Touring with a difference: Unique experiences with our Premier Collection
Embrace the best of your chosen destination, including more intimate excursions and a range of unique accommodations, with our award-winning Premier Collection.
While wish-list moments can be found anywhere, travelling under expert guidance can highlight the very best parts of each destination. Better yet, if you’re looking for an elevated touring experience, our Premier Collection takes things up a notch with smaller group sizes, exclusive accommodations and itineraries brimming with unique excursions.
With unique experiences in mind, our team have been thinking about what makes their favourite Premier tours so special and have put together a list of their top five essential excursions to enjoy. Whether you’re being treated like royalty in Spain or watching history come to life in Zimbabwe, here are five experiences exclusive to our Premier Collection tours.
Stay in a palace, Spain
Nothing says imperial luxury quite like staying in the summer residence of a Spanish monarch, and Cantabria’s Parador de Limpias certainly doesn’t fall short of expectations in this regard. Formerly known as Eguilior Palace, this magnificent parador was a favourite retreat of King Alfonso XIII and offers an exclusive glimpse into the lives of Europe’s royalty throughout the early 19th century. Live like a king in glorious Cantabria, taking in the palace’s riverside vistas and elegant interiors between memorable excursions to Santander and Northern Spain’s most impressive spots.
Our recommended tour: Historic Paradores of Hidden Spain
Take part in a mosaic-making masterclass, Italy
A trip to Friuli-Venezia, nestled in northern Italy, will highlight the lesser-known artistic retreats that line the Austrian border – none more so than mosaic-town Spilimbergo. During your Italian escape, you can join an insightful guided tour of this picturesque hilltop town, before settling in for an expert-led crafts session at the Mosaic School of Friuli. Here, you’ll go beyond the guidebooks for an authentic introduction to the region’s vibrant artistic heritage. You might even take a liking to these pretty tiled creations and discover a new hobby!
Our recommended tour: Hidden Italy – Trieste & Friuli-Venezia
Explore an underground city, Turkey
While Turkey’s major highlights, from glittering Istanbul to ancient Ephesus, are mostly found above ground, Cappadocia’s iconic rock-hewn landmarks are must-sees for any travellers visiting the region. The most memorable of these structures, buried beneath the region’s rugged Anatolian landscapes, is the Kaymakli Underground City, a sprawling network of tunnels and chambers. As you wander through these winding passages, which once sheltered Christian refugees from persecution, you’ll be closer than ever to Cappadocia’s rich history and the stone-cut architecture that characterises its volcanic plains.
Our recommended tour: Istanbul & Cappadocia – Turkey’s Historic Gems
Enjoy expert-led stargazing, South Africa
Though animal-spotting excursions are the focus when out on safari, the bush takes on a different quality as the sun goes down. Venture out under the clear African skies after dark, embracing the soothing silence of the open plains, and join an expert guide for a once-in-a-lifetime stargazing experience in the heart of the wilderness. With sparse settlements, less light and sound pollution and minimal cloud cover thanks to its climate, you’ll enjoy an elevated take on stargazing with exceptional views of the enchanting night sky.
Our recommended tour: Luxury Safari Plains & Mauritian Beach Escape
Step back through history, Zimbabwe
If majestic Victoria Falls is on your travel wish-list, the very best angle of its thundering cascades comes from directly above and you’ll be perfectly placed to soak up the area’s finest views from its gorge-crossing bridge. Built in 1904, this towering structure is a marvel of Edwardian engineering and also brings the period’s colourful history to life with guided tours from professional actors. As your guides roll back the centuries with an interactive and highly immersive guided tour of the bridge, you’ll get a true introduction to Zimbabwe’s most famous landmark.
Our recommended tour: Ultimate Safari – Botswana, Victoria Falls & Zimbabwe
Discover your dream destination with Newmarket Holidays
Ready for your next wish-list experience? Our friendly holiday planners are on hand to answer any questions you might have or get the ball rolling on your dream escape and are just a phone call away. For all the details on our itineraries, check out our dedicated Premier Collection page, or explore our full range of destinations.
