Shake off the winter chill with a slice of European sunshine

There’s plenty to love about winter in NZ. But there’s definitely something to be said about breaking the chill with a slice of European sunshine. Showcasing history, culture and impossibly beautiful scenery, Voyages to Antiquity is your ticket to summer in the northern hemisphere. And next season, the line is setting the bar high with a pair of destination rich itineraries, and an award-winning ship that is perfect for European waters.

Great things come in small packages
A cruise with Voyages to Antiquity is proof that the best things really do come in small packages. Carrying an average of just 350 passengers, the Aegean Odyssey is tasteful, intimate and classically elegant. Onboard, the atmosphere is the perfect blend of refined and relaxed. Think a floppy sun hat and jandals by day, followed by a quick outfit change before sunset cocktails in the Charleston Lounge

Unlike her towering counterparts, the Aegean Odyssey is effortlessly suited for both coastal and river cruising. This means she can sail into popular Mediterranean ports, as well as navigate inland waterways like Spain’s Guadalquivir River. For you, this unlocks a unique combination of ocean and river cruising and means you get to experience Europe from every angle.

Plus, accompanying you on each cruise are celebrated guest speakers, handpicked by the line. From historians to archaeologists, they’re on hand to enrich your journey with informative lectures and entertaining talks.

European Connoisseur – departs 9 June 2018 (17 days)
Setting sail from sun-drenched Seville, this European Connoisseur cruise winds its way along some of Europe’s most scenic waterways.

• Savour two nights at a boutique hotel in Seville, complete with a rooftop pool and views of the golden hued Plaza de Espana
• Spend your days exploring the Andalusian capital, then let your hair down at a sultry Flamenco bar
• Wander under the fragrant orange trees that shade the courtyards of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba
• Sample luxuriously creamy custard tarts in Lisbon
• Relive a famous pilgrimage route in the medieval city of Santiago de Compostela
• Sip on a glass of full bodied red as you glide along the Gironde River to the city of Bordeaux
• Wind up your journey on England’s windswept West Coast, based in the riverside city of Dartmouth
• Trace the footsteps of D-Day soldiers in Slapton Sands, or head to Buckfast Abbey to sample the region’s legendary tonic wine

Grand Circumnavigation of Britain & Iceland – departs 5 July 2018 (32 days)
Birthplace of Shakespeare, The Beatles and English Breakfast tea, Great Britain is nothing short of mighty. It deserves an itinerary that does it justice, which is why Voyages of Antiquity has put together a 32 day sailing that combines its maiden circumnavigation of the British Isles with Iceland’s gushing geysers, rumbling volcanoes and sparkling glaciers.

• Start with two nights in London, a city that needs no introduction
• Sail to the Icelandic island of Heimaey, where you’ll get up close and personal with Eldfell, aka the ‘Mountain of Fire’
• Find out why Iceland’s cosmopolitan capital of Reykjavik is regularly voted one of Europe’s trendiest cities
• Walk on the cusp of two tectonic plates in Thingvellir National Park
• Sail to the maritime museum of Isafjordur, on the edge of the Arctic Circle
• Be mesmerised by the lava craters of Akureyri
• Gaze up at the ramparts of ancient Scottish castles
• Sail past remote Viking settlements as you journey south to Guernsey in the English Channel
• On the Cornish coast of England, you’ll get a chance to tour the world’s largest global garden, the Eden Project
• Explore Cornwall’s sub-tropical Abbey Gardens of Tresco
• Step ashore in Wales for rugged scenery, fascinating history and heart-warmingly friendly locals
• Cross the Irish Sea and dock in Dublin for a creamy pint of Guinness

For a limited time only, House of Travel is offering ‘fly free’ packages on selected sailings that make Europe more accessible than ever. You’ll be treated to Free flights, which means your only expense will be the cruise itself, plus spending.

Want to know more? Give House of Travel a call today to chat to a friendly consultant about cruising Europe in summer 2018. Don’t forget to ask about the deal!