Celebrate Christmas like British aristocracy at Highclere Castle — the filming location of the PBS TV show Downton Abbey — on Friendly Planet Travel’s London with Downton Abbey Christmas Ball tour.

The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon will open their Jacobethan castle to host the annual Christmas Ball at Highclere Castle for a private group of select guests. Travelers have the option to dress in attire inspired by their favorite Downton Abbey characters while spending the evening touring the castle and enjoying a three-course meal prepared from the castle’s centuries-old kitchens. The night will end around the Christmas tree, as guests listen to the Newbury Choristers sing favorite Christmas carols.

Through Friendly Planet Travel, travelers not only receive a ticket to the gala, but also enjoy a six-day, four-night trip to London, including airfare, private arrival and departure transfers, accommodations in a first-class hotel, breakfast daily, and a half-day vintage London bus tour and Thames River cruise for $2,399.

“Few experiences outshine London at Christmas time,” said Peggy Goldman, President of Friendly Planet Travel. “The city transforms from a bustling metropolitan hub to a winter wonderland. Streets are strung with white lights, popup ice skating rinks emerge across the city, and Christmas festivals keep spirits high all season long. If that isn’t enough of a reason to visit London during December, the Christmas Ball at Highclere Castle sprinkles the holiday season with vintage English charm and ceremony that’s impossible to find anywhere else.”

Travelers can also opt for a full-day luxury excursion to Paris. They will travel to Paris via Eurostar in reserved seating, and upon arrival they will embark on a panoramic tour of the city. After a tour of the Eiffel Tower, travelers will enjoy a Champagne lunch at the Eiffel Tower’s Altitude 58 Restaurant, followed by a cruise on the Seine River. The Louvre, France’s most revered museum, is the final stop before returning to London.

The London with Downton Abbey Christmas Ball tour also includes flights from JFK or Newark airports, all taxes and fees, and all arrival and departure transfers. The tour is available for one departure only, December 11, with limited tickets available.

Friendly Planet Travel, www.FriendlyPlanetTravel.com