Christmas Eve – Included tour of Winchester - Crown the run up to the big day with a cheer-inspiring excursion to nearby Winchester, the former capital of Alfred the Great’s Wessex. After you’ve had breakfast, join your fellow travellers for a morning’s walk around Alfred the Great’s former capital and take in its cobbled streets under the Christmas lights.   While in the city, you can enjoy the sights and sounds of The Broadway, the historic heart of the city, where you can admire The Great Hall, with its Arthurian round table, and the intricate facades of the 150-year-old Guildhall. Take in the ancient ruins of Wolvesey Castle, which once housed the city’s bishops, before concluding the walk with views of the Alfred the Great Statue and the city’s historic water mill. If you’d prefer a little retail therapy, this charming market town also has plenty of independent and high-street options to keep you entertained.   Later in the afternoon, head to the city’s popular Christmas market, nestled in the grounds of its breath-taking Cathedral, and embrace England’s favourite Yuletide traditions, perhaps with a warming mulled wine and a few festive carols. Browse the stalls for the perfect memento, or perhaps a few last-minute gifts, before venturing further into the city. Before you leave, be sure to pay your respects at the grave of literary great Jane Austen which can also be found in the Cathedral.  After a pleasant day's activity, head back to the hotel for festive carols, sherry and mince pies before settling in for a special three-course dinner.

Christmas Day – Day at leisure with Christmas lunch and buffet dinner - It’s Christmas Day and you can spend it as you please with a full day under your own steam. A Buck's Fizz breakfast awaits this morning ahead of an easy-going optional walk along the rural country roads that ring the hotel. If you'd prefer, you can stop at the onsite spa for a few relaxing moments to yourself instead.   This afternoon, settle in for a Champagne reception and festive snacks in the hotel's lounge areas before tucking into a special, four-course Christmas feast in the company of your fellow travellers. The King's speech will be televised this evening and you can enjoy a more laid-back buffet-style dinner if you're feeling peckish.

Boxing Day – Included visit to Salisbury - Wake up to a leisurely hotel breakfast and spend your final full day in the south of England with an enchanting visit to Salisbury and its world-famous Cathedral.  Travel by coach through Wiltshire’s chalk valleys and, upon arrival in Salisbury, join your tour manager for a taste of this quintessentially English town. Known for the rich archaeological sites that dot the surrounding countryside, Salisbury retains a strong connection to its ancient and medieval roots, and you’ll be free to delve into its colourful past with a stop at the Salisbury Museum. Discover the remnants of its original settlement, Old Sarum, learn about the iconic Stonehenge, and take in a host of well-preserved artefacts that chart the city’s development through the years.  Your next stop will be Salisbury Cathedral, a masterpiece of English Gothic design, which has marked the area’s skyline since 13th century. Marvel at the building’s towering spire, the tallest of its kind in Great Britain, before heading inside for its ornate inner chapels. You can also witness the world’s best-preserved copy of the original Magna Carta, one of Europe’s most important medieval texts, with a tour of the Cathedral’s Charter House.  Please note: parts of the cathedral may have limited or no access to visitors, due to religious services and activities.   Before you head home, spend some time taking in the city’s Christmas decorations, and perhaps stop to browse the local shops and markets for the perfect souvenir to commemorate your time.   Enjoy a hot and cold buffet at the hotel this evening.

Return home - Enjoy a leisurely final breakfast this morning before checking out of the hotel and making your way back home.