Touring holidays come in all kinds of shapes: you might travel solo, follow a planned route by rail, sail between ports, or combine several stops into one trip. The right style depends on how much structure you enjoy, how far you want to roam, and whether you’d rather plan the details yourself or leave them to someone else. Here are five approaches to consider, with destinations that suit each one.
Solo touring with plans you can change
Solo touring gives you control over your pace and itinerary. You can book the main transport and accommodation in advance, then decide day by day whether to explore independently, join a local excursion, or take time out. Japan suits this flexible approach: its rail network makes it relatively simple to travel between cities, while guided visits in places such as Kyoto can add company and local insight when you want it.
Rail touring at a gentler pace
On a rail holiday, the connections between places are part of the experience. Rather than hiring a car or repeatedly checking in for flights, you settle into the journey and watch the scenery change, with the option to spend a night or two in towns along the route. Switzerland is a natural fit, with mountain railways and panoramic services such as the Glacier Express linking scenic stops across the Alps.
Cruise touring with one base
A cruise lets you visit several destinations without packing and unpacking at every stop. Your ship is your base between ports, and you can choose how structured each day ashore will be, from an organised excursion to a walk around town at your own pace. A Mediterranean itinerary is ideal for this, linking ports such as Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and Marseille, with plenty to see within reach of each harbour.
Multi-centre touring, close by or across borders
Multi-centre touring means combining several stays into one holiday, with enough time in each place to get beyond a quick visit. You can travel between regions within a single country, or build a route that crosses into several countries; the key is choosing stops and connections that leave room to enjoy each one. In Portugal, for example, you might pair Lisbon with Porto and the Douro Valley. For a cross-border trip, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam can make a straightforward rail-linked route.
Guided touring with the details taken care of
Guided tours suit travellers who want a planned itinerary, transport between stops, and the knowledge of a guide along the way. Depending on the tour, you might travel with a small group, join a local guide for selected visits, or have most of the arrangements handled from start to finish. Morocco works particularly well for this style, where a guided route can connect Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains, and Fes while helping with the longer journeys between them.
To book your short-haul winter sun escape, speak to your Travel Counsellor.
A winter escape doesn’t have to mean returning to the same familiar resort or travelling for long hours in search of some sunshine. A short flight can bring you to Atlantic islands, Moroccan coastlines, and Mediterranean towns where mild days are made for exploring at an unhurried pace. These places each have their own character, from volcanic trails and harbourfront cafés to ancient landmarks and long, breezy beaches.
Trade winter’s chill for an island stay at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, set across three islands in South Malé Atoll. Its collection of beach, reef, and overwater villas offer different ways to settle into the tropical location, while the 45-minute yacht transfer from Velana International Airport means your holiday can begin even quicker. Once you arrive, the choice is yours: head straight for the beach, take a dip in your private pool, or ease into the holiday with a long lunch and an afternoon at the spa.
Set on Antigua’s south coast, Carlisle Bay is entering a new phase, with a multi-million-dollar renovation bringing considered updates to its suites, restaurants, and shared spaces. The work is being completed in stages, allowing the resort to refresh its contemporary Caribbean style while holding on to the warm, attentive service guests know it for. The refresh comes as Carlisle Bay earns recognition from the MICHELIN Guide and Condé Nast Traveller, bringing yet more reasons to book a stay here in 2027.
Finding your match...