Touring specialist, Cosmos Tours has launched an exciting choice of luxury themed breaks to coincide with famous events around the UK during 2017.

Offering great value, the new breaks feature unique or VIP 'behind the scenes' experiences and guided sightseeing with special access to famous landmarks, accompanied by a local expert guide.   The featured hotels are centrally located with easy access to the city, and are mostly four star rated to offer premium accommodation, with a range of facilities and breakfast included.   Although many elements are included, customers have the flexibility to make their own travel arrangements to join the breaks.

The 4 day 'Edinburgh Festival & Royal Military Tattoo' short break (priced from £739pp) highlights these famous events, and are packaged with festival entry and premier seating at the Royal Military Tattoo.   Based at the four star rated Hotel Leonardo, highlights include a guided tour of the city, and visits to Edinburgh Castle and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society with a tasting session. Departures are available on 6 and 20 August.

Ideal for keen gardeners, the four day 'RHS Chelsea Flower Show' short break (priced from £719pp) includes entrance to the Chelsea Flower Show and an exclusive 'behind the scenes' tour of Kew Gardens with lunch.  Included sightseeing also features a London Eye flight with champagne, a guided tour of the National Gallery and a scenic coach tour of London. The four star rated Holiday Inn Regents Park is the perfect base to enjoy these amazing excursions. Departure date is the 25 May.

The four day 'Manchester City Break' (priced from £579pp) gives visitors a 'behind the scenes' look at the famous Royal Exchange Theatre and a tour of the BBC Studios at MediaCityUK. Chocoholics can savour a Chocolate Connoisseurs' tasting session as well as an expert truffle-making lesson before enjoying a scenic tour of the city.  The break features four star rated accommodation at the Crowne Plaza Manchester City Centre. Departures are available in May, June and September.

Those with more time can enjoy a new eight day tour of Scotland to experience its fascinating mix of heritage, culture and spectacular scenery. The 'Scotland - the old and the new' tour is priced from £1429pp and features stays at the centrally located Marriott Courtyard Hotel in Edinburgh, the MacDonald Aviemore with views of the spectacular Cairngorm Mountains, as well as the Royal Hotel Oban on the beautiful West Coast. Unique experiences include an exclusive pre-opening tour of Edinburgh Castle, a private guided tour of the Kelpies Gardens and a guided tour of the Brooklyn Gardens by the head gardener.   Another special experience is a train ride on the heritage Strathspey Railway to include on board afternoon tea.  Other highlights include a tour at Culloden Moor with a guide in authentic costume and a single malt whisky tasting at the famous Allanwater Brewery.  Departures are available in May, June & September.

Rob Goodwin, Cosmos Tours' Head of Product commented: “As we continue to broaden our choice of holidays with more experiential and themed experiences, we can now offer customers the opportunity of combining their interests of gardening, theatre, military band music or heritage and culture with these spectacular and special events.” 

“Our customers can look forward to carefully packaged breaks with unique experiences which really add to their enjoyment of these world famous events.  We've chosen a high standard of hotels with central city locations for quick and easy access to all the key sights, and to make the experience even more special.”

To make a booking, ring FREE on 0800 440 2797, visit www.cosmostoursandcruises.co.uk or contact your local travel agent. Follow us on Twitter @CosmosTours 

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Note to editors:

Cosmos Tours Ltd is one of the UK's leading travel companies with unrivalled experience and expertise offering a worldwide choice of escorted tours, beach holidays, multi-centre holidays, rail journeys and ocean and river cruises.  The travel company is associated with the international Globus Travel Group founded in 1928 which remains family owned with headquarters in Lugano, Switzerland. Cosmos Tours is a member of ABTA and all holidays are financially protected by the CAA's ATOL scheme.

For further media information or images contact:

Helen McNaught, Press & PR Manager

Tel:  020 8315 4520, email: hmcnaught@cosmostours.co.uk