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Short Breaks

12 tours from £389pp

A few days away, or maybe just a long weekend… it may not seem like long time, especially when you’re looking for an exciting experience, taking in the very best of what UK or Europe has to offer.

Eddie and Kathy Williams

Join us in the heart of Torquay and enjoy a fantastic location just 5 minutes away from the stunning seafront.

  • 4 nights' half-board accommodation
  • Welcome drink
  • Varied bridge sessions
  • Masterpoints and prizes awarded
  • Services of our EBU qualified bridge director
  • Services of directors Eddie & Kathy Williams

Availability:

  • 2023
    • Jan
    • Feb
    • Mar
    • Apr
    • May
    • Jun
    • Jul
    • Aug
    • Sep
    • Oct
    • Nov
    • Dec
Marion Mako & more

Join The Times garden writer Stephen Anderton and expert Marion Mako in some of the finest, exclusive gardens of the Cotswolds.

  • Transportation from Moreton-in-Marsh Railway Station
  • 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in the 5-star Manor House Hotel, Moreton-in-Marsh
  • 3 evening meals with wine at the hotel plus 3 lunches
  • Services of the Tour Leader and Hosts
  • Detailed programme and garden notes

Availability:

  • 2023
    • Jan
    • Feb
    • Mar
    • Apr
    • May
    • Jun
    • Jul
    • Aug
    • Sep
    • Oct
    • Nov
    • Dec
Kathryn Bradley-Hole & more

Join COUNTRY LIFE contributors Kathryn Bradley-Hole and Kirsty Fergusson on this spellbinding tour of the French Riviera’s finest gardens.

  • Return flights from London to Nice Côte d’Azur
  • 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in the 5-star Hotel Maybourne Riviera, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
  • 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in the 5-star Chateau Saint-Martin, Vence
  • 4 evening meals with wine at the hotel plus 4 lunches
  • Services of the Tour Leader and Hosts
  • Detailed programme and garden notes

Availability:

  • 2023
    • Jan
    • Feb
    • Mar
    • Apr
    • May
    • Jun
    • Jul
    • Aug
    • Sep
    • Oct
    • Nov
    • Dec
Dr Justine Hopkins

This tour explores the legacy of Charles Rennie Mackintosh in Glasgow, from private buildings to institutions, considering the ways in which the city shaped his unique and enduring vision.

  • Private coach travel for transfers and excursions
  • 4 nights’ bed and breakfast at the 5-star Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow
  • 2 evening meals and 1 afternoon tea
  • Guided visits to sites listed in the programme
  • Services of your expert lecturer and Tour Manager
  • Detailed programme and study notes

Availability:

  • 2023
    • Jan
    • Feb
    • Mar
    • Apr
    • May
    • Jun
    • Jul
    • Aug
    • Sep
    • Oct
    • Nov
    • Dec
Sasha Kagan

Discover the colourful history of the Welsh textile industry on this tour, which takes a closer look at Welsh wool and quilting in the picturesque villages of the valleys.

  • 4 nights in 4-star accommodation on a half board basis
  • Lunch and tea/coffee on workshop days
  • 2 full day knitting workshops with Sasha Kagan
  • Entrance fees and excursions
  • The services of an experienced Arena Travel Tour Manager

Availability:

  • 2023
    • Jan
    • Feb
    • Mar
    • Apr
    • May
    • Jun
    • Jul
    • Aug
    • Sep
    • Oct
    • Nov
    • Dec
Tom Abbott

This Art Pursuits tour examines the synthesis of gender, politics and art in a transformative historical moment.

  • Return flights from London to Hamburg, returning from Berlin
  • 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in the Radisson Blu, Bremen
  • 1 night bed and breakfast in the Maritim ProArte Hotel, Berlin
  • 2 evening meals and 2 lunches
  • Guided visits to sites listed in the programme
  • Services of your expert lecturer and Tour Manager
  • Detailed programme and study notes

Availability:

  • 2023
    • Jan
    • Feb
    • Mar
    • Apr
    • May
    • Jun
    • Jul
    • Aug
    • Sep
    • Oct
    • Nov
    • Dec
Keith Wiley & more

On this exclusive *Gardens Illustrated* tour of Dorset, visit exquisite private gardens and feast at Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage HQ.

  • Transportation from Yeovil Junction Railway Station
  • 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in the 4-star Summer Lodge Hotel, Dorchester
  • 3 evening meals with wine at the hotel plus 4 lunches
  • Guided visits to sites listed in the programme
  • Services of the Tour Leader and Hosts
  • Detailed programme and garden notes

Availability:

  • 2023
    • Jan
    • Feb
    • Mar
    • Apr
    • May
    • Jun
    • Jul
    • Aug
    • Sep
    • Oct
    • Nov
    • Dec
Helen Yemm

Surrounded by a tranquil backdrop of ancient hills, steep limestone valleys and stark moorland plateaus, journey with us as we explore the romantic gardens of the Peak District and Derbyshire Dales.

  • Transportation from Chesterfield Railway Station
  • 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in the 4-star Losehill House Hotel and Spa, Hope Valley
  • 3 evening meals with wine at the hotel plus 3 lunches
  • Guided visits to sites listed in the programme
  • Detailed programme and garden notes
  • Services of the Tour Leader and Hosts

Availability:

  • 2023
    • Jan
    • Feb
    • Mar
    • Apr
    • May
    • Jun
    • Jul
    • Aug
    • Sep
    • Oct
    • Nov
    • Dec
Kirsty Fergusson

Let our expert host, Adam Wilkinson and Hortus contributor, Kirsty Fergusson, whisk you on a weekend away to the leafy village of Varengeville-sur-Mer to visit the region’s classical and contemporary gardens.

  • Return Eurostar from London St Pancras to Gare de Calais-Fréthun
  • 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in the 4-star Mercure Dieppe la Presidence, Dieppe
  • 2 evening meals with wine at the hotel plus 3 lunches
  • Guided visits to sites listed in the programme
  • Services of the Tour Leader and Hosts
  • Detailed programme and garden notes

Availability:

  • 2023
    • Jan
    • Feb
    • Mar
    • Apr
    • May
    • Jun
    • Jul
    • Aug
    • Sep
    • Oct
    • Nov
    • Dec
Keith Wiley & more

Join us on this unique tour of the Netherlands to explore the works of leading Dutch horticulturists alongside the gardens that inspired them.

  • Return flights from London to Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport
  • 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in the 4-star Kasteel Engelenburg, Brummen
  • 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in the 5-star Hotel Dylan, Amsterdam
  • 4 evening meals with wine at the hotel plus 5 lunches
  • Services of the Tour Leader and Hosts
  • Detailed programme and garden notes

Availability:

  • 2023
    • Jan
    • Feb
    • Mar
    • Apr
    • May
    • Jun
    • Jul
    • Aug
    • Sep
    • Oct
    • Nov
    • Dec
Marion Mako & more

Discover the splendour of the English Lake District, one-time home to William Wordsworth, the Lakeland Poets and Beatrix Potter, on this tour of Arts & Crafts houses and gardens.

  • Transportation from Lancaster Railway Station
  • 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in the 4-star Lakeside Hotel, Windermere
  • 3 evening meals with wine at the hotel plus 4 lunches
  • Services of the Tour Leader and Hosts
  • Detailed programme and garden notes

Availability:

  • 2023
    • Jan
    • Feb
    • Mar
    • Apr
    • May
    • Jun
    • Jul
    • Aug
    • Sep
    • Oct
    • Nov
    • Dec

This trip takes you on a tour of some of the top Elvis-related locations in the country. From the eateries he frequented and the places he shopped, to various movie and photoshoot locations.

  • Explore sites visited by Elvis on a guided tour of Frankfurt
  • Visit to Freiburg and Ray Barracks, where Elvis carried out his military duties
  • Enjoy a walking tour of Bad Nauheim where we will be showing you all the key locations of Elvis’ time there
  • Take a ride on the cable car used in the Pocketful of Rainbows scene at the river Rhine

Availability:

  • 2024
    • Jan
    • Feb
    • Mar
    • Apr
    • May
    • Jun
    • Jul
    • Aug
    • Sep
    • Oct
    • Nov
    • Dec