Festive tours

Broadly three. Christmas and New Year breaks in Britain, built around historic houses, cathedral cities and gardens lit for winter. European Christmas markets. And festive tours further afield, where the season is spent among ancient sites, and the interest carries on as it would on any of our tours.

The same specialists who lead our tours through the rest of the year: historians, archaeologists, horticulturalists and local experts. The season adds something rather than replacing anything, so the guiding is as thorough in December as it is in June.

On the tours that run across the holiday, yes, and it's arranged for you. That's the appeal for many guests: the season celebrated properly, in good company, without the shopping, the cooking or the washing up.

Very much so, and a good number of guests travel solo over the festive period. Shared interest naturally leads to easy conversation, and a group with something in common tends to make Christmas away from home feel like an occasion rather than a compromise.

Cold, and part of the point. Britain and northern Europe in December mean short days, early dark and the possibility of frost or snow, which is when lit houses and markets look their best. The North African and Mediterranean tours are mild by comparison, which is precisely why they run at this time of year.

Historic houses, markets and winter city streets can involve walking out in the cold, on cobbles, and up stairs. Each itinerary carries an activity level of light, moderate or active so you know what to expect before you book. Warm layers and sturdy footwear are worth packing whatever the destination.

Earlier than you might for other tours. Festive departures are limited to a narrow window each year and tend to fill well ahead, particularly the tours that run across Christmas itself.