Specialising in tailored, small group and individual tours,
including major cultural events, in Europe and Russia.
*Imagine….
It
is midnight and the sky above is as bright as daylight; it is mid-summer and
you are strolling along the banks of the Neva river, or one of the city’s
many canals after an evening performance by one of Russia’s ballets in the
warm and welcoming city of St Petersburg……. Or, perhaps you are
sitting by the shores of the Gulf of Finland for a barbecue lunch, Russian
style with live classical music as you enjoy a generous meal accompanied by
champagne and caviar (or vodka or soft drink if you prefer)……
Yet again you
are guests for a day in the Nelahozeves Castle just outside Prague owned by
the Princely family of Lobcowicz where you have explored the private
art collection (Breugel, Canaletto, Rubens, etc); sat down to a medieval
lunch; and experienced a horse-drawn carriage ride in the Bohemian
countryside…….
There is a whole new world waiting for you to experience in style and
comfort and ImperialHolidays offers a refreshing and
unique approach to holidays in some of Europe’s exclusive and newly
re-discovered destinations.
The above imaginings are just a sample of what
makes these holidays different and so special – it is the personal touch
because each of our travellers is a valued guest.
2008 - 2009 PROGRAM
Land &
Sea –
Art, History, Music & Culture Russia
(St Petersburg, Moscow, The Urals –The Romanovs) Ukraine -The Crimea, The Black Sea; Croatia; The Mediterranean; The Balkans (Albania, Bulgaria, Romania); Imperial Cities of Europe; Italian Lakes District;
Deluxe
Holidays The Venice
Simplon-Orient-Express;
Verona Opera Season; La Scala;
Trans-Siberian Express Classic;
Europe in Winter.
Included from 2008 are exciting and unique holiday experiences at the Verona
Opera Season in its famous arena; a special box at La Scala; and Prague’s
winter Theatre program. click here to see our
current tours
So, why choose Imperial Holidays to organize
your next trip to Europe?
Small Groups:And we do mean small – the maximum number for each group is 12 and
each holiday has a guaranteed departure providing there are at least two
guests. The result is a much more up close exchange; you are always near to
the action and can always hear what the guide is saying; there is much more
flexibility with small numbers and often we can avoid long queues to enter
the major sights. For groups of 10 – 12 there will be a tour leader
accompanying the group. All our groups will have an experienced,
English-speaking local guide and interpreter.
Your Comfort is Important:Imperial Holidays
ensures that your experience will be just that - a holiday;
so there are built in rest times for you to explore on your own, see that
extra special place, sleep in, shop, or just relax and soak up the
atmosphere. Our programs are designed to be hassle-free; unpack just once on
most of our holidays and stay a while in central first class locations;
there is private daily transport – pick up and drop off at the hotel lobby,
including transfers to and from special evening performances. You will be
spoilt as you holiday in style and comfort.
Meals – almost all are included: One of
the great joys of holidaying in foreign countries is to indulge your taste
buds with the local and international cuisine in world class restaurants.
Whether it is lunch in the Tea Pavilion of the extraordinary Yussupov
Palace; authentic fish dinner at a cliff top restaurant overlooking the
Black Sea at Nesebar in Bulgaria; or dinner and folkloric show in Bucharest,
elegant dining is a speciality on our programs. All breakfasts, special
welcome and farewell dinners and several lunches are included in the costs.
Destinations:Imperial Holidays began
with a focus on Russia and particularly St Petersburg, Finland and the
Baltics. At this stage, exciting destinations also include the Black Sea;
the Mediterranean; Ukraine and the Crimea, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey; and
Europe’s Imperial capitals.
A feature of Imperial Holidays is
its focus on major Cultural Events in Europe. These include the Budapest
Opera Ball; the Imperial New Year’s Eve Ball in St Petersburg; the White
Nights Festival in St Petersburg; and a tour of the great Art Galleries in
Amsterdam, St Petersburg, Prague, Paris, London. Our itineraries include the
standards and the must-sees but also add bonus stops of particular interest
that other tour groups drive past as shown in the detailed itineraries which
follow.
Imperial Holidays Inclusions: Check the
itineraries to see just how much is included in our programs. Whether it is
a Classical Performance of ballet, opera or symphony; a cruise along the
city’s canals; a visit to a private castle in Prague; folkloric
entertainment over dinner; the ‘Whirling Dervishes” in Istanbul; the
Imperial Dinner Train in Vienna; Five Nightly Performances at the White
Nights Festival; or just special dinners in
remarkable settings; it is all included in the costs. Personalised programs for
individuals or groups can be arranged for whichever European destination you
choose. Just let us know the places you want to visit and when you would
like to travel. All holidays are guaranteed to go ahead provided there are
at least two travellers.
Flexibility:Prices quoted include only the land section of the holiday programs
and you have the flexibility of arranging your own flights, so you can
arrive earlier and settle in; stay a little longer; or arrange for extra
stopovers in either direction. Of course we can offer group flight
arrangements if required. We recommend
Finnair
as an ideal carrier for travellers using the services of Imperial Holidays.
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