KIRKER’S NEW 2027 COLLECTION OF CULTURAL TOURS AND MUSIC HOLIDAYS

Specialist tour operator Kirker Holidays has been creating tailor-made escapes and short breaks for discerning travellers for four decades. With a portfolio spanning more than 80 cities and 250 countryside properties across Europe, the Mediterranean and beyond, Kirker combines expert knowledge with personalised service, offering unique experiences, hand-picked hotels and exclusive access to its award-winning concierge service.

Kirker’s new 2027 Cultural Tours and Music Holidays brochure reveals its latest collection of carefully crafted tours for the curious discerning traveller – introducing some new destinations for Kirker as well as a wide range of new tours.

Ted Wake, Managing Director of Kirker Holidays, comments: “Our Cultural Tours programme has always been about bringing destinations to life through the insight and enthusiasm of exceptional experts. Whether exploring Renaissance art in Italy, discovering Europe’s finest wine regions, uncovering archaeological treasures or attending world-class music and opera events, our guests travel in small groups of like-minded travellers and enjoy privileged access, expert guidance and a genuinely personal experience. With new tours and departures continually being added, there is always something new to discover for curious and culturally-minded travellers.”

Highlights of the new tours for 2027 include:

EXCLUSIVE MUSIC FESTIVALS

THE KIRKER MUSIC FESTIVAL IN NORTHUMBERLAND
The first Kirker Music Festival to take place in England’s northernmost county is based at the magnificent Matfen Hall, Northumberland’s only five-star hotel. Set within 300 acres of parkland beneath the Cheviot Hills, this beautifully restored country house provides the backdrop for a festival featuring performances by the acclaimed Karski Quartet, whose dynamic programmes span classical masterpieces and contemporary works. Alongside the concerts, explore some of the region’s finest historic houses and gardens, including Wallington Hall, Belsay Hall and Cragside, and enjoy relaxing in the hotel’s excellent spa and swimming pool.
Departing 10 May 2027, this four-night holiday costs from £2,686 pp (two sharing), including accommodation with breakfast, four dinners, three concerts, all sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities, and the services of the Kirker Tour Leader. Single supplement £496.

MUSIC HOLIDAYS

BEETHOVEN IN ANTWERP
Staying at the exceptional five-star Botanic Sanctuary, a former monastery transformed into one of Europe’s most distinctive luxury hotels, this new music holiday combines Antwerp’s artistic treasures with a remarkable Beethoven celebration. Over two evenings, the celebrated pianist Kirill Gerstein joins the Chamber Orchestra of Europe for performances of all five Beethoven piano concertos, marking the composer’s bicentenary. Between concerts, discover the city’s rich cultural heritage with visits to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, the Plantin-Moretus Museum and The Cathedral of Our Lady, to view important works by Rubens.
Departing 13 May 2027, this three-night holiday costs from £2,596 pp (two sharing), including return Eurostar Plus travel, accommodation with breakfast, two dinners, concert tickets, all sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities, and the services of the Kirker Tour Leader and a local guide. Single supplement £549.

FOOD & WINE TOURS

CUISINE OF EXTREMADURA
Led by Spanish chef and culinary expert Omar Allibhoy, this new journey explores the rich flavours and traditions of Extremadura, one of Spain’s most rewarding, yet least-visited, regions. From the beautifully preserved cities of Cáceres and Mérida to the oak-dotted dehesa landscapes of the south, discover a cuisine shaped by history, local produce and proud traditions. Highlights include tastings of Torta del Casar cheese, visits to acclaimed producers of jamón ibérico de bellota, lunches showcasing regional cooking, and opportunities to sample the wines of Ribera del Guadiana, alongside some of Spain’s most distinctive local specialities.
Departing 19 October 2027, this five-night holiday costs from £2,958 pp (two sharing), including return flights, accommodation with breakfast, three dinners, two lunches, visits and tastings as described, and the services of the Kirker Tour Leader. No Single supplement.

HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGY TOURS
MOUNTAINS & MONASTERIES OF GEORGIA
This new tour to Georgia explores a country where ancient traditions, dramatic landscapes and warm hospitality come together. From the cobbled streets and historic churches of Tbilisi to the vineyard-covered valleys of Kakheti and the soaring peaks of the Caucasus, discover a land shaped by centuries of faith and winemaking. Highlights include visits to medieval monasteries, wine tastings, a traditional folk performance, and journeys along the spectacular Georgian Military Highway to some of the country’s most breathtaking mountain scenery.
Departing 10 June 2027, this seven-night holiday costs from £3,498 pp (two sharing), including return flights, accommodation with breakfast, five lunches and two dinners, all sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities, and the services of the Kirker Tour Leader and a local guide. No Single supplement.

CITIES OF ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA
This fascinating new tour explores one of the world’s oldest cultural landscapes, tracing the history of Mesopotamia through the little-visited cities and archaeological sites of south-eastern Turkey. From the black basalt walls of Diyarbakır and the labyrinthine streets of Mardin, to the sacred sites of Şanlıurfa and the remarkable remains of Göbekli Tepe. Along the way, visit Roman frontier fortresses, Byzantine settlements, Syriac monasteries and outstanding museums, culminating in Gaziantep, renowned for its pistachios, baklava, and an extensive collection of 5th and 6th-century mosaics.
Departing 5 May 2027, this six-night holiday costs from £3,458 pp (two sharing), including return flights, accommodation with breakfast, three lunches and three dinners, all sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities, and the services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer and a local guide. Single supplement £498.

THE POTTERIES UNCOVERED
Created in collaboration with Dame Emma Bridgewater, this exciting new tour explores the extraordinary story of the Staffordshire Potteries, once the global capital of ceramic production. Delve into the region’s industrial heritage through visits to some of its most important surviving factories, workshops and collections. Highlights include a day with Emma Bridgewater at her factory in Stoke-on-Trent, behind-the-scenes visits to the Middleport and Burleigh Potteries, and exclusive access to the V&A Wedgwood Collection – described by UNESCO as “one of the most complete ceramic manufacturing archives in existence”.
Departing 17 May 2027, this three-night holiday costs from £998 pp (two sharing), including accommodation with breakfast, three dinners and two light lunches, all sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities, and the services of Tour Manager Olivia Thackstone. Single supplement £218.

For more information, or to book one of Kirker’s small group tours, tailor-made short breaks or holidays to Europe and beyond, please call 020 7593 2284 or visit www.kirkerholidays.com.