Northern Lights
Northern Lights

Make lasting memories with a unique winter escape

Better weather? Quieter sites? Wanting to avoid the Christmas chores? A winter escape might just be on the cards – and we have a fantastic selection of archaeological and cultural adventures to choose from. 

Embark upon an ancient world adventure to a renowned archaeological site at a time of year when tourists tend not to visit, soak up the culture and history of a destination with many stories to tell while markets and lights add an extra dimension to its charm, or leave grey skies behind with a far-flung exploration that takes in multiple countries from the comfort of a cruise ship. Make your winter travels count and choose something different this year – the world is waiting and this is the perfect season to get out there and explore it.

How about Up Helly Aa?

If you're looking for something different to mark the end of winter, join us for a Scottish exploration that takes in the annual Up Helly Aa festival. A fiery Viking celebration that culminates in a costumed torchlight procession and boat-burning ceremony, bid farewell to dark days and the season's low temperatures in dramatic style.

A multi-centre ancient world cruise

What better way to wave goodbye to the long winter nights than with an expert-led archaeological cruise that visits not only Egypt, but Jordan and Israel too? Step aboard the MS Harmony for an odyssey by water that visits the most important sites of these historical countries in expert company. From the Valley of the Kings to Petra, and from the UNESCO-listed Church of the Nativity to the Crusader castle in Kerak – what more could you want from a January jaunt?

New Year's Eve with a difference

How do you want to ring in the new year? If you're tired of popping corks and singing Auld Lang Syne, we can help you out. Try our Naples at New Year, Florence at New Year or Istanbul at New Year tours for a taste of something completely different. Alternatively, we have a new tour to Kraków over New Year that visits the Wieliczka Salt Mine and Czartoryski Museum, and includes a chance to join in with the city's Sylwester festivities. We are also offering an Athens at New Year tour as well as a Mexico at Christmas and New Year tour – the choices are simply endless!

Christmas comes but once a year...

Why not make it count? Join one of our Christmas tours for a holiday season unlike any other. This year, you can explore Mexico, book a place on our Edinburgh - Stories of Christmas Past tour, get outdoors with our Legends of Wessex - Christmas Walks, or explore Thessaloniki at Christmas. We can also take you on a festive foray to St Petersburg in Russia, to Tunisia or to Strasbourg, where archaeology and Christmas markets await discovery. 

How about something else?

Our sister company, Brightwater Holidays, has a selection of winter escapes on offer. Why not join them on a Northern Lights adventure in Iceland, a gardens tour of Madeira or a whirlwind exploration of Malta's rich archaeological heritage? If you fancy going further afield as the weather turns colder, they can take you on a flora and fauna-themed holiday to the incredible island of Madagascar.


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Make lasting memories with a unique winter escape was published on March 25 2020

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