10 NoteWorthy Festive Experiences in Europe
Together with our friends at NoteWorthy, we can provide some of the most exclusive festive experiences in the UK, Ireland, and Paris for you to revel in. . .
Photo courtesy of David Ramirez on Unsplash
Many a Poe Travel client has experienced the magic of a trip to England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, or Paris with our friends at NoteWorthy. They work together with our team to create totally customized itineraries chock full of exclusive private experiences at every turn.
It’s not a surprise, then, that they have access to some of the best festive experiences in their regions, so we thought we’d put together a little list of some of our favorites. Bear in mind, they have beau coups and beau coups more up their sleeves, but this list gives you a little peek at the festive fun, whether you’re planning a last-minute 2023 holiday getaway or planning ahead for 2024.
1. Christmas at Windsor Castle with an Expert
Head out of London and make your way to the royal market town of Windsor to visit Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has since been home to 40 monarchs.
Meet an expert of Windsor Castle and explore the palace with him. Let him regale you with stories before he accompanies you on an exclusive tour of the State Apartments and St. George's Chapel. Experience the beauty of the castle's lavish rooms decked for Christmas. See how Queen Charlotte, the mother of George IV, would have decorated the castle for the festive season, alongside Regency gifts she received.
Photo courtesy of Bing Hao on Unsplash
2. Perfume Customization in the heart of Paris
Meet a perfume creator in her luxury boutique of custom-made essences in the heart of Paris and experience a unique perfume workshop. During this activity, exclusive to our guests, you will first discuss with the creator your tastes and personality. This will allow her to work on two different formulas designed specifically for you with some of her more than 400 precious raw materials. You will then choose the one that touches your heart and senses and bring it home, together with a little notebook to remember the experience by. The perfect Christmas gift for someone special or yourself!
3. Private tour of Scone Palace & Gardens in Scotland, with lunch hosted by a Countess
This extraordinary experience will take you out of Edinburgh for the day to Scone Palace where, for centuries, Scotland’s Kings and Queens were crowned. Enter the State Rooms with dazzling collections of art and ivory and the Lennox Room, with bed hangings made by Mary Queen of Scots and an oak armchair rumored to have been used by Charles II for his coronation.
Afterward, you will enjoy lunch in the Palace’s private quarters with the resident Countess, whose family have lived at Scone for the last 13 generations. She will regale you with stories about her ancestors, giving you a privileged view into the life of a Scottish Countess, as well as the personal history behind this stately home. After lunch, you might choose to explore the gardens with the Head Gardener, who will lead you to Moot Hill, where Macbeth MacFindlaech and Robert the Bruce were crowned King. You can also get lost in the Palace’s notorious maze, grown in the shape of the clan’s symbol, and look out over the extensive deer park.
4. Privately guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin with a member of the Guinness family
During this ultra-exclusive experience, you will skip the queues to Ireland’s most popular attraction, the Guinness Storehouse, and learn about the history from a member of the Guinness family itself. As well as touring the public areas from the pint-pulling station to the mesmerizing exhibition of the company’s history, he will slip you into private bars and areas never normally open to the public.
You will benefit from his immense knowledge and passion for the family business, gaining a truly privileged insight into a different side of this world-famous brewing dynasty and the tight-knit family that has run it for centuries. Finish with a pint of Guinness’s finest; and who better to enjoy it with than a member of the family who created it?
5. Private whiskey tasting with a Whiskey Ambassador in Edinburgh
Meet with an internationally renowned whiskey ambassador who will host a private whiskey tasting, paired with various desserts for you to sample and enjoy. He will introduce the best technique to taste whiskey and appreciate its flavors, so that even those with the most cynical attitude to the "water of life" can find a new appreciation for Scotland’s national drink!
After the tasting, why not continue into town and look for the perfect gift for the whiskey lover in your life with your newly acquired recommendations?
6. Private rooftop and rafters tour of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin
Arrive at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where you will travel behind the scenes in one of Dublin’s most iconic institutions in the company of a verger. Climbing up to the rafters and over a breathtaking viewpoint, you will embark on a private cultural experience in one of Dublin’s few remaining buildings from medieval times.
Christmas wouldn't be the same without carols and joyful singing, so be sure to also enjoy this Christmas tradition at St. Patrick's and listen to your favorite festive tunes.
7. Exclusive experiences at the Charles Dickens Museum in London
A quintessentially British Christmas is not complete without mentioning Charles Dickens; his famous A Christmas Carol is emblematic of Victorian Christmas and its traditions, becoming over the years a must of the festive season. Discover more about the author and his story by choosing one of NoteWorthy's experiences.
Go on an intimate and exclusive after-hours tour around the Charles Dickens Museum led by a private expert guide. Walk through the house decorated for the festive season and learn about the real Charles Dickens, his life, and the inspiration behind his work. Or as an alternative, head out on a tour around the bustling streets of London to discover some secrets of this literary genius in the company of one of his direct descendants before ending at the museum for your visit.
Photo courtesy of NoteWorthy Experiences
8. Private Festive-Themed Cooking Class in Paris
Enjoy a tasty French culinary cooking experience “en famille” and learn how to prepare some of France's most popular dishes for the holiday season. Discover the secrets of baking your perfect Bûche de Noël (French Yule log) or learn how to make your own foie gras.
9. Visit a local bagpipe workshop in Edinburgh
Experience one of Scotland's most iconic traditions as you stop at a local bagpipe maker's workshop to enjoy a private demonstration from a master craftsman and have a personal meet and greet with the owners.
10. A Festive Workshop of your choosing in London
Depending on what tickles your fancy, you can try your hand at a few different things in London. . .
Gin Discovery Experience
This holiday season, discover the secrets of gin from an expert during this private workshop. You will get an informative insight into the origin of this spirit, how it’s made, and the various botanicals additions that help create its unique and exciting nuances in flavor. The experience includes a welcome gin and tonic on arrival, four different gins to explore together with four delicious food pairings, finishing with an opportunity to create your own gin cocktail.
Perfume creation workshop
Visit England’s oldest perfumery and create your own bespoke essence. Enjoy a two-hour experience at the very heart of where fragrance was born in the city nearly three centuries ago; sip on a glass of champagne while your dedicated perfumer works with you to find the fragrances and accords that make up your chosen scent.
Private biscuit-icing class
Enjoy a private icing class at a London renowned School of Icing, where you will learn how to beautifully ice and decorate your own tin of Christmas biscuits. This is a delicious family activity to bring out the inner artist in everyone, regardless of age or baking skill!
If you would like to Go Away with Poe Travel & NoteWorthy during the festive season (or any time of the year, for that matter!), contact us. We will design a customized itinerary to suit your interests and set you on your way.