FAQs

Tentative Lightridge London Itinerary

- Airfare** (except in land only packages)

- Trip Insurance

- 6 Nights Accommodations

- 6 Breakfasts

- 6 Dinners (3 in the hotel, 3 meal cards)

- A lunch on parade day

- (Seating for companion package)

- Tour of West End and City on Motor Coach

- Tour of London and Crown Jewels

- Boat trip on the River Thames

- A Pre-loaded ‘Oyster Card’ for London Buses and Tube

- ¾ Day Tour of Windsor Castle

- Trip to Eton College Transportation Included

- ¾ Day trip of Oxford Transportation Included

- New Years Eve Party for the Students

- New Years Dinner for the Companion Trip

- Shipping and storage for large instruments.

- All Tips and Taxes 

It depends on the final size of the group.  The travel agency mainly utilizes Hilton Brand Hotels.  We will know closer to April which exact one we will be housed in.

Check out our fundraising page for the London Trip!

Fundraisers

The hotel has security.  The trip insurance also includes provisions if the trip must be cancelled due to a State Department Warning:

London Trip Insurance

This is not feasible. The rooms are mostly two twin beds that – if you are a couple –can be pushed together. Think stateroom on a cruise ship. 

It depends.  If less than 40 companions sign up – everyone is doing everything at the same time.   If more than 40 companions sign up – then the companions will do the same itinerary as the students BUT on different days.  The companion trip is also planning to have a nice dinner in place of the New Years Eve student party.

Yes. If you are traveling with your student or extending your stay there is a “Land Only Option”  The cost is $3200.  You would need to get your student to our hotel on December 28, 2026 and pick your student up on January 3rd 2027.  Students who do not travel to England with the group MUST travel to England with an adult guardian.  The trip insurance would not cover travel delays related to an external carrier.  

Yes! Trip Insurance is included. London Trip Insurance

Learn how band fits with students in the Academies.

See an example of how band would fit among your other studies at different grade levels.

See whether students can perform in concert ensembles without participating in marching band.

Learn more about balancing time between athletics and band

Learn more about the distinction as defined by the Virginia Band & Orchestra Director's Association