Also called Londonderry, Derry is situated in the Northern Ireland which it was considered the second city and after Cork, Dublin, and Belfast. It is considered the fourth city in Ireland.
Close to the county of Donegal, Derry is situated in the bank of majestic River Foyle and considered as the oldest occupied land in the island of Ireland.
The two lands separated by River Foyle are connected by two large bridges such as Craivagon Bridge which is the oldest while Foyle Bridge is the most recently constructed. River Foyle is split up into two main vicinities: the Waterside and the Derry side/ the City side.
Dominantly nationalist and where most travelers go, the City side is located in the west of River Foyle. It contains the City Centre, the Guildhall, the City Wall, and Bogside which are all tourist attractions. Bringing your own vehicle or a car hire Derry is not suitable for the place, for it is small and more appropriate for pedestrians.
The waterside, on the other hand, is situated in the east of the river. While nationalist stays in the city, unionist resides on the east side.
Most tourist travel by airplane because they are more relaxed and it is faster when compared to other means of transportation. Located 7 miles north east of Derry if you take the main A2 Derry to the road of Coleraine, the city of Derry Airport caters for seven places such as: Liverpool, Bristol, Nothingham, Dublin, Glasgow, Prestwick, and London.
If you haven’t book for any car hire Derry airport, it is not a problem since most of the place you’ll be heading to is just a bridge away.
The Northern Ireland Railways provide daily trains heading to and from Belfast night and day. The journey will take over 2 hours from Belfast and Derry and vice-versa.
When you acquire a car rental Ireland and have plans of driving thorough Derry with our own vehicle, there are three ways to get there.
If you are coming from Belfast International Airport, just take the main road M2 to Templepatrick from the airport and follow the signs that will lead you to the road heading Derry.
If you’ll be coming from Belfast, you can already head straight to M2. You have two options of what road to take: either A6 (via Dungiven) or the Antrim Coast (you’ll pass the Giant’s Causeway).
If you’re from Dublin, take the M1 and follow the signs leading to Derry and Ardee. Afterwards, take N32 that is connected to N2. Continue N2 through Carrickmacross and Monaghan until you reach A5.Straight and drive northwards using Strabane and Omagh and soon you will arrive at Derry.
You will be using most of your time in adventure and exploration when you travel in Derry. All the sites tell the history of Derry, Ireland from Medieval up to the present. The City walls that walk of the past are very well-preserved today. Ireland considered it the “best-preserved” in the country.
Coming from the nationalist standpoint, the murals in Bogside is known as “Free Derry corner” where events about the towns past are all kept in one wall painting for everyone to see.
Enjoy your summer and be adventurous. Try spending it in Derry, Ireland where history comes alive.
London is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations that you can visit in UK. When you are travelling in the UK, car hire service is more convenient, because this will help you to travel wherever you want and you can also take as much of time as you need. The time interval depends on the agreement that you had made when you hired the car. Thus the car hire service can provide a comfortable journey for your family.
Luxury cars give you a luxury travel which will provide you an enjoyable journey. There are lots of car rental companies in the UK and some of them provide international services also. Luxury car hire in the UK is a good option for those people who need good and comfortable travel. The rental price of the luxury cars and the brand value differ from company to company. Lots of brands are available in the luxury car category and hence you have wider options to select your luxury car.
You can find the car rental company details in the yellow pages or on the Internet. Collect the details of the models that the company provides and if you can, find out their servicing details too. Once you find a good luxury car hire company, contact them to get the information about the availability of the cars and the price range that you can afford.
Most of the luxury car hire companies have their own policies and hence it would be sensible to collect detailed information from the company itself. You have to make decision about which car rental company to choose only after considering the age limit of the driver, driving license, maximum distance to travel etc. So get all the information on the luxury car hire in UK for a convenient, comfortable and safe journey.
Instead of waiting for and crowding onto public transport, hiring a car will let you get to your final destination at your own pace, while also allowing you to enjoy independent transport during your stay. When you return, just drop the car off at the airport and get straight onto the plane.
Arriving at London Stansted International Airport, the car hire desks are easy to find between the Departures and Arrivals areas. Major companies represented include Hertz, Budget, Avis, Europcar, National and Alamo. While it is possible to rent a vehicle on arrival, making an advance booking in order to ensure you get the type of car you want is highly recommended.
Often the most popular cars at the most competitive prices are already booked far in advance and you will be left with an unsuitable model at a rate you don’t really want to pay.
The easiest way to book is online, with dedicated websites such as uk-car-hire.net providing easy step-by-step booking forms. Stansted airport car hire deals Here you can see pictures of the vehicles available and get an instant quote. You can choose what brand and type of car you want, whether mini/economy or luxury, manual or automatic. Any accessories you may require, such as baby seats or ski racks, can also be booked.
All drivers must be aged 21 years or over, have a valid driving licence and a credit card. An amount will be reserved as a safety deposit, which is fully returnable when you return the vehicle. Young drivers are not always permitted to rent specialty or larger sized vehicles. Once you’ve made your choice and have confirmed your credit card details, you’ll be sent a confirmation voucher which is to be presented to the rental desk on arrival at the airport.
After contacting the rental company at the airport and confirming your details, you’ll be given the car keys and detailed instructions on how to get to the car. The rental vehicle will be parked in one of the parking lots reserved for car rental companies, either a short walk or shuttle ride from the terminal. Stansted Airport is located at Junction 8 of the M11, which connects to London via the M25 (Junction 27). The journey to central London takes around 60 to 80 minutes.
At the end of your rental period, drop the car off at the rental returns office, located in the short stay car park, next to Zone G, just a short walk away from the main terminal building at Stansted Airport. A friendly representative will receive the keys and check the vehicle’s condition before unblocking the safety deposit from your credit card.
It is also possible to drop the car off at a different airport or even at a city location, but this may incur extra charges. You will be advised of any applicable surcharges before your booking is confirmed. Likewise car hire, it is also the best way to pre-book book Stansted Airport parking online. By using one of the reputed online Stansted parking companies you will benefit from attractively priced parking rates. Another very convenient online service gives you the option to book Stansted airport lounges in advance. Best price UK airport lounges The website is specialised in finding cheaply priced airport lounges across the UK.
Does a getaway to Doncaster, England sound like your cup of tea? Consider hiring a car to bring a bit of peace to your trip. Doncaster, England (affectionately called Donnie) is a large borough in South Yorkshire. It boasts a new international airport, making Doncaster a pivotal focus point in European travel. Car hires are available at the Doncaster Airport, making the luxury of your own vehicle while on holiday very simple.
Doncaster is home to many attractions and events. One of the most popular is the Doncaster Cup. It is the oldest horserace still in existence today. Many of today?s celebrated horseraces began in Doncaster.
Doncaster is considered a very wealthy area, beautifully maintained properties and large, rolling estates. Some of the more beautiful mansions are the Mansion House, the Hickleton Hall, and Cantley Manor.
Doncaster is also home to a woman?s football team. The Doncaster Rover?s Belles are one of greatest teams to have played women?s football. Doncaster also is home to professional men?s football, American style football, and rugby teams.
Doncaster?s motorways provide easy, quick access to London, Liverpool, and Manchester. Just outside of Doncaster, you find Conisbrough Castle. This beautifully unique castle was redone in the early 1990?s, keeping with the initial structural design. Take your time and explore. Have a beautiful picnic lunch on the castle grounds. All possible without a hurried pace with your own hired car.
Once your have had your fill of Conisbrough Castle, London is only an hour and a half away by motorway. London, England is one of the most visited cities in England. About two hours drive from London is the mystical Stonehenge. Worth every minute of the trip to see, this ancient ruin is believed to have been built around 2500 B.C. It has always been considered a sacred burial site and most who visit will swear it is haunted. However, the burial sites unearthed around Stonehenge led credibility to its use as a pilgrimage site. Many bones uncovered were deformed or had some sort of trauma. This is one site you will not want to miss.
Once again inside London, music lovers will not want to miss Abbey Road. This legendary street shown on the cover of a Beatles album is often full of foot traffic as fans walk in the same places as the Beatles years ago. Abbey Road Studios recorded many of the Beatles? hits and other well known acts. Beatle fans must see this wonderful area of London!
Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, and the London Bridge are all within easy driving distance from anywhere within the city.
No matter if your time is spent in Doncaster or London, or in between, you are sure to enjoy your holiday with a hired car. No one else?s schedule to follow and you are your own tour guide!
London, the UK’s buzzing capital of culture, fashion and commerce is one of Europe’s most popular city break destinations and it’s easy to see why. You may think you know the ins and outs of London but car hire will change your mind. Hiring a car in London not only allows you to escape crowded Tube stations and packed double-deckers, it also gives you the option of exploring a number of other lively and historic cities on day-trip excursions. Whether you choose to discover the charms of Shakespeare’s Stratford Upon Avon or Jane Austen’s Bath, you’ll find car hire allows you to enjoy London and its beautiful surrounding cities at a pace that suits you. The following is a guide to the best sights of London and beyond.
London City Airport Mini Guide:
London City Airport is situated 16km from the city’s West End district. The airport is an important base for a number of international airlines including British Airways, Air France, VLM Airlines and budget carrier CityJet.
Things To See/Do in London:
With so many of its attractions famous the world-over it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what you want to see and do first in London, especially if you haven’t got much time. Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Cathedral and Big Ben are all guaranteed to top the list of camera toting tourists. Meanwhile, excellent museums like The Tate and British Museum vie for your undivided attention too. A hire car allows you to explore every option open to you- glitzy West End Musicals, ancient World Heritage sites, country manors and trendy shopping streets-the choice is yours!
Eating Out in London:
London is a truly multicultural city, where it’s possible to sample food from just about anywhere in the world. Whether you’re craving spicy fare from the far flung reaches of Southeast Asia, authentic Italian pizza and pasta, elegant French cuisine or good old-fashioned pub grub, you’ll always find something to silence hunger pangs in London. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, it’s worth sampling local London specialities such as pie and mash, jellied eels and meat pies. Meanwhile, the full English breakfast (Fried bacon, sausages, fried bread, fried egg, baked beans, black pudding and fried tomato) is the perfect fuel for a day of sightseeing around London.
Day Trips/Events in London:
London is an excellent base from which to explore some of England’s most scenic locations. Worthy day trips include the Georgian city of Bath, the setting for countless period dramas. Brighton, the cheeky Victorian seaside town is another easy excursion, while the world-famous university cities of Oxford and Cambridge are also within a short driving distance from London city centre.
The locals of London love to have a good time. Fortunately, with an events calendar teeming with sporting events and colourful festivals they have an events calendar that provides plenty of excuses. Calendar highlights include June/July’s Wimbledon Championships, March’s London/Cambridge Boat Race, May’s Chelsea Flower Show, August’s Notting Hill Carnival and September’s Thames Festival.
Known as a green and pleasant land England, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, has a rich culture and some stunning scenery.
Britain is easily accessible wherever you are in the world and no other airport has more passenger traffic than Heathrow, making car hire Heathrow airport the most convenient way to complete your journey.
Driving along England’s motorways you will see why so many people want to live here, despite the inclement weather. England has preserved its heritage beautifully and added many pieces of innovative architecture to the landscape.
These include the Angel of the North sculpture which watches over Gateshead, Newcastle, the renovated Bankside Power Station which houses the Tate Modern Art Gallery and the Eden Project Biodome in Cornwall.
The combination of these landmarks for a future generation with some of the world’s most famous tourist attractions makes England an unforgettable place to visit. Who wouldn’t remember seeing the prehistoric Stone Henge, the incredible Buckingham Palace or the charming Blackpool Tower with its surrounding beach resort?
Having a car in England will let you get around its hamlets, villages, towns, cities and airports with ease as well as being the best way to get to British forests, moors, glens and dales. For instance, should you wish to take advantage of car hire at Birmingham airport you can then drive north west to the lively port city of Liverpool. This bustling Merseyside city is where the Beatles came to fame, and, like its neighbouring city Manchester, is world famous for its football team.
From Liverpool it is easy to hop on a ferry and head across the Ireland. Both Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, and Dublin the capital of the Republic of Ireland are charming cities to visit while having a car will let you see such geological marvels as the Blarney Stone and Giant’s Causeway.
Alternatively from Birmingham you could head north east to Nottingham and the surrounding Sherwood Forest where the outlaw Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men became archetypal figures in British folklore.
Other areas of outstanding natural beauty in England which are well worth visiting are the Lake District in Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales. Of course, you will want to walk and stretch your legs here but the best walking routes are most easily accessed by car.
Heading further north you come to Scotland and no visit to the UK would be complete without seeing the magical city of Edinburgh. The best time of year to visit (as long as you don’t mind the crowds) is for the Edinburgh festival which has some of the world’s most interesting performances in all kinds of different art forms.
From the fashionable metropolis of London which has some of the world’s best restaurants, bars and clubs, to the rugged unspoilt beauty of places like Devon or the Norfolk Broads, the United Kingdom is a special place which is steeped in history and the quirky eccentricities of its friendly people.
Car Hire UK is the best way to explore the towns and cities in England, Rhino Car Hire supply vehicles at all locations in the UK including Car Hire Gatwick Airport . Other great resorts include Birmingham and London.
There are a number of questions you need to ask yourself before you choose a chauffeur car hire company. These include what kind of impact are you looking to make, and what level of luxury are you after? At a more practical level, you’ll need to decide what services are available in your area, how long the company has been established (and hence their degree of specialist knowledge) and what accreditation and guarantees they offer to ensure you get the service you hired. A previous client list usually gives you a good indication of the standard of the company.
Type of car
In the UK, the preferred choices for chauffeur car hire include Mercedes Benz, Rolls Royce, BMW, Land Rover, Chrysler and Bentley: these well-known marques all offer their unique character, and unspoken impression of distinguish, style, opulence or class. Rates of service normally include executive, VIP and security services. You may even be able to choose the colour of the car,from silver, to dark green and dark blue.
Chauffeur
The ideal choice for chauffeur car hire is a company that offers locally-trained and expert drivers that will cater to your particular tastes. You may, for example, have the chance to specify what the chauffeur is wearing, whether they wear a shirt with a tie or open collar. Chauffeur car services may cater for extra security requirements, by hiring former police of army staff,for close protection or VIP protection.
Time charges
Charges for chauffeur car hire will depend on whether you are looking for by-the-hour, as directed services, specific airport transfers, or an on-going account, with the opportunity to benefit from concierge services. In any case, you need to check to ensure that the company you choose doesn’t have any hidden extra charges that you aren’t aware of, such as mileage rates or unstated service charges and passenger fees. Most services will have elevated charges for holidays, and these sorts of things should be clear from the beginning.
Additional extras and concierge services
Some companies will offer perks for the occasional use of luxury cars, such as wedding guests or people on a stag night, and include things like champagne, balloons and bowties. Others offer ‘life-style’ services catering for a more discerning customer or a real taste of luxury on a one-off basis. Concierge services can include hotel and restaurant bookings, theatre and cinema tickets, flower delivery, personal shopping, office and residential accommodation, private aviation services and much more.
Luggage delivery services
Some chauffeur car hire companies will also offer transfer services for luggage between airports, and transport for other items that need to be shipped within the UK or further afield. For high-paying customers, this will make all the difference, to be spared the wait and inconvenience of luggage carousels in commercial airports.
Stansted airport is currently the fourth busiest in the country, although if the proposed development plans go ahead it is likely that this position will be improved. Any development is likely to include an expansion of accompanying services such as shops, car hire desks, and eateries as these are all an efficient method for Stansted Airport to earn extra revenue.
The expansion of the site however is not without its critics, as Stansted Airport sits in one of the most beautiful rural settings anywhere within the UK, local residents are understandably up in arms over these development plans. Currently the site handles around twenty million passengers annually, making it one of the major airports in Britain, but what is the history of the site, what has been involved in the development Stansted?
Stansted Airport takes its name from the nearby town of Stansted Mountfitchet, a sleepy Essex town that sits on the border with Hertfordshire. The site was earmarked for development at the outset of the Second World War although instead of a major RAF presence, the USAAF were the predominant force in building the site up. The engineers of the USAAF laid the runways and put in place a number of hangars. The purpose of the airfield was to house bombers of the 344th bombardment group.
As the home of the 344th, a squadron that utilised the massive B26 bomber a number of sorties were flown to sites on the continent including France, Germany and the Netherlands. Stansted played a particularly important role during the Normandy landings, bombing bridges and strategic positions behind the German lines to hold up their withdrawal. An action worthy of note was the role played by the 344th in restricting the German retreat through the Falaise Gap, a pivotal moment during the war.
Stansted airport especially benefited from the growth in budget air travel during the eighties and nineties due to the fact that the rates it offered airlines were cheaper than those at Heathrow or Gatwick. It is not however purely budget travel that is catered for at the site, in recent years the prestigious department store Harrods has started operating flights from Stansted; allowing passengers to charter a private jet to almost anywhere in the world.
This service is accompanied by the opportunity to utilise helicopter transfers from London as well as chauffeur driven car hire services. The Harrods operations however are only a small part of the operations of the site, with so many passengers passing through daily, a number of services offering coach travel, rail and car hire provisions have been built up to accommodate the needs of passengers heading out on an onward journey.
The road links that service Stansted Airport are fantastic, in the past few years a major link has been constructed to the M11 Motorway providing fast and efficient travel not only to London but to destinations all around the country. For those utilising car hire services however there is another option before jumping onto the motorway, this is to tour the wondrous countryside that surrounds the site. With a wealth of quant and picturesque villages and towns literally five minutes drive away; those who want to experience the real England will find an attractive travel proposition.
While the arguments over the expansion of the site may be continuing it is likely that Stansted will receive a second runway and will subsequently increase its passenger numbers. This can only be good for the auxiliary services such as car hire desks, restaurants and shops as revenues will subsequently increase. The history of the site is rich, in the coming years it is likely that this development will only continue.
Malaga airport is currently the fourth busiest in Spain and last year over 13 million travelers passed through their doors. Today an astounding 23 UK airports provide flights to Malaga. Gone are the days of having to travel miles before even leaving the shores of the UK we can now travel from a huge variety of regional airports which makes travel to Spain easier than ever.
Summer 2008 saw great success at Malaga airport travelers got to their destination in good time after collecting their luggage. A series of new construction works took place in 2008 delays to and from the airport were expected but kept to a minimum. In July 2007 works to extend the already existing facilities were completed; new car parks, extra check-in desks, and further luggage carousels were added. Eventually the new runway at terminal 1 will open allowing a greater rate of passengers to pass through the airport. Malaga functions very well as an international airport with all of the modern facilities you would imagine in such a development.
The introduction of budget flights to Malaga has made the airport very accessible to tourists from the UK. BMIbaby, Thompson Fly, Easy Jet, and Ryan Air are the biggest operators flying to Malaga, perhaps the best way to ensure you receive the cheapest prices is to use a search engine that will compare the prices for you. This means that you will not have to trawl through the various operators manually and have to re-insert your details over and over again.
These airlines have greatly reduced the cost of air travel however there are a few things you can do personally to ensure you get the best prices. By booking your air travel as far in advance of your holiday usually means cheaper prices. This is because as time passes and the date of your travel nears demand for the few remaining seats increases the prices. Certain airlines also host sale weekends or promotional type offers. For instance they drop the airport taxes for a limited period or reduced the seat costs. By signing up to airline newsletters you often hear about these promotions before they happen. Be wary as some of these airlines have some hidden extras. You might have to pay to take luggage in the hold or pay for online check in. compare prices closely and you are sure to get the best prices.
Remember that often with these no frill airlines you wont be given food during the trip, make sure you know what to expect before flying. Advanced or express check in is a relatively new feature offered in air travel it quite often means that you no longer have to arrive so early for your flight; which means you will spend less time travelling and more time enjoying your holiday.
Hiring a car at Malaga airport is simple and hassle free there are literally hundreds of options including large international companies and some local Spanish operators. The Car hire companies are generally located on the lower level of the airport. Having collected your luggage do not go through to the arrivals area, follow the signs for car hire and go down a level to where you will find the offices of the rental companies. With so many companies operating from Malaga its a good idea to use a comparison search engine again which will bring you a list of the best offers available.
Below is a guide to the various companies flying to Malaga and from which airports they operate out of.
Air-Scotland
Edinburgh and Glasgow
Jet2
Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Blackpool, Manchester
British Airways
Iberia – Heathrow and Gatwick, GB Airways Manchester
BMI baby
Birmingham, Cardiff, East Midlands, Manchester and Teeside
In day to day life not many people have seen a ‘real life’ magician, guessing worldwide there are 100,000 who practice this subject and far less who make a living from it which is quite a small number respectivly. Unless your a high flyer that attends banquets / hospitality suites or a regular at ‘corporate do’s’ chances are you have never experienced ‘good magician’ first hand.
As there are no guidelines for hiring a magician I thought I’d offer some professional advice. I love my craft and always ofen hear of horror stories and dissapointment from bookers at corporate events who have found someone off the web. Bad magic(ians) ultimately Impacts on our business as people tend to generalize and expect all magic to be the same.
Conjuring can really shine out when it’s performed to a high standard. There are many great performers who purvey there art you just need to know where to look and what to ask! A great magician can get your party talked about for years to come! Pound for pound magic / mind-reading acts are the best way to break-the-ice at your party, It’s fun, enthralling and above all entertaining (if performed well). Magic can involve the audience in a way no other entrainment comes close! It can be emloyed for audiences from 1 to 1000. It is perfect for any age group or social type from an 18th birthday to a golden wedding; From Shoredich in the East End (E5) of London to West End, (W1) Red Carpet and many places in-between.
Type in ‘Magician London’ you’ll be surprised how many names pop up, how do you pick the right man / woman for the job? Do you book on price, face value, page rank, ad words, recommendation or just take a pot luck guess!
Top 10 bits of advice to consider when hiring a magician for a party.
1. What Type of party are you holding?
So, you want to hire a magian for your corporate event or private bash. First question you have to ask is why exactly do I want to hire a magician? Ask yourself when will they perform, what will they bring to the party? Are you are holding a quiet intimate event for your closest friends and relatives or is it a huge lavish event, all signing and dancing? Where do you see the magician taking his place. Is it a Mix and mingle type party or a sit down dinner? Will they be on stage, pre-dinner, during the cocktail hour, during coffee? Will they be the main featured entertainer or just part of the background entertainment? 2 . How many guests are attending?
For numbers up to 80 / 100 normally 1 magician would be enough to circulate amongst guests for 2 hours or so, Sometimes if the number is under 30 an inexperienced performer will struggle with depth of ‘quality material’ if booked for a duration of more than an hour. Don’t forget anyone can call themselves a magician if they know 3 or more tricks and have a website. Make sure to ask how big there repertoire is! Also find out if they have worked in that type of situation before!
3. Not much is worse than watching a bad magician!
If you witness a ‘bad magician’ you feel sorry for them; then embarrassed for everyone watching! (Picture the initial rounds of X factor!) As a Craft / Art there is no room for error, you either have great magic effects that astound or not! Your booking a magician or mindreader to entertain and astound you guests with things they will possibly never experience again! Unless on TV!
You don’t want to hear this conversation!!!
Laughing audience member “Hey mister I can see that card hidden in your hand, call yourself a magician, don’t give up the day job will you”!
Magician “I don’t care as I’ve already been paid, well… I normally get away with it, but dot tell the booker”!
Think to yourself how you want to judge the performer at the event. Do you want riotous applause or prefer stunned silence. The former is great for a fun 18th Birthday but maybe not so suitable for a room full of CEO’s.
4. Have you received a personal recommendation?
If you’ve had a personal recommendation from a friend Is always a fantastic start all you just need then is to perhaps see a demo of what they do either live or on a showreel. Ask if they perform as a resident magician anywhere. Every magician will tell you they are the best thing since sliced bread, magicians can be a funny lot, they comprise of numerous types… egotists, wannabe playboys and others which the article cares to mention. Thankfully most of the others out there really care about there audience and put maximum time and effort ito there show.
5. Testimonials and Kudos that can be substantiated?
Most websites are filled with quotes from past events, some from ‘Joe public’ some from the ‘rich and famous’. How can you find out if they are real? Well you could ask for copies of letters of endorsement, or they could perhaps forward you an email. Maybe they could give you the backstory when or how they met ‘X’ famous person an then recount what happened, they can back it up with a photo. (Some magicians have photos on there site and have never performed for the star) Cheeky monkeys! Basically you will know if they feel genuine after an initial chat.
Your magician may be a member of the Magic Circle this is not a guarantee and will not tell you how suitable they are for you. Members comprise of, amateur, semi professional and professional. (Even at different ranks which are in the organisation / club)
Note : Some of the best magicians in the world are of an amateur nature, but lack real life performance hours, which are Invaluable.
6. Has the magician got a showreel, what type of website do they have.
Does the magician have a good professional website? Has it got current content perhaps a blog of all there latest shows? What about video content and / or Youtube links? Is there anything written outlining there past history? (articles / press cuttings) These will give an indication to the depth knowlege and to show how long they been performing in the entertainment business.
What ‘Image’ does there site and publicity give out? Good / Bad or Indifferent. Would they fit with your own Ideals or that of your corporation? Does the site offer simple advise for booking a magician as outlined in this document?
7. How confident are you in a relative stranger mix with your guests?
Foremost a magician should build an instant rapport with the audience. It is even more important than the tricks themselves as if the audience doesn’t like the ‘them’ then how are they going to enjoy the show? If you are a corporate booker reading it reflects on you! If it’s a corporate affair its essential to have at least spoken to you ‘Magic Man’ on the phone! Ideally they have great references of from other blue chips and can back up with articles written in the press. If you find someone you like Its worthwhile building a relationship with them and use them for all of your events.
Former head bartender Mr Peter Dorelli (Whom worked at the Savoy Hotel London for 40 years) answered the question “What makes a great bartender”! his answer was quite simple “Would I invite this person into my living room for a cup of tea and a biscuit….” A bartender like a magician is an entertainer just a different medium! “Its all about having a good character that you find confortable to be around”!
8. Vibe!
So, You’ve spoken to ‘Mr Magic’ on the phone, looked at there website, been given a recommendation. BUT remember this is your event, only you know who you are inviting and have your expectations. Is ‘Mr Magic’ up to it? Perhaps you feel that they’ve over sold themselves? Or conversly really don’t seem that interested. Hopefully they’ll they blend in and enhance the event and be a HUGE hit!
Think what type of manner do they have? Serious, comedy, cheesy, slick, avant-garde, old school, contemporary, mysterious, quick witted, middle of the road, fresh, funky, gritty, or silky-smooth?
Once again when speaking to ‘Mr Magic’ relate all relevant information themes and details about your event to get the most out of them at the party!
9. How much does a close-up magician cost direct?
Here is a rough guide on Price dated London, UK area 2008.
£0-100 – You might ask a friend that is a magician as a mate rate at a house party. (Token Gesture)
£100 – £350 – You would get a semi professional magician / amateur that is glad of the cash (and work) as an aside from his regular income. Don’t expect to much from this type of performer. But you could even strike lucky.
£450 – £550 – You could expect to get a fairly good magician for this type of money midweek in London and UK
£650 – £850 – You’ll get a top professional for this type of money but ask for guaranteed references. Maybe even go and see them if they have a show on or work at a residency. Get there vibe as each performer is different! Price for 1.5 / 2.5 hours Mix and mingle.
£850 – £1500 For this you should get a first rate act that could perform a set show for small amount of people for 45 min to an Hour or even for a mix and mingle price for 2 / 3 hours
£POA some performers do charge more if the show is of a High Caliber for celebrity clients due to the pressure and standing of the event. Make sure you are confident perhaps meet with them or they have representation by a proper agent.
10 – Sites to look at :-
Agencies will naturally add a percentage on top of the fee but have normally vetted all the acts to ensure the best quality.
On last tip when calling put them on the spot with this sneaky question “Who they would hire if it was there party”! Then go quiet and wait for an answer!
