Viking has announced its partnership with the new Downton Abbey Film and expands privileged access to Highclere Castle, the beautiful filming location of “Downton Abbey”.
Viking has teamed up with Focus Features, Universal Pictures and Carnival Films in the release of the new full-length film Downton Abbey, in cinemas 12 September 2019.
The new cruise extension, Great Homes, Gardens & Gin, provides guests with an exclusive three-day experience in the rolling hills of England’s countryside with a champagne welcome and a tour of the castle and estate.
Great Homes, Gardens & Gin
For years Viking has offered a variety of ways for its guests to experience life at Highclere Castle. In celebration with the Downton Abbey film release, the company has unveiled a new Pre/Post Cruise Extension. Great Homes, Gardens & Gin has been designed to give guests an exclusive look at several country estates that have served as the settings of acclaimed TV productions.
Starting in 2021, the new five-day extension will be available on Viking’s Rhine Getaway river cruise itinerary and British Isles Explorer ocean cruise itinerary and allows guests to explore Oxford and experience English country life.
Tell us more about the tour…
The program includes Viking’s Privileged Access® tour of Highclere Castle, as well as a visit to Broughton Castle, home to the influential Fiennes family, whose members include the renowned British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and actors Ralph Fiennes and Joseph Fiennes. The castle also served as a setting for the award-winning series Wolf Hall.
As part of the extension, guests will visit Chavenage House in the Cotswolds, best known for its appearance in the series Poldark – and stroll the gardens of Highgrove House, the private home of Charles, The Prince of Wales.
While visiting Highclere Castle, guests will have an opportunity to taste the recently-launched Highclere Castle Gin, a super-premium London Dry Gin inspired by botanicals from the castle’s gardens. The extension also includes a visit to the nearby Bombay Sapphire Distillery to learn the history and production of gin.
“Partnering for the release of the new film is a natural extension of our close relationship with Highclere Castle and our close personal friendship with the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon – with whom we proudly created Viking’s highest-rated cruise extension.”
Karine Hagen, Executive Vice President of Viking
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