
Special / additional requirements ............................................................................................................................
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Cast For Elvis 35th Anniversary Concert
We are excited to announce the confirmed cast of the Elvis 35th Anniversary Concert that will be at the FedExForum on August 16, 2012, during Elvis Week. See some of Elvis' finest concert performances projected on a large video screen, accompanied live on stage by a cast of singers and musicians who worked with him, an orchestra, and additional singers and musicians.
The following guests are confirmed to perform in the concert:
- Joe Guercio
- TCB Band members James Burton, Ronnie Tutt and Glen Hardin
- DJ Fontana
- The Sweet Inspirations – Estelle Brown, Portia Griffin & Kelly Jones
- Former members of JD Sumner and The Stamps Quartet: Bill Baize, Ed Hill, Larry Strickland and Donnie Sumner
- Former members of The Imperials: Joe Moscheo, Terry Blackwood, Armond Morales and Jim Murray
- Members of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra
In addition, Elvis Presley will join the cast live on stage via a state-of-the-art screens. More guests will be announced as they are confirmed.
Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, at any Ticketmaster outlet or at the FedExForum box office.
Tickets for the show are selling fast and VIP tickets are almost sold out, so be sure to order your tickets today!
LANCASHIRE BRANCH LEADER TO CLIMB MOUNT EVEREST
I am taking part in a fund raising walking trek to the base camp on Mount Everest for the charity: David Lewis.All money raised will be donated to the charity.
Online donations: http://www.justgiving.com/john-meller
The above link will also take you to the David Lewis web page, where you can see what they do.I've attached a sponsorship form as some people have asked for one so that they can also collect on my behalf.
Trek Outline
Mount Everest Trek 2012
Date: February - March
Route: Kathmandu - Jiri – Everest Base Camp - Lukla
Maximum Altitude: 5500m
Approximately 120miles round trip.
So please dig deep and donate now. Will be taking the Lancashire branch flag with me, Lancashire branch on Tour!
Many Thanks, John Meller
ELVIS WEEK @ HEMSBY BEACH HOLIDAY RESORT, GREAT YARMOUTH Monday 24th September – Monday 1rd October, 2012
Once again we joining forces with our friends at Yesterday Once More to co-promote this fabulous Elvis Week which was launched at Hemsby by the official Elvis Presley Fan Club 30 years ago. We operated it there for almost 20years, after which time Kelvin Ford’ company took over the event location when we moved to Mablethorpe. Well, we are going back, and we look forward to seeing you there on 24th September this year. Fan Club members who attended last year's Hemsby event were thrilled to be back in this wonderful sea side town - and our week was the hottest of the year We are injecting some exciting changes into this function, so don’t miss out – book now. As the event enters its fourth decade we are thrilled to announce a brand new exciting development! Yesterday Once More and the official Elvis Presley Fan Club combine to provide the energy, knowledge and dedication to keep this iconic event where it belongs as Europe's number one Elvis festival.
This year all the things that regular Hemsby-goers have come to expect will remain! Nutty Neil will be there with his own unique style of presenting Elvis’ music. Colin Paul one of the greatest Elvis sound-alike's in the world will not only be fronting his own unique show, but will stay for the whole week as a fan helping out with the quiz and even clearing the tables. Add all this to the input of the world’s greatest fan club organisation to take the event to new levels of professionalism and credibility, together with the warmth of our Elvis family atmosphere and we already have a recipe for success.
Our daytime entertainment begins at 1.00pm with Elvis on the big screen, our daily game show quiz follows on at 2pm presented and created by Simon Gray followed by karaoke hosted by our own dynamic duo Jeff and Tony. Our live entertainment begins at 4.00pm.
The evening programme begins at 7.30pm with more Elvis on the big-screen and our nightly Elvis disco with Nutty Neil, Kelvin, and Chris Bowdidge will start around 8.30pm. Every night we will have a top class live act plus our late-late Elvis disco ‘til the wee hours. We have a relaxed friendly vibe, with no one telling you how to behave, because in our experience we Elvis fans are a great bunch, and we will never let the King down. Elvis’ career covered the fifties, sixties and seventies so we try to do the same with our live entertainment. This year the highlights are Colin Paul with his fabulous band the Persuaders plus the girl duo providing the backing - Inspirations style ,The Passionettes! The Jet, The Rockin' Berries, Lights Out, The Firebirds, Blast Off, John Dean, Jimmy Jermaine and The Bobcats. What a fantastic line up!!
CHALET ACCOMMODATION & ENTERTAINMENT PACKAGE - PRICES PER PERSON
NUMBER OF ADULTS SHARING
1 2 3 4 5 6
£269 £235 £225 £220 £215 £209
(Children sharing ages 2 – 12 add £60.00 per child)
If you have been to Elvis Week at Hemsby, Great Yarmounth, anytime in the past 30 years then now is the time to revisit and see The New Elvis Week at Hemsby, operated by the Yesterday Once More team in association with the world’s most respected fan organisation Official Elvis Presley Fan Club. I do hope you can join us! Thank you, Todd Slaughter
To secure your place send £50.00 deposit per person made payable to “Yesterday Once More” ( Visa / MasterCard accepted) to: ELVIS WEEK, Elvis Presley Fan Club, PO Box 3456 Cheadle, Staffordshire ST10 9BG. Telephone 0844 800 6881
VISIT MEMPHIS - ANYTIME
Sweet Magnolia Tours and the Official Elvis Presley Fan Club of Great Britain have joined forces to present a series of Fan Club Travel options enabling our members to travel to Memphis and beyond at times convenient to suit you. You buy your own flights and car hire (a fly-drive option may be more economical) and we supply the US ground arrangements.
MEMPHIS & TUPELO
DAY ONE: Fly from the UK to Memphis (you decide which route, travel date and time and price to satisfy your requirements). Upon arrival at Memphis International airport you collect your hire car and transfer to the Doubletree Hotel - Downtown on Union Avenue.
DAY TWO – DAY FIVE: Four full days in Memphis with ample time to visit Sun Studios, The Stax Museum, The Rock n Soul Museum and of course Elvis Presley’s Graceland
DAY SIX: You drive to Tupelo (journey time 2 hours) and your hotel for the night is the Clarion Inn. Rest of the day is free to explore Elvis’ home-town and visit his birthplace.
DAY SEVEN: Morning at leisure – afternoon drive back to Memphis for an evening flight home to the UK, arriving back on DAY EIGHT.
The hotel package price is $815.00, and as each room will sleep up to four people (quad occupancy rooms will be furnished with two double/queen size beds) and that will work out at around £130.00 per person if four fans share one room, or £260.00 per person for a twin occupancy – which is really fantastic value for 6 nights Plus we can offer you a Memphis Music Attraction Pass including admissions to Stax, Sun, the Rock n Soul and Graceland for $70.00 per person.
In Memphis, should you wish to stay at the Heartbreak Hotel we have a twin occupancy only rate, plus twin occupancy in Tupelo for $780.00, which works out at $390.00 per person – around £245.00, at the current exchange rate.
WHAT TO DO NEXT: Choose the dates you wish to travel, book your flights, then contact the Elvis Presley Fan Club, PO Box 3456, Cheadle, Staffordshire ST10 9BG with your dates, and leave the rest to Sweet Magnolia. We will confirm your reservations, and offer you an alternative if your specified hotel is fully booked. The price quoted includes complete driving instructions, maps and hotel vouchers, and local taxes. You will be required to pay your final account 4 weeks prior to departure.
THE DEEP SOUTH
Sweet Magnolia Tours and the Official Elvis Presley Fan Club of Great Britain have joined forces to present a series of Fan Club Travel options enabling our members to travel to Memphis and beyond at times convenient to suit you. You buy your own flights and car hire (a fly-drive option may be more economical) and we supply the US ground arrangements.
DAY ONE: Fly from the UK to ATLANTA (you decide which route, travel date and time and price to satisfy your requirements). Upon arrival in Atlanta you collect your hire car and transfer to the Airport Doubletree Hotel.
DAY TWO: Drive to CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee when upon arrival you will check into the legendary Choo Choo Hotel
DAY THREE: Leisurely drive to East Tennessee into the Smokey Mountains at the beautiful town of GATLINBURG. Close by is Dollywood and the Dixieland Stampede two attractions not to be missed. DAY FOUR free in GATLINBURG / PIGEON FORGE
DAY FIVE: Morning drive to NASHVILLE and your hotel is the Doubletree – Downtown. DAY SIX free in Nashville. During your stay you can visit RCA Studio B, The Ryman Auditorium, and the Country Music Hall of Fame
DAY SEVEN: Morning drive to MEMPHIS, heading towards the downtown area and the Doubletree Hotel on Union Avenue close to Beale Street.
DAY EIGHT – DAY ELEVEN: Four full days in Memphis with ample time to visit Sun Studios, The Stax Museum, The Rock n Soul Museum and of course Elvis Presley’s Graceland.
DAY TWELVE: Today you drive to Tupelo (journey time 2 hours) and your hotel for the night is the Clarion Inn. Rest of the day is free to explore Elvis’ home-town and visit his birthplace.
DAY THIRTEEN; Drive across the State line into Alabama and easterly towards the city of BIRMINGHAM. Your hotel here is the beautiful La Quinta on Riverchase.
DAY FOURTEEN. Morning at leisure before a dive back to ATLANTA and your flight home arriving back in the UK on DAY FIFTEEN.
The Hotel Package price is just $1,567.00US, and as each room will sleep up to 4 people that is just £250.00 per person for a quad occupancy (quad rooms will be furnished with two double/queen beds), or £500.00 per person for a twin occupancy – which is really fantastic value for 13 nights. Plus we can offer you a Memphis Music Attraction Pass including admissions to Stax, Sun, the Rock n Soul and Graceland for $70.00 per person. In Nashville you can visit Studio B, The Ryman, and the Country Music Hall of Fame for the all in price of $62.00 per person (add $15.00 per person if you wish to include the Wild Horse Saloon).
WHAT TO DO NEXT: Choose the dates you wish to travel, book your flights, then contact the Elvis Presley Fan Club, PO Box 3456, Cheadle, Staffordshire ST10 9BS with your dates, and leave the rest to Sweet Magnolia. We will confirm your reservations, and offer you an alternative if your specified hotel is fully booked. The price quoted includes complete driving instructions, maps and hotel vouchers, and local taxes. You will be required to pay your final account 4 weeks prior to departure. OVERSEAS MEMBERS: You can book the same ground packages through us, making your own flight arrangements with you domestic airlines. (Ensure that full payment reaches us six weeks prior to departure).
YOU CAN NOW JOIN ON LINE
Go To the Fan Club Shop, and click on Magazines and you can now subscribe to the world's respected fan club on line for just £15.00 (UK)
ELVIS PRESLEY IN CONCERT
We are pleased to announce that for March 2012, the amazing virtual big screen concert event will be returning to the UK for six exciting dates featuring members of the original TCB band, with singers and a full orchestra under the direction of Joe Guercio, together with guest musicians.
| Friday 9th | SHEFFIELD MOTORPOINT ARENA | 0114 256 5656 |
| Saturday 10th | MANCHESTER MENA ARENA | 0844 847 8000 |
| Sunday 11th | GLASGOW SECC | 0844 395 4000 |
| Friday 16th | LONDON 02 ARENA | 0844 856 0202 |
| Saturday 17th | LONDON WEMBLEYARENA | 0844 815 0815 |
| Sunday 18th | BIRMINGHAM LG ARENA | 0844 338 8000 |
Tickets starting at £35.00 are on sale NOW! For this exclusive 35th anniversary year tour, call the box office today, ring the 24 hour ticket hotline 0844 338 0000 or book on-line via www.bookingsdirect.com (agency and credit card booking fees apply)
Updated 17th January 2012
