Garden ive s u l c x E
2012
20th Anniversary Garden Cruise Special
FREE BOOK Great Gardens to Visit 2012
FREE Garden tours
On board spending money
Celebrity Garden Hosts
On board Gardeners’ Programme
Call today on FREEPHONE 0800 408 6220
! s u h t i w e t a r b e l e C
We can’t believe that this year will be the 20th Anniversary of garden themed cruises with Victoria Travel & Cruise.co.uk. So, time to celebrate and what better way than to organise an anniversary cruise special re-visiting those ports of call in the Canaries & Madeira we called at on our very first Fred. Olsen garden themed cruise in 1992. Back then, it was Black Prince who played host and now 20 years on we will be celebrating aboard Fred. Olsen’s newest ship, Balmoral. We’d love you to join us and help us celebrate! Andrew Gardner, Cruise.co.uk Chairman
Fred. Olsen are proud of their tradition of smaller ships. Each one in the fleet has its own unique personality, but never loses that friendly, homefrom-home atmosphere, where friendships are forged with fellow-passengers and crew alike. The largest and newest cruise ship in Fred. Olsen’s fleet, Balmoral offers a wide range of facilities, yet still enjoys a home-from-home atmosphere. Named after the Scottish home of the Royal Family, Balmoral has accommodation for about 1,300 passengers, through 710 cabins and suites. Eat informally in the Palms Cafe, or more formally in the Ballindalloch, Avon and Spey restaurants on board. Balmoral also benefits from an on-board pub, which offers evening entertainment as an alternative to the main cabarets and dancing in the Neptune or Lido Lounges. Or you could just relax with a drink in the Observatory Lounge, with its spectacular views out to sea and later in the evening dance the night away there on its popular discodance floor – that’s the beauty of a cruise holiday on board Balmoral, there’s always so much to do! Experience an elegant and captivating atmosphere when you cruise on Braemar. Carrying around 900 passengers, Braemar has more than 80 suites and passenger cabins with balconies. The ship’s public rooms feature polished wood, gleaming brass fittings, subtle lighting and attractive fabrics, while the five-deck high atrium gives the vessel a very light and spacious feel. Cascading decks at the stern provide plenty of spaces for sun-bathing, while the vessel also has two open-air swimming pools with a poolside bar and twin jacuzzis. There’s a choice of places to eat: informal in Palms Cafe, or formal in the main Thistle Restaurant and the more intimate Grampian Restaurant. Black Watch has the intimate and sophisticated ambience for which all cruise ships were once famous. At just 28,000 tonnes, but with a large number of cabins and suites with balconies, she carries around 804 passengers. Black Watch’s public areas underwent refurbishment in late 2009 when a new casual dining area created the Braemar Garden, offering seating for more than 120 guests as well as a stylish bar and a buffet area. Elegant soft furnishings were also updated in the Neptune Lounge, Pipers Bar, Glentanar Restaurant and the Observatory Lounge.
2
Keen gardener? Love cruising? Then you’re sure to enjoy our programme of Garden Themed Cruises, hosted by some of the top names in gardening! BBC garden writer and broadcaster, Tony has been working with plants for 25 years, 13 of which have been spent managing Westonbirt, the National Arboretum in Gloucestershire. Tony Russell
He is one of Britain’s leading authorities on trees and shrubs, regularly appearing on TV and radio.
Will Giles has had a passion for plants of a tropical nature since he was a small boy, a passion that has grown dramatically over the past 25 years at his home in Norwich – aptly named The Exotic Garden. Here, he has experimented Will Giles with plants from the extremely hardy to the ludicrously tender, endeavouring to find a balance of plants that grow well in his one acre microclimate & fit into his ideal of a lush sub-tropical setting.
Adam Pasco is editor of BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, a title he launched from scratch in 1991, and remains its editor after 20 years. He has been a keen gardener since childhood, has worked on commercial Adam Pasco nurseries, and gained an honours degree in horticulture before becoming a respected gardening journalist. He also writes a popular blog on gardenersworld.com
For over 13 years, Pippa was a regular presenter on BBC 2’s Gardeners’ World, presenting items on garden pests and diseases, science and gardening, and creating and running her organic kitchen garden from her own Hampshire garden. Pippa Pippa Greenwood has several regular writing commitments including BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, and has embarked on a new project ‘Grow your own great veg’ - more details on her website - www.pippagreenwood.com David has gardened from a very young age and after training in horticulture at Writtle College, went on to gain a teaching certificate from Wolverhampton Polytechnic. His knowledge of both the theory and practice of horticulture have inspired students at the many colleges where he has taught. He has also become one of the leading gardening journalists in the country, writing and editing for many popular magazines, including David Hurrion Gardeners’ World magazine. “Life is still hectic and I’m loving every minute of it! When I’m not recording Gardeners’ Question Time, writing articles or running the Plants and Plantsmanship course at the English Gardening School, a thrilling opportunity to submerge myself in plants, there’s the ongoing challenge of the fun filled job that never ends developing my own garden. Look out for updates on all Matthew Biggs my activities at www.matthewbiggs.com”
Almost everything’s included in the price: Comfortable en suite accommodation with TV, hairdryer, safe and individually controlled air conditioning
All meals – from fine dining to casual buffets and late night snacks throughout your cruise
Tea & coffee throughout the day and early evening – including morning coffee with biscuits, afternoon tea with sandwiches & cakes, and in-cabin sandwiches & snacks
The UK’s largest cruise information website
All evening entertainment, including dancing and cabaret shows Captain’s Cocktail Party and Gala Buffet On board leisure facilities including gym, swimming pools and Jacuzzis Daily on board activities and lectures Port taxes and baggage porterage to/from cabin
British
Powerscourt Gardens, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
from £879
pp
Isles
FREE BOOK
Great Gardens to Visit 2012
Tony Russell
22 May 2012 9 night cruise aboard Braemar
Free garden tour
with Tony Russell
Enjoy one of Europe’s great treasures and Ireland’s most famous House & Gardens Powerscourt Gardens This nine night voyage has much to recommend it to lovers of both nature and natural beauty. Braemar eases away from Dover and sets course for the waters of Scotland and Ireland.
Braemar’s talented Chefs
Ha’penny Bridge, Dublin, Ireland
FREE Gardeners’ Tour -
Powerscourt Gardens from Dublin Our journey takes us towards the picturesque Wicklow Mountains, where Powerscourt Gardens are situated. The 14,000-acre estate, owned by the Slazenger family, is situated on the River Dargle and it is a blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes together with secret hollows, rambling walks, walled gardens and over 200 variations of trees and shrubs. The fine house stands proudly against the backdrop of its exquisite gardens. The Terrace Café looks out over the beautiful gardens and is the perfect place to enjoy refreshments and sample the delicious food (at our own expense).
Private drinks party & Exclusive talks
2 days to explore Dublin
£100
per cabin
on board sp end + FREE car parking
If you haven’t done this cruise before, then I really have to say this is a must. I love it, it’s one of the best ways to explore the British Isles. From the ship you can enjoy the magnificent coastal scenery of England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland, whilst keeping an eye out for sea-birds, dolphins, whales and seals. Once at port, there is ample opportunity to enjoy some magical gardens, including Powerscourt on the edge of the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland, which is a delightful landscape containing a Victorian walled garden, lakes, cascades, fountains, arboretum and Japanese garden.
Tony Russell
Kirkwall, Orkneys
Date
Arr
Dep
Cruise Itinerary
late pm
Dover
May 2012 Tue 22 Wed 23 Thu 24
Cruising early am
late night
Fri 25 Sat 26
Dublin Dublin
early am
late pm
Mon 28
early am
late pm
Kirkwall, Orkneys
Tue 29
early am
late pm
Invergordon
Sun 27
Cruising
Wed 30 Thu 31
Belfast
Cruising early am
Dover
Fares from £pp based on double occupancy Stateroom Full fare Cruise.co.uk fare
Inside
Outside
Balcony
Suite
999
1189
1829
2289
879
1049
1609
2019
Single 1689
1489
Call today on FREEPHONE 0800 408 6220
3
Amsterdam
Black Watch at Sea
Rouen, France
Short Taster Cruises Black Watch may be a smaller, older ship but
If you don’t have the time to squeeze in a full length cruise; to celebrate a special event; to treat friends or family without breaking the bank; or if you’d like a weekend away that’s more special than the usual city break, a Fred. Olsen mini-cruise could be made for you. Wherever your mini-cruise takes you, you can be sure that you’ll receive the same Fred. Olsen welcome and efficient ever-friendly service that you would expect on all their cruises. Many people have found a mini-cruise the ideal way to experience the Fred. Olsen difference for the first time or to remind themselves of past adventures. Whatever your reason, the Fred. Olsen staff and crews will be waiting to welcome you aboard.
she has everything you could need just on a smaller scale. There are many places, both inside and outside, where you can just sit and watch the world go past. Everywhere is very clean and the staff are always busy tidying. Nothing ever seems to be too much trouble for them. The itinerary was very good, and the beautiful weather certainly helped. In Rouen a shuttle bus was available at a small charge to ferry passengers into the city. Monet’s garden was wonderful, everything we had hoped for and more.
Taken from a Cruise.co.uk cruise review by Winchester, Irthlingborough
Amsterdam & Belgium
Rouen
5 May 2012 3 nights aboard Braemar
9 September 2012 3 nights aboard Black Watch
A spring cruise offering the chance to visit Keukenhof
Ideal cruise to take a visit to Monet’s Garden at Giverny
Free car parking
Keukenhof Gardens
Date
Monet’s Garden
Arr
Dep
May 2012
Cruise Itinerary
Date
3 night cruise aboard Braemar
Sat 05
depart
Sun 06
early am
Mon 07
early am
Tue 08
early am
Full fare Cruise.co.uk fare
September 2012
Cruise Itinerary
3 night cruise aboard Black Watch
depart
Dover
late pm
Ostende, Belgium
Mon 10
early am
Rouen
late pm
Amsterdam
Tue 11
Dover
Wed 12
Outside
Balcony
Suite
Single
399
619
769
569
529
659
Rouen Dover
Fares from £pp based on double occupancy
339
349
early pm early am
489
Stateroom Full fare Cruise.co.uk fare
Please note these cruises will not be hosted
4
Dep
Sun 09
Inside
299
Arr
Dover
Fares from £pp based on double occupancy Stateroom
Free car parking
The UK’s largest cruise information website
Inside
Outside
Balcony
Suite
349
409
609
629
289
349
599
539
Single 579
499
Spitsbergen &
Spitsbergen
the North Cape from £1499
pp
£150
Tony Russell
5 July 2012 15 night cruise aboard BRAEMAR
Private drinks party
Free garden tour
Exclusive talks
per cabin
on board sp end + FREE car parking
with Tony Russell Longyearbyen is situated deep in the Norwegian Arctic on Spitsbergen, the largest of the Svalbard islands.
Braemar at sea
Set at the end of the Advent Fjord and framed by flat-topped, snowcovered mountains, the town is home to 1,600 inhabitants, as well as several reindeer that can often be seen wandering through the streets. Be sure to see the 24-hour sundial – a reminder that during summer months, the sun does not set for weeks on end. Honningsvag gives access to the majestic North Cape, Europe’s northernmost point, a vast granite plateau that juts out into the Arctic, it is home to an indigenous Lapp population who still tend their reindeer as they have for centuries.
FREE Gardeners’ Tour –
A Garden at the top of the world!
The Tromsø Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden
The world’s northernmost botanic garden (2 hectares) featuring Arctic and alpine plants, blossoming from mid May to October. Rhododendrons, exotica from Patagonia, hundreds of primroses and thousands of Alpine plants from around the world grow in an Alpine landscape, along with traditional perennials Tromso and other species. Located in Tromsø it is run by the Tromsø University Museum and opened in 1994. Open from late May to early October the garden displays Arctic and alpine plants from all over the northern hemisphere From May 15 until July 27, the sun is continuously above the horizon in Tromsø. The two months of midnight sun provide some compensation to the plants for the short growing season and the low temperatures. What makes the Arctic Alpine Garden remarkable is its ability to sustain delicate alpine plant life under the cold, stressful, and insular conditions of this region.
It is no exaggeration to say that this cruise will take you to some of the most beautiful scenery on earth. Sail the west coast of Norway, with its spectacular Fjords and mountain ranges, to the delightful town of Tromso. Here we have the opportunity to visit the most northerly botanic garden in the world and enjoy its astonishing and diverse range of colourful plants and flowers all growing within the Arctic circle. Sailing even further north we arrive at Spitzbergen, where even at midnight it is light enough to do a spot of whale or polar bear watching!
Tony Russell Date
Arr
Dep
Cruise Itinerary
late pm
Dover
July 2012 Thu 05 Fri 06 - Sun 08
Cruising
Mon 09
early am
late pm
Leknes, Lofoten Islands
Tue 10
early am
late pm
Tromso, Norway
Wed 11
early am
late night
Honningsvag (North Cape)
Thu 12
Cruising
Fri 13
late night
late pm
Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Sat 14
early am
early pm
Ny Alesund, Svalbard Cruising
Sun 15 - Mon 16
Tue 17
early pm
late night
Alesund, Norway
Wed 18
early am
late pm
Bergen, Norway
Thu 19 Fri 20
Cruising early am
Dover
Fares from £pp based on double occupancy Stateroom Full fare Cruise.co.uk fare
Inside
Outside
Balcony
Suite
1759
2079
3219
4019
1499
1769
2739
3419
Single 2959
2519
Call today on FREEPHONE 0800 408 6220
5
Join us on a summer cruise to the
travel
Norwegian Fjords £80 per cabin on d board spen
Exclusive talks & y drinks part
FREE Tour – The Flor & ens, Fjaere Gard r e g n a Stav
Norway’s fjords offer some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in the world, and this eight-night summer cruise is the perfect way to relax and enjoy them. Departing on 28 August 2012 from Southampton, it calls at five key stops along the fjords, with plenty of time to explore tranquil villages, bustling harbours, dramatic mountains and waterfalls, as well as enjoying scenic train rides and a free garden tour. To mark the 21st birthday of Gardeners’ World Magazine, you’ll be accompanied by three top gardening experts, who’ll host exclusive get-togethers. Also included in the price is a guided tour of the lush, exotic garden of Flor & Fjaere, on an island off Stavanger. So come and celebrate the magazine’s coming of age on this spectacular Norwegian adventure.
Date
s
Cruise fare from
Photo p p o ortunity osts with your h oto & FREE ph
£899
pp
21st Birthday Cruise 28 August 2012
Hosted by:
Ada m Pasco
Matthew Biggs
Your Cruise Itinerary
August 2012
*
8 night cruise aboard Balmoral
Editor of Gardeners’ World Magazine since its launch nearly 21 years ago, and a familiar face from the ‘What To Do Now’ section of the magazine, Adam is a fount of gardening knowledge with years of experience. A regular panelist on Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, Matt is sure to have all the answers. He has gardened professionally for over 20 years & his boundless enthusiasm for plants and gardening is infectious. Horticultural editor of Gardeners’ World Magazine, David has travelled around the world visiting gardens and searching for plants in the wild with groups of readers. He fronts the Q&A section of the magazine.
Tue 28
Balmoral sails from Southampton
Wed 29
Cruising at sea
Thu 30
Bergen, Hordaland
F REE Gardeners’ Tour
Fri 31
Flam, Sognefjord
The Flor & Fjaere Gardens, Stavanger
September 2012
David Hurrion
A BLOSSOMING GARDEN OF EXOTIC PLANTS ON THE ISLAND OF SOR HIDLE.
Sat 01
Olden, Norway
Sun 02
Eidfjord, Hardangerfjord
Mon 03
Stavanger, Norway
Tue 04
Cruising at sea
Wed 05
Balmoral arrives in Southampton
Peg and I just want to say what a fantastic ten days we had on the Balmoral celebrating Gardeners’ Worlds 20th anniversary. You and the team put together a great programme. Bodnant Gardens, Mount Usher and Beth Chatto gardens will never be forgotten.The ships entertainment program was very enjoyable, not to forget the excellent food on Balmoral and of course our own celebrities Alan Titchmarsh, Adam Pasco, Pippa Greenwood and Matthew Biggs. We congratulate you and Victoria Travel on another job well done. Thank you. Review from 20th Anniversary cruise on 8th August 2011 by Blake, Emsworth
Flor and Fjaere
Enjoy a scenic boat trip through the Gandsfjord, which is dotted with several picturesque islands. On arrival at the lovely harbour on the island of Sor Hidle, there is a short walk to the Flor and Fjaere Garden which is set in a protected harbour making it a place of peaceful tranquillity, colourful flowers and great sea views. We’ll be given a guided walk of the gardens with one of the knowledgeable garden guides before having free time to explore the exotic gardens at your own leisure. See the world’s most northerly plantation of tropical palm trees, bamboo and banana trees; smell the fruit trees and bountiful flowers all set against the backdrop of majestic mountains and deep fjords.
Cruise fare pricing from £pp based on double occupancy Stateroom Attentive waiters
Enjoyable atmosphere in the Observatory
Brochure fare Cruise.co.uk fare
Inside
Outside
Balcony
Suite
939
1109
1729
2029
899
1049
1569
1829
Single 1789
1449
Western
Mediterranean from £1449
pp
Will Giles
Private drinks party
7 September 2012 15 night cruise aboard BRAEMAR
Free garden tour
Exclusive talks
£150
per cabin
on board sp end + FREE car parking
with Will Giles
As the ship leaves Dover; passengers look back to see a panorama that is one of the most evocative in all of Britain; the massive white cliffs. And then, after three days of leisurely cruising you’ll be greeted by colourful cities, seductive scenery and a wealth of architectural delights form a perfect backdrop to the Western Mediterranean’s tantalising blend of ancient and modern. Often called little Havana, Cadiz, with similarities to Cuba, is an easy-going ancient city that has been host to the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans. Narrow cobbled streets, dramatic Moorish architecture and picturesque squares make the old central quarter the city’s most attractive area. Wide avenues, superb beaches and sailing clubs characterise present day Cadiz.
Date
Arr
Dep
Cruise Itinerary
late pm
Dover
Sat 08 - Mon 10 Tue 11
Cruising early am
late pm
Wed 12
Cadiz Cruising
Thu 13
early am
late pm
Mahon
Fri 14
early pm
late pm
Ajaccio, Corsica
Sat 15
early am
late pm
Toulon
Sun 16
early am
late pm
Barcelona
Mon 17
Barcelona is a city rich in parks. This tour will take us to some of most important and historic garden parks of the cosmopolitan city!
Continuing on, we will drive to the gardens of the Labyrinth Park, the oldest gardens in Barcelona. The park spreads over 9 hectares, of which 8 are landscaped. It has been divided into three staggered terraces, with an Italian touch that combines neo-classical and romantic styles. On the top level is a pond, from which, the garden is watered and in the centre of the labyrinth, small temples, with domes supported by Toscan Columns, can be discovered.
September 2012 Fri 07
FREE Tour - Gardens of Barcelona
Leaving the pier, we shall proceed to the Botanical Gardens. Located behind the Palau Nacional it forms part of the Park Montjuic Botanical Garden with its beautiful flora. The park was set up immediately after the World Exhibition and this garden is considered to be one of the most important examples of its type in Spain. The mission entrusted to the garden is specifically to conserve and document Catalonia’s natural heritage.
On board entertainment
Barcelona
Balcony Suite view
Cruising
Tue 18
early am
late pm
Wed 19 - Fri 21 Sat 22
Gibraltar
Cruising early am
Dover
Fares from £pp based on double occupancy Stateroom Full fare Cruise.co.uk fare
Inside
Outside
Balcony
Suite
1699
2019
3109
3889
1449
1719
2649
3309
Single 2869
2439
Montjuic Botanical Garden, Barcelona
Call today on FREEPHONE 0800 408 6220
7
Anniversary Cruise Special Celebrating 20 years of Garden Cruises!
Ca n a ri e s & M a d e ira
Your Garden Hosts...
3 November 2012 13 night cruise aboard Balmoral
Explore the sun-drenched gardens of Tenerife and Madeira with Gardeners’ Question Time presenter Matthew Biggs, Horticultural editor of Gardeners’ World Magazine, David Hurrion and Tony Russell, broadcaster, tree expert and former head forester at Westonbirt Arboretum.
David Hurrion
£100
per cabin o n board spen d
A full programme of activities on board Balmoral will all compete for your time with exclusive lectures and question times and a special Anniversary Drinks Party with your hosts.
Tony Russell
Matthew Biggs
2 Free
garden tours
Exclusive Ta lks, Gardeners’ get-together s& drinks part y
Enjoying an idyllic climate you can explore the lush gardens of Tenerife with its rich and colourful plantlife as well as discover the varied islands of La Gomera, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. With rich volcanic soil and a magnificent climate, Funchal has many stunning gardens. The Monte Palace Tropical Garden has exotic plants from all over the world, as well as those from ancient forests native to the islands. Equally impressive is the Jardin Botanico, high in the hills. It can easily be reached by the magnificent Botanical Gardens cable car, which gives wonderful views over the city. Finally, taking a city stop at Lisbon, this cruise provides the perfect mix for an autumn holiday.
Free Gardeners’ Tour
Your Cruise Itinerary
November 2012
Gardens Galore in Madeira and Lisbon
Sat 3
Southampton
Sun 4th
Cruising at sea
Mon 5th
Cruising at sea
Tue 6th
Cruising at sea
Wed 7
Funchal, Madeira
Thu 8th
San Sebastian, La Gomera
Fri 9
Santa Cruz, Tenerife
rd
th
th
It will be gardens galore on this Anniversary cruise with FREE garden tours in Madeira and Lisbon and optional garden tours in La Gomera, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Here is a taster of your Madeira tour which will include refreshments at a tea house and a visit to Funchal Market:
Sat 10
Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
Sun 11th
Arrecife, Lanzarote
Mon 12th
Cruising at sea
Tue 13th
Lisbon, Portugal
th
Wed 14
Cruising at sea
Thu 15th
Cruising at sea
Fri 16
Southampton
th
th
The rich diversity of its sub-tropical flora and the extraordinary beauty of the location define Palheiro as one of the most celebrated botanical gardens in the world.
Full fare Cruise.co.uk fare
Palheiro Gardens, Funchal
Trees from all four corners of the globe, places like South Africa, Japan, Australia, South America and China, share the grounds with indigenous species like the Madeira laurel.
Inside
Outside
Balcony
Suite
1239
1469
2279
2669
999
Palheiro Gardens, Funchal
Tucked into a lush, fertile landscape of rolling hills that rise 500 metres above sea level, this carefully cultivated and brilliantly vivid environment has been described as a garden for all seasons, such is its constant allure and year-round appeal. Created over 200 years ago by the 1st Count of Carvalhal and lovingly nurtured and improved by the Blandy family ever since, the award-winning gardens are justly famous for the wide variety of rare trees and shrubs that embroider the grounds, including an astonishing collection of camellia in every shade and hue.
FREEPHONE 0800 408 6220
Fares from £pp based on double occupancy Stateroom
£999pp
Exotic flowers amidst the beautiful scenery of Madeira
1119
1679
1949
Single 2079
1539
Disclaimer: All fares contained within this brochure are per person based on double occupancy unless stated otherwise. All offers are subject to availability, capacity controlled and can be withdrawn at any time without notice. For full terms & conditions please refer to Fred. Olsen Cruises Worldwide brochure 2012/2013 (available upon request). Please be aware that prices are correct at time of going to print. Every effort has been made to ensure that fares are correct, however customers are advised to confirm by calling Victoria Travel. Victoria Travel are accredited members of the cruise lines featured in this brochure. Please note: The experts hosting any of our cruises are subject to personal circumstances permitting and we cannot be held responsible for the cancellation of a host for this reason. In the extreme event that a host has to cancel the cruise, we will, where possible, find a suitable replacement. All cruises will be hosted unless stated or advised otherwise or unless the group does not reach the minimum number of passengers. We plan to visit the gardens detailed, however, should circumstances prevent this - an alternative will be chosen. Printed February 2012.
Job No: 1125
Date
Cruise fares from