The unique beauty of Venice is  un-disputed but  if the bustle  of  St Mark’s Square and the surrounding  streets  gets a little  much, then take a tip from us and walk over to the Peggy Gugenheim Collection for   a little  quiet and cool in gardens . 

Stay at the perfectly situated Luna Baglioni   and  all Venice is yours to explore by  water or on land!  email info@lavenderbluetravel.com for your tailor-made itinerary

A recent  tailor-made dance holiday to Cairo  gave the participants a chance to take classes with local  teachers, explore Coptic Cairo,  visit the pyramids at Giza, take a camel ride and much more. Here are just some of their comments: 

The Cairo Dance Holiday was an amazing experience.  The belly dancing classes gave me an opportunity to be taught by a variety of different teachers and I think improved my dancing skills. The group were lovely and made the trip great fun. However for me the best part was the fascinating trips and experiences. During our time there we cruised down the Nile, rode on camels, learnt to haggle and even managed to cross the road! However the most incredible thing was to see and travel inside a pyramid, which is something I have always wanted to do. The trip was very well organised and a marvellous experience and I wish that I could go back and do it all again.   

This trip to Egypt was a great mix of activities and provided a real insight into Cairo, modern and ancient, with all the luxury of a 5 star, air conditioned hotel with swimming pool to return to and recover from the heat and chaos that is Cairo!  I think the bed was the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in – with real Egyptian cotton sheets, like silk.  The pyramids and the museum with the ancient Egyptians and King Tut’s gold casket and mask are amazing to see, when you’ve seen so many images in books.  The markets are such a contrast illustrating the bustle and bartering of modern Cairo.  The food was delicious and I particularly liked the fresh lemon juice drink, their speciality, which is so refreshing in their climate.  As for the belly dancing lessons, these were a real treat, to have workshops with such a variety of talent and good fun too.  Thanks for a great trip!  Sonia, Wimbledon

Staying  a minimum of   two nights in  each hotel, experience  the easy luxury of Baglioni  hotels  in your choice of  3 or more  destinations  – Florence, Rome,   Venice or Bologna. Unique to the group,  you  check in just once  and  have a discreet  VIP welcome   in each property.    Perks include   a 30 euro credit redeemable against  the hotel restaurant or spa treatments, a gift on departure  and home-made cake!   See the  treasures of Italy at your leisure.   Contact us with reference  ‘Baglioni ‘ tour for more information.

Oman, the heart of Arabia with a stunning coastline, mountains, exotic flora and fauna, deserts and salt flats contrasting with lush pomegranate groves and frankincense trees. Design your own trip or let us suggest a tour combining desert camping, turtle watching, chilling in the Souk and exploring the mountains and dunes of a country as yet off the tourist trail but rich in beauty and hospitality.

Muscat may have opened its first nightclub  but   the destination  is still un- spoilt offering    a fine selection of  hotels     and the charming welcome one finds throughout the region.

 Dance days, lazy days, music days, wine days… in Verona the night sky  and music divine  is Italy’s gift to you.

Treat yourself to  a fabulous 2 night stay in the charming   5 star Due Torri Hotel   - package includes luxury accommodation for two, limousine airport tranfers, welcome  drink, pre-opera Gala Dinner, second sector stalls Tickets to the OPERA  of your choice. From 500 euros  per person. Contact us for details and bookings

 Our bespoke packages in Italy  mean you can include private wine tastings, recitals with maestri from the Arena di Verona, dining  in the heart of the famous wine-producing hills of Valpolicella from carefully selected local produce, go behind the scenes   with fresco restorers and pasta makers.

  JORDAN  – a  country so rich in history and natural beauty   that the choices are  so very enticing. Renowned of course for the Nabatean city of Petra,  the Holy sites of Mount Nebo and Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan, the Roman cities of Jerash and Umm Quais, visitors also delight in  diving, trekking and adventure tours. Whilst here, why not  take part in volunteer work -we can arrange for you to help out  for an afternoon or days at a time on conservation schemes or  other  useful projects.