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It's never too early to consider where you might like to go in the new year, which is why we've rounded up our Top 10 holidays in 2020 for you to take a look at. Experience a taste of royalty at Highgrove, discover spiritual serenity at Japan's incredible gardens or encounter an annual Viking festival in Shetland. We have a broad range of holidays on offer, which can take you around the globe in search of archaeology, culture and heritage – as well as fine examples of horticulture.
Fall In Love With Our 2020 Holidays This Autumn...
1 October 2019
Our Top 10 Holidays For 2020
Grand Tour of the Outer Hebrides
One of our most popular holidays, the Grand Tour of the Outer Hebrides trip offers either 5 days or 6 days exploring a range of amazing sites and stunning landscapes. From the unique airport at Cockleshell Beach to 5000-year-old standing stones, and from historic Black Houses at Gearrannan to the Norse Mill at Shawbost, this holiday includes Hebridean highlights aplenty.
Highlights of Orkney and Shetland
Sail away to lands steeped in history, wildlife and stunning scenery, far from the jostling crowds to the haunting beauty of the Orkney and Shetland Isles. Many people have landed there before you - some as early as 3000 BC. Both Orkney and Shetland have their own identity, Orkney being very green and fertile while Shetland has a more rugged cliff and sea loch scenery.
Seasonal Gardens of Japan
Spend 13 days discovering the temples and gardens of this amazing country. Meet the deer at Nara Park, see the enormous Buddha statues at Todai-ji and step back in time to old Japan at Omi Hachiman. There's also time to ride the bullet train, gaze upon Mt. Fuji and explore Tokyo.
RHS Chelsea & Classic English Gardens
This tour combines the colour and excitement of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show with some of the south of England’s finest gardens, affording the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of horticultural excellence. Other gardens include Sissinghurst, Hestercombe and Stourhead.
A Classic Scottish Steam Break
Travel aboard the Jacobite steam train, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct before taking a spin on the Falkirk Wheel boat lift (the world's first rotating boat lift), cruising on Loch Lomond and visiting Inveraray Castle. This is one of our most-booked trips – don't wait to secure your place for 2020!
Villas and Gardens of the Italian Lakes
Enjoy 8 glorious days touring the villas and gardens of the Italian Lakes next year. From our bases on the Gulf of Borromeo on Lake Maggiore and at the foot of Lake Como, we will explore a succession of villas and their gardens, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-capped mountains and glittering water. There will also be a special visit to the private garden of the President of the Italian Camellia Society as well as an exciting private tour of Villa Cicogna Mozzoni with its owner.
Up Helly Aa
Shetland is a beguiling place to visit at any time but in the short winter days the islands take on a special character with steely grey seas and dramatic skies. Visit during the Up Helly Aa festivities, and you'll see squads of large, bearded Vikings carrying a 30ft longship through the town, only to set it alight later on at the ceremony's fiery end. This is Up Helly Aa, the annual winter festival of Shetland, which celebrates the lengthening of the days and the coming of another year, not to mention the chance of a good old knees-up.
Archaeology of Orkney & Shetland
The islands of Orkney and Shetland are littered with archaeological remains. People first came here over 5000 years ago and many of their remains survive. New archaeological sites are discovered every year. The islands are therefore of enormous interest to anyone who enjoys first-hand contact with ancient settlements and buildings, and the people who once lived here.
Highgrove & the Cotswolds
Our tour of the Cotswolds features an exclusive visit to Highgrove House, the country home of HRH The Prince of Wales. This will be a rare opportunity to see these fascinating gardens which of course are cultivated using wholly organic methods, and a visit subject to successful application! Elsewhere, we visit Rodmarton Manor, Hidcote Manor and the National Arboretum at Westonbirt.
Shetland & its Outer Isles
As close to Norway as it is to Scotland, Shetland is rugged and remote, with a raw natural beauty, a unique culture and wonderful wildlife. There are over a hundred islands here, only 16 of which are inhabited, and our tour offers the opportunity to visit four of them, providing a real taste of the diversity of this amazing archipelago. Visit Jarlshof, Muness Castle and Mousa Island.
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Fall In Love With Our 2020 Holidays This Autumn... was published on 1 October 2019
