Welcome to Carpenter Holidays, founded in 2015 by Stephen Carpenter.

Culture & Leisure Packages

Each year, Carpenter Holidays offers culture and leisure breaks of between three and ten days, visiting some of the most beautiful places in the UK and abroad to hear music performed by many of the world’s leading artists and ensembles, or simply to enjoy the scenery in these attractive locations in Europe. Destinations in recent years have included Austria, England, Italy and Scotland, with an annual "Heart of Scotland" holiday in a collaboration between Stephen Carpenter and Kayleen Asbo, which includes a visit to Melrose Abbey seen in the image above. The success of the most recent "Heart of Scotland" journey in October 2024 can be seen from the testimonials.

Stephen Carpenter has collaborated with other partners on several holidays, the first being "Mendelssohn in Scotland" in September 2015 with Travel for the Arts. This holiday was repeated in 2019 with Hannick Reizen and you can get a taste of how these journeys unfolded by visiting mendelssohninscotland.com which gives details of Mendelssohn's Scottish journey in 1829 which forms the basis for the "Heart of Scotland" trip in October 2024.

Bespoke Holidays

As well as offering holidays at UK Music Festivals, Bespoke Holidays offer exclusive trips for groups large or small, such as the visits to the UK in 2016, Austria in 2018 and Italy in 2024 organised for the American chamber music society, The Schubert Club, or other holidays to destinations throughout Europe for established "Friends Groups" of Orchestras or Venues, including the PhilaPhil patrons of the Philharmonie in Luxembourg. Experiences can be tailor-made to suit the dates and preferences of any size of group from two people upwards, whether or not affiliated to a larger organisation.

Holiday Updates

This website will be regularly updated with details of new holidays, and additional information on existing holidays including programmes which are not always available at the time that they are first announced. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch either by email or phone.

Stephen Carpenter
Director
Carpenter Holidays

+44 (0)20 8946 6821
stephen [at] carpenterholidays.com