Saga's new special-interest holiday combines a Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra concert with art, expert talks and a four-star stay by the sea.
There’s something ineffably romantic about a British seaside resort out of season – all majestic seas and clouds scudding across the sky. And when you add in the music of great classical composers such as Rachmaninov, Haydn, Bizet and Strauss, it’s hard to imagine a more inspiring, invigorating winter or spring break.
In 2027, this music holiday includes a four-night stay in beautiful Bournemouth, combined with a culture fix to blow away your winter cobwebs. Guests will see the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO), visit the fascinating Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, and enjoy illustrated talks with music experts.
You’ll stay in a four-star hotel, a stone’s throw from the promenade and Bournemouth pier, a perfect location for either exploring the town or a blustery walk along the famous golden sands.
First things first: getting settled into The Hermitage Hotel, where breakfast and dinner is included.
Relax in the lounge bar, treat yourself to the spa or simply enjoy your comfortable en-suite room, before heading down for a welcome drink and dinner in the hotel’s restaurant, Hardy’s, followed by an illustrated talk from music host and professional baritone Peter Grevatt, who has portrayed nearly 80 operatic roles and sung more than 60 oratorios, including Mozart’s Figaro for London Opera Players, Malatesta (Don Pasquale) at Holland Park, and Pish-Tush (Mikado) with the D’Oyly Carte.
Try a classical seaside break with Saga
Day two brings a trip to the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, which was donated to the town by Victorian entrepreneur Merton Russell-Cotes and his wife Annie, who together collected the treasure trove of paintings and artefacts on their travels in Australasia, America, India, the Near East, Egypt, the Pacific Islands and Japan. (The collection was later added to and now also includes works by Evelyn De Morgan, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Dorothea Sharp among others.)
The building, formerly known as East Cliff Hall, was erected in 1897 to house the collections and designed to combine the Renaissance with Italian and old Scottish baronial styles – an eccentric pile worthy of an Agatha Christie mystery.
Afterwards, potter around town or put your feet up in your well-equipped room (all featuring air-conditioning, desk areas, complimentary WiFi, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffee making facilities) before another musical treat in the form of chamber music ensemble the Myriad Quartet playing classics alongside some light-hearted favourites.
The crescendo of the holiday comes on day three, with a transfer to the evening concert from the BSO in the large concert hall at the Poole Lighthouse arts centre.
The orchestra, whose chief conductor is Mark Wigglesworth, was founded in 1893 and is one of the best-known regional orchestras, touring extensively across the south and south-west.
Depending on which date you book, you will listen to: highlights from Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody; an orchestral suite derived from Bizet’s Carmen; and Richard Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier Suite derived from his highly successful 1910 opera Der Rosenkavalier.
Later in the season, concerts include Haydn’s epic Creation Mass; ‘Roman Snapshots’ with music from Khachaturian, Berio and Respighi; and ‘Coming to America’, featuring works by Boulanger, Barber and Dvořák. Throughout, there is plenty of leisure time to enjoy Bournemouth, the beach and the hotel.
Your fourth day offers an illustrated piano recital and talk with the afternoon to relax or take in the views of the Jurassic Coast and the Isle of Wight from the golden sands. After dinner, there’s a farewell concert with your music host Peter Grevatt and pianist Kenneth Roberts.
The icing on the cake is the usual Saga treatment of a shared nationwide chauffeur service bringing you from your home to the door of the hotel, along with a tour manager, cancellation cover and half-board meals (breakfast and dinner over four days), all of which just make life so much easier, leaving you free to enjoy yourself and indulge your particular passions.
A perfect way to start 2027, and on later dates, to see in the spring in musical style by the sea.
Try a classical seaside break with Saga for 2027
Try something different – a new style of accommodation, unbeatable locations and peak season at great prices.
These are a great alternative to traditional hotel breaks with our nationwide chauffeur service included.
Plus, you can save £100 per person for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.
Ancient palaces, crystal-clear seas and undiscovered budget beaches – our travel experts share the best travel destinations for 2026.
Our guide to the most remarkable places to visit in Africa, the continent of contrasts.
.jpg?la=en&h=760&w=1730&hash=3900F1F9D5EBD1961A7DFC7B29B5BA1A)
Holidays can boost your brain power, help you live longer and even relieve pain.
Autumn on Europe’s rivers is always spectacular. We’ve got the best cruises to try.
We help you beat the airlines at their own game with the cabin bag weight and size limits for the UK's seven most popular carriers.
