Live Music · CITY TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 city tours worth the ticket, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you book.
Spend 90 minutes touring Liverpool and Beatles landmarks with guides such as Damion, Jimmy, Jen, and Chris. Expect live commentary, Beatles singalongs, city history, photo stops at Penny Lane and Strawberry Field, childhood homes, and a free glass of bubbly at the Philharmonic Dining Rooms.
“Jimmy the guide was brilliant, keep up the good work”
Spend about an hour at a Saturday gospel concert in Harlem’s Mount Olivet Baptist Church. Artistic director Craig Harris presents powerful choir performances with hand-clapping, foot-stomping energy and audience participation. It is a concert rather than a regular worship service, with doors opening at 10:00 AM.
“One of the best experiences we’ve had in Manhattan! A must-do for an authentic visit in Harlem. Don’t hesitate and buy those tickets right now!!”
Spend three hours aboard the Louisa of the Seas, cruising from Pier 36 past Manhattan and Brooklyn landmarks. You’ll have a private table, plated dinner, drinks, skyline views, and live music from New York performers. VIP access adds the upper deck and extra drink tickets.
“We had a wonderful time! The food was very good and there was plenty of it! The views were great! We would definitely do it again!!”
Travel from the Sheraton New York with a local guide through Morningside Heights, Sugar Hill, Hamilton Terrace, Harlem, and past the Apollo Theater. The morning ends at a Baptist service with gospel music. Guides may include Uli, Julia, Fabrizio, and others, with tours offered in English, Italian, or German.
“Amazing tour due to Julia, the tour guide. Funny and energetic, sharing a lot of unknown historical facts about Harlem, she managed to change our opinion about it. It was a real pleasure to meet and spend half a day with her.”
Pair a three-hour New Orleans coach tour with a two-hour Mississippi River cruise from Toulouse Street. Expect the French Quarter, Jackson Square, a historic cemetery, City Park, the Garden District, live jazz, and optional Louisiana lunch. Guide assignments vary, with Harris, Robert, and Katherine among the praised guides.
“A must do! Such a great way to experience New Orleans unique features! Our guide, Robert, and driver Dwayne, were excellent. We love everything about The Natchez!”
Spend four hours exploring Harlem by bus with a live guide, then join a local congregation for Sunday gospel. You’ll hear stories of the Great Migration, pass the Apollo Theater, Cotton Club, Columbia University, and Schomburg Center, and finish with music inside a working church.
“Super nice tour. Alvin our tourguide was excellent. Great experience”
Spend about three hours aboard a dinner boat from Pier 36, with a five-course plated meal, private table, live music, one beer or wine ticket, and views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan skyline, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty.
“It was great and peaceful…I had a nice dinner with a family friend and we had a really nice time. I enjoyed the view, at first I was feeling a bit sick at first but after I felt fine, it almost felt like I wasn’t moving. At the end it turned out to be a blessed night, I totally would do that again.”
Travel from Times Square through Harlem with live commentary in English, French, or Italian. See the Apollo Theatre, Cotton Club, Schomburg Center, Duke Ellington’s former apartment, and Morris-Jumel Mansion, then hear a full hour from the ARC Gospel Choir. Peggy has led bilingual tours with ease.
“super moment avec visite guidée de Harlem et un concert gospel en toute intimité, merveilleux souvenir. Je conseille pour tous ceux qui n'ont pas l'occasion de voir une messe dominicale.”
Sail New York Harbor aboard Clipper City for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, with live jazz, sunset views of Manhattan, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and DUMBO. Drinks and food cost extra, and the cruise returns to Pier 17.
“A very peaceful casual experience. We came up from Florida to celebrate my 60th birthday with some jazz and a nice view.”
Spend four hours with a Harlem jazz guide such as Gordon or Amanda, walking between two clubs, hearing different live sets, and learning how music shaped the neighborhood. Food and drinks cost extra, and musicians may be able to sit in with the band if arranged ahead of time.
“Animated, informative, humorous and well-versed in the local history. Pure entertainment and definitely worth the effort to check out!”
Spend 70 minutes in St. Michael's Church, near the Danube, hearing solo organ or chamber music on Budapest's oldest working organ. Miklós Teleki leads most concerts, with soprano Nóra Ducza on selected dates. An English introduction and program leaflet are included.
“the venue, the instrument and the pianist were very impressive.”
Spend three hours on a Saigon River dinner cruise with an English-speaking guide, Vietnamese buffet or set menu, live music, and city views after dark. Hotel pickup and return are included from districts 1, 3, and 4. The boat is wheelchair accessible.
“Really nice tour and great way to experience Ho Chi Ming from the tower and the river. I was sceptical about the dinner but it turned out to be delicious. I hadn't been on a scooter in about 10 years and was a lovely experience. my guide Tom was really nice and helpful. Recommended for people on their first night in Ho Chi Ming”
Spend 90 minutes with I Virtuosi Italiani, Verona’s respected orchestra founded in 1989. You’ll hear Baroque and Classical works played on original instruments, with famous soloists and conductors connected to the ensemble. The exact meeting point depends on your chosen option.
“oh i expected the orchestra but it turned out like a comedy. More talk, less music. They spoke Italian during the performance. I saw other audience laugh a lot so i guess they enjoyed it. It’s just the show may not a good fit if you dont speak Italian.”
Spend six hours seeing New Orleans by riverboat and coach. Cruise at 11 a.m. with live jazz, then join the 2 p.m. city tour through the French Quarter, City Park, Lake Pontchartrain, and Garden District. Guides such as Harris, Stacey, Bob, Jane, and Ryan have helped make this outing memorable.
“Ryan on the grey line was an awesome tour guide. The river boat was a very nice ride, and while the lunch (which we thought was included with our purchase but apparently was not) was not outstanding it tasted pretty good and was reasonably priced. There was plenty of sitting space and places to get drinks. They do not explain to you to buy your lunch at the bar and then go sit in dining area. Signs on the tables tell you to wait for someone to escort you, after waiting for about 10 minutes we were told just to show the ticket and walk ourselves up after we purchased…”
Walk through Lucca’s music story with an English and Italian-speaking guide, visiting Teatro del Giglio and Puccini’s birthplace museum. Along the way, hear clips linked to Puccini, Paganini, Catalani, and others while exploring churches, piazzas, concert sites, and medieval streets.
“Ho scoperto che a Lucca ci sono stati diversi grandi musicisti, oltre a Puccini ovviamente! Il tour è stato molto piacevole e ha messo in evidenza aspetti musicali che altrimenti sarebbero rimasti sconosciuti. Vivamente consigliato sopratutto a chi conosce poco la musica.”
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