Top 5 Expert-Led Tours for 2025
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Kate Mosse's novel Labyrinth, as you explore the Occitanie (formerly Languedoc) region with the bestselling author. From your base in the medieval city of Carcassonne, you'll take in sights such as the Château Comtal and Basilique St-Nazaire during a guided walking tour, while a literary tour in the company of Kate will highlight key locations which inspired her famous trilogy. You'll also spend the day in Toulouse, explore Narbonne, and cruise the Canal du Midi.
Embark the luxurious SS Maria Theresa as you cruise the beating heart of Central Europe - the river Danube - from Munich to Budapest. This is a very special sailing, as you'll be joined by virtuoso Russell Watson, who is celebrating his Silver Anniversary this year and will be performing an intimate concert in Dürnstein. Full of musical links, you'll also watch a Mozart and Strauss concert in the heart of Vienna and call at Salzburg - the birthplace of Mozart and where you'll discover filming locations from the beloved film The Sound of Music on a guided tour.
The island of Madeira is known for its horticultural highlights and on this eight-day tour, you'll experience them all. From the orchid nurseries at Palheiro Gardens to the vibrant colours of the Monte and the exceptional rose gardens at Quinta do Arco in São Jorge - whether you're a garden hobbyist or a budding horticulturist, this tour is for you. The highlight is seeing the fabulous Flower Festival with Gardeners' World presenter Adam Frost. Adam will also give a talk and answer your questions in a Q&A.
Step back in time and explore the regency town of Bath on the 250th birthday of author Jane Austen. Joining you on this special tour is historian and Jane Austen expert, Lucy Worsley who will accompany you on a walking tour of the city and see the locations which inspired the writers best loved novels. You will also visit Jane Austen's House in Chawton, visit two filming locations used for adaptations of Pride And Prejudice and visit the Jane Austen Centre to find out more about the author's connections to the city. After your tour, you'll enjoy a cruise along the River Avon, passing under the historic Pulteney Bridge on this tour of Jane Austen's Bath.
Our best-selling tour of the Scottish Highlands with Carol Kirkwood returns for 2025, and now's your chance to ride the iconic Jacobite steam train. This four-day itinerary sees you travel over land, sea and loch, with multiple journeys powered by steam - with the highlight being a trip on the Fort William/Mallaig line on the Jacobite steam train with Carol Kirkwood. The route is frequently voted the world's greatest, passing rugged scenery of craggy coastlines and inland lochs.
