6 brilliant ideas for a celebration holiday
Have you got a big birthday, a milestone anniversary or another special occasion coming up? Our guide has the best holiday destinations for a perfect celebration.
Have you got a big birthday, a milestone anniversary or another special occasion coming up? Our guide has the best holiday destinations for a perfect celebration.
What better way of celebrating a landmark of married life than a journey that combines romance, ease and shared discovery?
A cruise is effortlessly indulgent; you only unpack once, and all meals and excursions are taken care of. It’s ideal for relaxing, reconnecting and just enjoying being together, rather than rushing between different hotels and transport.
The Danube is one of Europe’s most picturesque waterways – you’ll glide by breathtaking, varied scenery, including UNESCO-listed national parks, lush green valleys, dramatic ravines and more.
This iconic river also connects some of the region’s greatest cities, from Budapest and Vienna, to Linz and Bratislava.
In Vienna, take in a concert at the Börse Palais, or explore the Ringstrasse, lined with magnificent buildings like the State Opera, Parliament and City Hall. And don’t miss the Upper Belvedere, a Baroque palace housing 800 years of art history, including one of the most romantic masterpieces in the world: Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss.
In Budapest, marvel at the mighty St Stephen’s Basilica, the handsome Hungarian State Opera House and the fascinating Castle Hill. The latter is crowned by Buda Castle and offers panoramic city views from landmarks such as Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church.
It’s the perfect spot for snapping memorable photos that will last you both a lifetime.
The Danube River connects some of Europe’s greatest cities – Budapest, Vienna, Linz and Bratislava.
The varied scenery features protected wetland plains, UNESCO national parks, vineyard-covered valleys and dramatic ravines.
Discover elegant cities and majestic scenery during an all-inclusive Danube River cruise with Saga.
Whether you’re getting together with a group of friends or family members you haven’t seen in a while, a Canary Islands cruise can offer the perfect solution.
From lively waterside cities to volcanic landscapes, black-sand beaches to lush rainforests, there something for everyone to discover on every island – ideal when you have a mixed group who might vary by age, physical ability and interests.
The other fantastic thing about the Canaries is the year-round great weather, so whenever you decide to go, you should get sunshine and blue skies as part of the package.
Highlights can include the Maspalomas sand dunes on the south coast of Gran Canaria, a spectacular nature reserve featuring a unique desert landscape; the dense, green laurel forests of Garajonay National Park on the tiny island of La Gomera; or Rosario, the lively port capital of Fuerteventura that features impressive, colourful street art and giant snail sculptures along the harbour promenade.
Each member of your party can sign up to whichever excursions appeal to them the most, from wine tasting and volcano tours to guided hikes and night-time stargazing. Afterwards, you can all come together over dinner and wine to share your individual experiences.
If you’re taking the plunge into married life for the first time later into life, or have been lucky enough to find love again as a veteran of several decades, there can surely be no better place to celebrate than India’s most famous monument, the Taj Mahal.
A homage to love, it was commissioned in the 17th century by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child. It took more than 20 years to complete, using luminous white marble, and precious and semi-precious stones such as jade, sapphire, amethyst and crystal.
Located in Agra, a small town just three hours’ drive from India’s teeming capital, Delhi, it’s best visited at sunrise when the soft light seems to illuminate it from within.
This fantastic introduction to India combines the three cities of the Golden Triangle with a few days in Ranthambore National Park.
Starting in Delhi, you’ll tick off highlights including the Taj Mahal in Agra, and the forts and palaces of Jaipur. Then you’ll go in search of Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, monkeys and birdlife
A safari is all about taking your time, waiting and watching for some of the most elusive animals on the planet. Going on safari after you’ve retired means that time is, finally, on your side.
You can slow down and truly observe, whether it’s elephants moving across the plains at dawn, lions resting in the heat of the day, or hippos cooling off in a lake.
Many safari lodges are designed for comfort, and even luxury, offering excellent food, expert guides and gentle daily rhythms.
Picture yourself sipping a sundowner as the sky turns burnt orange across the savannah of the Serengeti, or focusing your camera to capture the exact moment a giraffe reaches up to munch on a handful of leaves from a towering acacia tree.
The choice of locations is vast: in Africa; you can watch the Great Migration between the Serengeti and Masai Mara, see one of the world’s highest concentrations of elephants in Botswana, or explore the vast Kruger National Park in South Africa.
Saga's safari itineraries offer unparalleled wildlife viewing in some of Africa most remarkable wilderness.
You’ll not only get plenty of wildlife spotting, there’s also time to relax in deluxe surroundings and soak up the local culture.
The Rocky Mountaineer is your passport to the incredible landscapes of the Canadian Rockies and the American Southwest; and if you’re lucky enough to have come into a little extra cash, you can convert your moment of good fortune into an indulgent, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
This train is unapologetically luxurious without being showy. GoldLeaf service offers glass-domed carriages, spacious seating, fine dining prepared on board, and attentive service, all while some of North America’s most spectacular scenery unfolds outside the windows.
You’ll spot snow-dusted mountain peaks; turquoise rivers; deep, rugged, red rock canyons, and dense pine forests. And you won't just be passing through the landscape – you’ve got knowledgeable onboard hosts to explain exactly where you are and what you’re seeing during all parts of the journey.
Travel takes place only in daylight, so you don’t miss a thing, and you'll stay in comfortable hotels during the overnight stops.
In Canada, you can travel between Vancouver and either Jasper or Banff, while the USA route goes between Colorado’s capital city, Denver, and Moab in Utah.
Look out for native wildlife as you glide by, from elk to bighorn sheep, grizzly bears to eagles; keep that camera ready!
Pairing the famous Rocky Mountaineer with an Alaska cruise, captivating vistas unfold on every turn of this incredible cruise and tour holiday.
This 18-day escorted group tour shows off magnificent mountains, lakes and national parks – followed by a week-long Alaskan cruise.
Each spring, from March to May, the arrival of sakura – or cherry blossom – sends Japan into united celebration, rippling across the country’s estimated one million trees in around eight weeks.
Flower watching is taken so seriously that the country’s official weather forecasters crunch a blizzard of data every year between January and April to issue highly detailed cherry blossom forecasts.
Parks fill with picnickers, evening strolls are undertaken beneath illuminated trees, and pop-up festivals turn flower viewing into a social event. It’s an experience designed for lingering: laying out blankets with pink, sakura-themed snacks, sipping sweet sake, chatting, laughing and soaking up the atmosphere.
All of which makes it ideal for a ladies’ getaway, combining beauty, culture and food.
Whether strolling Kyoto’s Philosopher’s Path under a rosy canopy, people watching at Tokyo’s buzzy Ueno Park, or escaping the crowds at tranquil Shinjuku Gyoen, the picture-perfect blossom is the ideal backdrop to a shared celebration of friendship.
Experience high-paced cities, hushed shrines and temples, and serene gardens on this 15-day escorted tour.
Attend a traditional tea ceremony, learn about geisha and samurai culture, see Mount Fuji and whizz between cities on the sleek, slick Shinkansen (bullet train).
(Hero image credit: GettyImages)
Saga offers escorted tours throughout Europe and as far afield as South Africa, Japan, Canada and Australia, plus hotel stays in popular European hotspots including Spain, Portugal, Croatia and Greece.
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