Celestyal has marked a new milestone in its Mediterranean deployment, with the 1260-guest Celestyal Journey making her first call to Agios Nikolaos, Crete. This  forms part of the cruise line’s seven-night  Idyllic Greece itinerary. Celestyal Journey is scheduled to visit the port a further 21 times throughout the 2026 season which runs to November. To mark the occasion, representatives from the destination and local authorities were welcomed onboard by Captain Angelos Vasilakos and crew.
 
Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal said, 'Agios Nikolaos has a growing role as a cruise destination and is a fantastic addition to our ‘Idyllic Greece’ itinerary. It perfectly reflects the type of call our guests are increasingly looking for, combining iconic Mediterranean hotspots with rising star ports that offer a more authentic experience. Our 2026 programme is built around delivering authentically Mediterranean experiences through immersive itineraries, warm hospitality and our signature premium casual approach to cruising. We’re proud to continue expanding our presence across the Greek Islands and showcase destinations like Agios Nikolaos to an international audience.'
 
The seven-night ‘Idyllic Greece’ cruise sails roundtrip from Athens, calling at Kusadasi, Turkey; Rhodes; Agios Nikolaos; Santorini; Mykonos; and Milos. All fares include meals, soft drinks, WiFi, port fees,  gratuities.
 More info at celestyal.com or call 0808 258 4170.

​De Vere Horsley Estate  in  Surrey has unveiled a new heritage offering, ‘The Horsley Tunnel Experience History Tour’. The experience follows the reopening of a long-hidden secret tunnel at the venue, an extraordinary underground passage linked to pioneering mathematician Ada Lovelace. Designed as a multi-sensory journey through time, The Horsley Tunnel Experience brings the estate’s history to life through a series of themed food and drink pairings, each inspired by key figures and eras connected to De Vere Horsley Estate.
 
Guests  journey through three pivotal periods in the estate’s history, meeting figures who left their mark on De Vere Horsley Estate. William King, a prominent 18th-century owner; Ada Byron and Sir Charles Barry, who influenced the estate’s 19th-century architecture and culture and Thomas Sopwith, a key figure in the post-WWI era. This immersive experience brings the estate’s heritage to life through storytelling within the atmospheric surroundings of the secret tunnel. It also makes a memorable addition to meetings, events and private celebrations, offering corporate and group guests an engaging way to connect with the estate’s rich history.
 
Kate Shaw, Sales Director at De Vere Horsley Estate said: 'The reopening of the secret tunnel at De Vere Horsley Estate is a special moment, celebrating both the estate’s heritage and its connection to the local community. It brings to life the extraordinary stories of those who lived here, particularly Ada Lovelace, whose legacy continues to inspire. With the launch of ‘The Horsley Tunnel Experience History Tour’, delegates can now enjoy an immersive journey through the estate’s history, combining storytelling with period-inspired food and drink for a truly memorable experience.'

image thanks to  PR and ©  devere.co.uk  

The tunnel’s history
The tunnel dates back to the 19th century, when it was used as a discreet goods entrance for servants and tradespeople at Horsley Towers. Its reopening not only restores a fascinating architectural feature but also revives a personal connection to Ada Lovelace regarded as one of the world’s first computer programmers.
 
Set within 75 acres of Surrey parkland, De Vere Horsley Estate is just an hour from central London. Originally built in the 19th century, Horsley Towers  was redesigned by Sir Charles Barry, best known for his work on the Palace of Westminster.
 
Following its early ownership by banker William Currie, the estate was later purchased by William King-Noel, who married Ada in 1835. During her time at the estate, she developed part of the first computer algorithm, cementing her legacy as a pioneer of modern computing, a story that remains central to De Vere Horsley Estate’s identity today.
 
For decades, the tunnel served as a gathering place for the surrounding community, hosting celebrations including a Queen’s Silver Jubilee party and vintage car showcases. Local residents recall playing and socialising within the tunnel, making its revival a nostalgic moment for the area.

De Vere , a collection of historic mansion house estates and distinctive contemporary hotels and event destinations, has market-leading conference facilities. Across the properties located around London, the southeast and the Cotswolds, the iconic country estate hotels have recently undergone a multi-million-pound refurbishment.    See devere.co.uk. 

Leaving Rome in the evening, the train travels north towards Venice, long considered the symbolic gateway between worlds. Guests can spend a full day exploring the city’s palaces, canals and artistic treasures before continuing eastwards to Budapest, cultural heart of nineteenth-century Central Europe. The journey  unfolds through the dramatic scenery of the Carpathian Mountains, stopping in Brașov and Sinaia, where medieval towns, natural landscapes and aristocratic architecture evoke the timeless charm of Europe’s grand past. The final stretch of the route heralds a historic threshold, the passage into Türkiye, culminating in a grand arrival in Istanbul, a city poised between continents, cultures and centuries.
 
In the 19th century, the railway stood as a symbol of technological progress and geopolitical connection and in 2026 the Rome-Istanbul route asserts itself as a philosophical statement, an invitation to rediscover the value of time, contemplation and the pleasure of the journey itself.

Aboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express, the myth is reimagined through the lens of Italian excellence. From interiors inspired by the eclectic elegance of 1960s Italy, to a refined culinary experience conceived by three-Michelin-starred Chef Heinz Beck, every detail celebrates craftsmanship, culture and contemporary luxury.
 
This inaugural international route establishes a new cultural axis across Europe, a journey where heritage meets modernity, and where the spirit of the Orient Express is reborn through the unmistakable Italian art de vivre.