ABOUT US
Specialised Travel has over 65 years of experience creating customised concert tours for performing arts groups throughout the world. With offices in Europe, the USA, South America, South Africa, China, Hong Kong and Australia we have a truly worldwide network of accomplished musicians and travel experts who can open the doors to the best venues and performance opportunities for your choir, orchestra or band.
The company was founded in London in 1955 to provide study-abroad programs and concert tours for American groups to Europe originally under the name Associate Consultants For Education Abroad (ACFEA). Its parent company, Specialised Travel was created to take care of arts travel logistics, and we now work with some of the world’s leading orchestras such as LSO, RPO, OAE and many more. Over the years, Specialised Travel has become the leading provider of travel services to the professional performing arts world; and similarly, ACFEA devoted itself to organising concert tours for amateur ensembles of all sizes and abilities. From 2023, all tours wil be operated under the name Specialised Travel Concert Touring.
In conclusion, wherever you choose to tour, it is venue quality and audience size that justify the travelling experience. We hear too many stories from new clients, about poorly-organised concerts in rainy squares, or performances in empty churches. Above all, we believe a good-sized audience is essential, and this should not be left to chance. We have concert representatives in each country who forge local relationships and actively promote your concerts. In other words, nothing is left to chance.
What do our clients say?
I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere thanks for the incredible music tour to Burgos. The girls had an amazing time performing in such spectacular venues, and the memories they created will last a lifetime. For me, the final night in Burgos Cathedral was particularly special. I was quite lost for words when I saw where we would be performing. The itinerary you planned struck the perfect balance of cultural adventure, downtime, and performance time, allowing everyone to fully enjoy the experience.
We were promised a great tour, in great venues with great audiences, and it delivered on all fronts. The concert in León will live long in the memory - the venue superb, the audience incredible. Very nearly sold-out. The orchestra rose to the occasion. Everywhere we went we were made to feel so welcome.
For me, it's the care that goes into the planning. The expertise shines through with regard venues, knowledge of local culture for music making as well as effective promotion. Nobody wanted to travel and play to low audience numbers and I'm confident that this isn't the case with Specialised Travel.
We are very happy with STCT. We always felt that we were dealing with someone who understood the situation on the ground, the detailed logistics and the requirements of a choir wanting to perform high quality concerts.
The concerts in Sweden were exactly what I would hope for with large and appreciative audiences and the most spectacular of settings. Perfect.
The personalised approach that Specialised Travel offers, the way that you are able to cater to the particular needs of my choir and the pride that the whole company clearly takes in offering a first class service means, as I have said many times before, there is no-one else I would travel with.
We were really pleased with the attendance at all of the venues, and it was clear that the groundwork had been done to advertise the concerts, as we saw posters everywhere around the different towns.
It's four years since out last tour due to the pandemic. Specialised Travel remain as efficient as ever. Everything is well planned and they are more than happy to answer every annoying question I had. As usual, I felt confident that all eventualities had been thought of. The team made me feel that it would be a successful tour due to their careful planning, before we stepped on to the coach. All new requirements due to Brexit were highlighted at an early stage, so these were navigated easily.
Thank you for another fabulous tour. We will be back!
The students will remember the performance opportunities for the rest of their lives. Many friendships have been forged, and memories made. It was very special.
I have been so impressed at the level of professionalism, communication, and detail in which ACFEA [Specialised Travel] conduct their business and would happily recommend to any group planning an overseas concert tour.
After experiencing many others, I can safely say that ACFEA [Specialised Travel] are the Rolls-Royce of tour companies and will most certainly be working with them for all future Gloucestershire tours.
After experiencing many others, I can safely say that ACFEA [Specialised Travel] are the Rolls-Royce of tour companies and will most certainly be working with them for all future Gloucestershire tours.
We were delighted once again to be traveling with ACFEA [Specialised Travel] and as ever, from the very first enquiring phone call through to the post-tour questionnaire, the service offered was exemplary. Nothing is too much trouble and the quality of the trip, from the hotels, catering, concert management, to the appreciative concert audiences and carefully researched excursions, all reflect the very high standards ACFEA [Specialised Travel] aspire to and reach.
Having travelled to four continents with ACFEA [Specialised Travel], there is simply no one else I would even think about travelling with.
Having travelled to four continents with ACFEA [Specialised Travel], there is simply no one else I would even think about travelling with.
The tour was set-up very well by ACFEA [Specialised Travel], who were on hand promptly to any questions we had. Our requests were always referred back to the organisers/hotels/venues and dealt with efficiently. This made us feel very comfortable in making preparations at our end and then relaying tour information to staff, parents and students.
It makes a huge difference to know that ACFEA [Specialised Travel] takes on board every comment and question and discuss things in detail with us, it is very reassuring
It makes a huge difference to know that ACFEA [Specialised Travel] takes on board every comment and question and discuss things in detail with us, it is very reassuring
I just wanted to say a huge thank you to the ACFEA [Specialised Travel] team for another superb tour. Once again you have looked after us from beginning to end and we are so grateful for the high quality of the tours.
The concerts in particular were amazing – the audiences gave us a wonderful reception.
The concerts in particular were amazing – the audiences gave us a wonderful reception.
Thank you for a fantastic first tour. We are really proud that we have been able to achieve this especially with all the challenges of Covid, flight cancellations etc. A highlight was certainly our connection with the Granada International Guitar Festival which has a significant social media profile of its own that could bring us to the attention of the guitar community in the local area.
We know that we made the best decision in choosing ACFEA [Specialised Travel] and we are already thinking about our next tour. Thank you for everything you have done to make this possible for us.
We know that we made the best decision in choosing ACFEA [Specialised Travel] and we are already thinking about our next tour. Thank you for everything you have done to make this possible for us.
Considering we had to change destinations 3(!) times due to COVID-19 implications and restrictions, the team remained professional and helpful at all points. They made my job as Trip Leader very easy, such a wonderful company to work with!
This was our first tour organised via a tour agency and we were hugely grateful for your support and service throughout. I have been on tours organised by you before but not organised one myself and would be very pleased to work with you again.
Principally, it was the promise of great concerts and great audiences that convinced me at the early stages, but the organisation, contact-ability, and all-round quality since then has been wonderful. In short, a great experience from start to finish!
The tour to Spain was superb - everything worked and ran smoothly and to plan. We had a great tour and came back very happy - but very tired! 🙂
Many thanks!
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