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Empires that redrew the map

Our Germany and Austria tours follow the powers that shaped central Europe and kept changing its borders. Trier sits in the Moselle valley and was Augusta Treverorum, an important provincial capital, a residence of emperors and the largest market of an ancient wine-growing area. Berlin holds Prussian palaces and countercultures in the same streets. Austria lies in the Eastern Alps, its grand palaces, gardens and lakes set among snow-dusted peaks. And along the border, Alsace and Lorraine lay for centuries between the spheres of France and the German-speaking world, their shifting allegiances leaving a distinctive legacy behind them.

Each tour here is built around one shared interest, whether that's Roman archaeology, later history or gardens, and you travel with specialists who love sharing it.

You don't just see a site like this — you learn to read it. Once you know where to look, every broken wall is still telling you something.

Dr. Eleanor Marsh, Archaeologist & Tour Leader

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Essential Pompeii

Essential Pompeii

Few moments in the ancient world are as vividly documented as the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79.  We know, with a specificity that no other lost city can match, what Pompeii looked like on the day it was destroyed and it is this intimacy, a sense of a world interrupted rather than simply destroyed, that makes the sites of the Bay of Naples so extraordinary. Greek colonists, native Samnites, the Romans (of course), Bourbon excavators and World War bombers have all left their marks on these sites. This tour sets out to explore that world in depth and in context, providing expert guidance with a well-thought-out itinerary, which includes free afternoons for independent exploration and a hotel in the modern town of Pompei for easy access to sites.
6 days from £1,780 View Tour
Gardens of Marrakech

Gardens of Marrakech

Four nights at the Kenzi Rose Hotel (or similar) with breakfast Three dinners & one lunch Visits as outlined in the itinerary Private air-conditioned coach travel Services of an expert Tour Manager
5 days from £1,695 View Tour
Lazio Botanical Wonders - Rome, Ninfa & Vlterbo

Lazio Botanical Wonders - Rome, Ninfa & Vlterbo

From the timeless beauty of Rome to some of Italy's most extraordinary gardens, this carefully curated tour brings together Renaissance masterpieces, romantic landscapes and remarkable private visits. Wander through the enchanting Gardens of Ninfa, where roses, flowering trees and crystal-clear streams weave amongst medieval ruins, explore the magnificent Papal Gardens at Castel Gandolfo and admire the elegant fountains and terraces of UNESCO-listed Villa d'Este. Along the way, discover one of Europe's finest Renaissance gardens at Castello Ruspoli, the celebrated Villa Lante and the world's largest collection of tree and herbaceous peonies at the Centro Botanico Moutan, complemented by time to explore the atmospheric medieval city of Viterbo.
6 days from £2,395 View Tour
Gardens & Wildflowers of the Burren

Gardens & Wildflowers of the Burren

Join our resident Irish expert and much-loved tour manager, Trevor Edwards, as he discovers the scenic and rugged west coast of Ireland. Home to a diverse range of colourful wildflowers and impressive geological features, this tour promises to be an experience to remember. The Burren, from the Irish bhoireann – a stony place – lies in the northwestern corner of County Clare. Over 300 square kilometres in extent, it is the largest area of karstic limestone in western Europe. At first glance, it presents a bleak appearance, but closer examination reveals the beautiful diversity of flora for which the whole region has become justly famous. The colourful exuberance and profusion of the wild flowers is simply captivating and, subject to the prevailing conditions, we can expect to see many interesting, different species.
5 days from £1,295 View Tour
Gardens of Marrakech

Gardens of Marrakech

David has explored every continent except Antarctica, discovering plants and gardens on over 70 trips accompanying groups of gardeners. He has more than 20 years’ experience writing and editing garden magazines and websites, including as Deputy and Associate Editor of BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine.
5 days from £1,795 View Tour

Germany and Austria Tours: Your Questions Answered

Roman archaeology at Trier, modern and twentieth-century history in Berlin, the Viking homelands, and palaces and gardens in Austria. The border regions of Alsace and Lorraine bridge the French and German stories.

Spring and early summer for the gardens and the Austrian blossom, and spring through autumn for the city and archaeology tours. Some city itineraries run deliberately out of season, when the major museums are quieter.

Expert Tour Managers who bring their own specialism, including archaeologists working on the periods and cities you are visiting.

City itineraries mean cobbles, standing and stairs without lifts, and Roman sites mean uneven ground. Palace and garden days involve extensive grounds. Each itinerary carries an activity level of easy, moderate or active so you know what to expect before you book.

Yes, and many guests do. Shared interest does most of the work, and conversation tends to start with whatever you have just seen.

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