To sample the authentic atmosphere of England and Scotland, venture away from the tourist beat. Cruise Traveller presents a refreshing new way to do that in the form of a back-roads British exploration as the first part of a new holiday called ‘From Kilts to Colosseum’.
England and Scotland are followed by a 24-night ‘Grand Voyage to the Rivieras’ cruise from London to Rome aboard Aegean Odyssey. The ship is operated by Britain’s Voyages to Antiquity, winner of the ‘Best for Enrichment’ category accolade at the 2015 Cruise International Awards in September.
‘From Kilts to Colosseum’ costs from A$20,549 and catches the essence of European summer, departing Australia on 13 June 2016. It blends variety and luxury with special, off-the-beaten-track experiences. The whole fly-cruise-and-stay holiday lasts a little over five weeks – 36 nights.
A special offer gives free flights from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth to Edinburgh to begin the holiday, with return flights from Rome to Australia at the end. All travellers who book an outside cabin or above by the end of November 2015 qualify for the free flights.
Starting in Edinburgh, ‘From Kilts to Colosseum’ sets out on a week-long Backroads tour which includes seven nights accommodation. The holiday includes three nights in London – one in London Grange Wellington hotel, in Westminster’s tranquil Vincent Square, and the other two as part of the cruise itinerary. Two nights in the heart of the Peak District National Park are included as well.
Experiences and locations live in the memory: a visit to Queen Elizabeth’s private retreat at Sandringham Estate; lunch in a pub where Jamie Oliver grew up; a visit to Scotland’s Holy Isle of Lindisfarne; a chance to drift along Cambridge’s dreamy River Cam on a traditional punt.
The continental European part of the trip takes in the D-Day beaches in Normandy; the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel and the elegant chateaux of the Loire – plus the opportunity to taste some of the great wines of Bordeaux.
Other wonders: the pilgrimage site of Galicia’s Santiago de Compostela; a journey to Granada for a full-day’s tour of the Moorish Alhambra and its gardens; calls at Valencia, stylish Monte Carlo and Portofino; a choice of day trips to the Papal Palace in Avignon or to the sites of Marseilles and Aix de Provence from Marseilles in the south of France.
Florence and Rome, two of the world’s most impressive and historically fascinating cities, conclude the itinerary. In Rome, you’ll spend two nights in a top hotel.
Aegean Odyssey is a classically elegant mid-size ship carrying an average of 350 passengers and providing gracious public rooms and a choice of restaurants. Onboard gratuities are covered so you can forget about tipping.
The 24-night cruise from London to Rome offers a full excursion program with sightseeing in each port of call (where available) and overland excursions. All meals aboard are included, as are selected beer, wine and soft drinks with dinner. Expert guest speakers give lectures.
A better and more enjoyable combination of Britain and the Mediterranean would be hard to imagine.
For more information, contact:
Cruise Traveller, Boutique Voyage and Cruise Specialists
Freecall 1800 507 777 or (07) 5575 8094.
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SOURCE Cruise Traveller