THE GREAT BRITISH PILGRIMAGE 2020
THE SONS OF ROYALTY RETURN!
The History
The Sons of Royalty is an eclectic group of individuals dedicated to raising money for Childline NSPCC through live music and a unique annual jaunt through North America entitled “The Great British Invasion”. In nine previous invasions we have raised nearly £250,000 for the cause, and we are the only motorcycle and car gang ever to have ridden all of the Rocky Mountain States for a British charity: Montana, Idaho, Arizona, Wyoming, Utah. Colorado, California, Nevada, New Mexico, British Columbia, Alberta..and additionally Tennessee, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Our members include the following: some of the UK’s finest musicians, suits, a distant living relative of Butch Cassidy rumoured to be living somewhere in South London, an A list actor, a surgeon, a town mayor, Special Forces veterans, artists, celebrity chefs, chartered accountants, property professionals, a descendant of Henry V111’s Yeoman of the Wardrobe, a royal refuse expert (motto Trashus Maximus) and even a personal service provider. This is the pedigree of this never before or again to be gathered together gang!
Mission Statement
Our mission is to complete a phenomenal fundraising journey across America, teaming with the Blues Foundation to create a music-driven project, the like of which has never been seen before.
Motorcycle riders, car owners and enthusiasts will unite to travel the American highways and visit some of the most iconic landmarks in music history-a mission to explore and celebrate the explosive force of the Blues while raising as much money as possible to support the incredible work of the NSPCC and CHILDLINE.
We are The Sons of Royalty and we are celebrating our tenth anniversary with this incredible road trip-a journey which will eventually take us to the Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale Mississippi, sample authentic Delta food, and soak in the atmosphere of the place where Robert Johnson is said to have traded his soul to the Devil.
Our journey will take us from Arizona, to New Mexico and on to Austin Texas, the Live Music Capital of the World. We’ll see the party lights of Bourbon Street in New Orleans before travelling to Memphis Tennessee to walk on Beale Street and attend the 41st Blues Foundation Awards-stopping at clubs, venues and honky-tonks along the way.
We will experience the story of one of the most expressive and enduring of all musical genres, and explore the special relationship that exists between the Blues and British popular music.
It is a journey of a lifetime, fuelled by passion, a mission to demonstrate to current and future generations the incredible resilience of human inspiration. We will be hearing some of the greatest music ever made, and celebrating the triumph of the creative spirit over desperate adversity. And we will highlight the achievements of the players that have brought us the music we love – the Blues. But, most important of all, we will be raising money for children who desperately need our help.
The Itinerary
Day 1 – Flight 25th April 2020 – American Airlines
Outbound - Direct Fare Type Date Flight Number Departure Airport/Time Arrival Airport/Time Economy 25th April 2020 AA 195 London Heathrow / 09:30am Phoenix / 12:30pm Check-in opens 4 hours before departure and closes strictly 1 hour before departure.
1 Night Accommodation at Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix/Tempe ASU contemporary hotel offers an ideal location in Tempe, AZ, close to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Offering Complimentary parking, Complimentary shuttle to/from PHX Airport and Complimentary Wi-Fi.
Day 2 - 26th April : Phoenix to Springerville – 221 Miles
1-night accommodation Best Western Sunrise Inn Eagar
The Best Western Sunrise Inn in Eagar offers cosy rooms. Since 1992, it has been hosting guests in the centre of Eagar. This accommodation is also 25 minutes’ walk from Springerville Heritage Center. Hotel offers complimentary parking and Complimentary Wi-Fi
Day 3 - 27th April : Springerville to Silver City Via the devil’s highway – 211 Miles
1-night accommodation at Comfort Inn Silver City
Comfort Inn Silver City offers comfortable but basic accommodation in a great location. Hotel offers complimentary guest parking.
Day 4 - 28th April : Silver City to White Sands – 185 Miles
1-night accommodation at Hampton Inn Las Cruces at I-10
Comfortable accommodation in a perfect location close by to White Sands National park. Hotel offers complimentary guest parking.
Day 5 - 29th April : White Sands to Van Horn – 212 Miles
1-night accommodation at Holiday Inn Express & Suites
New property offering clean and comfortable accommodation in a great location for an over night stop on the way through Texas. Located right off I-10, which is the southernmost cross-country interstate highway in the United States. Van Horn is a small and serene town that is part of Culberson County in West Texas. Hotel offers complimentary guest parking.
Day 6 - 30th April : Van Horn to Big Bend National Park – 216 Miles
1-night accommodation at Big Bend Resort & Adventure
Basic accommodation in a fantastic location just 3 miles from Big Bend National park. The resort offers comfortable lodging between the Motor Inn and The Mission Lodge. Complimentary guest parking is available.
Day 7 - 1st May : Big Bend National Park to Del Rio – 241 Miles
1-night accommodation at Best Western Inn del Rio
Best Western Inn del Rio offers classically furnished rooms with free Wi-Fi and a cable TV. It features a sun deck with an outdoor pool. Whitehead Memorial Museum and the San Felipe Country Club are both just 1.5 miles from this hotel. Laughlin Air Force Base is a 15-minute drive away. Complimentary guest parking is available.
Day 8, 9 and 10 - 2nd to 4th May : Del Rio to Austin – 316 Miles
2 nights’ accommodation at Westin Downtown Austin
Upscale Hotel in Downtown Austin with Amazing City Views & Rooftop Pool. Get swept up in the excitement of 6th Street at The Westin Austin Downtown. Lined with blues clubs, country bars and food trucks, 6th Street is why Austin became the Live Music Capital of the World. Enjoy a well-deserved day off on the 3rd May. Parking is Valet only and costs $49 daily.
Day 10 - 4th May : Austin to Lake Charles – 316 Miles
1-night accommodation at Best Western Plus Prien Lake
Comfortable and clean accommodation. The Best Western Plus Prien Lake Inn & Suites is conveniently located in Lake Charles, Louisiana with easy access to local Sulphur industries, shopping, beaches and Vinton, and Kinder, Lake Charles casinos. Complimentary guest parking is available.
Day 11 - 5th May : Lake Charles to New Orleans – 206 Miles
1-night accommodation at Maison Dupuy hotel
The Maison Dupuy Hotel is centrally located in the heart of the historic French Quarter of New Orleans, just two blocks from world-famous Bourbon Street. Created from five charming townhouses on the corner of Toulouse and Burgundy, its centrepiece is a roomy courtyard, decked out with a bubbling fountain, stylish loungers and cabanas, and one of the quarter’s largest swimming pools. Parking charges apply $30 per night 3 bikes per parking space.
Day 12 - 6th May : New Orleans to Greenville – 325 Miles
1-night accommodation at Harlows Casino Resort & Spa
Offering clean and comfortable accommodation situated on the riverfront, this spa hotel is within 9 miles (15 km) of Warfield Point Park, Lake Ferguson and Lakeport Plantation. Hotel offers a full spa and Casino along with free valet guest parking.
Day 13 and 14 - 7th to 9th May : Greenville to Memphis – 325 Miles
2 nights’ accommodation at Crowne Plaza Downtown Memphis
Located in Memphis city centre, the hotel is just 15 minutes’ walk from the bars and restaurants of Beale Street. The Cook Convention Center is less than 5
minutes’ walk from the Downtown Memphis Crown Plaza. The Pyramid Arena is less than 10 minutes away on foot. Enjoy a well-deserved day off on the 8th May. Parking charges apply private parking is $22 per night.Day 14 - Clarksdale MS, end of tour cocktail party and show at Ground Zero Blues Club......we return!!
Following the success of our visit to Clarksdale-site of the world-famous Crossroads-in 2014, we’re going back. Clarksdale is historically significant in the history of the Blues. It is here that blues legend Robert Johnson supposedly sold his soul to the Devil before his death in mysterious circumstances. The following have either lived or worked in this town: WC Handy, Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Tennessee Williams, Willie Morganfield and Morgan Freeman-who co-owns Ground Zero Blues Club with the town’s former Mayor Bill Luckett. On our previous visit Bill and Morgan co-hosted a cocktail party in our honour before a spectacular evening’s music with our house band Thunder and Morgan performing at GZBC. Expect more of the same!
There will be a coach service put on from Memphis to Clarksdale and back for anyone wanting to visit Ground Zero Blues Club that evening the cost of this is not included and is expected to be around £50 Per Person. Accurate cost will be confirmed once we know final numbers.
The itinerary is subject to recce and distances / overnight stays may change following the route check. During the event the route may change depending on local weather conditions. Flight times subject to change.
| Inbound - Flight is Via Dallas (Short connection time) | ||||
| Fare Type | Date | Flight Number | Departure Airport/Time | Arrival Airport/Time |
| World Traveller | 9th May 2020 | AA 681 / AA 50 | Memphis 12:35pm into Dallas 2:13pm departing 3:50pm |
London Heathrow / 06:55am 10th May 2020 |
Check-in opens 4 hours before departure and closes strictly 1 hour before departure.
Holiday Cost
| Passenger Type | Number of Passengers | Price per passenger |
| Adult | 20 - 40 | £2820.00 based on double occupancy £4200.00 based on single occupancy |
Canadian Affair are offering £150 Per Person off if booked prior to the 11th November 2020.
Please note prices are not being held and are subject to change due to availability of flights. You will be advised at time of booking if there has been any cost change. We do recommend booking early to avoid any disappointment.
If you would like to extend your ride at the beginning or end this will be possible. Please do contact me ASAP and I will work on a revised itinerary for you.
Cost Includes
- Return flights in economy, operated by American Airlines and British Airways
- 14 or 15 nights’ accommodation (as described or similar) including taxes - all double occupancy
- Daily Breakfast
- 14-day Van hire with U-Haul including 2800 KM
Not Included
- Motorcycle rental + applicable expenses (booking directly)
- Seat selection on flight
- Transfers to and from the airports
- Lunches, dinners and drinks
- Personal insurances
- Parking fees may apply, Free parking might be available in the local area
Important Notes
- Check-in at hotels is usually at 16:00 and check-out is usually at 11:00
- Due to the size of some of the hotels, you might be asked to share rooms
- Hotel are not 100% confirmed and might change
How to Confirm Your Space:
- Complete the booking form - 1 form per person
- Send the form by email to Lisa McDermott at Canadian Affair lisa.mcdermott@canadianaffair.com or contact on 0207 616 9999
- At time of booking, pay a non-refundable deposit of £500pp for the holiday (excluding motorbike) Payment methods: bank transfer, debit or credit card (no fees)
- Final balance is due 31st January 2020
- Please note a booking form without deposit payment will not confirm your space
Visa Information:
This routing requires passengers to have completed Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) prior to departure. As of January 12, 2009, individuals traveling to the United States without a visa (under the Visa Waiver Program, VWP) must register online to receive an authorisation to travel to or through the United States. An authorisation is valid for two years after the date of issuance given there is no change to your VWP valid passport. Please ensure you register as early as possible, as it may take up to 72 hours to process your application. There is a charge of $14 per application and the below link can be used to obtain your ESTA https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta
