Spring Escapes Newsletter 2020 by Kirker Holidays

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I am delighted to introduce our 2020 Escapes newsletter, which includes some of our favourite hotels and short break destinations, the very best special offers and carefully-selected itineraries to help inspire your next Kirker holiday. For those with a special birthday or anniversary during the coming year there is simply no better way to celebrate than with an escape to one of Europe’s great cities, and Kirker’s team of experts would be delighted to help make it a memorable and hassle-free experience, ensuring that you enjoy the best of your chosen destination – with a comfortable hotel, efficient private car transfers, delicious local cuisine, not to mention opportunities to enjoy fascinating art, architecture and museums. Many clients tell us that the highlight of their trip was the restaurant recommended by the Kirker Concierge, or the tickets for a concert, ballet or opera performance – and we highly recommend a walking tour with one of our expert local guides to ensure that your holiday gets off to the perfect start. We firmly believe that there is no substitute for expert personal advice, and our experienced team is here to help and we take full responsibility for the smooth running of every aspect of your holiday – before, during and after you travel. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Ted Wake - Joint MD & Director of Sales & Marketing PS. Clients often ask us to arrange a tailor-made itinerary which includes two or more destinations – turn to pages 12-13 for details of some of our favourite multi-centre holidays, or call 020 7593 2283 for advice. There is no better way to start your holiday than to escape the madding crowd relaxing in a comfortable airport lounge, before boarding at the front of the aircraft and enjoying a glass of champagne at your seat. As a British Airways Preferred Partner, we have access to the best special offers for Club Europe, including upgrades from as little as £50 per person. Ask your Kirker expert for the latest offers.

Index Special Offers

Spring Sunshine

Kirker Favourites

Hidden Highlights

Rocco Forte Hotels

Food & Wine Destinations 7 Short Breaks by Rail

Venice SimplonOrient-Express

Belmond Hotels

Personal Favourites

Multi-Centre Holidays

12/13

Concierge Highlights

14/15

Baglioni Hotels

On the Water

Cultural Tours

Music Holidays

Further Afield

Prices are per person and include flights, transfers, accommodation with breakfast, Kirker Guide Notes and the services of the Kirker Concierge.

Venice

Nani Moncenigo **** Deluxe

Vienna

Budapest

Bristol ***** Deluxe

Dorsoduro is one of Venice’s most authentic neighbourhoods, and this hotel occupies a 15th century palazzo close to the Accademia Gallery. There are just 26 bedrooms and a peaceful garden. Highly recommended - please ask the Kirker Concierge for details of La Fenice opera programme. 3 nights for the price of 2 until 7 February - price from £598, saving £78 4 nights for the price of 3 until 31 March and 1 - 28 August - price from £864, saving £145

The Bristol is a traditional and elegant hotel located opposite the State Opera House. There are 150 bedrooms, the ‘Bristol Lounge’ and the cosy ‘Bristol Bar’ which is one of the oldest American style bars in Austria. Ask for opera details. 4 nights for the price of 3 until 19 April - price from £798, saving £190

Includes Doge’s Palace, Accademia or Guggenheim tickets and water taxi transfers

Includes entrance to the Kunsthistorisches & Leopold Museums

Madrid

Villa Real ***** The Villa Real is located opposite the Parliament building and close to the Thyssen & Prado museums. There are 115 rooms, a stylish bar and a restaurant serving contemporary cuisine in a casual and fashionable atmosphere. 3 night price from £568 Includes entrance to the Prado, Thyssen and Reina Sofia

Granada

Casa 1800 **** Deluxe

Casa 1800 is situated in a quiet pedestrian walkway, within a stone’s throw of the Alhambra Palace. Following a painstaking restoration, its 25 rooms are decorated in a baroque style with wooden balustrades, terracotta floors and comfortably-sized terraces. 3 night price from £648 Includes entrance to the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens

Speak to an expert: 020

The Prestige ***** Superior

Located on the Pest side of the Danube, The Hotel Prestige is a 19th century neo-classical town house. There are 85 bedrooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant and an impressive inner courtyard where interior balconies look down onto the spacious lobby. Ask for opera programme details. 3 night price from £649 Includes a 3hr private walking tour

Rome

Grand Hotel De La Minerve ***** Superior

This fine hotel is located in the heart of the historical city centre, overlooking the 2,000-year-old Pantheon. The 135 spacious bedrooms are decorated in classical style, and the magnificent rooftop terrace restaurant offers panoramic views over the the Eternal City. 3 nights for the price of 2 for weekend arrivals until 31 March - price from £598, saving £170 4 nights for the price of 3 for Sun arrivals from 1 - 30 Apr and 1 - 18 Jul - price from £998, saving £196 Includes entrance to the Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel or Villa Borghese

7593 2283

All prices shown are per person sharing a double room, include special offers as applicable and are subject to availability. Prices are correct at time of publication: January 2020. For booking conditions please see www.kirkerholidays.com.

Sp e c i a l Offers –

All hotels th r ee f or t w o

Early spring is one of the best times to travel to a European city, with fewer crowds, new exhibitions and concerts, and excellent value for money. We regularly negotiate new special offers with our favourite hoteliers, including complimentary nights and room upgrades for Kirker clients, and we have selected some of the best current offers below, with three nights for the price of two at ten top cities. Prices are per person and include flights or Eurostar, transfers, accommodation with breakfast, Kirker Guide Notes and the services of the Kirker Concierge. de ra 8 pg e p r u se sta ro ble Eu aila av

Paris Royal St. Honoré **** Superior

This property has an excellent location on the fashionable Rue St. Honoré, close to the the Opera and the Louvre. There are 72 bedrooms and a stylish breakfast room which has original Louis XVI wood panelling and becomes ‘Café 221’ for lunch and dinner. 3 nights for the price of 2 from 3 January 31 March - price from £628, saving £250 3 night price from £996 from 1 April onwards Includes a 48hr Museum Pass, Seine cruise and carnet of metro tickets

This lakefront hotel has been a local favourite for many years. The main hotel building is home to the elegant bar and ‘Cascata’ restaurant, while modern extensions house the small spa with indoor swimming pool. The 121 bedrooms have all recently been renovated and are located throughout the various buildings. 3 nights for the price of 2 from 19 March - 16 April (excluding Easter) - price from £649, saving £135

Bologna

Verona

Dresden

Orologio *** Superior

Due Torri *****

Bülow Palais ***** Superior

Arguably Italy’s gastronomic capital, Bologna is perfect for a short break and this charming hotel is located just off Piazza Maggiore, one of Italy’s most beautiful mediaeval squares. Traditionally furnished with 29 bedrooms and within walking distance of some of our favourite restaurants. 3 nights for the price of 2 from 3 January - 29 February and 13 July - 30 August - price from £598, saving £133 Includes a 72hr Bologna Welcome Card

Located next to the Gothic church of Sant’Anastasia, the Due Torri is Verona’s ‘grand dame’. There are 89 bedrooms, a panoramic rooftop terrace, a seasonal grill restaurant and a gastronomic restaurant on the ground floor beneath a mediaeval arcade. Ask for details of the opera programme. 3 nights for the price of 2 from 1 January 31 March - price from £568, saving £152 3 night price from £1,036 from 1 April onwards

This delightful Relais & Châteaux hotel is located in the peaceful cobbled streets across the river from the Old Town. The 58 bedrooms and public areas have been decorated with care and finesse, creating a cosy and luxurious environment. There is a Michelinstarred restaurant, the ‘Palais Bistro’ and a comfortable bar. 3 nights for the price of 2 until 30 April and 28 June - 29 August - price from £449, saving £110

Vienna

Mallorca

Grand Hotel Wien ***** Superior

M House **** Superior

This fine hotel stands on the Karntner Ring in the centre of Vienna, a few yards from the State Opera House. A member of ‘The Leading Hotels of the World’, there are 205 bedrooms, a Michelin-starred rooftop restaurant and a Viennese ‘Grand Café’. 3 nights for the price of 2 from 3 January - 31 March including a complimentary room upgrade - price from £648, saving £110 3 night price from £998 from 11 April onwards Includes entrance to the Kunsthistorisches & Leopold museums

In the heart of Palma’s charming old town this is the perfect destination for a city break at any time of year. The whitewashed building surrounds a traditional Mallorquin patio, with 37 rooms designed in a light, contemporary style. The relaxed Café Bistró serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a cosy lounge and on the elegant patio. 3 nights for the price of 2 until 28 February - price from £798, saving £141 4 nights for the price of 3 from 1 April 28 May - price from £948, saving £198

Florence

Naples

Prague

Rosso 23 *** Superior

Grand Hotel Parker’s **** Deluxe

Hotel Paris *****

With its frescoed façade, Rosso 23 is one of the most attractive of the buildings that overlook Piazza Santa Maria Novella. Opened in 2009 under the same ownership as the Santa Maria Novella and L’Orologio on the same square, the stylish entrance hall is shared with another sister hotel, the Garibaldi Blu; a grand stone staircase leads to 43 bedrooms.

Lake Como Grand Hotel Imperiale **** Superior

Located at the start of Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 20 minutes’ walk from Piazza Plebiscito, the Royal Palace and San Carlo Theatre for opera, this elegant hotel has a spa and 82 bedrooms. ‘George’s’ rooftop restaurant and 6th floor ‘Bidder’s Bar’ both have spectacular views over the Gulf of Naples.

In the heart of the historic Old Town, the Paris is one of Prague’s best known traditional hotels and one of the few where all the public rooms are still in the original Art Nouveau style. These include a magnificent restaurant, a grand staircase, lounge and the famous Café de Paris. There are 86 bedrooms. Ask the Kirker Concierge about opera.

3 nights for the price of 2 until 2 April - price from £476, saving £83

3 nights for the price of 2 until 15 March and 13 July - 30 August - price from £579, saving £116

3 nights for the price of 2 all year - price from £579, saving £198

Includes entrance to the Uffizi Gallery

Includes a Naples Art Card

Includes a 3hr walking tour

for expert advice & reservations call 020 7593 2283

Sp ring S unshine Spring comes early to much of the Mediterranean, and a few days of early spring sunshine is the perfect antidote to winter blues. We can particularly recommend the islands of Malta, Crete and Madeira; a luxurious retreat in Marrakech’s La Palmeraie; or waterfront relaxation in Andalucia’s Estepona, Lake Maggiore and a stylish boutique hotel on the Tuscan Coast. Prices are per person and include flights, transfers, accommodation with breakfast, Kirker Guide Notes and the services of the Kirker Concierge.

Estepona

Forte dei Marmi Byron ***** Deluxe

Just half an hour by car from both Pisa and Lucca, Forte dei Marmi is one of the most stylish resorts on the Tuscan coast.The 29 bedrooms offer views of either the sea at the front, or the Apuan Alps and the shaded gardens at the back.There is a summer swimming pool (open Apr Oct) and a Michelin-starred restaurant offering delicious regional cuisine. 4 nights for the price of 3 from 1 April - 30 June: - price from £849 in April, saving £179 - price from £998 in May & June, saving £244

Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona ***** Deluxe

With its wonderful beachfront location, the Kempinski has established itself as one of Spain’s most luxurious resorts. Built in striking Moorish style, the hotel overlooks beautifully manicured gardens, and three swimming pools (one of which is heated all year round). All of the 145 bedrooms have balconies and there is a comfortable lobby bar and four restaurants. 4 nights for the price of 3 until 29 Feb - price from £739, saving £123 3 night price from £698 in March and £776 from 2 April - 17 June

Marrakech

Valletta, Malta

Palais Aziza & Spa *****

The Phoenicia **** Deluxe

Situated at the gateway to Valletta, The Phoenicia has a majestic setting overlooking Marsamxetto Harbour and reopened in Summer 2017 after a painstaking renovation. Guests are footsteps away from St. John’s Cathedral and the Grand Master’s Palace. Many of the 136 newly renovated bedrooms have magnificent harbour views. The Phoenicia has a wonderful Colonial feel about it with its large domed Palm Court lounge, fine dining restaurant, brasserie and veranda bar overlooking the lush terraced gardens and outdoor heated swimming pool below. 3 night price from £598

This luxury boutique residence lies in the heart of the Palmeraie region. The 28 guest rooms, suites, villas and pavilions are beautifully laid out amongst five acres of well-kept gardens and patios. There are two restaurants, an outdoor swimming pool (unheated) and the spa is an ideal place to relax and experience traditional Moroccan treatments. 3 night price from £698 Includes a private walking tour of Marrakech

Crete

Lake Maggiore Grand Hotel Majestic **** Deluxe The Grand Hotel Majestic is located ten minutes’ walk from the centre of Pallanza. The hotel has 80 comfortable bedrooms, many of which overlook the lake, and it is surrounded on three sides by private gardens. There is an indoor swimming pool and a small private beach from which you can swim in the lake itself, as well as an excellent restaurant. 5 nights for the price of 4 from 10 April - 20 May - price from £859, saving £117

St. Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas ***** Deluxe Overlooking a sandy cove, close to the picturesque town of Agios Nikolaos and about 1hr from Heraklion airport, this is an ideal destination for those seeking a luxurious summer holiday in the most beautiful of settings. Many of the 54 rooms and 53 suites have private pools and all have ocean view terraces or balconies. There are five different restaurants, two bars, a private beach, two large seawater swimming pools (unheated) and a children’s pool. 3 night price from £998

Madeira

Seville

Castanheiro **** Superior

Doña Maria ****

Located in the heart of Funchal and made up of five interconnecting buildings, Castanheiro is located close to the City Hall, a short walk from many museums, bars and restaurants. There are 81 comfortable rooms, three restaurants and a panoramic terrace with heated outdoor pool and jacuzzi. 3 night price from £668 until 1 July Includes a Vintage Madeira tour & tasting

A characterful hotel which stands opposite the cathedral in the Barrio Santa Cruz. The stylish Andalucian décor extends from the comfortable lounge to the 61 individually furnished bedrooms and the rooftop terrace, with its spectacular views of the cathedral and Giralda tower. 4 nights for the price of 3 until 31 March - price from £629, saving £117 3 nights for the price of 2½ for stays including a Sunday from 1 - 22 April (excluding Easter) and 3 May - 20 June - price from £588, saving £81 Includes entrance to the Cathedral & Giralda or Alcazar Palace

www.kirkerholidays.com

Kirk er Favourites We have worked closely with some hoteliers for more than three decades and there are certain hotels which our clients enjoy returning to every year. The perfect ‘Kirker hotel’ can come in many different forms, but the magic formula usually includes a blend of charm, character and comfort, combined with excellent service and the perfect location – below are some of our favourites. Prices are per person and include flights or Eurostar, transfers, accommodation with breakfast, Kirker Guide Notes and the services of the Kirker Concierge.

Pavillon de la Reine **** Deluxe

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Paris

Venice Londra Palace **** Deluxe

This historic, property is located in the heart of the Marais, between the Musée Picasso and the Opéra Bastille. The hotel has 54 beautifully furnished rooms just off the elegant Place des Vosges, within a few steps of independent bookshops, stylish boutiques, and some of the Kirker Concierge’s favourite Parisian bistros. 3 nights for the price of 2 from 1 - 14 Jan, 24 Jan - 23 Feb & 4 - 13 Mar - price from £798, saving £234

Small, luxurious and located almost adjacent to the Danieli, the Londra is one of our favourite hotels and Kirker clients have always been especially well looked after, with rooms guaranteed to overlook the lagoon. It has a bar, a comfortable lounge, the ‘Do Leoni’ restaurant with a terrace overlooking the lagoon and 53 bedrooms. Perfect for opera at La Fenice.

Includes a 48hr Museum Pass, Seine cruise and carnet of metro tickets

Includes water taxi transfers and entrance to the Doge’s Palace

Munich

St Petersburg

Torbrau **** Superior

A hotel since 1450, the privately-owned Torbrau is the oldest in Munich, has a great location just two minutes’ walk from Marienplatz and has a warm and welcoming atmosphere.There are 90 comfortable bedrooms, many furnished in contemporary Bavarian style.We recommend the spacious deluxe rooms with complimentary minibar and tea and coffee making facilities. Lunch, afternoon tea with home-made cakes and dinner are all served at the restaurant ‘Schapeau’. Ask for opera details. 3 night price from £698 until 31 March 3 night price from £829 from 1 April onwards

Lake Orta Casa Fantini ***** Deluxe Head to the village of Pella on the western shores of Orta, one of the most unspoilt Italian Lakes, and you’ll discover one of the best hotels to open in the region for many years. The ‘old house’, with its rustic bar and two sumptuous suites, leads to a beautiful modern structure, home to a delightful lounge and just nine bedrooms. 4 nights for the price of 3 for Sunday & Monday arrivals all year - price from £1,186, saving £273

Florence Antica Torre (a boutique private residence) This beautiful 13th century ‘tower house’ is set in the heart of the city. The Antica Torre ‘hotel’ has just seven rooms in the Palazzo Gianfigliazzi, where Kirker clients are accommodated, and these are some of the most stylish and comfortable in town. 3 nights for the price of 2 from 10 Jan - 9 Apr - price from £586, saving £135 3 nights for the price of 2 from 1 Jul - 31 Aug - price from £779, saving £152 Includes entrance tickets to the Uffizi Gallery, Accademia or Bargello

4 nights for the price of 3 all year - price from £938, saving £179

Angleterre **** Superior

The Angleterre offers comfortable and stylish accommodation in the heart of the city. There are 192 bedrooms and buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily in the ‘Borsalino’ brasserie where there is live music most evenings. Other facilities include a lively bar, fitness centre, and a small plunge pool. Ask the Kirker Concierge about ballet and private tours. 4 nights for the price of 3 until 31 March - price from £1,128, saving £98 3 night price from £1,269 from 1 April onwards Includes a Russian visa service

Aix-en-Provence Le Pigonnet **** Deluxe An 18th century country house surrounded by tranquil gardens, which were an inspiration to Paul Cézanne who sat in a corner and painted his famous views of ‘Mont Sainte-Victoire’ in 1890. There is a gastronomic restaurant, a Champagne bar and 48 bedrooms. 3 nights for the price of 2 from 1 January 31 March - price from £678, saving £130 3 night price from £769 in April

Lisbon Britania **** Superior

This historic boutique hotel is located on a quiet street behind the Avenida Liberdade and is close to the Botanical Gardens. Designed by famous modernist architect Cassiano Branco in the 1940’s, it has recently been restored but retains all its original Art Deco style and atmosphere. The 33 bedrooms have classical furnishings and period marble bathrooms and there is an atmospheric bar and a cosy lounge with an open fire. 3 night price from £669 Includes a 48hr Lisboa Card

for expert advice & reservations call 020 7593 2283

Hidden Highlights For those who enjoy discovering a new destination, we have selected a range of our favourite less well known cities for a short break away from the madding crowd – from the elegant architecture of Ljubljana and Trieste to tapas and seafood in Rota or Jerez, magnificent art in Padua, Ravenna and Perugia, or the extraordinary mediaeval city of Fez in Morocco. Always ask the Kirker Concierge for details of our private walking tours with an expert local guide. Prices are per person and include flights, transfers or car hire, accommodation with breakfast, Kirker Guide Notes and the services of the Kirker Concierge.

Trieste

Padua

Savoia Excelsior Palace ***** Superior

Majestic Toscanelli **** Set in the heart of Centro Storico, the old part of Padua, this hotel is unique in its location, adjacent to the remarkable Renaissance squares of Piazza Delle Erbe, Dei Signori and Della Frutta where the market is held. The 32 bedrooms are comfortably furnished in either Baroque Venetian or a more quaint 19th century English style.

This grand 19th century hotel is located overlooking the marina and port, adjacent to Piazza dell’Unita d’Italia where many of Trieste’s museums are. There are 144 comfortable rooms, spacious public areas, a bar and an excellent restaurant. Why not consider a two-centre holiday combining Trieste with Venice or Ljubljana? 3 night price from £567

3 night price from £669

Ravenna

Jerez

Palazzo Bezzi **** Superior

Villa Jerez **** Superior

The Palazzo Bezzi is 100 metres from the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo with its extraordinary collection of mosaics, and a short walk to the MAR Art Museum and the historic heart of Ravenna. An 18th century palazzo, the decoration throughout is refined and contemporary, both in the public areas and the 32 stylish bedrooms.The panoramic roof terrace offers magnificent views over the city’s rooftops. 3 night price from £669

We are delighted to feature this charming hotel which is within walking distance of the old town, the Royal School of Equestrian Art and some of the best sherry bodegas. Overlooking a palm-fringed courtyard and beautifully manicured gardens, the hotel gives its guests a sense of staying in a private villa with cosy lounges and an attractive bar and restaurant, all leading onto the terrace and lawn beyond.The 18 bedrooms face the gardens or the pool. 4 nights for the price of 3 until 2 April - price from £448, saving £61

Fez

Perugia

Riad Maison Bleue **** Deluxe

Brufani Palace **** Deluxe Perugia is home to numerous ecclesiastical and secular buildings and vast Etruscan city walls, which give some idea of the splendour of that age – it’s historical significance goes as far back as the 6th century BC. Located in the heart of one of Umbria’s most beautiful hill towns, the Brufani Palace has spacious halls with original parquet floors, great stone fireplaces, grand chandeliers and the 94 rooms and suites are all traditional in style. 3 nights for the price of 2 from 1 January - 9 April - price from £398, saving £90

The mediaeval city of Fez is the world’s largest car-free urban area, with an atmospheric labyrinth of ancient streets, souks, tanneries, mosques and one of the oldest universities in the world. This elegant riad was created from a 19th century residence and offers a relaxed and stylish retreat from the medina.The 18 suites are beautifully decorated and there is a spa and a swimming pool. 3 night price from £628 Includes a private walking tour

Ljubljana

Rota

Lesar Hotel Angel **** Superior

Duque de Najera **** Superior

The Slovenian capital is a compact and charming city with riverside bars and restaurants and a 12th century castle. This characterful boutique hotel has an excellent location beneath the castle, right in the heart of the historic Old Town. On the ground floor there is an elegant lounge and a cosy bar with a vaulted ceiling. The 12 bedrooms are tastefully decorated with antique furniture and period features. 3 night price from £568

Rota is often overlooked by tourists but is a great destination for travellers wanting a true taste of Andalucia. White sandy beaches stretch for miles and its characterful and quaint old town encased in ramparts is easily explored on foot.The Duque de Najera is a charming, traditional hotel with 92 comfortable rooms, a bar beside the outdoor swimming pool and a restaurant specialising in seafood and Mediterranean cuisine. 3 night price from £476

www.kirkerholidays.com

One of Kirker’s longest standing hotel partners, Rocco Forte Hotels offers a carefully-selected collection of elegant properties in the heart of Europe’s great cities, each individually designed with great style by Sir Rocco’s sister Olga Polizzi. We are delighted to present our favourite hotels from their collection below, including two new openings in Italy. Prices are per person and include flights, transfers, accommodation with breakfast, Kirker Guide Notes and the services of the Kirker Concierge.

Rome

Hotel De La Ville ***** Deluxe

Hotel De Russie ***** Deluxe

At the top of the Spanish Steps, Sir Rocco’s latest Italian hotel is one of the most stylish new openings in Rome for many years. There are 104 rooms and suites with views over the rooftops of Rome and contemporary interiors inspired by the era of the Grand Tour. There is a stylish rooftop bar, two restaurants and a Sicilian-inspired spa. 3 night price from £998

Dating from 1816, the Hotel de Russie has long been one of Rome’s finest luxury hotels. Next to the Piazza del Popolo, it has 120 contemporary bedrooms; many with views over the oasis-like garden, where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served from the excellent Italian restaurant. Special offer for 3 night stays until 2 April - price from £1,148, saving £129 3 night price from £1,368 from 3 April onwards

Kirker holidays to Rome include tickets for the Villa Borghese or Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel de ra 8 pg e p r u se sta ro ble Eu aila av

Brussels Hotel Amigo ***** Deluxe

This famous property has an unbeatable location just behind the Grand’Place and City Hall. There are 173 beautifully designed and recently renovated modern bedrooms, a bar, a wonderful Italian restaurant and a comfortable lobby lounge.

3 nights for the price of 2 from 1 Jan 29 Feb - price from £648, saving £135 3 night price from £896 from 1 March onwards

Berlin Hotel De Rome ***** Deluxe

The Hotel De Rome is located just off the Unter den Linden only 200 yards from the magnificent State Opera. It has 145 bedrooms, an Italian restaurant, a bar, a roof terrace with excellent views, and the jewel vault has been transformed into an indoor swimming pool. 3 nights for the price of 2 for stays including a Sunday: 1 Jan - 30 Apr - price from £669, saving £186 1 May - 30 Jun - price from £748, saving £201 Includes a 72hr museum pass including entrance to the Gemäldegalerie

Florence

St. Petersburg

Hotel Savoy ***** Deluxe

Hotel Astoria ***** Deluxe

The Hotel Savoy stands on the Piazza della Repubblica, in the heart of Florence. The public rooms and the 80 large bedrooms blend contemporary style with typically Florentine colours. Fine meals are served both in the restaurant ‘Irene’ and al fresco on the terrace overlooking the bustling piazza. 3 nights for the price of 2 from 1 January - 2 April - price from £998, saving £215 Includes entrance to the Uffizi Gallery or Accademia

Includes Russian visa service

Sicily

Palermo, Sicily

Verdura Resort ***** Deluxe The most luxurious resort Sicily has seen,Verdura is situated on the sea, 40 km from the ancient Greek temples at Agrigento. It has 203 bedrooms, two 18-hole golf courses and six tennis courts.There are several restaurants offering fine dining to midday snacks by the infinity pool. All guests have access to the spa, with its thalassotherapy pools, as well as the private beach. 3 night price from £746 from 1 March - 5 April 3 night price from £898 from 6 April - 25 June

With wonderful views of St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the Mariinsky Palace, Astoria offers 169 luxurious rooms and suites, furnished in the contemporary style. Astoria Restaurant serves the finest Russian and European cuisine, afternoon tea is served in the Rotonda Lounge and drinks in the Lichfield Bar. 4 nights for the price of 3 from 1 January 30 April - price from £1,268, saving £128 3 night price from £1,376 from 1 May onwards

Villa Igiea ***** Deluxe Opening on 1 June 2020, the Villa Igiea is the latest addition to the Rocco Forte Hotels collection. With wonderful views across the marina to the Bay of Palermo, this famous property is just 10 minutes’ ride from the heart of the city. The Villa Igiea first opened as a hotel in 1900, and Olga Polizzi will restore the hotel to its former glory by preserving its original period features. Prices available on request.

for expert advice & reservations call 020 7593 2283

F ood & Win e Destinations For many Kirker clients the highlight of any short break is the opportunity to indulge in delicious food and wine – from local specialities to gastronomic fine-dining experiences – and we have selected some of our favourite hotels and destinations where excellent cuisine and fine wines are a key part of every holiday. Speak to the Kirker Concierge for details of cooking classes and wine-tasting visits before you travel. Prices are per person and include flights, transfers or car hire, accommodation with breakfast, Kirker Guide Notes and the services of the Kirker Concierge.

Puglia

Tuscany

Masseria Torre Maizza ***** Deluxe

Castel Porrona Relais *****

The Masseria Torre Maizza is an elegant 16th century masseria located in the unspoilt countryside of Puglia, under an hour from Bari airport. Updated with a stylish but sensitive refurbishment throughout the 40 bedrooms and suites, it has a rooftop bar, a restaurant serving delicious local cuisine by the swimming pool or in the vaulted cellar as well as a private beach club. Ask for details of cooking classes and wine tasting. 3 night price from £978

Located in the wine region of Montecucco, a typically beautiful Tuscan landscape of olive groves, cypress trees and vineyards, this intimate hotel opened in 2016. The 24 rooms are laid out in several wisteria-clad buildings and the ‘Il Chiostro’ restaurant serves Tuscan cuisine in the intimate dining room or outside in the garden. There is also a heated swimming pool and a spa. The excellent team can arrange cooking classes and winery visits. 4 nights for the price of 3 all year - price from £798, saving £150

Bologna

Provence

Corona d’Oro **** Superior

Crillon le Brave ***** Superior

In the heart of the Côtes du Ventoux vineyards, Crillon le Brave is one of our favourite hotels in France. There are wonderful views of the surrounding countryside from 32 Provençal bedrooms. There is a heated outdoor swimming pool, a small spa and an exceptional restaurant with a terrace overlooking the serene, picturesque valley. Prebooked wine tasting tour highly recommended. 3 nights for the price of 2 for Deluxe rooms from 1 May - 24 June - price from £1,298, saving £441 3 night price from £1,476 all year

Offering style and elegance in the centre of Italy’s gastronomic capital, this historic inn dates back to the 13th century and has a beautiful atrium, 15th and 16th century frescoes and a wooden portico outside. It has a bar and 35 bedrooms, and is just a few minutes’ walk from some of our favourite local restaurants – speak to the Kirker Concierge for table reservations. 3 nights for the price of 2 until 29 Feb - price from £598, saving £116 3 night price from £876 from March - June

Salamanca

Douro Valley

Hacienda Zorita Wine Hotel & Spa **** Deluxe

Located on the Tormes river in the heart of one of the country’s principal wine regions, Ribera del Duero, Zorita was formerly a 14th century Dominican monastery and is now a stylish hotel and spa. There are 40 bedrooms, a restaurant, a summer plunge pool, an impressive spa in the old mill and an organic farm 20 minutes’ drive away. Ask about wine-tastings in the wonderful bodega. 4 nights for the price of 3 until 31 March - price from £659, saving £109 3 night price from £698 from 1 April onwards

Includes a 72hr Bologna Welcome Card

Quinta Nova Luxury Winery House **** Deluxe

This charming property is one of the oldest and most scenic wineries in the Douro region and is located on the northern side of the river just under two hours by car from Oporto. In the original manor house, as well as six bedrooms (there are just 11 in total) you will find two large living rooms with a bar, wine shop and the hotel’s renowned restaurant. There is a swimming pool and guests can explore the vineyards, learn about the winemaking process – and of course, sample the local red, white and port wines. 3 night price from £649, including a complimentary wine tasting

Grand Hotel du Palais Royal *****

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Paris

Valencia Ad Hoc Monumental *** Superior

As you would expect in the home of paella,Valencia’s cuisine is outstanding, and inland, the great rice fields, orange, olive, fig and almond groves stretch as far as the eye can see. Privately-owned with a delightful Colonial Spanish feel, the Ad Hoc Monumental is a classical 19th century building, located in a small street in the centre of Valencia. There are 28 bedrooms and a good restaurant. Ask the Kirker Concierge to reserve a table for lunch at one of the seafront paella restaurants. 3 nights for the price of 2 ½ all year - price from £489, saving £36

Perfectly located within a few minutes’ walk of the Louvre, this 18th century building has been restored to its former glory and combines classical architectural features with stylish, modern design.There are 68 bedrooms, a popular bar and an excellent restaurant. Paris is home to some of the finest gastronomic restaurants and traditional brasseries – ask the Kirker Concierge to reserve a table. 3 nights for the price of 2 from 3 Jan - 31 Mar - price from £798, saving £238 3 night price from £1,146 from 1 April onwards

Includes entrance to the City of Arts & Sciences

Includes a 48hr museum pass, Seine cruise and carnet of metro tickets

www.kirkerholidays.com

Short Break s by Rail Eurostar’s high-speed trains from London St Pancras and Ebbsfleet now travel direct to Lille, Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam, Lyon, Avignon and Marseille providing a convenient, hassle-free and very stylish alternative to flying – and with swift connections onto slick domestic trains in France, Germany, Holland and beyond, it is easier than ever to enjoy a short break by rail. Kirker’s expert team will ensure that you have reserved seats and a Kirker driver to meet you on arrival at your destination.

EUROSTAR™ STANDARD PREMIER UPGRADE We highly recommend travelling in Eurostar’s Standard Premier, which offers the comfort of first-class style seating and a light meal with a drink served at your seat – the perfect way to start your journey in style. Kirker offers special rates for upgrades from just £49 per person per way, but speak to our expert team for details of the latest special offers – including a complimentary upgrade for selected journeys between 21 January - 1 April when booked by 20 January 2020. Prices are per person and include Eurostar, rail tickets, transfers (excludes Bruges), accommodation with breakfast, Kirker Guide Notes and the services of the Kirker Concierge.

Lyon

Amsterdam

Cour Des Loges **** Superior

Ambassade **** Deluxe Rated as ‘one of the 100 best hotels in the world’, the Ambassade consists of 10 beautiful 17th century Dutch houses, overlooking the Herengracht and Singel canals. There are 58 bedrooms, a brasserie serving French cuisine and a Library Bar. Highly recommended. 3 night price from £1,059 until 4 April

Located in the heart of the historic old town, Cour des Loges is made up of four integrated houses that date from the 14th to 17th centuries. From the narrow streets you enter the spectacular threetiered inner courtyard which leads to a bar and an excellent Michelin–starred restaurant. There are 60 bedrooms, a brasserie style restaurant and a small Romanesque indoor swimming pool. 3 night price from £1,048 until 30 April

Includes entrance to the Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum

Includes a 48hr Lyon Card

Bordeaux

Bruges

Marseille

Burdigala **** Superior

The Pand **** Deluxe

NH Collection Marseille **** Superior

Taking the ancient Roman name for Bordeaux, this central hotel has a very modern approach. There are 82 bedrooms and the restaurant is located in an attractive glass-ceilinged atrium and serves classic local dishes with the famous local wines. Special offer for stays of 3 nights or more until 26 March - price from £898, saving £63 3 night price from £988 from 27 March - 11 May Includes entrance to the Cité du Vin

This beautifully restored 18th century mansion is just two minutes’ walk from the Market Square.The Pand has 26 bedrooms, a cosy bar, a stylish lounge and an attractive breakfast room where champagne breakfast is served and hot dishes are prepared on the AGA. 3 nights for the price of 2 for Sun - Tue arrivals until 31 Oct - price from £675, saving £160 4 nights for the price of 3 until 31 Mar - price from £839, saving £160 Transfers from Lille to hotel available on request. Includes a 72 hour museum pass

Eurostar’s direct service from London to Marseille takes 6 ½ hours. In the bustling area of La Joliette, this modern hotel is well placed to explore the rejuvenated centre of Marseille and is just 10 minutes’ walk from the popular old port area. There are 176 bedrooms, some with views across the city, a tapas restaurant and bar. 3 night price from £899 until 31 May and in September & October

Cologne

Paris

Excelsior Hotel Ernst *****

Pont Royal **** Superior

Perfectly situated in the heart of Cologne, in the tall shadow of the iconic cathedral, the Excelsior Ernst has been welcoming guests for 150 years. All 140 bedrooms are individually decorated and some overlook the cathedral. There are two restaurants, including the Michelinstarred ‘Taku’, an intimate piano bar, a health spa, a beauty salon and a fitness room.

3 night price from £948

Located in the heart of St. Germain-des-Prés, the Pont Royal is just five minutes’ walk from the river. This traditional hotel, renowned for its literary connections, has maintained its ‘club’ character and Parisien boutique style. The lobby, the Velin library lounge and the ‘Signature’ bar are sumptuously furnished, rich in mahogany and silks. The hotel has 75 comfortable bedrooms, a fitness centre, a massage room and a popular restaurant. 4 nights for the price of 3 until 10 May - price from £968, saving £180 Includes a 48hr museum pass, Seine cruise and a carnet of five Métro tickets

for expert advice & reservations call 020 7593 2283

Venice Simplon-Orient-E xpress travel in style on board the legendary luxury train

For those who wish to celebrate a special occasion in style, or if you simply feel tempted to treat yourselves to a thoroughly enjoyable and very comfortable journey, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is the ultimate choice. SPECIAL OFFER: SAVE UP TO £300 PER PERSON We are delighted to launch an exclusive new special offer for Kirker clients, valid for selected 2020 departures on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express journeys from Venice to London and London to Berlin, when booked by 31 January 2020. Valid for new bookings only

Venice to London

Depart UK: 6, 13, 20 & 27 April; 4, 11, 18 & 25 May and 3 & 10 August 2020 There has never been a better time to travel on the Venice Simplon-OrientExpress, now fully air-conditioned and with three exquisite new Grand Suites, the train transports you back to a bygone era when discerning travellers sought to travel in elegant style. Today guests can experience the highest levels of personal service, with delicious cuisine served in the three restaurant cars, combined with a private sleeper cabin and a Bar Car. The handsome livery of its sister train, the Belmond British Pullman and the immaculate carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, provide you with a unique and unforgettable experience (supplements for cabin suites on request). You leave Venice at approximately 11am, arriving into London Victoria the following evening at approximately 6pm.

Price from £2,842, saving £300 for a three night holiday. Includes flight from London to Venice, water taxi transfers, 2 nights’ accommodation with breakfast, entrance to the Doge’s Palace, one night on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice to London in a private cabin with all meals included (excluding drinks), Kirker Guide Notes, and the services of the Kirker Concierge. Ca’ Sagredo ***** Superior This historic palazzo on the Grand Canal dates from the 15th century. With only 42 bedrooms, a large proportion of the hotel is made up of wonderful public spaces including grand marble staircases and beautiful frescoed halls. There is an excellent restaurant with a panoramic terrace and an atmospheric bar.

Splendid **** Deluxe

Ca’ dei Conti **** Superior

Ideally located between St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge, the Splendid has 165 rooms with comfortable beds and restaurant ‘Le Maschere’, which offers a modern take on traditional Venetian recipes.

Located a five minute stroll from St. Mark’s Square, this former patrician Venetian palace has been transformed into a boutique hotel with 35 rooms. Public areas include a breakfast room, two halls for relaxing or enjoying a drink, plus a small outdoor terrace.

3 night holiday price from £3,086 per person in April & May, saving £300

3 night holiday price from £3,129 per person in April & May, saving £300

3 night holiday price from £2,909 per person in August, saving £300

3 night holiday price from £2,993 per person in August, saving £300

Includes a complimentary room upgrade

3 night holiday price from £2,926 per person in April & May, saving £300 3 night holiday price from £2,842 per person in August, saving £300

London to Berlin

Departs UK on 11 June 2020 This new journey has become a popular alternative to the classic route over the last two years – linking London with Berlin via the countryside of the Rhineland and historic Saxony – with the same journey time as the route to Venice. Departing from London on board the British Pullman, you will enjoy brunch and bellinis, before crossing the channel to board the gleaming wagons-lit of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for a delicious four-course dinner as you pass through Paris. The next morning you will continue through picturesque rural scenery before arriving in Berlin in the evening, where you will be whisked to the NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstraße – the perfect base from which to explore the fascinating museums and galleries, the Reichstag and the elegant shops of Friedrichstrasse. Price from £2,766 per person for a three night holiday, saving £257 Price includes one night on board the train, two nights’ accommodation with breakfast staying at the 4* NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstraße, private transfers, a 72 hour Berlin Museum Pass, one way flight from Berlin to London, Kirker Guide Notes and the services of the Kirker Concierge.

www.kirkerholidays.com

K i r ker C l as sics in Italy & Spain The Belmond collection includes some of the most famous historic hotels in Europe – each carefully restored to its original splendour and offering the highest levels of service. Some of our favourites include the elegant Belmond Villa San Michele overlooking Florence and the Belmond Hotel Caruso, set high above the spectacular Amalfi Coast. Prices are per person and include flights, transfers, accommodation with breakfast, Kirker Guide Notes and the services of the Kirker Concierge.

Ravello

Portofino

Belmond Hotel Caruso ***** Deluxe

Belmond Hotel Splendido ***** Deluxe

The Caruso family purchased this property in the late 1800s and within years it was attracting guests from all over the globe. Located high in the heart of Ravello, with breathtaking views of the Amalfi coastline, there are 50 bedrooms, a gastronomic restaurant and an outdoor summer infinity pool. 3 night price from £1,198 in low season 4 nights for the price of 3 from 24 April - 11 May & 11 - 21 October - price from £1,598, saving £398

Perched high on a hillside above Portofino, Belmond Hotel Splendido is one of the world’s greatest hotels and offers impeccable service amid terraced gardens filled with pine trees and olive groves.There are 70 bedrooms, a heated seawater pool and the restaurant, with its outdoor terrace, must be one of the most beautiful in the world. 4 nights for the price of 3 from 9 April 5 May & 27 September - 28 October - price from £1,876, saving £498

Venice

Florence

Belmond Hotel Cipriani ***** Deluxe

Belmond Villa San Michele ***** Deluxe

Located on the Giudecca island, five minutes’ from St. Mark’s Square by private launch, the Belmond Hotel Cipriani is the most famous hotel in Venice. There are 96 bedrooms, a gastronomic restaurant, the extremely popular ‘Cips’ restaurant and a heated open-air seawater swimming pool. 4 nights for the price of 3 from 20 Mar 26 Apr & 1 Oct - 4 Nov - price from £2,398, saving £598

Located on the hillside below the small town of Fiesole, this 15th century former monastery offers breathtaking views of the city below. There are 45 bedrooms, terraced gardens, the renowned Loggia restaurant, and a beautiful heated outdoor summer swimming pool. 3 night price from £1,848 4 nights for the price of 3 from 1 Aug 23 Sep - price from £1,798, saving £498

Includes Doge’s Palace, Accademia or Guggenheim tickets and water taxi transfers

Includes tickets to the Uffizi Gallery, Accademia or Bargello

Mallorca

Tuscany

Belmond La Residencia ***** Deluxe

Belmond Castello Di Casole ***** Deluxe

Located on the outskirts of the village of Deia in the Tramuntana Mountains, this property has been created from two historic manor houses with 71 elegant bedrooms. There are two outdoor swimming pools, an indoor pool and spa and restaurant ‘El Olivo’, where delicious Mediterranean dishes are served in a 17thcentury olive mill. Excellent value. 3 night price from £1,098 in low season 5 nights for the price of 4 from 1 - 25 May & 27 Sep - 13 Oct - price from £1,675, saving £320

This is Tuscany’s most luxurious rural retreat, located close to the hill towns of Mensano and Casole d’Elsa. Parts of the original castello date back to the 10th century and renovations have carefully preserved the sense of history and tradition. There are 39 spacious suites, a gastronomic restaurant, an excellent bar and a magnificent infinity swimming pool. 4 nights for the price of 3 from 27 March 28 May - price from £1,298, saving £298

Taormina, Sicily Belmond’s two Sicilian properties are located in the elegant resort of Taormina, not far from the island’s iconic volcano. Whether you stay at the Belmond Villa Sant’ Andrea on the beach, or the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina town, guests can use the facilities of both properties. Belmond Villa Sant’ Andrea ***** Deluxe

Overlooking its own private pebble beach, this handsome building has been completely restored to its original splendour, with 71 elegant bedrooms overlooking the gardens or the bay. There is a heated swimming pool, an excellent bar and a renowned restaurant with seaside terrace. Taormina town can be reached in a few minutes by cable car (or complimentary shuttle). 3 night price from £998 in low season 5 nights for the price of 4 from 24 Apr 24 May & 28 Sep - 11 Oct - price from £1,098, sving £420

Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo ***** Deluxe

Sicily’s finest deluxe property sits proudly alongside the Greek Theatre and is furnished throughout with beautiful antiques. There is a summer swimming pool, an excellent bar and restaurant offering spectacular views over the Bay of Naxos and Mount Etna. The 71 bedrooms are located either in the main building or next door in the Villa Flora. 5 nights for the price of 4: 16 Mar - 1 Apr - price from £1,598, saving £320 6 Apr - 10 May - price from £1,786, saving £380

for expert advice & reservations call 020 7593 2283

Pers onal Favourites Our expert reservations consultants regularly travel to a wide range of destinations to visit hotels and research museums, galleries and restaurants, so that we can offer the most up-to-date advice and recommendations. For the latest destination reports visit www.kirkerholidays.com, or call us for first-hand advice – 020 7593 2283. Prices are per person and include flights, transfers, accommodation with breakfast, Kirker Guide Notes and the services of the Kirker Concierge.

Tallinn

Montpellier

by Harry Richmond harry.richmond@kirkerholidays.com The UNESCO protected centre of Tallinn shows many signs of its various overlords throughout its chequered history – most notably through the distinctive Germanic buildings with steep-gabled roofs surrounding the town square. This Hanseatic influence has crept into the place names of city, such as the delightful 13th century hotel Schlössle located in a cobbled side street. Guests can warm themselves by the large stone fireplace in winter months and enjoy hearty Nordic inspired cuisine in the snug basement Stenhus restaurant. For those wishing to follow the city’s seafaring routes further might enjoy a trip to the Lennusadam Maritime Museum or perhaps a day’s excursion across the Baltic Sea by ferry to Helsinki. Tallinn is perfect to combine with Riga and Vilnius. 3 night price from £678 (low season) or £776 (high season) staying at the 5* Hotel Telegraaf

by Mark Harwood mark.harwood@kirkerholidays.com Montpellier, best-known for its splendid Musée Fabre, neo-classical architecture and food markets, is also a great destination for opera aficionados who are looking for an alternative to Vienna, Milan or Venice. Only 10km from the Mediterranean coastline, Montpellier is the perfect destination for those looking to combine a city break with a beach nearby - one of my favourite beaches in the area is Plage de l’Espiguette. During my visit, I stayed at the Grand Hotel du Midi which is situated on the main square, Place de la Comédie, and next door to the Opera house. The hotel is decorated in art-deco style with classical touches. Ask for details of the opera programme. 3 night price from £576 (low season) or £678 (high season) staying at the 4* superior Grand Hotel du Midi

Amalfi Coast by Charlotte Phillips charlotte.phillips@kirkerholidays.com The Amalfi coast is a wish-list destination for many, and I am no exception. We arrived in the picturesque town of Positano, and stayed in the 4* Hotel Poseidon, located towards the top of the town with wonderful views from its terrace. Our next stop was Amalfi, formerly one of the most important trading ports in Southern Italy, it is now a small town with small cafés, shops and a small beach. My new favourite 5* hotel, the Santa Caterina, offers an oasis of calm a short drive from the town centre. Often overlooked, a visit to Ravello is not to be missed either. Set high in the hills above Amalfi, the air in Ravello feels fresh and cool compared with the coast. 3 night price from £1,098 staying at the 5* Hotel Santa Caterina

Croatia by Rachel Pennycook

rachel.pennycook@kirkerholidays.com Our Croatian adventure began in Dubrovnik, which is best explored on foot. On our private guided tour, we learnt about the rich history of the city. A walk to the top of the ancient walls offered wonderful views over the Adriatic and old town. We also spent a day in Montenegro, visiting the towns of Perast and Kotor. Our holiday ended in Split, home to Emperor Diocletian’s palace. Built in the 4th century, the palace forms roughly half of the city. Much like Dubrovnik, Split is a great base for day trips, and one of the best, in my opinion, is a trip to the Krka waterfalls. 7 night price from £1,566 (low season) or £2,298 (high season) including three nights at the 4* deluxe Hotel Bellevue in Dubrovnik and four nights at the 4* superior Hotel Marmont in Split

St. Petersburg

Istanbul

by Halina Farthing

by Emma Morgan

halina.farthing@kirkerholidays.com Russia has long been a classic destination for discerning travellers but my recent trip to St Petersburg helped me to fully appreciate its attraction. Our base was Rocco Forte’s Astoria, ideally located a stone’s throw from St Isaac’s Cathedral. No trip to St Petersburg is complete without a visit to the Hermitage Museum, where our private guide enabled us to enter before the doors opened to the public. Highlights included visits to the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, the Fabergé museum and Pushkin, to see Catherine’s Summer Palace. Our final evening was spent at the ballet, where we saw a performance of Cinderella at the Mikhailovsky theatre – speak to the Kirker Concierge for details. 4 nights for the price of 3 staying at the Hotel Astoria (5* Deluxe) from 1 January - 30 April - price from £1,268, saving £128 3 night price from £1,376 from 1 May onwards Prices include Russian visa service

isabel.whitley@kirkerholidays.com emma.morgan@kirkerholidays.com Recently I enjoyed a week in Turkey, finishing in Istanbul. Located on the Bosphorus, this is a city where Europe meets Asia and at every turn you are met with an array of vivid colours and scents – both the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market proved to be great places to get lost whilst shopping for local products (don’t forget to haggle). Our base was the wonderful Romance Hotel (4* Deluxe), located in the Sultanahmet district. The best way to explore this area is on foot, in the company of an expert local guide who will bring to life the brilliance and opulence of the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Blue Mosque. As I am the company’s designer, for reservations I can highly recommend you speaking to my colleague and Turkey expert, Isabel Whitley. 3 night price from £976 (low season) or £1,066 (high season) staying at the 4* deluxe Romance Hotel

www.kirkerholidays.com

Mult i- C entre holid ays With the advice of a Kirker expert, a multi-centre holiday can often seem more than the sum of its parts, and with many of our favourite destinations now linked by efficient high-speed rail networks, it is easier than ever to travel from one place to another. Each price is per person and includes return flights, transfers, rail tickets or car hire, accommodation with breakfast as described and the services of the Kirker Concierge to arrange museum entrance tickets, opera tickets, private guides and table reservations as required.

Côte d’Azur: St-Paul-de-Vence & Menton Discover the unique light, spectacular views and delightful microclimate which tempted artists to this stretch of coastline from the late 19th century onwards. Flying into Nice, you will be transferred to Le Mas de Pierre in the artists’ village of St Paul de Vence, home to art galleries, cafés and excellent restaurants. After a three night stay, you will then be whisked to Menton, almost on the Italian border, where you can enjoy exquisite seafood, exotic gardens and excellent beaches. Price from £1,086 (low season) or £1,876 (high season) for seven nights including private transfers throughout, and three nights accommodation at Le Mas de Pierre (4* Deluxe) in St-Paulde-Vence and four nights at the Hotel Napoleon in Menton (4* Superior).

Vienna & Salzburg Vienna, one-time capital of the great Habsburg Empire, is an outstanding destination for the discerning traveller – the Kunsthistorisches houses one of the world’s most important art collections, the Belvedere Palace displays an unrivalled collection of works by Gustav Klimt and the Albertina includes works by Dürer, Monet and Picasso.The State Opera, Spanish Riding School, Schönbrunn Palace and Vienna Boys Choir are all highly recommended. A high-speed rail journey of 2 hours 30 minutes transports you to Salzburg, home of Mozart.The 900 year old fortress sits above a charming mediaeval Old Town and is surrounded by a stunning mountainous backdrop. Price from £1,148 (low season) or £1,249 (high season) for six nights including first class rail between cities, three nights accommodation at the Hotel Altstadt (4*) in Vienna, entrance to the Kunsthistorisches and Leopold Museums, and three nights accommodation at the Auersperg (4* Superior) in Salzburg.

Madrid & Castille The political, cultural and historic heart of Spain, the Castille region surrounds the capital and includes some of the country’s most fascinating small towns and cities – from Segovia with its striking clifftop castle and monumental Roman aqueduct, to the golden-hued university city of Salamanca. Spend a week exploring the region by car – the roads here are immaculate and easy to drive – beginning in Madrid where you can enjoy world-class art and authentic tapas bars. Price from £1,098 (low season) or £1,280 (high season) for seven nights including car hire throughout, three nights accommodation at Emperador (4*) in Madrid, entrance to the Prado, Thyssen and Reina Sofia, two nights accommodation at the Palacio San Facundo (4*) in Segovia and 2 nights accommodation at the Rector (4* Deluxe) in Salamanca.

Bologna, Parma & Ravenna The Emilia-Romagna region is the cultural, geographic and gastronomic heart of Italy. Fly to Milan and stay for two nights before travelling by train to Bologna, where you will enjoy revered culinary delicacies, historic universities, Renaissance art and ancient monuments. This is also the perfect base from which to visit the fascinating nearby cities of Parma, home of parmigiano and prosciutto (speak to the Kirker Concierge to arrange a tasting), and Ravenna, for world-class mosaics and seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ask for opera details in Parma. Price from £1,898 (low season) or £2,346 (high season) for seven nights including rail between cities, two nights accommodation in Milan and five nights accommodation at the Hotel Corona d’Oro (4* Superior) in Bologna.

Ravenna

Warsaw & Kraków

Dublin & Cork

One of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Kraków’s old town showcases stunning examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and art nouveau architecture. Highlights include Wawel Castle, the Cloth Hall at the centre of Europe’s largest mediaeval town square and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of St Mary’s Basilica. While Kraków was relatively undamaged during WWII, Warsaw was less fortunate, however much of the old town has been carefully rebuilt and wandering through its cobbled streets you will find the Baroque Royal Palace, the Gothic Cathedral of St John and the serene parks of Łazienki and Wilanów Palace. Speak to the Kirker Concierge for advice on opera and concert tickets in each city. Price from £1,168 (low season) or £1,276 (high season) for six nights including rail between cities, three nights accommodation at the Copernicus (4* Deluxe) in Krakow and three nights accommodation at Le Regina (4* Deluxe) in Warsaw.

Spend the first three nights in the Irish capital, where you can explore Trinity College and the National Museum of Ireland, the literary and music pubs of Temple Bar, and the elegant Georgian squares and terraces. Then head south - perhaps taking the scenic drive through the Wicklow Mountains - to the ‘Rebel City’ of Cork, located on one of the world’s largest natural harbours. It was at nearby Cobh that the Titanic made its final passenger stop before the doomed Atlantic voyage, and the excellent museum here is worth a visit. Stay in Cork itself at the impeccable Hayfield Manor and visit the famous English Market with its tempting array of local produce.

Price from £1,398 (low season) or £1,796 (high season) for six nights including car hire, three nights accommodation at the Merrion (5* Deluxe) in Dublin and three nights accommodation at Hayfield Manor (5*) in Cork.

for expert advice & reservations call 020 7593 2283

Mult i- C entr e holid ays Kirker will book 1st class rail tickets and seat reservations, as well as private car transfers to meet you at each station and take you to your hotel – or alternatively, ask about car hire to give you the freedom to explore independently (with Kirker maps and Guide Notes to help you along the way). Each price is per person and includes return flights, transfers, rail tickets or car hire, accommodation with breakfast as described and the services of the Kirker Concierge to arrange museum entrance tickets, opera and ballet tickets, private guides and table reservations as required.

St. Petersburg & Moscow

Berlin & Dresden

Combine Russia’s two great cities in this tailor-made itinerary which includes expert local guides in each city and first-class travel on the high-speed Sapsan train between the two. Stay at the 4* Superior Hotel Angleterre in St Petersburg for the first four nights, and enjoy the city’s exceptional collection of museums, palaces and galleries from the Hermitage’s awe-inspiring collection to the ornate Church on the Spilled Blood and the grand palaces which line the River Neva. After a swift four hour rail journey to the Russian capital, you can explore the Kremlin and its spectacular Armoury, from your base at the 5* Hotel Baltschug Kempinski. Price from £1,998 (low season) or £2,399 (high season) for seven nights including rail between cities, four nights accommodation at the Angleterre (4* Superior) in St Petersburg and three nights accommodation at the Kempinski Baltschug (5* Deluxe) in Moscow.

These two fascinating German cities combine very well thanks to the 2 hour direct train connection.Vibrant Berlin is a modern, cosmopolitan city which is constantly changing but its cultural highlights remain the same – the wonderful collections of the Museum Island, the Old Masters at the Gemäldegalerie and the recently renovated State Opera. Dresden, known as the Florence of the Elbe, is a somewhat quieter and more compact city but with its immaculately restored Baroque architecture is no less impressive. The Semperoper is one of the world’s most renowned opera houses and the Dresden State Art Collections showpiece a treasure trove of masterpieces. Price from £1,376 (low season) or £1,468 (high season) for six nights including three nights accommodation at the Hotel De Rome (5* Deluxe) in Berlin, rail between cities, a Berlin Museum Pass and three nights accommodation at the Kempinski Taschenbergpalais (5* Deluxe) in Dresden.

Copenhagen & Stockholm

Zurich & Lucerne

Two of Scandinavia’s most elegant capitals, Copenhagen and Stockholm are both situated on islands, and defined by canals and waterways which make them particularly attractive cities to explore. Linked by high-speed train, you can easily combine the two in a tailor-made holiday. Copenhagen is home to a number of excellent museums, galleries and palaces; including The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, with its collection of 19th and 20th century sculptures and French Impressionist paintings and the Amalienborg Palace, which is still home to the royal family. In Stockholm visit the wonderful Vasa Museum, the Royal Palace, the Nationalmuseum, which reopened a year ago after an extensive renovation, or venture further afield to the Royal Palace of Drottningholm.

Linked by Switzerland’s fast and reliable rail network these two cities combine effortlessly for a two-centre holiday. Zurich is the metropolitan heart of the country, with a fine selection of hotels, restaurants, cafés and shops set around an historic old town on Lake Zurich. Cultural highlights include the Reitberg Museum and the Kunsthaus, which is home to works by Monet, Picasso, Matisse and Giacometti. The opera house is one of Europe’s finest, please contact the Kirker Concierge for details of the new season. Lucerne is perhaps Switzerland’s most beautiful lakeside city, famous for its charming mediaeval old town and Chapel Bridge.

Price from £1,886 (low season) or £2,048 (high season) for six nights including rail between cities, three nights accommodation at the 71 Nyhavn (4* Superior) in Copenhagen and three nights accommodation at the Victory (4* Deluxe) in Stockholm.

Istanbul & Cappadocia The Bosphorus has always been the frontier between Europe and the East and Istanbul’s eclectic sites reflect every era of history. Hagia Sofia built as a Byzantine church has been a mosque and now a secular museum; excellent meze restaurants sit alongside ancient monuments to civilisation at every turn. No city is as old as the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, sculpted since the last ice age. The UNESCO-protected rupestral sanctuary of Göreme, and underground Kaymaklı, sheltered early Christians but the region is equally renowned for its rugged natural beauty and walking in the near-endless valleys remains popular. Price from £1,798 (low season) or £2,099 (high season) for five nights including three nights accommodation at the Romance Hotel Istanbul (4* Deluxe), Private transfers, flights between Istanbul and Cappadocia, two nights accommodation at the Argos Hotel, 2 full day private tours in Cappadocia and a Turkish visa.

Price from £1,598 for six nights including rail between cities, three nights accommodation at the Ambassador à l’Opéra (4* Superior) in Zurich and three nights accommodation at the Des Balances (4* Deluxe) in Lucerne.

Basilicata: Matera & Maratea Although Basilicata offers wonderfully unspoiled landscapes and fascinating ancient history, it remains one of the most undiscovered and authentic regions of Italy. Fly to Bari in the east and drive inland to Matera (45 mins), a UNESCO World Heritage site and European Capital of Culture for 2019, one of the oldest inhabited cities in Europe. A scenic three-hour drive south west through the Appenine Mountains takes you to the beautiful hillside town of Maratea – the ‘Pearl of the Tyrrhenian’ and the perfect base to explore pristine coastal scenery. The drive from here to Naples airport takes two and a half hours – you might wish to stop at the magnificent ancient Greek temples at Paestum. Price from £1,576 (low season) or £1,978 (high season) for seven nights including car hire throughout, four nights accommodation at Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita (4* Superior) in Matera and three nights accommodation at La Locanda Della Donne Monache (4* Superior) in Maratea.

www.kirkerholidays.com

C onc ierge Highlights All Kirker clients are encouraged to speak to the Kirker Concierge in our London office for tips and advice on local restaurants, the latest exhibitions and tickets for opera, ballet or concert performances which must be booked in advance. These two pages include the Kirker Concierge’s top suggestions for 2020, including upcoming exhibitions and anniversaries, as well as some timeless recommendations which should be on every discerning traveller’s wish list. Prices are per person and include flights (Eurostar for Paris), transfers, accommodation with breakfast, entrance to the exhibitions described, Kirker Guide Notes and the services of the Kirker Concierge.

Museums & Exhibitions

Rijksmuseum - Amsterdam ‘Caravaggio-Bernini. Baroque in Rome’ from 14 February - 7 June 2020 At the beginning of the 17th century, Rome was at the centre of a new artistic development which quickly spread throughout the rest of Europe. At the forefront were the sculptors Bernini (15981680), and Caravaggio (1571-1610). This magnificent exhibition will present more than sixty works in total studying the influence of these two artists on others.

Palazzo Bonaparte - Rome ‘Secret Impressionists’ until 8 March 2020 Palazzo Bonaparte, once the home of Napoleon’s mother, has been converted into a new exhibition space which launches with an exhibition of 50 Impressionist works from important private collections, including paintings by Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Pissarro, Sisley, Gauguin and Signac, most of which have rarely been seen in public. 3 nights for the price of 2 until 6 March staying at the 4* deluxe d’Inghilterra - price from £698, saving £159

3 night price from £876, staying at the 5* deluxe Hotel Pulitzer Includes entrance to the Rijksmuseum

Includes entrance to the Palazzo Bonaparte

Albertina - Vienna

Museum of Fine Arts - Ghent

‘Van Gogh, Cézanne, Matisse, Hodler. The Hahnloser Collection’ from 22 February - 24 May 2020

‘Van Eyck: An Optical Revolution’ from 1 February - 30 April 2020

This exhibition provides a unique opportunity to see more than 120 works from the collection built by Arthur Hahnloser (1870-1936) and his wife Hedy Hahnloser-Buhler (1873-1952), which soon became one of the world’s most important. The paintings come from the collections of two Swiss galleries – the Kunst Museum, Bern and the Kunstmuseum, Winterthur.

Le Café de nuit, 1888 Vincent van Gogh

4 nights for the price of 3 from 5 Jan - 31 Mar and 1 Jul - 31 Aug staying at the 4* deluxe Konig Von Ungarn - price from £768, saving £149

During 2020 Ghent will be celebrating the work of its most famous son, Jan Van Eyck, with a series of events revolving around his masterpiece ‘The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’. The outer panels of this 15th-century altarpiece will return to the MSK where they were painstakingly restored between 2012 and 2016 and will form the centrepiece of the largest exhibition of works by Van Ecyk ever to be shown. 3 night price from £678, staying at the 4* deluxe Hotel Harmony

Includes entrance to the Albertina

Includes entrance to the Museum of Fine Arts

Sporting Events

Monaco Historic Grand Prix

Rugby in Rome

In contrast to the more famous Formula 1 race, the Monaco Historic Grand Prix is a more sedate – and perhaps more civilised affair. Using the same Grand Prix circuit, it takes place two weeks earlier, over the weekend of 9/10 May 2020, and involves a series of different events including competitive races for racing cars from the 1950s, 60s and 70s as well as parades and displays of prewar vehicles.

The 2020 Six Nations championship includes two of the home nations playing Italy in Rome, Scotland on 22 February and England on 14 March. A weekend in Rome at this time of year is a wonderful experience, and can easily be combined with tickets for the match at the Stadio Olimpico, Italy’s national stadium – speak to the Kirker Concierge for prices and availability, not to mention details of our private guided visits to the Vatican and Borghese.

3 night price from £1,678, staying at the 5* Fairmont Monte Carlo Price excludes tickets - please speak to the Kirker Concierge for prices and availability

3 night price from £1,598, staying at the 4* superior Hotel Kolbe Includes entrance to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel or the Villa Borghese

for expert advice & reservations call 020 7593 2283

C onc ierge Highlights Whatever your interest, we would be delighted to help – whether with a walking tour in the company of an expert local guide, timed entrance tickets to the latest exhibition or a new museum, or perhaps tickets for an opera, ballet or concert performance. Prices are per person and include flights, transfers, accommodation with breakfast, Kirker Guide Notes and the services of the Kirker Concierge.

Flora & Fauna

The Camargue

Reykjavik, Iceland

One of Europe’s most unspoiled wild regions, The Camargue is home to a great diversity of species including the endemic Camargue horse and distinctive Camargue black bull. Stay at Le Mas de Peint (4* Superior), a working cattle and rice farm, set in a 500 hectare estate dating back to the 17th century, and enjoy bird watching, horseriding, jeep safaris into the reserve and walking. There are just 11 beautifully converted bedrooms, cosy lounges with open fireplaces, and a restaurant – food is fresh, locally sourced and delicious. Highly recommended.

Iceland attracts both migrating whales and rare sea birds during summer including the iconic puffin, which can be seen nesting in vast numbers on the islands of Akurey and Lunday, just a short boat journey from the centre of Reykjavik. We recommend staying in the city and taking excursions from here – the Hotel Borg (4* Superior), is in an unbeatable location within walking distance of the harbour for whale and puffin watching trips. Longer tailor-made itineraries also available.

3 night price from £798, staying at the 4* superior Le Mas de Peint

3 night price from £1,436, staying at the 4* superior Hotel Borg

Andalucia

Gozo

The Coto Doñana National Park is a vast wetland wilderness which is home to a variety of endemic species from the rare Iberian Lynx to wild breeds of ancient horse, as well as some fascinating migratory birds. Hacienda de San Rafael is a delightful country house hotel located a short drive from the National Park, and our good friends the Reid family are excellent hosts. They have converted the farmhouse into a small, luxurious hotel with 11 bedrooms set around a flowerfilled courtyard, with a dining room, gardens, and an open-air swimming pool. Early morning wildlife excursions recommended.

Malta’s tiny sister island of Gozo is less than five miles across but retains a remarkable diversity of maquis flora, thanks in part to its relative lack of development compared with its larger neighbour. The Hotel Ta’ Cenc is a comfortable retreat amid 160 hectares of gardens and countryside stretching to the dramatic cliffs on the island’s south coast where you will find megalithic ruins, wild orchids and important nesting sites for seabirds.

3 night price from £886, staying at the Hacienda de San Rafael (a deluxe country house hotel)

3 night price from £728, staying at the 4* deluxe Ta Cenc

Opera & Music

Beethoven in Vienna

Berlin Staatsoper

2020 marks the 250th birthday of one of the world’s most celebrated composers and Vienna, where he worked for an important period, will celebrate the anniversary with a host of special events including a new exhibition at the Beethoven Museum, concerts at the Wiener Konzerthaus and productions of his sole opera Fidelio at both the State Opera and the Theater an der Wien where it premiered in 1805.

After a majestic reopening in 2017, the Berlin State Opera continues to impress audiences with its full and varied schedule, high quality productions – and excellent value for money, thanks in part to a generous state subsidy. This spring sees performances of Carmen by Bizet, Cosi fan Tutte and The Magic Flute by Mozart and Rossini’s Barber of Seville. Stay at the Hotel De Rome, just 200m from the opera house.

3 night price from £616, staying at the 4* superior Hotel Altstadt

Includes entrance to the Kunsthistorisches & Leopold museums

3 nights for the price of 2 for stays including a Sunday: 1 Jan - 30 Apr - price from £669, saving £186 1 May - 30 Jun - price from £748, saving £201 Includes a 72hr Museum Pass including entrance to the Gemäldegalerie

www.kirkerholidays.com

Kirk er C l assics in Italy The Italian hotel group Baglioni manage some of our favourite hotels in the cities of Venice, Rome, Florence and Milan, as well as a boutique resort on the Tuscan Coast. They include historic landmarks such as the Luna in Venice, which is the oldest hotel in the city, and the Art Deco Hotel Regina on Rome’s prestigious Via Veneto. Each hotel is individually designed and furnished, and has an excellent restaurant which specialises in Italian regional cuisine – and Kirker clients combining a stay at two or more properties will benefit from very special offers. All are perfect for opera – just ask the Kirker Concierge for details. Prices are per person and include flights, private transfers, accommodation with breakfast, Kirker Guide Notes and the services of the Kirker Concierge.

Milan

Venice Baglioni Hotel Luna ***** Deluxe

Located a stone’s throw from the entrance to the Grand Canal and Piazza San Marco, the Luna is the city’s most historic hotel. There are 118 sumptuous bedrooms and a wonderful gastronomic restaurant. Breakfast is served in the magnificent former ballroom. 3 nights for the price of 2 until 13 Feb - price from £764, saving £172 3 night price from £829 from 24 Feb - 9 Apr 4 nights for the price of 3 from 10 Apr 29 Apr - price from £1,238, saving £269

Baglioni Hotel Carlton ***** Superior

Located between Milan’s two principal fashion streets, this classical mansion is perfectly situated for exploring the city. The Carlton retains an intimate atmosphere, with rich brocade fabrics and antique furnishings decorating 92 comfortable bedrooms. The famous ‘Baretto’ gastronomic restaurant, the ‘Terrazza’ and ‘Caffè Baglioni’ which overlooks the interior garden are also decorated in the same classic style. 3 nights for the price of 2 until 10 Feb - price from £728, saving £229 3 nights for the price of 2 from 25 Feb - 19 Apr & 27 Apr - 2 Aug - price from £786, saving £252

Includes Doge’s Palace, Accademia or Guggenheim tickets and water taxi transfers

Includes entrance to the Brera Gallery

Rome

Florence Baglioni Relais Santa Croce ***** Superior

Located in a quiet neighbourhood in the mediaeval heart of Florence and just 50 metres from Santa Croce Basilica, this Palazzo was built in the early 1700s by Marquis Baldinucci. All 24 bedrooms are beautifully decorated; many overlook the city’s skyline.The elegant ‘Guelfi e Ghibellini’ restaurant combines traditional Tuscan recipes with contemporary flair. 3 nights for the price of 2: Until 4 March - price from £768, saving £229 5 March - 8 April - price from £846, saving £264 Includes entrance to the Uffizi Gallery or Accademia

Baglioni Hotel Regina ***** Superior

This most stylish hotel combines classical architecture and Art Deco furnishings with some wonderful designer elements. Located on the via Veneto, it has a more relaxed, homely feel than many of its rivals.The ‘Brunello’ restaurant serves modern Mediterranean cuisine and the 103 comfortable and spacious bedrooms will appeal to lovers of Art Deco style. 3 nights for the price of 2 until 12 March - price from £724, saving £217 4 nights for the price of 3 from 13 March - 30 April - price from £998, saving £241 Includes entrance to the Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel or the Villa Borghese

Venice, Florence & Rome The classic Italian trilogy combines the three great cities of Venice, Florence and Rome in one tailor-made holiday, which takes you through Renaissance, Classical and Baroque architecture, exceptional art galleries and magnificent churches ranging from the Basilica of St Mark in Venice to Brunelleschi’s Duomo in Florence and the vast dome of St Peter’s in Rome. Kirker clients receive complimentary entrance tickets to the most important sights in each city – the Doge’s Palace in Venice, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in Rome – where you will skip the queues and enjoy some of the world’s most astonishing works of art by Tintoretto, Leonardo, Botticelli, Raphael and Michelangelo, to name just a few. With high-speed intercity trains, these three cities can easily be incorporated in a holiday of about a week – but stay during low season, and you can stay nine nights for the price of six, with three free nights, saving £698 Low season price from £2,398 per person for nine nights until 8 April and from 26 July - 27 August, saving up to £700 High season price from £2,896 per person for six nights in May & June and September & October

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Flight to Venice and back from Rome • Private transfers throughout • First-class rail between cities • Two or three nights’ accommodation with breakfast at the Luna Baglioni,Venice (5* Superior)

• Two or three nights’ accommodation with

breakfast at the Baglioni Relais Santa Croce, Florence (5* Deluxe)

• Two or three nights’ accommodation with

breakfast at the Baglioni Hotel Regina, Rome (5* Superior)

• A complimentary dinner in each property • Entrance tickets to the Doge’s Palace, Uffizi Gallery and Vatican Museum

• Speak to the Kirker Concierge for details of opera and concert performances in each city or to book a private guided walking tour

for expert advice & reservations call 020 7593 2283

C a nal & River Cruises Whilst many Kirker clients prefer to avoid the vast modern cruise ships, for a relaxing way to travel from A to B, whilst enjoying fine food and wine and beautiful scenery - a journey on one of these selected boutique vessels might be the perfect solution. We can create tailor-made holidays to include a cruise through the major rivers of Europe or a gentle meander through the canals and waterways of France and Italy on a luxury hotel barge. Each itinerary includes return flights, transfers, rail tickets or car hire, accommodation with breakfast as described and the services of the Kirker Concierge to arrange entrance tickets, private guides and table reservations as required.

River Cruises

A TASTE OF BORDEAUX AN EIGHT NIGHT HOLIDAY | 17 JUNE 2020 Wine capital of the world, Bordeaux has returned to the top of many discerning travellers’ wish lists in recent years. Positioned on the Garonne River, Bordeaux is surrounded by some of the most famous wine regions in France. Flanking the two rivers, these areas are best explored from the water, and this cruise will take you to Sauternes, Paulliac, St Emilion and Fronsac, including a number of wine-tastings at highly-regarded vineyards. There will also be opportunities to visit prehistoric caves, charming bastide towns and elegant châteaux. Prices start from £3,328 for an eight night holiday, saving £400 including flights, transfers, a 7 night river cruise on board AmaDolce including all meals and wine, one night at the Burdigala Hotel (4*) in Bordeaux and entrance to the Cité du Vin.

THE DANUBE

THE RHINE: AMSTERDAM TO BASEL AN EIGHT NIGHT HOLIDAY | 2 NOVEMBER 2020 Carving a path from the Swiss Alps along the French border, through west Germany and into the North Sea, the Rhine is one of Europe’s great rivers. This holiday follows its course upstream from the canals of Amsterdam, through the castles and cathedrals of Germany, the vineyard-clad slopes and mediaeval towns of Alsace, and the majestic Rhine Gorge, as far as the Swiss border. Finish your holiday with a night in the art capital of Switzerland, Basel, home to 40 galleries and museums. Prices start from £2,489 for an eight night holiday, saving £1,000 including flights, transfers, a 7 night river cruise on board AmaStella including all meals and wine and one night in the Gaia Hotel (4*) in Basel.

THE MAIN & RHINE

AN EIGHT NIGHT HOLIDAY | 1 AUGUST 2020

AN EIGHT NIGHT HOLIDAY | 17 SEPTEMBER 2020

The Danube is one of Europe’s most important and majestic rivers, and this itinerary includes a journey through four of Central Europe’s magnificent capital cities: Budapest, Prague,Vienna and Bratislava. As well as the grand Imperial architecture and great museums and galleries of the former Habsburg Empire, you will glide through the glorious scenery of the Danube Valley including mediaeval castles, dramatic gorges and the rolling Wachau vineyards.

Sail along the Main-Rhine Canal, visiting the charming riverside towns and vibrant cities of Germany. Highlights include the mediaeval towns of Bamberg and Würzburg, home to Baroque architecture and the UNESCO World Heritage protected Würzburg Residenz. In Cologne, visit the city’s magnificent Cathedral before reaching Amsterdam, one of Europe’s most picturesque capitals.

Prices start from £3,199 per person for an eight night holiday, saving £750 including flights, transfers, a 7 night river cruise on board AmaMagna including all meals and wine, one night at the Prestige Hotel (4* Superior) in Budapest and a private walking tour.

Prices start from £3,168 for an eight night holiday, saving £400 including flights, transfers, a 7 night river cruise on board AmaDante including all meals and wine and one night in the NH Collection Hotel (3*) in Nuremberg.

Boutique Barge Cruises

Canal du Midi

Venice to Mantua

Dating back to the 17th century and featuring the oldest canal tunnel in the world, the Canal du Midi now enjoys the protection of UNESCO World Heritage status.This part of the country is dotted with mediaeval castles and ancient Roman relics, and the delicious cuisine combines the best produce of the French countryside with the flavours of Provence. Flying to Montpellier, you will be transferred to the stylish ‘Anjodi’ for a voyage through the vineyards and villages of the Languedoc, before finishing at one of France’s most famous hotels – the Hotel de la Cité within the walls of the mediaeval fortress of Carcassonne. Prices from £4,829 (Apr & Oct) or £5,475 (May - Sep) for an eight night holiday including return flights, private transfers, a six night cruise including all meals, drinks and excursions and two nights’ accommodation with breakfast at the 5* deluxe Hotel De la Cité.

Explore Renaissance, Roman, Etruscan and Byzantine history as well as delicious Italian cuisine and wines from Chianti, Montepulciano and Malvasia as you glide through the Venetian Lagoon, the River Po and the Canal Bianco between Venice and Renaissance Mantua. Fly to Venice for a two-night stay at a Kirker hotel, before boarding ‘Bella Vita’. On your journey between Venice and Mantua you will travel through diverse landscapes and visit historic towns and cities such as Ferrara, Mantua and Chioggia. Prices from £3,859 (July - August 2020) or £4,489 (April - June and September - October), for an eight night holiday including return flights, transfers, a six night cruise including all meals, drinks and excursions and two nights’ accommodation with breakfast at the 4* deluxe Hotel Splendid.

www.kirkerholidays.com

2 0 2 0 C ult ur a l To urs Our escorted Cultural Tours & Music Holidays consist of small exclusive groups in the company of an expert lecturer and are designed for those with an interest in history, art, gardens, architecture and music. For a copy of our dedicated brochure please call 020 7593 2284. Prices are per person based on two people sharing and include flights, transfers, accommodation with breakfast, meals as described, a full programme of sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities and the services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer.

Garden Tours LE G T N EN SI M O E N PPL SU

THE GARDENS OF WICKLOW

The past two or three decades have seen a new crop of bold and beautiful gardens maturing within the romantic landscape of southeast Ireland and this tour presents an exceptional opportunity to meet the plantsmen and women at the heart of this horticultural revolution. Highlights include Alfred Cochrane’s Corke Lodge in Shankill, Powerscourt, Lamb Hill and Mount Usher. Our base for the duration is the 4* Brooklodge Hotel, located 30 minutes’ drive from Wicklow. Price from £1,765 including four lunches and four dinners. Departs 6 July for four nights

GARDENS OF THE RIVIERA Based at the 4* Hôtel Napoléon in Menton, we visit the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, as famous for its art collection as for the nine beautiful gardens, and the Villa Kerylos. In Menton, we visit the Val Rahmeh garden, as well as Lawrence Johnston’s garden, Serre de la Madonne, and in Monaco we see the collection of succulents at the Jardin Exotique. Across the border in Italy we visit the famous Hanbury garden at La Mortola and Ursula Piacenza’s private garden, the Villa Piacenza Boccanegra. Price from £1,698 (Apr, single supp. £268) or £1,894 (Sep, single supp. £336) including three dinners. Departs 20 April & 13 September for five nights

VILLAS & GARDENS AROUND ROME

THE GARDENS OF BARBADOS

The countryside surrounding Rome is home to a number of wonderful gardens including the beautiful and romantic gardens of La Landriana and Ninfa. A day will be devoted to Tivoli with its two great gardens: the Villa D’Este and Hadrian’s Villa, and another to Rome itself where we will visit the Villa Borghese Gardens and Gallery. We also visit the Villa Lante - one of the greatest of all Italian Renaissance gardens and the gardens of the Villa Farnese. Price from £1,785 (May, single supp. £298) or £1,898 (Sep, single supp. £298) including two lunches and three dinners. Departs 18 May & 28 September for five nights

Arguably the most civilised of all the Caribbean islands, Barbados is a wonderful cultural oasis in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. We are based at the charming 5* Deluxe Cobblers Cove – where the Godsal family has created a very private beachside hotel offering understated, world-class style and a home-from-home ambience. We visit historical highlights including Andromeda Botanical Gardens, Bridgetown and the extraordinary St Nicholas Abbey and rum distillery. Price from £4,796 (single supp. £998) including seven dinners and two lunches. Departs 16 October for seven nights

Wine Tours

Join wine expert Tim Clarke on one of our escorted tours to the wine regions of Reims & Champagne, Rioja, Sicily and Georgia and Armenia.

WINES OF RIOJA & NORTHERN SPAIN Travelling through Northern Spain from Bilbao to Madrid we will explore the varied wine regions of La Rioja and Ribera del Duero. We will enjoy the hospitality of great winemakers including celebrated traditionalists such as Contino, the oldest single-estate Rioja, striking modern wineries such as Aalto, and some of the innovative producers of biodynamic and organic wines. On our journey through Spain, we will also experience the country’s exceptional history and architecture. Price from £2,345 (single supp. £276) including four lunches and three dinners. Departs 5 May for five nights

A WINE TOUR OF GEORGIA & ARMENIA Georgia, a small, hospitable country on the far eastern edge of Europe has at least 520 native grape varieties. Armenia, its southern neighbour, is where the oldest winery in the world has been found. This captivating region is where the grape vine originated and its wines are still made in clay pots sunk in the ground as they have been since Neolithic man first made wine here. Join our new tour to discover ancient traditions alongside innovative modern producers, as well as the region’s extraordinary history and spectacular landscapes – from mountain-top monasteries to verdant valleys. Price from £5,496 (single supp. £749) including lunch and dinner with wine each day. Departs 14 September for thirteen nights

WINES OF SICILY

REIMS & CHAMPAGNE

Sicily is now one of the main regions of the Italian wine industry, producing twice as much as New Zealand and we will explore the rich variety of wines produced across the island. A day will be devoted to the Mamertino and Faro regions and another to Etna, where the volcanic soil and altitude are perfect for vines and the main red grape, Nerello Mascalese. On the south coast we visit the beautiful estate of Cos and the main Planeta winery which captures Sicily’s ‘Old World meets New World’ wine culture.Visits also include Sicily’s main historical sites. Price from £3,997 (single supp. £799) including six lunches, four dinners and winetastings. Departs 12 October for ten nights

In the heart of the Champagne region we visit the extraordinary cellars of the most prestigious marques including Pol Roger, Bollinger and Taittinger, as well as excellent smaller houses and growers out in the vineyard villages. We explore the region in comfort and style, going behind closed doors for private tastings and exclusive meals at the cellars.

Price from £2,168 (single supp. £105) including two lunches, two dinners and exclusive champagne tastings. Departs 22 November for three nights

for expert advice & reservations call 020 7593 2283

2020 Music Holidays Our range of music holidays includes tours to leading festivals and events in Europe, opera weekends in Venice, Milan and New York, and our own Exclusive Kirker Music Festivals on land and at sea. Prices are per person based on two people sharing and include flights (excluding UK holidays), transfers, accommodation with breakfast, meals as described, a full programme of sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities and the services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer.

Exclusive Kirker Music Festivals THE VILLA MEDICI GIULINI COLLECTION

THE KIRKER MUSIC FESTIVAL, MALLORCA

One of the world’s best known pianists, Melvyn Tan, will introduce you to Fernanda Giulini’s matchless collection of historical keyboard instruments at her villa in Lombardy. Staying in the villa you will be able to admire these beautiful instruments and hear Melvyn bring them to life in a series of talks and recitals.We will also visit Monza Cathedral and take a boat trip on nearby Lake Como.

The works of Frédéric Chopin are central to our Festival in Mallorca, featuring the Carducci String Quartet, Martin Roscoe, piano, Morgan Szymanski, guitar and Simon Rowland-Jones, viola. Based in the village of Banyalbufar, we will discover the glorious unspoilt north coast including visits to the picturesque artists’ village of Deia, Palma and the villa of San Marroig, as well as the monastery at Valldemossa.

Price from £1,996 (single supp. £296) including four dinners, two lunches and a series of talks and concerts. Departs 1 September for four nights

THE KIRKER CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL IN ALFRISTON In 2020 the Doric String Quartet, joined by Simon Rowland-Jones, will give two concerts, and Melvyn Tan will give a solo piano recital. Our base is Deans Place Hotel, in the heart of this historic and picturesque Sussex village, with superb views of the South Downs.You can enjoy gentle walks, visit the 14th century Clergy House, and see the once controversial church murals by Duncan Grant in nearby Berwick. Price from £1,130 (single supp. £159) including three dinners and three concerts. Departs 29 November for three nights

Price from 2,548 (single supp. £189) including two lunches, six dinners and five concerts. Departs 29 September for six nights

THE KIRKER ISCHIA MUSIC FESTIVAL The Castalian String Quartet, Simon Rowland-Jones, viola, Alessandro Fisher, tenor and Ashok Gupta, piano will give six exclusive concerts in the lovely concert hall overlooking the garden at La Mortella, the former home of Sir William & Lady Walton. Our base for the duration will be the 4* Albergo San Montano in the small resort of Lacco Ameno, with spectacular views of the Bay of Naples.We include a guided tour of the garden at La Mortella and a half-day sightseeing tour of Ischia. Price from £2,659 (single supp. £357) including seven dinners and six concerts. Departs 13 October for seven nights

Opera Holidays OPERA & MUSIC IN BUDAPEST The River Danube divides the Hungarian capital into two distinct halves – Pest, the commercial heart of the city with its shops and museums and Buda, dominated by its historic castle. Performances by the Hungarian State Opera are currently taking place at the city’s historic Erkel Theatre. We have selected performances of popular operas including Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera and Puccini’s Manon Lescaut as well as a concert at the impressive Béla Bartók Concert Hall. Price from £1,985 (single supp. £370) including one lunch, three dinners and tickets for three performances. Departs 22 April for five nights

LA SCALA, MILAN

Price from £2,118 (single supp. £498) including two dinners and one opera ticket. Departs 29 May, 1 July, 7 September & 11 October for four nights

MUSIC & ART IN BERLIN

During 2020 our holidays will include performances of Giordano’s Fedora, Verdi’s La traviata and Un ballo in maschera and Ponchielli’s La Gioconda. Based at the 4* Hotel de la Ville in Milan’s historic centre, our tour also includes visits to the city’s Duomo, Leonardo’s ‘The Last Supper’, and the wonderful La Scala Museum. We will also see the Basilica Sant’Ambrogio, the Poldi Pezzoli Museum and the Casa Verdi, a residence founded by Giuseppe Verdi for retired musicians and singers. Price from £1,855 (single supp. £368) including two dinners and one opera ticket. Departs 29 June & 18 November for four nights

VENICE & OPERA AT LA FENICE Performances in 2020 include Verdi’s La traviata, Rigoletto, Aida and Il trovatore, Handel’s Rinaldo, and Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux. We also include a series of walking tours taking in the finest churches and galleries, including the jewel-like Santa Maria Miracoli, the Accademia, and the more modern Peggy Guggenheim collection. We shall be based at the 4* deluxe Monaco & Grand Canal for the duration of each holiday.

Our April holiday will include four performances: two at the Staatsoper, including a special concert conducted by Daniel Barenboim,Verdi’s Aida at the Deutsche Oper and Mozart’s Don Giovanni at the Komische Oper. In May we shall attend performances of Wagner’s Der Fliegende Holländer, Parsifal and Tristan und Isolde at the Deutsche Oper and a concert given by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra at the Philharmonie.Visits to the city’s leading museums and galleries are also included. Price from £2,620 per person (single supp. £398) including three dinners and tickets for four performances. Departs 1 April & 27 May for six nights

www.kirkerholidays.com

Further Afield South Africa

The Western Cape

with Ben Williams & Ignacio Foley Travelling on the direct overnight flight was surprisingly comfortable and we landed in Cape Town in a very relaxed frame of mind, taken to our hotel by comfortable private car. The waterfront area of Cape Town, with the magnificent Table Mountain, has seen a huge resurgence over the past 20 years and new hotels and restaurants open every season. We made visits to the new Zeitz museum of African contemporary art and to the old city centre with its brightly coloured houses of Bo Kaap. Another highlight was a visit to Kirstenbosch botanical gardens. Home to a vast collection of indigenous plants, the gardens are easy to walk around and the panorama from the top is worth the increasingly steep incline. The hire car was delivered to the hotel and we set off to explore new territory and top of the list was the rugged beauty of Cederberg, north of Cape Town. The landscape varied from rapidly rising mountains with dramatic views from the peaks to beautiful vineyards. At Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve we were taken by an expert guide on two excursions: first in search of the wildlife, highlights including the Cape Mountain Zebra, Springbok and Blue Crane; and secondly to one of the ancient rock art sites from the San people who were the earliest settlers 20,000 years ago. Next came Franschhoek, the heart of the famed winelands. We strongly recommend booking a local driver so you can take full advantage of visits to some of the finest wine producers, but be sure to check in advance as many only open by appointment. We ended our trip in Constantia, on the eastern slope of Table Mountain, where we visited some of the oldest wine farms in the country. Now a suburb of Cape Town, it is a great location for combining city and countryside and made for a relaxed finale to a memorable trip. For more information and reservations please call 020 7593 2289 or email ben.williams@kirkerholidays.com or ignacio.foley@kirkerholidays.com

A ten night holiday to South Africa’s Western Cape, including Cape Town, a relaxing stay on the Atlantic coast, and visits to the rugged Cederberg Mountains and Winelands. Bushmans Kloof

What’s included: • Return flights with British Airways to Cape Town • Car hire throughout • Two wildlife excursions in the Cederberg •

Mountains Accommodation for 10 nights including breakfast: 4 nights at the 12 Apostles (5* Superior), Cape Town; 2 nights at Strandloper, Paternoster (4*); 2 nights at Bushmans Kloof (5*), Cederberg Mountains; 2 nights at Mont Rochelle, Franschhoek

Price from £2,915 per person

Time Out with Ted I don’t know about you, but in the Wake household the aim is always to have the next Short Break firmly fixed in the diary as soon as the last one has finished. I am sure that my doctor would recommend this strategy as holidays act like a beacon of hope amidst a busy schedule of activities and obligations – and there is nothing better than a few days away on a relaxing short break – especially vital at this time of year when winter days are a little too cold and too short. Somehow the process of fixing the date turns out to be more complex than anticipated as we negotiate with travelling companions – and it won’t surprise you to learn that I am appointed as the ‘unofficial group leader’. At the moment, it is a choice between Vienna and Rome, for 4 nights departing in late February or early March. The family friends are keen on Rome with a private guide to the Vatican Museum – for me the art collection at the Borghese Museum is a higher priority – either way, the Kirker Concierge can arrange both, but I can’t help with the friends’ ambition to have a private appointment for confession in St Peter’s. Alternatively,Vienna is perfect for warm hospitality and a sublime night at the opera… not to mention Vienna Boys Choir, Spanish Riding School and – of course – fabulous fine art at the Kunsthistorisches with the Habsburg’s world class collection of Old Masters, or a visit to the Leopold for a more contemporary moment of fantasy with Gustav Klimt. The perfect catalyst for booking is often a strategically placed birthday or anniversary, but these days I am happy with any excuse – and curiously, the devoted children are enthusiastic travellers at any time of the year, as long as I pay! In fact my most recent travels were blissfully child-free, firstly with just Mrs Wake to Barbados where we stayed at the wonderful and very private Cobblers Cove hotel whilst researching our new Cultural Tour, visiting gardens and the extraordinary Jacobean and Messel houses – see page 18 for details. And secondly, when I went on the first of Kirker’s new wine tours which launched in November with Champagne. I cannot recommend this highly enough, it was a fascinating and very delicious experience in the company of a wine expert, and the tour will appeal to wine gurus and enthusiastic amateurs alike – see page 18 for further mouth-watering details. We look forward to hearing from you very soon.

s h o rt b r e a k s & ta i l o r - m a d e h o l i d ay s

DESTINATIONS

S H O RT B R E A K S & TAILOR–M ADE HOLIDAYS

F O R

D I S C E R N I N G DECEMBER

2019

–

T R A V E L L E R S

DECEMBER

2020

FRANCE Avignon Aix-En-Provence Bordeaux Brittany Burgundy Cannes Carcassonne Champagne Corsica Dordogne Evian-les-bains Eze Haut-de-Cagnes Juan-les-pins Languedoc-Roussillon Lille Loire Valley Lyon Marseille Menton Monaco Mougins Nice Normandy Paris Provence Strasbourg St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat The South West Vence Villefranche-sur-Mer ITALY Alassio Amalfi Assisi Basilicata Bologna Camogli Capannoli Capri Elba Ferrara Florence Genoa Ischia Lake Como Lake Garda Lake Maggiore Lake Orta Le Marche Lucca Mantua OMilan N D E D I T Modena Montecatini Terme Naples Padua Parma Perugia Pisa Positano Portofino Puglia Punta Ala Rapallo Ravello Ravenna Rome Santa Margherita Ligure San Remo Sardinia Sicily Siena Sorrento South Tyrol – The Dolomites

F O R

D I S C E R N I N G

CULTURAL TOURS & MUSIC HOLIDAYS

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countryside

•

coast

•

islands

POLAND • AUSTRIA • NORWAY • DENMARK • SWEDEN • ICELAND • FINLAND • RUSSIA • ESTONIA 2020

LATVIA • LITHUANIA • IRELAND • TURKEY • GREECE • CYPRUS • CROATIA • SLOVENIA • montenegro • MALTA MOROCCO • EGYPT • TUNISIA • ISRAEL • JORDAN • OMAN • USA • CUBA • UNITED KINGDOM

ART

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ARCHITECTURE

•

GARDENS

•

AY S F OR

•

D I S C E R N I N G N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

2 0 1 6

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T R A V E L L E R S

D E C E M B E R

2 0 1 7

This is just a small selection from the wide range of special offers available. To speak to an expert or request a brochure please call us on 020 7593 2283.

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SOUTH AFRICA

INDIA, SRI LANKA

F O R

B O T S W A N A

M A U R I T I U S

D I S C E R N I N G 2 0 1 7

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T R A V E L L E R S

J U N E

T H E

M A L D I V E S

D I S C E R N I N G A U G U S T

2 0 1 8

s hort b r e a k s & ta i l or – m a de hol i d ay s

ARCHAEOLOGY

F O R

T R A V E L L E R S

D E C E M B E R

2 0 1 7

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T R A V E L L E R S

D E C E M B E R

2 0 1 8

ELLERS

lakes

ITALY • FRANCE • SPAIN • HOLLAND • BELGIUM • PORTUGAL • GERMANY • CZECH REPUBLIC • HUNGARY • SWITZERLAND

T R A V E L L E R S

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•

S E C

2 0 1 6

cities

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D I S C E R N I N G

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

D I S C E R N I N G

F O R

T R A V E L L E R S

F O R

S PA I N & P O RT U G A L

FR ANCE

I T A L Y

Vienna 132 The Cinque Terre 61 5 Warsaw 146 Trieste 46 26 Wengen 145 Turin 47 26 145 Zermatt Tuscany 65 15 Zurich 144 Umbria 65 14 Venice 40 SLOVENIA 148 18 Venice Simplon-Orient-Express 44 Lake Bled 148 29 Viareggio 66 Ljubljana 148 23 6 –Portoroz D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 148 Vicenza N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 46 10 Verona 49 CROATIA 149 32 THE LOW COUNTRIES 33 Dubrovnik 149 16 Amsterdam 36 Hvar 149 21 Ghent & Antwerp 33 Istria 150 28 Bruges 34 Korcula 149 29 Brussels 33 Losinj 150 28 The Hague 37 Plitvice Lakes 153 23 Rovinj 150 SPAIN 98 9 Split 150 Andalucian Countryside 106 17 Zadar 150 Avila 112 20 Zagreb 151 Baeza 109 25 151 MONTENEGRO Barcelona 100 30 Bilbao 116 31 MALTA & GOZO 152 Cádiz 109 31 TURKEY 154 Córdoba 109 27 Bodrum 155 Costa Brava 99 11 Cappadocia 156 Granada 108 6 Istanbul 154 Jerez 109 24 GREECE 157 La Coruña 114 21 Athens 157 León 113 30 Corfu 159 Madrid 111 15 Crete 158 Màlaga 110 28 Mykonos 159 Mallorca 118 30 Peloponesse 158 Pamplona 115 38 Santorini 159 Salamanca 113 60 Thessaloniki 157 San Sebastian 116 85 CYPRUS 160 Santander 116 70 NORTHERN EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA 161 Santiago de Compostela 114 79 Alta 167 Segovia 113 71 Bergen 166 Seville 104 60 Copenhagen 165 Tenerife 120 66 Iceland 168 Toledo 112 86 Helsinki 163 Valencia 102 68 Lofoten Islands 167 Vitoria-Gasteiz 115 73 Moscow 171 PORTUGAL 121 62 Oslo 166 Amarante 126 60 Riga 162 Cascais 124 86 Stockholm 164 Coimbra 126 54 St. Petersburg 172 Estoril 124 52 Tallinn 162 Oporto 125 51 Tromsø 167 Lisbon 122 51 Trondheim 167 Madeira 128 74 Vilnius 163 J U N E Sintra 124 67 NORTH AFRICA 174 The Algarve 127 72 Egypt 180 O N 56 The Douro Valley 126 Morocco 174 CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE 129 72 Tunisia 181 66 Baden-Baden 140 MIDDLE EAST 182 82 Berlin 138 Israel 183 46 Bern 144 Jordan 182 72 136 R N I N GBudapest CE T Oman 184 I S 70 Cologne 140 USA 186 67 Dresden 137 New York 186 85 Gdańsk 146 187 Washington ING 59 Geneva 143 BRAT S 187 Philadelphia 80 YEARHamburg 139 CELE 30 CUBA 188 67 Innsbruck & Seefeld 135 1 0 1 9 8 6 – 2Interlaken 61 Havana 188 145 84 Krakow 147 UNITED KINGDOM 189 73 Lausanne 143 Channel Islands 191 Leipzig 137 75 Edinburgh 190 Lucerne 144 61 Gibraltar 189 Montreux 143 60 London 190 Munich 141 IRELAND 192 96 CITIES: VENICE • FLORENCE • ROME • MILAN • genoa • ASSISI • PERUGIA • PISA • SIENA • turin • BOLOGNA • VERONA • padua • mantua Prague 130 87 Dublin 192 • lucca • NAPLEs • ravenna • MODENA • FERRARA134 • vicenza • iseo • ORTA parma 66 Salzburg Cork• trieste • LAKES: COMO • GARDA • MAGGIORE 193 Salzkammergut 135 83 Kerry • south tyrol • COAST: AMALFI COAST 193 • LIGURIAN RIVIERA COUNTRYSIDE: PUGLIA • TUSCANY • UMBRIA • veneto • basilicata St. Moritz 144 48 193 Limerick ISLANDS: CAPRi • elba • ISCHIA • SICILY • SARDINIA

HISTORY

•

MUSIC

CULTURAL TOURS: ALBANIA • CZECH REPUBLIC • denmark • FRANCE • greece • iceland • italy • JAPAN • Jordan The Netherlands • Portugal • Russia • south africa • Spain EXCLUSIVE KIRKER MUSIC FESTIVALS: alfriston • eastbourne • ischia • leipzig • london • MALLORCA northamptonshire • suffolk • TENERIFE • music cruises • venice ESCORTED Holidays TO LEADING MUSIC FESTIVALS & events: BADEN–BaDEN • BerliN • BONN • buxton • cheltenham • dresden GRAFENEGG • hamburg • helsinki, sweden • La FENICE, VENICE • LA SCALA, MILAN • LEIPZIG • north Norfolk • parma

s hort b r e a k s & ta i lor – m a de hol i d ay s

THE GARDEN ROUTE

THE WINELANDS

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spain: Barcelona • costa brava • Girona • Valencia • Denia • El Saler • Jávea • seville • AndaluciaN Countryside Granada • Málaga • Córdoba • Baeza • jerez • cÁdiz • rotA • La CoruÑa • Santiago de Compostela

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Salamanca • Segovia • LEÓN • Mallorca • Tenerife • La Gomera portugal: lisbon • cascais • sintra • estoril • oporto • coimbra • the douro valley • amarante • the algarve • madeira

HERMANUS AND THE OVERBERG COAST

EASTERN CAPE GAME RESERVES

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THE ZULU AND BOER WAR BATTLEFIELDS

•

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

BOTSWANA: THE OKAVANGO DELTA

•

CHOBE & SAVUTE

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Vitoria–gasteiz • Bilbao • San Sebastian • Santander • La Rioja • Pamplona • Madrid • Toledo • Avila

NIMES • AIX-EN-PROVENCE • ARLES • AVIGNON • THE LUBERON • MARSEILLE • ORANGE • NICE • CANNES • EZE • menton villefranche-sur-mer • haut-du-caGnes • mougins • JUAN-LES-PINS • ST. JEAN-CAP-FERRAT • VENCE • MONACO • CORSICA

TA I L O R - M A D E H O L I D AY S i n o u t s ta n d i n g l o c at i o n s SOUTH AFRICA: CAPE TOWN

s hort b r e a k s & ta i lor – m a de hol i d ay s

PARIS • LILLE • CHAMPAGNE • NORMANDY • BRITTANY • BIARRITZ • ÎLE DE RÉ • ST. JEAN-DE-LUZ • BORDEAUX • ST. EMILION CHARENTES • DORDOGNE • LOIRE VALLEY • BURGUNDY • LYON • STRASBOURG • ÉVIAN-LES-BAINS • CARCASSONNE • MONTPELLIER

KWAZULU–NATAL •

MADIKWE

VICTORIA FALLS

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luxury trains

Mauritius

P R I VAT E TA I LOR –M A D E I T I N E R A R I E S INDIA: DELHI • RAJASTHAN • KERALA • TAMIL NADU • HIMALAYAn foothills

•

GOA • MUMBAI • karnataka

SPECIAL INTEREST: national parks • HERITAGE HOTELS • COLONIAL HISTORY • luxury TRAIN JOURNEYS • WALKING TOURS SRI LANKA: BUDDHIST CITIES • COLONIAL TOWNS • NATIONAL PARKS • TEA PLANTATIONS • BOUTIQUE HOTELS THE MALDIVES: LUXURY RESORTS

pesaro • prague • puccini festival • rome • rosendal • THREE CHOIRS • vienna • verona • wexford

www.kirkerholidays.com All prices shown include special offers as applicable and are subject to availability. Prices are correct at time of publication: January 2020. For booking conditions please see www.kirkerholidays.com ** Please note that swimming pools are weather dependent (unless specified), please call for further details **