Tis the Season…to Start Thinking About Holiday Travel!

Ditch the stress of your usual holiday routine and book a unique and exotic vacation instead! We’ve put together three different holiday experiences – in London, Vienna and Budapest, and Sydney, Australia – to make your vacation as fun, festive, and memorable as possible.

Transport yourself back to the 1800s by attending the Christmas Ball at Downton Abbey. This quintessentially British Christmas Eve is an opportunity you will not want to miss. Dress like a royal and spend your evening having an exclusive insider look at Highclere Castle!

Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle

First, enjoy champagne and canapés in the decadent Saloon room where you can marvel at the exquisite artwork and pick the brains of experienced guides. Then enjoy a three-course dinner in the grand library of the castle. Eat like a Lady and a Duke with decadent beef, sweet tarts, warm baked cheese, and fine wine, among other succulent treats to be served. End the evening around a roaring fire listening to local choristers perform Christmas carols on the great oak staircase. This is certainly a magical evening you’ll be telling stories about for years!

At the end of the night, head back to the Royal Horseguards London hotel, the five-star hotel where you’ll spend four incredible nights. . Enjoy a complimentary daily English breakfast, a 20% discount at all hotel food and beverage outlets, and complimentary late checkout. Finally, to spread just a little more holiday cheer, we’ll feature a Vintage Open Top City Tour with afternoon tea and private airport transfers!

Related Story: Our 10 Favorite Castles in Europe

 

Two cities, one amazing experience

Vienna, St. Stephen's Cathedral

Vienna, with St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Looking to do some more exploring?  Consider visiting the beautiful and historic cities of Vienna and Budapest. Enjoy three nights at the K+K Maria Theresia in Vienna and three nights at the K+K Opera hotel in Budapest, with complimentary daily breakfast and private transfers from the airport. On top of your stay at these luxurious hotels, we’ll cater the trip to suit your holiday needs by arranging a specialized holiday tour of the Vienna Christmas and New Year’s markets, and a visit to Schonbrunn Castle!

At the castle, you’ll receive the royal treatment, including a special hot dish and a famous Schonbrunn Haferl. The adventure doesn’t end there, though. Travel to Budapest and explore the city on a Budapest Grand City Tour. Visit three different traditional Christmas markets and score the most unique holiday presents for your loved ones back home. Sip on world famous hot mulled wine to warm your fingers and your soul as you learn about traditional Hungarian Christmas celebrations and customs, and duck into beautifully decorated shops and cafes along the way.

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Get a head start on the New Year!

Sydney Bridge Australia

Sydney Harbour Bridge

 

Perhaps you’d rather spend the holiday season in Australia? Sydney was rated among the best places in the world to celebrate the New Year, and we have an awesome experience planned for you! Be among the first people in the world to ring in the New Year! Sydney is the first major city in the world where the clock strikes midnight, so you can get a jumpstart on fulfilling your New Year’s resolution (or not!). Sydney also features the planet’s biggest fireworks show that lights up the beautiful Sydney harbor.

Enjoy a three-night stay at the Ibis Sydney Darling Harbor with airport transfers. Plus, there will be no fear of snow ruining these holiday plans: the holiday season falls during the Australian summer, so pack a bathing suit and sunglasses and prepare for nearly perfect sunny weather!

If you are not worn out after the New Year’s fun, visit Melbourne, Ayer’s Rock, the Great Barrier Reef, and more of the exquisite sites Australia has to offer.

Ayers Rock Australia Outback

Ayers Rock

 

 

Make your holiday season even more joyful by booking a holiday experience with your travel agent!