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Special departures
Find out which tours have departures that offer something a little extra...
From festivals and celebrations to one-of-a-kind concerts, timing your holiday to coincide with a local event can elevate the experience beyond your expectations. A number of our holidays are designed to do just this, from Japanese tours that include tickets to the country’s premier sumo wrestling tournament to Australian adventures that land you in Sydney for the dazzling New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Read on to find out a little more about these special departures of some of our best-loved tours.
Day of the Dead departure
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Departs: 29 October 2025; 28 October 2026
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a celebration to honour those who have passed away. On these special departures, we’ll witness the different ways this festival is marked, from sampling pan de muerto (bread of the dead) at a Mexico City bakery, to admiring the marigold-draped ofrendas (offerings) in the candlelit streets and squares of Oaxaca.
What’s different for this departure?
6 additional excursions to experience Day of the Dead festivities and celebrations across the country.
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Departs: 11 December 2025; 11 December 2026
Following the same route as our much-loved Best of Australia tour (with an extra day in Melbourne), this festive special departure spends Christmas Day in tropical north Queensland, before heading south ready for New Year’s Eve in Sydney. An included dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour puts you in the perfect position to view the famous fireworks – an incredible way to welcome the new year in.
What’s different for this departure?
One day longer than our standard departures
An extra day in Melbourne
Christmas Day in Cairns, with a special dinner included
New Year’s Eve dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour
4 additional meals
Gion Festival departure
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Departs: 7 & 14 July 2025; 7 & 14 July 2026
Kyoto’s Gion Festival is the biggest festival in Japan – a month-long event with street parties, huge floats and locals in flowing yukata (summer kimonos). As well as spending a full day at the festival (you’ll have a guided walking tour to show you where everything is, then you can explore on your own), we’ll take advantage of the balmy summer weather and enjoy a traditional Japanese riverside dining experience, with a full kaiseki dinner and a performance from a maiko (apprentice geisha).
What’s different for this departure?
One day longer than our standard departures
An extra day in Kyoto to enjoy the Gion Festival
A guided walking tour of the festival
Kawadoko riverside dining experience
2 additional meals
Takayama Festival special departure
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Departs: 9 & 10 April, 5 October 2025; 9 & 10 April, 4 & 5 October 2026
Held in the charming old town of Takayama, in the heart of the Japanese Alps, this festival has been ranked as one of the most beautiful in Japan. It takes place in the spring and autumn to mark the beginning and end of the harvest. Expect magnificent floats (yatai) at the night parade, which we’ll enjoy on arrival in Takayama.
What’s different for this departure?
Experience the Yoi-Matsuri (night parade) of the Takayama Festival
Sumo Wrestling Tournament special departure
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Departs: 12, 14 & 19 May, 8, 10 & 15 September 2025; 11, 13, 14 & 18 May; 12, 14, 16 & 17 September 2026
Sumo is Japan’s national sport, and it’s one that’s steeped in tradition. Attending a match is a thrilling way to immerse yourself in the energy and excitement of it all – these special departures include tickets to one of the three official tournaments held in Tokyo each year. We’ll arrive at Ryogoku Kokugikan stadium ahead of the big afternoon match, ready to watch the wrestlers grapple for supremacy.
What’s different for this departure?
One day longer than our standard departures
An extra day in Tokyo for the tournament
Transport & tickets to watch a sumo wrestling match
1 additional meal
Sumo Wrestling Tournament special departure
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Departs: 12 May & 15 September 2025; 11 & 14 May; 14 September 2026
These special departures include tickets to a match at one of Tokyo’s official sumo wrestling tournaments. It’s an afternoon excursion which replaces time at leisure in Tokyo.
What’s different for this departure?
Transport & tickets to watch a sumo wrestling match
Thimphu Festival departure
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Departs: 19 September 2025; 18 September 2026
This vibrant Buddhist festival is a celebration of culture, community and spirituality. It takes place over three days, where locals dress in traditional costume and sacred cham dances are performed in Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu. We’ll be in the city during the festival, so you’ll have the opportunity to experience the festivities for yourself – a wonderful way to immerse yourself in Bhutanese culture.
What’s different for this departure?
Chance to attend festivities during the three-day Thimphu Festival
Please note that festival dates can change at short notice.
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