Most people associate St Andrew’s Day, which falls on 30 November, with Scotland. As the country’s patron saint, Scots celebrate his day with a national holiday. In fact, St Andrew is celebrated all over the world – from Poland and Romania to the Caribbean, with many intriguing customs associated with the day.
In Romania tradition has it that single girls should put sprigs of sweet basil under their pillows on the night of St Andrew’s Day, and if someone takes the sprig in their dreams, they will marry soon. St Andrew’s Day is also associated with matrimony in Poland, where Andrzejki is celebrated on the night of 29 November. Young men and women join the party, as the magic of the night is thought to allow them to see their futures. Meanwhile, in the Caribbean island of Barbados, St Andrew is also their patron saint, and 30th November is celebrated as the national day of independence.
Why not spread the St Andrew’s spirit a little further and discover more about one of the countries associated with him on this selection of escorted tours…..
Celebrate all things Scottish with Brightwater Holidays
Celebrating all things Scottish, Brightwater Holidays offers a 10-day ‘Grand Tour of Scotland’. The itinerary is everything you’d expect to find in St Andrew’s spiritual home and a whole lot of things that you wouldn’t. World-famous wonders are represented from the Royal Yacht Britannia to the legendary Loch Ness; the iconic Edinburgh Castle and the esteemed Kelvingrove Museum. Meanwhile, there are plenty of opportunities soak up the scenery on a Loch Lomond cruise and follow the trail of infamous outlaw Rob Roy; A further highlight is a trip to the Dallas Dhu Distillery and a carefully-curated, locally-sourced Taste of Scotland dinner at the Amber Restaurant.
Prices start from £2,495 per person departing on 6 June 2018, including nine nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation, 11 excursions and visits, and the services of a Brightwater tour manager. Brightwater Holidays (01334 657155; www.brightwaterholidays.com)
Romanian Highlights with Ramblers Walking Holidays
New to Ramblers Walking Holidays for 2018 comes the chance to discover the folk traditions and spectacular sights of Romania with an 11-day‘Romanian Highlights’ itinerary. Exploring on foot, with plenty of sightseeing, this holiday takes in the former Hungarian capital of Transylvania, Cluj; the ancient countryside and spectacular Carpathian Mountains; and finally, the capital, Bucharest.
Prices start from £1,825 per person with departures in July, August and September 2018, including return flights, 10 nights’ half board accommodation, all necessary entrance fees and the services of a local Romanian guide throughout. Ramblers Walking Holidays (01707 331133, www.ramblersholidays.co.uk)
Explore Poland with Titan Travel
Alternatively, on Titan’s 10-day ‘Polish Highlights’ escorted tour there’s a chance to fall in love with a trio of Polish cities, from today’s capital Warsaw to the beautifully preserved ancient capital, Krakow; and the delightful Wroclaw. Emerging as a spectacular new holiday destination, Poland embraces an optimistic future without ignoring its fine cultural heritage and often turbulent past, and this itinerary also takes in the extraordinary 13th century salt mines at Wieliczka, and the poignant site of Auschwitz.
Prices start from £1,479 per person departing in May 2018, including return flights, nine nights in hotels, six excursions and visits, the services of an experienced Titan tour manager and Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service. Titan (0800 988 5873; www.titantravel.co.uk)
Discover The Gardens of Barbados with Brightwater Holidays
Or further afield Brightwater Holidays’ has an 8-day ‘Gardens of Barbados’ tour. This horticulturally inspired trip takes in the sweeping vistas of Cherry Tree Hill and the rugged golden sands of Bathsheba Beach with the chance to spot the lively resident monkeys of the Andromeda Botanical Garden and explore Hunte’s Garden, where owner and creator Anthony Hunte has created his mix of dark native jungle and sunny open spaces.
Prices start from £2,895 per person departing on 12 June 2018, including return flights, six nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast accommodation, excursions to four gardens, and the services of a professional tour manager. Brightwater Holidays (01334 657155; www.brightwaterholidays.com)
