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British Isles, Castles, Gardens, History and Birdlife Cruise

British Isles, Castles, Gardens, History and Birdlife Cruise

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Description

Join Botanica World Discoveries on this 11 day small ship cruise and garden tour, allowing you a unique opportunity to explore the splendour of Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the British Isles coastline, where larger ships can’t go.

From $13,890 AUD per person – contact Peregrine Travel for more information on dates and prices.

Trip Name
Highlights

 

  • Enjoy onboard lectures about the history of the British Isles and learn of the castles and gardens you are visiting
  • Wander the grounds and landscaped gardens of 16th century Crathes Castle
  • Visit one of Scotland’s premier gardens, Inverewe, in the Scottish Highlands
  • Experience the 13th century Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull
  • Marvel at Bodnant Garden, one of the most beautiful gardens in the UK
  • Explore the Isle of Iona and the Isle of Gigha, plus Tobermory
  • Visit Mount Stewart, a famous 18th century house and garden in Northern Ireland
  • Cruise around the Isles of Scilly and explore the picturesque Tresco Garden
  • Visit Plas Brondanw and Portmeirion
  • Try some whisky on the Isle of Jura
  • Arrive at some gardens by Zodiac
  • Learn about the local birdlife from the onboard ornithologist
  • Explore Helen Dillon’s private garden
  • Explore Belfast and the Titanic museum or Mount Stewart

Itinerary

Day 1. Arrive Edinburgh and Embark Ship

On arrival in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the port of Leith. Board the MS Hebridean Sky after 4.00pm, your home for the next 10 nights. After settling in to your suite, enjoy a Welcome Dinner this evening.
Stay: Ten Nights: the MS Hebridean Sky
  • Daily Meals Included:
  • • Dinner

Day 2. Aberdeen and Crathes Castle

Cruising along Scotland’s east coast, over the waters of the North Sea, today you’ll arrive at Aberdeen. Disembark and travel by coach through Royal Deeside, the picturesque valley of the River Dee. Absorb the lovely scenery as you head to Crathes Castle, a 16th century castle that’s famous for its splendid landscaped grounds and gardens. Return to your ship for lunch before enjoying an afternoon visit to Pitmedden Garden.
  • Daily Meals Included:
  • • Breakfast
  • • Lunch
  • • Dinner

Day 3. Inverewe Gardens

Today your ship will drop anchor and you’ll enjoy a Zodiac ride to one of Scotland’s premier gardens, Inverewe. This botanical garden in the north-west Highlands, presents an amazing collection of exotic trees and shrubs that are sheltered by well-positioned windbreaks of native pine. After a tour, return by Zodiac to your ship and set off during lunch across The Minch and past the Isle of Skye.
  • Daily Meals Included:
  • • Breakfast
  • • Lunch
  • • Dinner

Day 4. Isle of Mull, Duart Castle, Isle of Iona, Freedom of Choice

After breakfast, set off to the Isle of Mull where you have two touring options. The first option is to visit a quaint private garden and the second option is Duart Castle, a 13th century clifftop castle set in the Millennium Wood and home to the MacLean clan. Later cruise to the Isle of Iona, a place of tranquility where more than 40 Scottish Kings, as well as Kings from Ireland, France and Norway are buried.
  • Daily Meals Included:
  • • Breakfast
  • • Lunch
  • • Dinner

Day 5. Isle of Gigha, Isle of Jura and Whisky Distillery

This morning visit the beautiful Isle of Gigha. Privately owned by its 120 inhabitants, the landscape consists of heather-covered hills, deserted sandy beaches, clear green seas and just the one single-lane road, which meanders between quaint cottages and farms. Here, you’ll enjoy time to wander the gardens of Achamore House. Laid out by Sir James Horlick from 1944, this stunning garden boasts a wonderful collection of azaleas, rhododendrons and exotic plants. Returning to your ship for lunch, you’ll then cruise to the Isle of Jura, where you’ll enjoy the opportunity to visit the 200 year-old single malt Scotch whisky distillery.
  • Daily Meals Included:
  • • Breakfast
  • • Lunch
  • • Dinner

Day 6. Belfast and Mount Stewart, Freedom of Choice

This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of Belfast. This afternoon you can choose from two options, either the Titanic Exhibition or Mount Stewart, an 18th century house and garden in County Down. Planted in the 1920s by Lady Londonderry, the gardens today are owned by The National Trust and are of significant international importance. Here, a series of outdoor ‘rooms’ and vibrant parterres contain many rare plants that thrive in the mild climate of the Ards Peninsula. Enjoy time to explore the gardens and the opulent house, which boasts a fascinating heritage and contains world-famous artefacts and artwork.
  • Daily Meals Included:
  • • Breakfast
  • • Lunch
  • • Dinner

Day 7. Portmeirion and Bodnant Garden, Freedom of Choice

This morning you’ll cruise into Holyhead to spend a full day exploring this spectacular part of Wales. Visit Portmeirion, an extraordinary Mediterranean-style village designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975. Choose from a tour of the village and its gardens or the gardens of nearby Plas Brondanw, the family home of Williams-Ellis. Afterwards drive through the famous Snowdonia region to Bodnant Garden, one of the most beautiful gardens in the United Kingdom. Spanning some 80 acres, the garden is set above the River Conwy with views to the Snowdonia range. Stroll through the Upper Garden, with its terraces and informal lawns, then continue into the Dell, the wild garden of the lower section formed by the valley of the River Hiraethlyn.
  • Daily Meals Included:
  • • Breakfast
  • • Lunch
  • • Dinner

Day 8. Dublin, Freedom of Choice

Your ship will arrive in Dublin Bay this morning. From here, you have a choice of three activities. First option is to travel by coach into the Wicklow Mountains and visit the gardens of Powerscourt, with its charming walled garden, striking terraces, fine statuary, varied trees, carefully designed walking paths and more. The second option is to travel to Mount Usher, a lovely romantic garden on the banks of the River Vartry. The third option is to visit the private garden of botanical author, Helen Dillon. Enjoy a lecture with Monty Don and free time in Dublin.
  • Daily Meals Included:
  • • Breakfast
  • • Lunch
  • • Dinner

Day 9. Waterford, Freedom of Choice

Your ship will arrive in Waterford on Ireland’s south eastern coast. From here, you have the choice of two full day tours. The first option is to travel to Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s most historic and attractive cities, and visit Kilkenny Castle and the design centre followed by a tour of the world-famous Waterford Crystal Factory. The second option is to travel to Mount Congreve Gardens, a vast and visually inspiring woodland garden set on the banks of the River Suir and later return to County Waterford for a visit to Lismore Castle, which features the oldest continually cultivated gardens in Ireland.
  • Daily Meals Included:
  • • Breakfast
  • • Dinner

Day 10. Isles of Scilly and Tresco

Today will see you cruising amid the beautiful Isles of Scilly, an archipelago off Great Britain’s south western tip. Disembark on the island of Tresco, considered by many to be the most attractive of the islands. It is leased by the Dorrien-Smith family, who have created a wonderful 40 acre sub-tropical garden near their Tresco Abbey home. You’ll have the opportunity to go for a relaxing stroll along the traffic-free lanes and wander along one of the lovely white-sand beaches where the sea colour has more in common with the Aegean than the North Atlantic. Back on board for lunch and afternoon tea before a special Farewell Dinner.
  • Daily Meals Included:
  • • Breakfast
  • • Lunch
  • • Dinner

Day 11. Portsmouth and Arrive London

After breakfast this morning, you’ll disembark the MS Hebridean Sky in the English waterfront city of Portsmouth. From here, you’ll be transferred by coach to London, arriving at Heathrow Airport at around 11.30am or the St James Court Hotel which is in Central London at around 12 noon.
  • Daily Meals Included:
  • • Breakfast


Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type

Inclusions

     

    • Services of a Cruise Director, Expedition Team and Botanical Guide
    • Airport transfers on first and last day, as well as tipping and port taxes
    • 28 Meals – 10 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches and 10 Dinners
    • Wine, beer and soft drinks included with lunch and dinner on board
    • Ten nights on the small ship, the MS Hebridean Sky, which holds a maximum of 100 passengers
    • Onboard lectures by the Botanical Guide, Historian and Ornithologist
    • Freedom of Choice touring some days included in the price

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