2019
Quality Garden and Archaeology Tours
Welcome
W
elcome to Brightwater Holidays’ UK and Overseas Garden and Archaeology tours for 2019 and beyond. We have assembled our usual eclectic mix of tried and tested perennials, returning favourites and brand new
ideas.
At home we continue to showcase the very best gardens that the British Isles have to offer, from Tresco to Northumberland, from East Anglia to the South-West of Ireland. New for 2019 is our special tour celebrating the English rose and one its foremost breeders. Overseas we take you to the outstanding gardens of Spain, France and Italy where joyful horticultural experiences are complemented with gastronomic delights and a glass or two of liquid sunshine. New destinations here include Provence, Piedmont and Lake Garda and the Dolomites. Further afield, old favourites such as Japan and South Africa are joined by new ventures to Madagascar, Chile & the Falkland Islands and Tibet, all led by our experienced, horticulturally-minded tour managers. Our archaeology portfolio sees the welcome return of Bulgaria and Romania, a more relaxed exploration of Crete and a brand new tour of the antiquities of Campania, featuring Pompeii and Herculaneum. For those who like to plan well ahead, take a look at our tour to India for WAFA 2020 and our pilgrimage to Oberammergau for a once-in-a-decade spiritual experience. So, whether you want to enjoy the glory of gardens or the allure of archaeology, or just fancy something a little different, settle down and share in our world of holiday opportunities.
How to book
Full financial protection
After you have enjoyed browsing these pages at your leisure and you’re ready to treat yourself with a place on one of our tours, just get in touch and we will do the rest.
All our holidays are fully bonded and protected. The air holiday packages in this brochure are ATOL Protected, since we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 4498. ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services in this brochure. Holidays without flights are protected by ABTOT. This means that in the unlikely event of our insolvency, your holiday would be completed or refunded.
Give our friendly team a call on 01334 898575, or send us an email at info@brightwaterholidays.com For further details on any of our holidays, including day-by-day itineraries, what’s included as well as any extras, please just head to our website: www.brightwaterholidays.com Happy browsing, and we look forward to hearing from you!
www.brightwaterholidays.com
2
5020
Garden guide UK and Irish Gardens
RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Classic English Gardens
pg 12
The RHS Chatsworth Flower Show and Gardens of Derbyshire
pg 14
Gardens of Cheshire and RHS Flower Show Tatton Park
pg 15
Gardens of Northumberland
pg 16
Private Gardens of East Anglia
pg 17
Gardens of North Wales
pg 18
The English Rose featuring David Austin
pg 19
Private Gardens of Herefordshire
pg 20
3
Highgrove and the Cotswolds
pg 21
The Legacy of Gertrude Jekyll
pg 22
Gardens of Kent & Sussex
pg 24
Queen Victoria and the Isle of Wight
pg 25
Private Gardens of Guernsey and Sark
pg 26
Tresco’s Abbey Gardens
pg 27
Gardens of Cornwall
pg 28
Arts & Gardens in Cornwall
pg 29
Gardens of Devon and Cornwall
pg 30
Irish Rover
pg 32
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Overseas Gardens
The Faroe Islands
pg 34
Alpine Flowers of Wengen
pg 48
Dutch Bulbfields Cruise
pg 35
Highlights of Provence
pg 50
Gardens and Villas of Sicily
pg 36
Gardens of the French Riviera
pg 52
Rome, Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo
pg 38
The Genius of Monet
pg 54
Palladian Villas of Veneto
pg 39
Discover Corfu with Lee Durrell
pg 55
Arts and Gardens of Florence and Tuscany
pg 40
Gardens and Architecture of Andalucia
pg 56
Pharaohs and Ferraris
pg 42
Gardens of Mallorca
pg 58
Lake Garda and the Dolomites
pg 44
Walking in Madeira
pg 60
Villas and Gardens of the Italian Lakes
pg 46
Gardens of Madeira
pg 62
Longhaul & 2020
Chile & the Falkland Islands
pg 66
Yunnan & Tibet
pg 76
Southern Costa Rica
pg 68
Seasonal Gardens of Japan
pg 78
Gardens of Costa Rica
pg 70
Gardens and Wildflowers of South Africa’s Western Cape
pg 80
pg 72
WAFA 2020 and Palaces & Gardens of India’s Golden Triangle
Flora and Fauna of Madagascar
pg 74
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Oberammergau & the Austrian Tyrol - 2020 pg 82
4
Archaeology
An Archaeologist’s View of Orkney and Shetland
pg 86
Archaeology of Denmark & Sweden
pg 88
Romanian Archaeology
pg 90
Bulgarian Archaeology
pg 92
Albania Archaeology
pg 94
Crete Archaeology
pg 96
Malta’s Archaeological Heritage
pg 98
Pompeii
pg 100
Single travellers Gardens of Northumberland
pg 16
Gardens of Cornwall
pg 28
Gardens of Madeira
pg 62
We know that many of our guests are single travellers, who often feel unfairly penalised by having to pay a single room supplement. For 2019 we are pleased to offer three holidays with no such supplement.
5
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Better service
We value you, our guests F
eedback from our guests is simply invaluable and we take all of it on board, which helps us to provide a better service throughout your entire holiday journey – from the moment you first enquire, right through to your return home. Each member of our friendly team understands what it is that you expect from a holiday, and we have worked hard to ensure we can give you
We cover the country Our UK garden tours generally depart by coach from London, with additional pick-ups depending on the route of the coach. These include Reading, Swindon and Bristol if travelling west and Luton, Northampton and Birmingham if heading north. All Eurostar tours depart from London St Pancras. Our flight-inclusive tours depart from one or more of the main London airports, depending on the airline used, and regional flights are usually available at a supplement.
exactly that. So, from the travel experts in our office and the accommodation that we hand-pick for each tour, to the comfortable coaches that transfer you between visits and the knowledgeable tour managers who look after your every need, you’re in safe hands with Brightwater Holidays.
A truly varied programme
What we include
Our programme includes a host of tried and tested favourites, a handful of holidays making a welcome return and a peppering of brand new tours to capture the imagination. As always, we try to ensure that we give our guests a wealth of experiences. Whether it’s special access to gardens, hands-on workshops or visits to historic castles, you can do it all with us!
For 2019 we have taken a more thoughtful approach to what we include in our tours, based on the feedback from our guests. Where you’ve told us lunches don’t need to be included, we’ve taken them out. Where you’ve told us you really enjoyed that delicious meal, we’ve kept them in. All our tours now include porterage (where available), taking that weight off your mind.
2019 PRICES
O
ur brand new programme is extra special because we have reviewed the prices of many of our tours to ensure that we provide optimum value – over 70% of our regular tours are the same price as 2018 or even cheaper. In some cases we have added elements that increase the value and enjoyment of the tour but elsewhere we have passed on savings or removed elements, such as lunches, which our guests have told us they don’t need. We promise that when we launch our new holidays, our lowest prices are made available to you, at the very best value for money. It pays to book early, as prices may increase as the departure date approaches.
www.brightwaterholidays.com
6
Why choose Brightwater for a garden tour? H
aving been based in picturesque Cupar – Fife’s small county town – for over 25 years, we’ve seen our fair share of gardens and beautiful outdoor spaces. The team here at Brightwater really understands the restorative power of nature and feelings of awe that wandering around a stunning garden can inspire, and we have designed our garden tours with these factors in mind. We’ve been going back to the same locations for so long, that our relationships with the gardeners and staff allow us to treat guests to special access. If horticulture is your cup of tea, you’ll be spoilt for choice with Brightwater’s garden tours collection...
What makes our garden tours special? • We have over 25 years of experience and knowledge
• Friendly and authoritative tour managers
• Unique and innovative holidays
• Professionally recognised partnerships
• Exclusive access to private gardens
• Welcoming and friendly service from first contact
• No hidden extras
• You can enjoy peace of mind with financial protection
• Well-planned itineraries that are also perfectly paced
On certain tours, we advise that a reasonable degree of mobility is required to get the most out of the holiday, usually where there is a certain amount of walking involved. These are indicated by this symbol:
7
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Early booking offer To get our new holidays off to the best possible start we are offering a number of places on selected tours at a special introductory price which will be available until 30 November 2018, so book early to get the best possible price. We are offering £50 per person off tours under £1000 and £100 per person off tours over £1000. The tours under offer are indicated by this symbol:
New for 2019
Queen Victoria & the Isle of Wight Join us in 2019 as we find out more about Queen Victoria’s life and her favourite past times.
Pharaohs and Ferraris Wander Turin’s historic centre and tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Venaria Reale.
See Pg.25
See Pg.42
The English Rose featuring David Austin
Lake Garda & the Dolomites
Join us on an exclusive tour at David Austin Roses. Discover Caughton Court which has been presented with the Award of Garden Excellence. See Pg.19
Take a boat trip across the crystal blue waters of Isola del Garda and seek out Alpine flowers in the Dolomites
www.brightwaterholidays.com
See Pg.44
8
Highlights of Provence
Walking in Madeira
Experience France’s fantastic cuisine and see the stunning blue lavender fields.
Explore Monte Palace Gardens, walk the Ribiero Firo to Portela and view the Risco Waterfall.
See Pg.50
See Pg.60
Southern Costa Rica
Yunnan & Tibet
Witness exotic wildlife, flora and fauna on this ten day whirlwind adventure.
Botanise on the mountain slopes in Yunnan and enjoy jaw-dropping views over the Mekong River.
See Pg.68
See Pg.76
WAFA 2020: India
Oberammergau 2020
Visit the incredible Taj Mahal, tour the gardens of Rambagh Palace and spend a day at WAFA 2020.
Join us on a trip of a lifetime as we explore Austria and attend Oberammergau’s Passion Play!
See Pg.80
9
See Pg.82
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Tailor made group travel S
ince its inception over 25 years ago, Brightwater Holidays has provided tailor-made travel arrangements for many private groups and societies, with a dedicated Group Travel department providing a highly personal service. The itineraries and packages have been as varied as the groups themselves, ranging from a short city break to an extended tour of South Africa. Typically, tours include all transportation, accommodation and entry costs, visiting gardens, stately homes, art galleries and other specialist attractions depending on the group’s individual requirements. On most occasions we also provide an experienced Tour Manager, who will ensure the smooth running of the holiday, leaving the group organisers free to relax and enjoy themselves. We aim to understand fully the requirements of your group, so if you are a group travel organiser or a group of friends and would like some advice or a quotation for a tour, please contact our Private Groups Manager, Jenni Duncan, who would be delighted to help tailor a package for you. Remember it’s your tour, and we will try and supply the perfect holiday to match your requirements and budget.
Oberammergau 2020: Great for Groups
O
ccurring just once a decade, the historic Passion Play of Oberammergau is the rarest of rare treats — and it’s also, as luck would have it, the perfect example of how we can tailor a tour around your specific interests or travel goals. With the Passion Play as your tour’s headliner, there’s plenty of room for the supporting acts of your choice.
WAFA 2020 and Palaces & Gardens of India’s Golden Triangle Another key event taking place in 2020 is the World Association of Flower Arrangers show in Jaipur, India. We can arrange an inclusive tour that takes you to all the great sights of the ‘Golden Triangle’ such as the Taj Mahal and the Amber Fort. Contact us for quotations for either of these major events which are sure to be popular.
www.brightwaterholidays.com
10
“Absolute perfection in all aspects of the holiday.”
Friends of Scottish Opera | Guest, 2018
“The gardens were beautiful and our guide was absolutely excellent.”
Cornwall Garden Society | Guest, 2018
“If I could give a higher ranking, I would. His knowledge of horticulture, Scottish heritage, overall lay of the land, and connections to people there was unbelievable. I have been telling my friends about Scotland. When I tell them about it, I tell them that the tour would be quite different without the most incredible Colin Crosbie. He was so enthusiastic! He was very personable and made everyone feel special. Quite the guide!”
Dayton Ohio Gardeners | Guest, 2018 “I found the Brightwater office service excellent as usual.”
York Association of the National Trust |Guest, 2018
W
e put so much thought into the way we craft our private group holidays. There are lots of factors, but no matter your needs, rest assured we’ll be able to combine them into your perfect tour.
Group size
Transport
Tour destination
A small group of friends, a club of fifty, or anything in between — no matter the number, we’ll find the visits and hotels that offer the perfect fit.
Plane, train, or coach — how will you get to your destination? We figure out the cost and itinerary implications so you can make an informed choice.
Let us know where you’d like to go, and for how many days, and we’ll do the rest. Weekend in London? Three-week Caribbean jaunt? Sorted.
Room and board
All inclusive
5-star luxury accommodation and pre-dinner drinks or rustic hotels and independent meals? You decide on the particulars, and we’ll factor it all into your total price.
All site and garden visits included, or a pick-andmix of optional excursions — just how much you’d like to cover in the cost of your tour is up to you.
Get in touch and get started
G
ive our friendly and highly experienced Private Groups Manager Jenni Duncan who has been with Brightwater for over 20 years a call on 01334 657155, or send an email to groups@brightwaterholidays.com to get things started. If you would like some inspiration, have a look at our website www.brightwaterholidays.com No matter what stage of planning you’re at, our team will be able to work with you every step of the way. Tangasdale
11
www.brightwaterholidays.com
RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Classic English Gardens O
ur tour combines the colour, prestige and excitement of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show with some of Southern England’s finest gardens, affording the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of horticultural excellence. Revel in the delights of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, wander around the unmissable gardens of RHS Garden Wisley, and discover the history of glorious Sissinghurst in Kent. We then head west, breaking our journey at the beautiful gardens of Wilton House near Salisbury and Henry Hoare’s famous landscape garden of Stourhead.
From our hotel in the West Country, we stop to visit the ancient Bishop’s Palace in Wells, the Harold Peto designed garden at Iford Manor, and we also have some time in the town of Bath, famous for its Roman baths and elegant Georgian terraces.
What’s Included Six nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast: three nights at the Holiday Inn, Farnborough (or similar) and three nights’ at the Walnut Tree Hotel, North Petherton (or similar) All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager
Stourhead
www.brightwaterholidays.com
12
Itinerary Day 1 We depart from our pick-up
points in London and transfer to the showpiece RHS Garden Wisley, where we enjoy a guided tour. This outdoor space is home to glasshouses, an arboretum and many glorious gardens. Later, we continue to our hotel for dinner. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 Our entire day is spent at the
RHS Chelsea Flower Show, a great British tradition and exciting source of inspiration and advice. One of the highlights of the show is the collection of over 20 full-sized show gardens. Inside the Great Marquee visitors are dazzled by hundreds of floral displays, many of them incorporating new, rare and unusual plants. Other popular features here include flower arranging, floristry and garden design marquees, courtyard gardens, window boxes and hanging baskets. We return to our hotel for dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey
Day 3 Today, we head for the
manicured gardens of Sissinghurst, where we are treated to an exclusive guided tour before the gardens open to the public. The history to be explored here is rich and fascinating, and the gardens themselves are simply stunning. We continue to another classic English garden – this time, Great Dixter. The distinguished garden writer Christopher Lloyd, was the genius behind the elegant gardens of a timbered 15th century house. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 A drive south starts our morning
Display garden at RHS Chelsea
Departures 23 May 2019
Price
£1295
7 days from per person Single room supplement £300
as we visit the gardens of Wilton House, near Salisbury. This impressive Palladian mansion has been the country seat for the Earls of Pembroke for over 400 years and its gardens are very attractive. Later, we take a trip to Iford Manor, where we have an exclusive private visit. Its Italianate garden is Grade 1 listed and was created by the architect and landscape gardener Harold Peto.
are 14 acres of gardens to explore, including the beautiful well pools from which the city takes its name. We will also be given some free time here to experience the city’s architecture, view its breathtaking cathedral and have free time for lunch. In the afternoon, we visit Hestercombe, one of Gertrude Jekyll and Sir Edwin Lutyens’ greatest masterpieces. The garden is home to a round pool in a round walled garden filled with wintersweet and roses, a Dutch garden of lamb’s ears, lavender and the most beautiful orangery of the 20th century. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 6 Today begins at the gardens
at Stourhead, first opened in the 1740s. Temples, urns, a grotto and a wealth of trees all contribute to the special atmosphere of this celebrated landscape garden. It is, above all, a garden to walk in, following the serpentine path that borders the lake which forms the serene centrepiece. After a tour of this beautiful garden, we head back to Bath for some free time. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 7 This morning, we travel to
Tyntesfield, a fine Victorian country house. Spiralling turrets and pinnacles adorn the roof, ornate stone carvings and church-like windows complete the Gothic look, giving the feel of a mysterious, fairytale mansion. Terraced lawns give way to spacious parkland filled with hundreds of trees collected by the family, and a glorious walled kitchen garden beyond. The rolling Somerset hills in the distance create an atmospheric backdrop. Here, we are treated to a guided tour before we return to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 5 We start our day at The
Bishop’s Palace in Wells, Somerset. This is a stunning Medieval building and we enjoy a special ‘Horticulture at the Palace’ tour upon arrival. There
13
Sissinghurst
www.brightwaterholidays.com
What’s Included Three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the 4-star Kenwood Hall Hotel Afternoon tea at Betty’s Tearoom
The RHS Chatsworth Flower Show and Gardens of Derbyshire
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager
Hardwick Hall
A
Departures
Set against the classic landscape shaped by Capability Brown and Joseph Paxton, the show aims to present the best in British design and innovation. Industry experts create dazzling Show Gardens packed with innovative planting and exciting design while in the Floral Marquee and Plant Village you can meet the horticultural experts to help you put your own gardening plans into practice. We will also enjoy a specially arranged guided tour of RHS Harlow Carr, The Royal Horitcultural Society’s northern flagship, which continues to set the highest possible standards in the gardening world.
Price
s garden enthusiasts, it goes without saying that we all know and love Chelsea. But since 2017, there’s been a new flower show contending for the crown...
Itinerary
Day 1 We depart from our pick-up
points and travel to Felley Priory. The tranquil grounds house many rare and usual plants, and the herbaceous borders are a true sight to behold. We continue to Hardwick Hall, which dominates the surrounding area. We then check-in to our hotel and enjoy dinner. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 Our day starts at RHS Harlow
Carr. Within this handsome and well-wooded site, there are sections devoted to particular groups of plants. After refreshments at Betty’s Tearoom we have some free time in Harrogate, whose attractions include the Mercer Art Gallery and the Royal Pump Room. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, afternoon tea & dinner.
4 days from
£695
per person Single room supplement £90
Day 3 We enjoy a full day at the
RHS Chatsworth Show. Set against the classic landscape shaped by Capability Brown and Joseph Paxton, the show aims to present the best British design and innovation. There will be a wide range of show gardens, including a new category ‘Free Form’, allowing designers to create something previously unseen. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 We check out of our hotel and journey to Haddon Hall, an intensely romantic and hugely historic house, set in hilly wooded countryside. The gardens still have some of their 17th century character. Following our visit we depart for our original pick-up points. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
www.brightwaterholidays.com
6 June 2019
14
Haddon Hall, Derbyshire
Gardens of Cheshire and RHS Flower Show Tatton Park
What’s Included Three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the 4-star DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa, Chester One lunch All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager
Arley Hall
T
he Royal Horticultural Society will once again bring a spectacular celebration of flowers and gardening to the north-west of England with the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. Set against Tatton Park’s 1000-acre deer park, the show will be full of attractions, imaginative and colourful displays, original back-to-back small gardens and exciting show gardens. In Cheshire, we also visit four notable gardens. Arley Hall’s herbaceous borders are one of England’s great garden sights, while Mount Pleasant’s traditional mixed garden is complemented by views over the Cheshire countryside. Ness Botanic Gardens has features that include herbaceous borders, climbing plants and water gardens, and finally we visit Stonyford Cottage, an informal natural garden and specialist plant nursery.
Departures 17 July 2019
Price 4 days from
£595
per person Single room supplement £135
Itinerary Day 1 We head for Cheshire where our Day 3 We start with a visit to the first visit is to Ness Botanic Gardens, which features herbaceous borders, terraces with climbing plants, native plants and water gardens. Later, we transfer to our hotel, where dinner is served. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 After breakfast, we depart for
the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. The show is full of attractions, from spectacular floral marquees ablaze with colourful displays from over 80 nurseries to a series of back-to-back gardens proving that even the smallest space can become a treasured retreat. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
gardens of Arley Hall. A pair of herbaceous borders was laid out here in 1846 and they survive to this day, beautifully maintained - one of the great garden sights of England. In the afternoon we visit Mount Pleasant, 10 acres of landscaped garden and woodland with impressive views over the Cheshire countryside. Steeply terraced in places, this is a traditional mixed garden featuring azaleas, specimen trees and conifers. Dinner is served in the evening.
Cottage gardens. This informal natural space has been developed around a pool with bridges leading over to an island, which evokes Monet’s iconic gardens at Giverny. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 We check out of our hotel after breakfast and head home, making a final stop for lunch at Stonyford
15
Arley Hall, near Northwich
www.brightwaterholidays.com
No single supplement
What’s Included Three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the 4-star Durham Marriott Hotel Royal County, Durham One lunch Return standard class rail travel from London Kings Cross to Durham (discount for no rail £100pp)
Gardens of Northumberland
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout
Alnwick Garden Tree House
T
he largely rural county of Northumberland is home to a range of individual and imaginative gardens, with each one giving an unusual insight into the pleasure of gardening in this most beautiful and tranquil corner of England. In the pretty village of Whalton, we find all kinds of interesting plants at the Manor House, whose history features contributions from Jekyll and Lutyens. Mindrum was created with skill and verve by a natural artist who recently set about creating a new garden at Kirky Cottage, filled with her favourite plants from Mindrum and many others. Crook Hall provides a little oasis of colour and tranquillity in the heart of the city of Durham and naturally we visit the superb Alnwick Garden, full of innovative features and bold planting.
Services of a professional tour manager
Departures 2 June 2019
Price 4 days from
£795
per person No single room supplement
Itinerary Day 1 We travel from London’s Kings
Cross to Durham and join our coach upon arrival. Our first visit is to Crook Hall, a Grade I listed medieval Manor House with a banqueting hall that dates back to at least the 13th century. We continue to our hotel for dinner. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 Following breakfast, we travel
through the wild and rugged landscape of north Northumberland to Mindrum. The garden was created with great skill and verve by the owner and is now looked after by her son. We transfer to her new garden created a few years ago at Kirky Cottage where lunch is included. We return to our hotel and have some free time to explore before
www.brightwaterholidays.com
dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 3 Today, we visit Alnwick
in 1996, which has matured beautifully. We catch a train back to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Garden, one of the world’s most ambitious new gardens. The Duchess of Northumberland’s vision for a forgotten plot is now a truly 21st century experience full of imagination, inspiration and fun. Our second visit today is to the garden at the Manor House. Dinner will be served back at our hotel in the evening. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 Before heading home, we
travel to the Northumberland/Durham border to Newbiggin House, a 5-acre landscaped garden at 1,000ft started
16
Water feature in Alnwick Garden
What’s Included Three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the Dunston Hall Hotel, Norwich All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager
Private Gardens of East Anglia Beth Chatto Garden
T
he adjoining counties of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk feature on this tour of some of the finest gardens that East Anglia has to offer, many of which have connections to the RHS, making them just that little bit more special.
Departures
We begin in Essex, with visits to RHS Garden Hyde Hall, which showcases a selection of different styles including rose and Mediterranean gardens and a new wildflower meadow, and continue to the late Beth Chatto’s famous garden and nursery. We tour Helmingham Hall gardens, where the house, parkland and gardens together create an exceptional work of art. This is followed with a visit to Wyken Hall vineyards and gardens, and we have the privilege of visiting Raveningham Hall. The Place for Plants and Marks Hall Garden & Arboretum complete our tour.
Price
29 May & 12 August 2019
4 days from
£595
per person Single room supplement £90
Itinerary Day 1 We depart from London and
visit RHS Hyde Hall at Rettendon, south of Chelmsford. Next, we continue to Beth Chatto Gardens, near Colchester. The garden was created in 1960 by Beth Chatto from overgrown wasteland with poor gravel soil and boggy hollows. We continue to the Dunston Hall Hotel, where dinner will be served in the evening. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 This morning, we travel to
Wyken Hall and Vineyards where the beautiful formal gardens should be bursting with topiary, herbs, roses, and fruit trees. Next, we head to Helmingham Hall, near Stowmarket which overlooks a deer park with a
double avenue of oaks. To one side a walled kitchen garden has been put to ornamental use. Dinner will be enjoyed at our hotel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 3 After breakfast, we visit the
Day 4 Discover the incomparable
Place for Plants at East Bergholt and then continue to our final visit – the gardens at Marks Hall. Following this, we return to our pick-up points. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
gardens of Raveningham Hall, protected by shelter belts of woodland, herbaceous and mixed borders, wildflower meadows and rolling lawns. A highlight of our visit is the Time Garden – designed around Francis Bacon’s essays based on the passage of time. We round off today with a visit to the breath-taking 20-acre East Ruston Old Vicarage Garden. Dinner is served in the evening. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
17
Helmingham Hall gardens
www.brightwaterholidays.com
What’s Included Three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the Celtic Royal Hotel, Caernarfon All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of horticulturalist Tony Russell as tour manager
Gardens of North Wales Portmeirion
S
et among glorious scenery that includes the mountains of Snowdonia, dramatic seascapes and ancient castles, North Wales is home to some outstanding gardens. One of the best is Plas Cadnant, which 20 years ago was an overgrown, abandoned wilderness of ivy and decrepit fruit trees. Its new owner has brought it back to life and, rather like Heligan in Cornwall, Plas Cadnant has emerged as a gem of a garden, full of interest. Further highlights include Plas Tan y Bwlch, a spectacular Victorian garden nestling in dramatic mountain scenery within the Snowdonia National Park, Bodnant Garden, with a range of beautiful plants from all over the world, and Portmeirion, the eccentric and rather surreal Italianate village. We are guided by Tony Russell, former Head Forester at Westonbirt Arboretum.
Departures 7 June 2019
Price 4 days from
£595
per person Single room supplement £195
Itinerary Day 1 We depart by coach and head
for Wales, where we visit the gardens of Powis Castle, influenced by French and Italian styles. We continue to the Celtic Royal Hotel, which dates back to the 18th century and was frequented by Queen Victoria. Dinner is served in the evening. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 After breakfast, we travel to the
privately-owned garden of Maenan Hall, a beautiful property on the slopes of the Conwy Valley, with dramatic views of Snowdonia and set among mature hardwoods. In the afternoon, we travel to Colwyn Bay to visit Bodnant Garden and then we tour Plas Cadnant, a hidden historic garden
www.brightwaterholidays.com
which is slowly being uncovered. We enjoy dinner at the hotel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 3 Today we visit Mynydd Heulog, an 18th century stone cottage set in a sloping garden with amazing views over the Lleyn and Cardigan Bay. Our final visit of the day is at Plas yn Rhiw and then we return to our hotel for dinner.
Portmeirion, the famous Italianate village. We tour Plas Tan y Bwlch, a spectacular Victorian garden nestling in dramatic mountain scenery within the Snowdonia National Park before returning to our original pick-up points. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 We check out of the hotel after breakfast and visit Plas Brondanw at Croesor, Gwynedd. This Italianate garden was created by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, who inherited the house from his father. We continue to
18
Bodnant Gardens
New for 2019
What’s Included Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the Haughton Hall Hotel in Shifnal All visits as outlined in the itinerary Exclusive visit to David Austin’s nursery and rose gardens in Albrighton
Comfortable coach travel throughout
The English Rose
Services of a professional tour manager
featuring David Austin David Austin Roses
T
hink of roses and you think of David Austin, England’s pre-eminent breeder of roses. His blooms have all the character and fragrance of old English roses, but with the repeat flowering and wide colour range of modern varieties. We’ve arranged an exclusive visit to his nursery and display garden in Albrighton, Shropshire, where we enjoy a guided tour of the rose gardens, followed by time to explore at your leisure – or choose a plant or two for your own garden! We have also selected a range of other gardens noted for their roses, so this holiday is one for fans of one of our most popular garden plants. Further highlights include Wightwick Manor, Spetchley Park, Hodnet Hall and Coughton Court, which has been presented with the Award of Garden Excellence by the World Federation of Rose Societies. Everything will be coming up roses on this tour!
Departures 19 June 2019
Price 4 days from
£675
per person Single room supplement £150
Itinerary Day 1 We leave from our pick-up
points and head for our first visit Spetchley Park Gardens, home to rare plants, shrubs and trees from around the globe. From here, we travel to our hotel where dinner will be served this evening. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 A special visit awaits us in
Albrighton at David Austin Roses. Following refreshments we will enjoy a private tour of the rose gardens. Afterwards, we transfer to Wightwick Manor in Wolverhampton to see its Arts & Crafts garden. Dinner will be served at our hotel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 3 After breakfast, we visit the
garden at Wollerton Old Hall, a three acre plantsman’s garden, developed around a 16th century house which is home to many rare and unusual plants. From here, we continue to Hodnet Hall, whose gardens are ringed with ancient trees that protect more delicate species. There is a Berberis darwini in the garden, brought back by Charles Darwin on his famous voyage of discovery on the Beagle in 1835. We return to our hotel for dinner.
fashion, and house almost 1,000 plant varieties. We stop at Coughton Court which boasts over 75 different rose varieties before returning to our departure points. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 We check out of our hotel with
time for two more visits. The eight acres at Morton Hall combine historic and new features in an aesthetic
19
Spetchley Park Gardens
www.brightwaterholidays.com
What’s Included Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at Brooks Country House Hotel, Ross on Wye One lunch All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout
Private Gardens of Herefordshire
Services of a professional tour manager
Hampton Court Castle
R
ural Herefordshire boasts some of Britain’s finest gardens, offering a great variety of styles, from water gardens to plantsman’s gardens; from a garden of sentiment and memories to a garden of history and refinement. The rolling hills of Herefordshire are home to truly stunning gardens, none more so than Westonbury Mill Water Gardens. Be transported into a world of inspiration as you wander through a maze of paths, under a canopy of leaves and over the lily pond on the Monet bridge. At Stockton Bury, a four-acre plantsman’s garden full of unusual plants, we are privileged to have a workshop, tour, lunch and talk with gardener Tamsin Westhorpe. Of course, no visit to Herefordshire would be complete without paying a visit to the award-winning Hampton Court Castle.
Departures 8 May & 19 August 2019
Price 4 days from
£695
per person Single room supplement £150
Itinerary Day 1 Depart by coach, stopping
en route for lunch (not included) at Pengethley Garden Centre. We continue to our first visit, Sir Roy Strong’s garden, The Laskett. Following our visit we transfer to our hotel where dinner wil be served. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 A visit to the private garden of
the Old Rectory at Thruxton awaits. It’s stocked with unusual perennials and roses, and is a great place to explore. Later, we visit Westonbury Mill Water Garden, which is home to a bog garden and a ‘Monet’ bridge. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Day 3 We begin by travelling to the
gardens at Hampton Court Castle, a 15th century structure surrounded by 1,000 acres of parkland, pasture and woodland. We explore Stockton Bury Gardens at Kimbolton and enjoy lunch, a garden tour, workshop and talk by Tamsin Westhorpe a well-known gardener and RHS judge. Many of the unusual plants here are for sale and are well-labelled, a good size and reasonably priced – the perfect souvenir.
20th century by Sir Edwin Lutyens in his famous Edwardian style. Following lunch (not included), we return to our original departure points. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 4 Our final day culminates with
a visit to Misarden Park, near Stroud. Originally designed in the 17th century, the gardens were redeveloped in the
20
Hampton Court Garden
What’s Included Three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the 4-star De Vere Cotswold Waterpark Hotel All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager
Highgrove and the Cotswolds Highgrove
O
ur tour of the Cotswolds features an exclusive visit to Highgrove House, the country home of HRH The Prince of Wales. You are unlikely to meet His Royal Highness... but there’s nothing stopping you from talking to his plants! Join us and enjoy the rare opportunity to see the fascinating gardens of Highgrove – which are cultivated using wholly organic methods. Vegetable varieties loved by the Prince are grown here – Charlotte potatoes and Happil strawberries mingle with Welsh leeks, spring cabbage, festive brussel sprouts and classic carrots.
Departures 12 April | 10 May | 21 June | 9 August & 6 September 2019
Price 4 days from
£595
per person Single room supplement £150
We also visit Malmesbury’s Abbey House Garden, Hidcote Manor and Kiftsgate. We also explore the private garden of Misarden Park and our final visit is to Westonbirt, the National Arboretum.
Itinerary Day 1 We depart from our pick-up
points and head for Malmesbury to visit the Abbey House Garden, with its unique medieval herb garden and large collection of roses. We continue to our hotel in the Cotswolds where dinner will be served. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 This morning, we visit the
gardens of Hidcote Manor, one of the best known gardens in Britain. We then visit Kiftsgate Court. The house, in a splendid setting with views to the Vale of Evesham, is surrounded by a series of enclosed gardens, whose formality is blurred by generous planting. We return to our hotel for dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 3 After breakfast, we transfer
to Highgrove, the country home of HRH the Prince of Wales (subject to successful application). This is a rare opportunity to see these fascinating gardens which are cultivated using wholly organic methods. In the afternoon we enjoy a visit to Misarden Park, near Stroud. Dinner will be at our hotel again this evening.
600 acres. Following our visit we return to our original pick-up points. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 We check out of the hotel and
pay a visit to Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, which is perhaps the most important and widely known arboretum in the United Kingdom. It comprises some 18,000 trees and shrubs, over an area of approximately
21
Hidcote Manor
www.brightwaterholidays.com
The Legacy of Gertrude Jekyll G
ertrude Jekyll was a plantswoman extraordinaire, painter and writer, however she is perhaps best remembered for her association with the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Over the last hundred years, few would doubt the great influence Gertrude Jekyll had on garden design — during her lifetime, she created over 400 gardens. Our tour stretches across the south of England, from the Home Counties of Kent, Sussex and Surrey into the scenic West Country. We begin at the outstanding private estates of Buckhurst Park, immortalised by A A Milne as the Hundred Acre Wood in Winnie the Pooh.
We also visit Godalming’s small museum. Housed in a listed medieval building, it displays paintings, embroidery and architectural designs including work by Gertrude Jekyll and Sir Edwin Lutyens. Perhaps the true highlight of this holiday will be the rare chance to visit Munstead Wood, where Gertrude Jekyll lived until her death in 1932. The garden today is mainly woodland with many oaks, Scots pines, silver birches and chestnuts.
What’s Included Five nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast: three nights at the 4-star Best Western Frensham Pond Hotel and two nights at the 3-star Best Western Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster
www.brightwaterholidays.com
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager
22
Itinerary Day 1 We begin with a visit to the
gardens of Vann, where we are greeted with an introductory talk. Notable features include an old cottage garden, a pergola, a quarter acre pond, mixed borders and island beds. We continue with a guided tour of Loseley Park, a highlight of which is the Walled Garden, an extensive area divided into ‘rooms’, each with its own rare planting scheme. The Flower Garden has a maze of pathways and secluded corners, whereas the White Garden boasts spectacular, showy, blooms with subtle, silver and grey foliage. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 4 Following breakfast, we head
southwest, for a visit to the private garden of Bramdean. We begin with an introductory talk before exploring the garden, which is notable for its mirror-image herbaceous borders, along with a large and unusual collection of plants and shrubs, a small arboretum and walled garden. We continue to the gardens of East Lambrook, known as ‘the home of English cottage gardening’ where we receive a complimentary talk on arrival. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 5 We visit Nynehead Court,
whose formal gardens are listed by English Heritage and feature a wide variety of trees, a walled vegetable garden and a parterre. There is also a thought-provoking sculpture park. We proceed to Cothay Manor, a magical, romantic garden that surrounds what is said to be the most perfect example of a small, classic, medieval manor. With its wide range of plants, this is a true plantsman’s paradise. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Hestercombe
Day 6 Our final visit is to
Gertrude Jekyll cothey plants
Day 2 Today we visit the garden at
Buckhurst Park. Features include an ornamental waterfall, stunning pergolas and lily ponds. Possibly the most famous area of the grounds is the 100 Acre Wood, immortalised by AA Milne. We continue to Nymans Garden, one of the finest gardens of Sussex - an outstanding plant collection in an inspirational setting. There are many rare and exotic plants here, with a walled garden, Italian garden, pinetum and woodland walks. Munstead Wood
Hestercombe, one of Gertrude Jekyll and Sir Edwin Lutyens’ greatest masterpieces. The garden is home to a round pool in a round walled garden filled with wintersweet and roses, a Dutch garden of lamb’s ears, lavender and the most beautiful orangery of the 20th century. Everywhere there are details of design and planting to inspire the gardener. Following our visit we return to our original pick-up points. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 3 We begin the day with a visit to
Departures 19 May 2019
Price
£1195
6 days from per person Single room supplement £245
Upton Grey Manor House, believed to be the most comprehensive and authentic Jekyll garden in existence — a living museum of the Jekyll design. We continue to the small and friendly Goldaming Museum and then onto Munstead Wood, a woodland with many oaks, Scots pines, silver birches and chestnuts. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
23
Upton Grey
www.brightwaterholidays.com
What’s Included Three nights dinner (with wine), bed and breakfast at the 4-star Donnington Manor Hotel, Sevenoaks Two lunches All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout
Gardens of Kent & Sussex
Services of a professional tour manager
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
I
f there’s one tour that epitomises the joy of strolling around a perfect English country garden, it is this one – with one shining example after another to be savoured and enjoyed. Even if you have visited some of these properties before, such is their allure that you can return again and again, just as you would re-read your favourite novel. First-time visitors will be bowled over by the quality and pedigree of these gardens, which capture the essence of the English country garden. We start at Great Comp, filled with rare and beautiful shrubs, followed by Lullingstone Castle. Nymans Garden offers outstanding plants in a theatrical setting and is twinned with the unusual Sussex Prairie Garden. We also visit Sissinghurst, surely the most-copied flower garden in the world, and Great Dixter. Wakehurst Place and Perch Hill complete a distinguished tour.
Departures 30 May | 24 June & 18 August 2019
Price 4 days from
£795
per person Single room supplement £195
Itinerary Day 1 We depart from our pick-up
points and head towards Kent for our first visit, Great Comp Garden – a beautiful seven-acre garden with many rare shrubs, perennials and hardy plants. After lunch, we continue to Lullingstone Castle. We continue to our hotel, the 4-star Donnington Manor, where dinner will be served this evening. Inc. Meals: Lunch & dinner.
Day 2 After breakfast, we set off
for the Sussex Prairie Garden at Henfield, where we are led on a guided tour by the owners. We continue to Nymans Garden, an outstanding plant collection in an inspirational setting. We return to the hotel for dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Day 3 This morning, we are privileged
to have an ‘early bird visit’ to the manicured gardens of Sissinghurst, before they open to the general public. We continue to another classic English Country Garden: Great Dixter. No gardener could come to Great Dixter without making discoveries and rekindling a zest for gardening. Dinner will be served at the hotel this evening.
returning to our original pick-up points. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 Our first visit today is to
Wakehurst Place Gardens, set in 100 acres. Thereafter, we continue to Perch Hill, the garden of well-known TV presenter Sarah Raven. After lunch, we enjoy a special guided tour in the company of the Head Gardener, before Great Dixter
24
New for 2019
What’s Included Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 3-star Best Western Holmwood Hotel, Cowes One lunch All visits as outlined in the itinerary
Queen Victoria and the Isle of Wight
Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager
Windsor Castle
2
019 is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria, during whose reign Britain went through huge social changes. This new tour takes us to locations that played an important part in her life as well as offering the opportunity to visit some of the outstanding attractions on the Isle of Wight. The centrepiece must be Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s favourite home, with its beautiful gardens and extravagant Wendy house where the royal children played so happily. Elsewhere on the island we visit Carisbrooke Castle, Godshill and Shanklin Old Village with their picturesque thatched cottages and the interesting Garlic Farm. On the mainland, visits include Windsor Castle and Frogmore House.
Departures 4 August 2019
Price 4 days from
£695
per person Single room supplement £120
Itinerary Day 1 We depart by coach from
London, and travel the short distance to Windsor Castle, the scene of countless royal occasions over the centuries. Our free-flow tour includes the State Apartments, Queen Mary’s Dolls House and St George’s Chapel. We continue to Portsmouth and catch a ferry to the Isle of Wight, where we check-in to our hotel. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 We travel to Osborne House &
Gardens, which was Queen Victoria’s favourite home. Here we will enjoy a guided tour of the gardens, and after lunch, we continue with a tour of the house. Later we visit the Swiss Cottage, the large Wendy house which
Victoria and Albert’s nine children loved to play. We then return to our hotel where dinner is served in the evening. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 3 We begin at the Garlic Farm
north to explore Savill Garden, one of Britain’s greatest ornamental gardens. Our final visit takes us to Frogmore House ending in the Britannia Room, before returning to our original pick-up points. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
today and enjoy a tour of the farm by tractor and trailor. We continue to Carisbrooke Castle and then on to Godshill, which boasts some of the oldest architecture on the Isle of Wight. Next, we travel to Shanklin where we visit the world famous gorge, and Shanklin Chine. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 This morning we take the ferry back to Portsmouth. We then travel
25
Osborne House
www.brightwaterholidays.com
What’s Included Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: three nights at La Barbarie, Guernsey and one night at Stocks Hotel, Sark Return flights London to Guernsey Return ferry crossings Guernsey to Sark
Private Gardens of Guernsey and Sark La Seigneurie Gardens
T
he island of Guernsey, just 20 miles off the coast of France, flourishes in the warmth of summer and is home to some wonderful gardens. On our first day here we visit a large town garden with good planting in St. Peter Port as well as the public Candie Gardens, a real Victorian gem. We also visit La Petite Vallée, where we find a range of traditional and exotic planting before crossing to the tranquil, traffic-free island of Sark. Upon arrival, we tour the wonderful garden of La Seigneurie and wildflower meadows. This unforgettable trip also offers the chance to enjoy the clear night skies that this unspoilt island has to offer, before we return home.
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of local expert Malcolm Cleal as tour manager
Departures 29 April & 19 September 2019
Price 5 days from
£1195
per person
Single room supplement £250
Itinerary Day 1 We depart from Gatwick and
arrive into Guernsey, where we visit a private town garden. Later, we view the Guernsey Millennium Tapestry, tour Candie Gardens and Grange Court. We transfer to our hotel for our evening meal.
Day 3 The private garden of La Petite Vallée, with its exotic and traditional planting, awaits us this morning. Next, we tour the private garden of Forest Lodge and then visit a fresia nursery. Nearby is Oatlands Village, home to unique attractions.
Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 2 After breakfast, we explore the
Day 4 We transfer to the harbour
gardens of La Vallon and then the workshop of Bruce Russell & Son. In the afternoon, we visit Guernsey Prison’s gardens, the walled garden at Saumarez Park and the Guernsey Folk & Costume Museum. Dinner is at our hotel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
ferry to St. Peter Port where we have free time for shopping. There’s time to visit a private garden and then we transfer to the airport and return home. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
at St. Peter Port and depart for the neighbouring island of Sark where, we visit the gardens of La Seigneurie. Afterwards, we continue to the luxurious Stocks Hotel, where we are staying tonight. After dinner, we can enjoy the clear and starry night skies for which Sark is known. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Day 5 After breakfast, we return by
26
St Peter Port
What’s Included Three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the New Inn, Tresco Return flight from Land’s End to St Mary’s (Exeter and Newquay available at a reasonable supplement) Return train fare London Paddington/Penzance (there is a discount of £100pp if you make your own way to and from Penzance)
Tresco’s Abbey Gardens
Boat transfers between St Mary’s and Tresco
Abbey Gardens
Entry to Tresco’s Abbey Garden with guided walk
T
Departures
The wonderful Abbey Garden is home to more than 3,000 species and magnificent vistas, colours and scents. There is certainly no other garden like this in the world. Even in winter there are 300 plants in flower in the Abbey Garden and as each day lengthens more and more exotic flowers appear. In the spring you will see flowers here that are weeks ahead of those on the mainland, and in Autumn, the beautiful golden, reds and ambers are a true sight to behold.
Price
ruly a sub-tropical paradise, this tiny corner of England has remained unpolluted, unspoilt and unchanged for decades. Tresco lies just 28 miles from the Cornish coast yet basks in a balmy climate where spring comes early, autumn stays late and winter hardly exists at all.
29 March | 12 April | 29 April | 13 May 16 September | 20 September 30 September & 4 October 2019
4 days from
£995
per person Single room supplement from £195 April & September supplement £100pp May supplement £130pp
Itinerary Day 1 To take the strain out of the long drive to Penzance we have arranged train transportation from London Paddington. Upon arrival, we transfer to Land’s End in time for our flight to the Scillies. On St Mary’s we take a short boat transfer to Tresco, where we check in to our hotel. We enjoy some free time, and a welcome talk before dinner this evening. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2-3 On our first morning we meet
at the entrance of the Abbey Garden. Here, we enjoy a guided walk around the magnificent gardens, and the Valhalla collection of ship’s figureheads with the head gardener or a member of staff. We are then free to explore
Tresco at leisure - the ancient castles, beautiful beaches, headland walks, or simply relax in the resident’s lounge. Visiting other islands can easily be arranged - Bryher, St Martins, St Agnes and St Mary’s. One of the joys of the Scillies is the fact that all the islands easily interact with each other. Regular boat trips are available to see the sea birds and seals of the Western rocks, and if you are feeling adventurous, it is sometimes possible to circumnavigate Bishop’s Rock lighthouse.
Day 4 We leave Tresco, and a morning boat will take us to St Mary’s for our return flight to Land’s End. On arrival we will be transferred to Penzance in time for our afternoon train back to Paddington. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Tresco
27
www.brightwaterholidays.com
No single supplement
What’s Included Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the Lanhydrock Hotel All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager
Gardens of Cornwall Trebah
C
ornwall’s gardens are renowned the world over and our tour includes visits to some of the finest in the country. Choose between spring, when rhododendrons and bulbs bring life and colour to the gardens, and autumn, when the palette changes to reds, yellows and golds, and the gardens relax into fruitfulness. The near neighbours of Trebah and Glendurgan illustrate this perfectly, with great Asiatic shrubs of rhododendron, magnolia and camellia all featuring. The award-winning Lost Gardens of Heligan continue to fascinate, while over at the Eden Project we can explore a futuristic microcosm of botanic diversity. Our tour also includes the National Trust properties of Knightshayes Court and Killerton. Best of all, there’s no single room supplement!
Departures 11 April & 1 October 2019
Price 4 days from
£655
per person
No single room supplement
Itinerary Day 1 We depart from our pick-up
points and travel to Knightshayes Court, one of the finest examples of a Gothic Revival country house. We travel to our hotel, where dinner is served in the evening. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 After breakfast, we travel to
the Eden Project, a 50-metre deep, 34-acre china clay pit that is home to environmentally controlled plant conservatories which replicate tropical and Mediterranean climates. Our next visit is to the Lost Gardens of Heligan which lay dormant for over 70 years before becoming the largest garden restoration project in Europe. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Day 3 This morning we visit Trebah,
a wild Cornish garden with something for everyone. The garden was originally laid out in the 1840s and flourished to become one of England’s great gardens by the 1930s. It was here that rare Chinese palm trees, giant ferns and a host of other exotic plants were discovered a few years ago, when the rhododendrons were cut back. We then continue to Glendurgan, a place of tranquillity and beauty. This garden has many fine trees, rare and exotic plants from around the world.
among mossy rocks under a canopy of old camellias and maples. From here, we return to our pick-up points. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 Our final visit en route home is
to the gardens of Killerton. A masterly rock garden in an old quarry sparkles
28
Eden Project
Arts & Gardens in Cornwall
What’s Included Four nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the Lanhydrock Hotel One cream tea All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager
© Tate St Ives.
T
he undoubted star of this stimulating break is the newly extended and refurbished Tate Gallery in St. Ives, which won the coveted 2018 Museum of the Year award, worth £100,000. It was created in 1993 to showcase a collection of work by 20th century painters and sculptors associated with the local area, such as Ben Nicholson and Barbara Hepworth, and we are delighted to offer the opportunity to visit this world-class venue. We also tour the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden – she lived and worked at Trewyn Studio from 1949 until her death in 1975 – and Falmouth Art Gallery.
Departures 11 May & 4 September 2019
Price 5 days from
£895
per person Single room supplement £175
Cornwall’s gardens are internationally celebrated and our visits include Hestercombe, Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens great masterpiece, and the formal courtyard of Lanhydrock.
Itinerary Day 1 We depart from our pick-up
points and travel to our first garden, glorious Hestercombe. From here, we head to our hotel where dinner will be served. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 Our first full day begins at the
National Trust property of Godolphin House, where we enjoy a behindthe-scenes tour. In the afternoon, we continue to Tremenheere Sculpture Garden, near Penzance where exotic plant-filled gardens are illuminated by pieces of contemporary art. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 3 A treat awaits today at
Tregothnan, a unique estate which
is rarely open to the public, where we enjoy a special tour followed by a cream tea. Later, we move on to Trewithen, a garden where camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons are on display between woodland walks and its heritage family home. (In September we visit the colourful garden of Bosvigo instead.)
the hotel where dinner will be served. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 5 After breakfast, we visit
Lanhydrock Gardens, notable for its beds of modern roses and flowering shrubs. From here, we return to our departure points. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, cream tea & dinner.
Day 4 Explore the Barbara Hepworth
Museum and Sculpture Garden today including the small house, her studios and secluded garden. Next, we tour the Tate Gallery and then we continue to Falmouth’s fantastic Art Gallery, which houses one of Cornwall’s leading art collections. We make our way back to
29
Lanhydrock Gardens
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Gardens of Devon and Cornwall T
he words Devon and Cornwall go together like ‘peaches and cream’, ‘Morecambe and Wise’ and ‘Chelsea’ and ‘Flower Show’. Their wonderful gardens are as good as any in these islands, and fuse together in a cocktail of West Country magic. Our tour begins at the gardens of Hestercombe in the hills above Taunton, then we visit RHS Garden Rosemoor in the heart of the Devon countryside, which is world-famous for its roses. There are two distinct gardens here and a full day has been set aside to do them justice. The original woodland garden is complemented by an RHS display garden of the highest order, which aims not only to delight but to educate and inform.
Travelling into ‘Kernow’, we visit the National Trust property and garden at Lanhydrock and the privately owned estate of Trewithen, acknowledged as an International Camellia Garden of Excellence. We also visit the multi award-winning restoration site at the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Cornish gardens are world renowned – from modern and ancient gardens, to those with sub-tropical, Mediterranean or South African themes, there is something for all tastes.
What’s Included Five nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: two nights at the 3-star Best Western Tiverton Hotel and three nights at the 3-star Penmere Manor Hotel
Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager
All visits as outlined in the itinerary
www.brightwaterholidays.com
30
Itinerary Day 1 We depart from our pick-up
points and head for Hestercombe, a masterpiece of Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll. The garden is home to a round pool in a round walled garden filled with wintersweet and roses, a Dutch garden of lamb’s ears and lavender, and the most beautiful orangery of the 20th century. Following our visit, we continue to our hotel where dinner is served in the evening. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 This morning, we enjoy a private
visit to the garden of Lamorran House, designed with charming features from a Japanese-style water garden to a small bridge on which to look out over Falmouth Bay. Later, we move on to the Lost Gardens of Heligan. The award winning gardens, asleep for more than 70 years, are the scene of the largest garden restoration project in Europe. In the spring of 1991, the Gardens of Heligan lay under a blanket of bramble, ivy, rampant laurel and fallen timber. Just a year later the restoration team opened the gardens to enable the public to share in the excitement of their discovery. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
RHS Garden Rosemoor Lanhydrock
Day 2 A treat awaits after breakfast:
Trelissick
which TV gardener Carol Klein identified as her favourite Cornish garden. Around this house is a woodland garden where the borders explode with dahlias, roses and nasturtiums. There is also an excellent nursery here that sells some rare plants.
a full day at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Rosemoor, including a guided tour. There are two gardens here, the first an intimate woodland garden dating from the 1960s, with an excellent collection of trees and shrubs which relish the acid soil – dogwoods, eucryphias, maples, pieris, rhododendrons and vacciniums. The other is a more ambitious affair, developed since the RHS took ownership in 1988, with rose gardens and giant borders, a lake and stream garden and a Mediterranean garden, all impeccably labelled. After the guided tour you are free to explore the two gardens at a leisurely pace.
Day 5 This morning, we depart for
Trebah. In this wild and colourful Cornish garden, wander down the “zig-zag”, a sloping path bordered by rare Mediterranean plants. We then transfer to the pretty harbour town of St. Ives, where we have free time. Later, we visit the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 6 Following breakfast our final
visit is to Trelissick. This modern garden is constantly evolving, with new planting and fresh ideas. Afterwards, we return to our pick-up points. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Departures 10 April & 3 July 2019
Price
£975
6 days from per person Single room supplement £275 July supplement £50pp
Day 3 Following breakfast, we visit
Lanhydrock Gardens, a magnificent 17th century house surrounded by 19th century formal terraced gardens and informal pleasure grounds. Lanhydrock features a formal courtyard garden, beds of roses and a woodland garden, rich in flowering shrubs and trees, especially rhododendrons and magnolias. We continue to Bosvigo,
31
Lost Gardens of Heligan
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Irish Rover J
ust like the Van Morrison song, this Irish Rover is wrapped in glory – the glory of some of Ireland’s finest gardens. A feast of horticultural excellence awaits, with memorable and beguiling gardens, enthusiastic and skilful owners and a backdrop of lush green hills, fertile fields and glittering seascapes. We begin in Northern Ireland at the dazzling and idiosyncratic garden of Mount Stewart, truly one of the great gardens of the world. We also visit romantic Rowallane and atmospheric Castle Ward. From here, we move onto Dublin, where we meet Helen Dillon – the doyenne of Irish gardeners – at her new private garden, at which we have privileged access. We also meet June Blake, a passionate plantswoman, who grows a unique mix of bamboos and ornamental grasses; her brother Jimi Blake at Hunting Brook, with
its fusion of prairie and tropical planting; and Carmel Duignan at her Italianate villa. En route to the cultured city of Cork we call in at Mount Usher, a wild and informal garden with some rare and exceptional trees. There’s also the chance to tour the Blarney Castle & Gardens, home to the famous stone that bestows eloquence on all who kiss it...
What’s Included Seven nights’ bed & breakfast: two nights at the Dunadry Hotel, Co Antrim; three nights at the Hilton Hotel, Dublin; and two nights at the Blarney Woollen Mills Hotel in Cork
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of horticulturalist Trevor Edwards as tour manager
Five dinners Return scheduled flights from London Gatwick to Belfast, returning from Cork
www.brightwaterholidays.com
32
Itinerary Day 1 We depart from Gatwick on a
flight to Belfast and upon arrival we visit Mount Stewart. After our visit we travel to the Dunadry Hotel, where we have dinner. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 After a full Irish breakfast,
we tour Rowallane Garden, where a tunnel of conifers gives way to a glorious flower-filled spectacle. In the walled garden, mixed borders are packed with rare and venerable plants, and a naturalistic rock garden alive with azaleas and daphnes is also a delight. Later, we move to the southern tip of Strangford Lough, where Castle Ward sits in a wooded valley boasting amazing views and Victorian gardens dotted with exotic blooms. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
exclusive invitation to the private garden of Dublin gardener Helen Dillon, which has featured on Gardeners’ World. Before we return to our hotel, we visit the Italianate villa of Corke Lodge, built in the 1820s. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 5 Hunting Brook is our first
vist today. It has contemporary borders and tropical planting, and is home to Ireland’s largest collection of ornamental grasses. From here, we visit June Blake’s Garden and Nursery, and then the famous Powerscourt Gardens, with a charming walled garden, striking terraces, fine statuary and varied trees linked by carefully designed walks, all set in the magnificent surroundings of the Wicklow mountains. Evening at leisure. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 6 Heading south, we stop en route at Mount Usher, a lovely informal garden that dates back to 1850. We travel through the counties of Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford, and arrive at the Blarney Woollen Mills Hotel, located just outside of Cork, for dinner.
Blarney Castle
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 7 Following breakfast, we travel
Mount Usher Gardens
Day 3 This morning, we check out
Departures
of our hotel and travel south into the Republic of Ireland, calling in at Malahide Castle, one of Ireland’s oldest and most fascinating fortresses, on the way. The interior is lavishly furnished and the adjoining ornamental gardens cover 22 acres. Lord Milo Talbot created this oasis, best described as a small botanic garden with more than 5000 species of plant represented. We transfer to our hotel in Dublin where our dinner is served.
27 June & 15 August 2019
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Castle Ward
Price 8 days from
to Bantry Bay and take the ferry to Ilnacullin, a breathtaking intermingling of formal and wild in a spectacularly photogenic setting. In the afternoon, we visit Blarney Castle and Gardens. As well as being home to the famous stone, it is surrounded by 60 acres of parkland, gardens, arboreta, avenues and waterways. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 8 After breakfast, we travel to
Cork Airport in time to check in for our return flight. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 4 The private garden of Carmel
£1495
per person
Single room supplement £420
Duignan – a writer and former TV producer – is ours to discover this morning. The blend of old and new, colour, shape and texture is mesmerising. Next, we have an
33
Malahide Castle
www.brightwaterholidays.com
What’s Included Four nights’ bed and breakfast at the 4-Hotel Føroyar Four dinners and two lunches Return flights from Edinburgh with Atlantic Airways All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout
The Faroe Islands
Services of a professional tour manager and local guides
Waterfall by the village of Gásadalur
J
ust an hour’s flight away from Edinburgh, The Faroes tower out of the Atlantic half way between Shetland and Iceland. In these romantic and dramatic islands, home to just 50,000 people, the weather is as unpredictable and changeable as the scenery. The landscape is green but rugged with steeply sloping hills, long sea-lochs and some of the highest cliffs in Europe. The islands are a paradise for nature lovers, with numerous opportunities for bird-watching and botanising. Our tour will give ample opportunity to see the best of these colourful islands, including an authentic and intimate dining experience. We are welcomed into the home of a local farming family, where we enjoy delicious homemade food, and hear fascinating stories about life on a Faroese farm.
Departures 8 July | 15 July & 9 September 2019
Price 5 days from
£2175
per person Single room supplement £300
Itinerary Day 1 We depart from Edinburgh
and upon arrival in Vágar, we meet our local guide and enjoy a short sightseeing tour which includes the famous waterfall Múlafossur and the villages of Bøur and Gásadalur. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 Enjoy a guided walking tour of
Tórshavn, a genuine and unique town from the Middle Ages. After lunch, we visit the National Museum before driving to Kirkjubøur to see St Magnus Cathedral and St Olavs Church. Next, we enjoy tea and cake at the 900 year old Roykstovan, the oldest enhabited wooden house in Europe. Choose to walk back to Tórshavn or take the coach.
Day 3 Today is free to explore
Tórshavn. Alternatively, choose from two optional excursions - a full day tour of the Northern Islands or enjoy a half day tour to Nolosy. This evening we have dinner in Velbastað with local farmers for a true Faroese experience.
visit the museum in Kálvalið and the church in Sandavágur. From here, we transfer to the airport for our return flight home. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 This morning we travel to
Vestmanna to enjoy a boat trip to the Vestmanna Cliffs. We continue to the northern part of Eysturoy, travelling through the village of Gjógv and Gøta to see the new church. Later we return to our hotel to enjoy a farewell dinner as a group. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. The unique town of Tórshavn
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Day 5 We check out of our hotel and
34
What’s Included Four nights’ full board (including three lunches and wine or beer) on board the MS Gérard Schmitter in a twin-berth lower deck cabin (cabin upgrades are available at a supplement) Standard class rail travel from London to Amsterdam and Antwerp to London
Dutch Bulbfields Cruise
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Services of a professional tour manager Keukenhof Gardens
W
hat’s on your botanical bucket list? For many it’s a visit to the beautiful bulbfields of Holland. For vibrancy, colour and serious charm nothing quite compares to the sight of not hundreds, not thousands, but millions of flowering bulbs, carpeting the fields in a radiant vision of patterns and patchwork. Here, gardening is not merely a pastime – it’s an art; a spectacular series of natural masterpieces While we’re on the subject of masterpieces, it’s well worth noting that fabulous flowers are by no means the only thing the Dutch have to offer. This friendly lowland country is also home to some of the world’s most amazing artwork – remnants of a “Golden Age” of wealth, art and architecture. Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh – on this terrific tour we seek inspiration as they did, both outdoors and in, treating our eyes to the pleasures of the Rijksmuseum alongside al fresco sights such as Keukenhof, one of the best and biggest flower gardens in the world.
Departures 14 April 2019 - By rail
Price 5 days from
£1295
per person Single cabin supplement £300
This tour is also available at the same price including air travel between London and Amsterdam. Flights are also available from regional airports at a supplement.
Itinerary Day 1 We depart from London by
Eurostar to Brussels and continue by train to Amsterdam, where we join our ship, the MS Gérard Schmitter. Prior to dinner, there will be a welcome cocktail reception with the crew. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 After breakfast on board, we
begin with a visit to the Museum Van Loon, a magnificent canal-side private residence from the Dutch ‘Golden Age’. This afternoon, we visit the Rijksmuseum, home to Rembrandt’s 1642 masterpiece ‘The Nightwatch’. Following dinner, enjoy free time or join our optional canal cruise. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 3 This morning we have a leisurely
historic centre of Antwerp, with visits to the Rubens House, and the 200 year old Botanic Garden, which boasts some exceptional trees and shrubs. Later, we take the train from Antwerp to Brussels and continue via Eurostar to London, where the group disperses.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
cruise to Utrecht. After lunch on board, we visit Keukenhof, one of the most famous gardens in the world. Over six million bulbs are planted annually, including tulips and daffodils. We also tour the area surrounding Lisse.
Day 4 We have a
leisurely day on board our ship, as we cruise from Rotterdam to Antwerp. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 5 We disembark our ship and tour the
35
MS Gérard Schmitter
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Gardens and Villas of Sicily S
icily has become one of Europe’s best-loved destinations in recent years and it is truly an island of the senses. As soon as you step on to its warm and fertile shores you’ll understand why. Experience its many highlights with us, and be sure to do this unique location justice. Our eight-day tour takes in the best that the island has to offer, from the popular beach-side city of Taormina to the rugged landscapes of the Madonie Mountains. We begin on the slopes of Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano, as we visit an elegant garden which thrives on the fertile soil here and then ascend the mountain itself, observing the change from lush groves to stark, desert landscapes. In Taormina we visit a private garden which boasts spectacular views across the bay before exploring the Greco-Roman remains of the city itself.
Heading south we gain an exclusive insight into Sicilian gardening with the head gardener at Villasmundo and visit the private garden of a Sicilian aristocrat. A treat for the senses awaits at Gli Aroma Sicily as we discover an extensive selection of herbs and spices and we also enjoy lunch at a monastery high in the mountains. We conclude in Palermo, a melting-pot of architectural styles with both Norman and Arabic influences.
What’s Included Seven nights’ accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis: three nights in Taormina; two nights in Ragusa; two nights in Palermo
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager and a local guide
Seven dinners with wine; three lunches Return flights London to Sicily
www.brightwaterholidays.com
36
Itinerary
Day 1 We fly from London to Catania.
Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel in the stunning coastal city of Taormina. Here we settle in with a welcome drink followed by dinner. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 Following breakfast we visit
Villa Trinità, an elegant garden born from lava, which thrives on the slopes of Etna. Its design features both native and exotic species – picture gangly cacti peering above vibrant citrus trees. After lunch here we travel to the volcano proper, in an afternoon excursion to Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano. The landscape as we ascend is full of surprises: fertile groves, vineyards and chestnut woods suddenly give way to a desert-like zone of lava, juniper bushes and astralagus shrubs. We admire the marvellous scenes from the summit, along with the surreal Silvestri craters.
Isola Bella, Taormina
27 March & 9 April 2019
Price
£1895
8 days from per person Single room supplement £275
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 6 Today we travel between the
remote villages of northern Sicily, pausing for an authentic lunch at a former Benedictine monastery. Later we visit Monreale, including its amazing Cathedral and Abbey, complete with 70,000 square feet of mosaics in gold leaf and colourful glass. This astounding display echoes the opulence of the Alhambra, and is a sight not to be missed. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 3 Today is ours to explore
Day 7 We visit the local Botanical
Taormina and its many highlights. We begin with a trip to the private garden of Casa Cuseni, which boasts spectacular views across the city and the sea. Created by Robert Kitson, a British painter of the early 20th century, its house and exuberant plantings demonstrate clear links with the Arts and Crafts movement. This afternoon we have a guided walking tour of old Taormina, featuring Greco-Roman ruins, winding streets, and a host of medieval architecture. It’s easy to see why the town is Sicily’s most popular tourist destination.
Day 4 We check out of our Taormina
Departures
this morning. Discover an extensive collection of herbs and spices, with varieties both native to Sicily and imported to the island by the garden’s passionate owners. Lunch here makes for today’s biggest highlight — a home-made feast prepared with an abundance of fresh herbs and devotion. This afternoon is free for us to enjoy Ragusa.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Greek Theatre, Taormina
Day 5 We tour Gli Aromi Sicily
hotel this morning, and pay a visit to the Gardens of Princess Maria Carla Borghese, which were created out of barren ground almost fifty years ago. Evocative scents of jasmine and rose intermingle with the fragrance of a Roman-style stone pine avenue. After lunch at a nearby cactus nursery, we head south, stopping at the San Giuliano estate in Villasmundo, where the head gardener gives us an exclusive insight into Sicilian gardening. As part of our tour we observe the estate’s traditional Arabic irrigation channels, as well as the 15th century farmhouse’s distinctive “gardenette”. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
37
Gardens in Palermo this morning. The public garden of Villa Giulia sits next door, its beautiful trees and flowers a lasting testament to the 18th century viceroy’s wife after whom it was named. We end our trip on a high, with a full guided tour of Palermo that features the impressive Norman Palace, an architectural gem encapsulating both Norman and Arabic influences. We enjoy a farewell dinner this evening. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 8 We transfer to Palermo for our return flight to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Monreale Cathedral, Palermo
www.brightwaterholidays.com
What’s Included Three nights’ bed and breakfast at the centrally located 4-star Hotel Michelangelo, Rome Dinner and welcome drink on the first evening Return scheduled flights between London Heathrow and Rome
Rome, Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout
Ninfa
O
pen by special arrangement, we are delighted to offer this rare opportunity to visit the ancient and beautiful gardens of Ninfa. Equally rare is the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the Popes as we visit the gardens of Castel Gandolfo. The romantic flower-covered ruins at Ninfa, just to the south of Rome, are as close to gardening perfection as you can get. Scented roses, hydrangeas and jasmines curtain what remains of the walls of medieval buildings and paths meander beside a crystal-clear river.
Services of a professional tour manager
Departures 7 May | 4 June & 3 September 2019
Price 4 days from
£1295
per person
Single room supplement £390
The location of our hotel in the centre of Rome allows free time to explore the Eternal City and we shall also visit Viterbo, a medieval walled town which in its heyday rivalled Rome itself.
Itinerary Day 1 We fly from London to Rome
and upon arrival, we meet our guide and continue to the city centre where we enjoy a short tour. Rome has a justified claim as one of the world’s greatest cities combining the magnificence of the Renaissance with the vibrancy and excitement of a thriving city. We arrive at our hotel for dinner and a welcome drink. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 After breakfast we depart for
Viterbo to see a number of grand palaces and venerable churches. We continue to Bagnaia to explore the gardens of Villa Lante, described by European garden expert Charles Quest-Ritson as “one of Italy’s greatest
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Renaissance gardens”. The dominant theme is water, and in front of the palazzine is a central water parterre which is a classic example of late Renaissance or mannerist style.
their use of water. The garden is romantically overgrown with tall pines, evergreen oaks and cedars. This afternoon we transfer to the airport for our return flight.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 3 This morning we visit the
gardens of Castel Gandolfo, the traditional papal residence. Later, we visit Ninfa. The garden is deemed by many to be the most beautiful garden in Europe - if not the world. We have the evening at leisure. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 4 Our final visit is to the Villa d’Este in Tivoli, the 16th century gardens which are renowned for
38
The Colosseum, Rome
What’s Included Four nights’ bed and breakfast in the 4-star hotel Belvedere, Bassano del Grappa Four dinners which include a gala dinner at Villa Godi Malinverni Return flights London to Venice
Palladian Villas of Veneto
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout
Villa Rotonda
V
eneto is one of Italy’s wealthiest regions... reflected in the extravagance of its grand villas and their stunning gardens. Many of the grand villas we visit were designed by Andrea Palladio, one of the most influential individuals in the history of Western architecture. Join us as we discover no fewer than seven glorious villas on tour. The first on our list is one of the most recognisable buildings of the Renaissance - the Palladian Masterpiece, Villa Rotonda. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was designed for elegant entertainment and is definitely one for art lovers — lavishly decorated with stucco and frescoes. A short walk along a leafy lane takes us to an outstanding architectural and artistic site, the Villa Valmarana. With members of the aristocratic Valmarana family giving us personal tours and hosting dinner this is a unique experience.
Services of a professional tour manager
Departures 10 September 2019
Price 5 days from
£1395
per person
Single room supplement £195
Itinerary Day 1 We fly from London to Venice and transfer to our hotel where we enjoy a welcome dinner. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 We are joined by a local
guide for a walking tour of Vicenza’s historic city centre. We continue to Villa Rotonda, where we are given a personal guided tour by the aristocratic owner. From here we visit the Villa Valmarana and enjoy a personally guided tour followed by dinner in a room adorned with Tiepolo’s frescoes. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 3 We start at the Villa Barbarigo, surrounded by an exceptional example of Baroque gardens. On our way to
Padua we make a brief photo stop outside the Villa Vescovi. This evening we pay a visit to Scrovegni Chapel, with its exquisite frescoes by Giotto, and have some free time to explore the city centre of Padua. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 After breakfast, we explore the
Day 5 We check out of our hotel and
head for Le Paradis des Papillons, a wonderful garden which is a haven for butterflies and birds. We continue to Orto Botanico di Padova. We then transfer to the airport for our return flight. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Villa Barbaro. As the gardens at the front were essentially a public space, Palladio designed a secret garden behind the villa. We have free time in Asolo before we continue to our hotel. Our final visit it to the lustrous Villa Godi Malinverni, where we have a gala dinner, hosted by the aristocratic owners. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
39
Teatro Olimpico
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Arts and Gardens of Florence and Tuscany
T
he Italian heartland of Tuscany represents the archetypal image of Italy, with its walled towns, hilltop villages, rolling vineyards and the beauty of Renaissance Florence itself. Stretched along both sides of the River Arno, with a skyline that has inspired countless artists, Florence seems somehow familiar... Exquisite Florence needs little introduction. We begin in the tranquil surrounds of the Giardino Corsini, which is off the main tourist trail and tends to be less crowded, forming an oasis of calm in the city centre. Dating back to 1594, the garden was commissioned by an aristocrat with a passion for botany. Nearby is the splendid Palazzo di Corsini, one of the rarest and most prestigious examples of Baroque style in Florence. No visit to this area would be complete without taking in the stupendous Boboli Gardens. A superb collection of sculptures sits among many fine trees and formal gardens. Ascending the great flight of steps at the
Bardini Gardens, we stand upon a belvedere with expansive views over the city. Travelling out into the rolling hills of Tuscany, we visit the Villa Gamberaia, one of the most celebrated Italian gardens here. We are also privileged to be joined by a lecturer from the British Institute for historical walks around Florence and Siena and guided tours of the Uffizi Gallery and the Galleria dell’Accademia.
What’s Included Six nights’ bed and breakfast at the 4-star Athenaeum Personal Hotel in Florence
All visits as outlined in the itinerary
Dinner and welcome drink on the first evening; one additional dinner in the hotel and one in a vineyard; one lunch
Services of a professional tour manager, a lecturer from the British Institute and a local guide
Comfortable coach travel throughout
Return flights from London to Florence
www.brightwaterholidays.com
40
Itinerary Day 1 We fly from London to Florence
and upon arrival, we head straight to our first visit, the Corsini Gardens. The Baroque style garden plays host to large orangeries and pretty lemon trees. We continue to the nearby Palazzo Corsini al Prato. Admire the frescoed rooms of the Summer Apartments and the fascinating ‘Grotto’ designed by Antonio Ferri. Later, we transfer to our hotel were we enjoy a welcome drink prior to dinner. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
scale. Later we move on to the Villa La Pietra, for centuries home to a series of prominent Florentine families, until it was taken over by Chicago natives Hortense Mitchell Acton and Arthur Acton in 1903. The Actons were just two of a set of culturally passionate expats living in the area at the time, and their collections of art, furniture, tapestries, books, silver and sculpture are exquisite. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 5 Today is spent entirely at our
leisure in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. Magnetic, romantic and endlessly charming, Florence’s narrow streets and wine-rich hills are home to hundreds of stories — this is the perfect place to get to know them. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 6 This morning, following
Boboli Gardens
Bardini Gardens
Day 2 We start our day with a visit to the Boboli Gardens, famous for its fountains, grottoes and sculptures. Our next stop is the Bardini Gardens and Villa, which date back to the 14th century and are something of an unknown treasure. This afternoon we enjoy a walk around the Piazza del Duomo with our lecturer from the British Institute. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 3 This morning we visit the Uffizi
Piazza del Campo in Siena
Gallery. The collection here spans over 600 years and includes works by Leonardo and Botticelli. Later we explore the Galleria dell’Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s David.
breakfast, we visit the Villa Medicea di Lilliano, nestled in the hills of Chianti Colli Fiorentini. The wine estate epitomises the Tuscan lifestyle and casual sophistication with tranquil terraced gardens surrounded by 70 hectares of vineyards and olive groves. We enjoy a wine tasting followed by a light lunch. In the afternoon we continue to Siena, where we are met once again by our lecturer from the British Institute for a tour of the Piazza del Campo — the city’s central square — and its Civic Museum. Finally, it just wouldn’t be right to leave Tuscany without a visit to one of its famous vineyards. We head to one such vineyard this evening for a wine tasting and dinner, before retiring to our hotel for the final time. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 7 We transfer to the airport for our return flight to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Departures 22 April 2019
Price
£1995
7 days from per person Single room supplement £395
Day 4 Our day begins with a visit
to the gardens of Villa Gamberaia, whose intimate scale and irresistible charm make it one of the most celebrated Italian villas. Both house and garden were created in a Tuscan style, but the garden is particularly impressive for the monumental effect it achieves on a deceptively small
41
Bapitistery of Saint John, Florence
www.brightwaterholidays.com
New for 2019
Pharaohs and Ferraris P
iedmont, the region of north-west Italy bordering France and Switzerland, is home to a host of captivating castles, gardens and villas. At its heart lies the city of Turin, where our tour is based and where we combine Pharaohs, Fiats and Ferraris with visits to two fascinating museums. Travelling out of the city, we visit some outstanding gardens, such as those at Masino Castle, Villa della Regina and Villa Silvio Pellico, where there is a garden designed by Russell Page. At the Venaria Reale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the magnificent gardens are complemented by an equally grand baroque palace.
fantastic produce, all while enjoying the spectacular scenery of a region that is surrounded on three sides by the snow-capped peaks of the mighty Alps. Our tour is guided throughout by Italian specialist Kate Williamson, who will share her enthusiasm and passion for this diverse corner of Italy.
Piedmont is renowned for its wine and we will have various encounters with local wineries and their
What’s Included Five nights’ bed and breakfast at the 4-star Hotel Sitea, Turin
All visits as outlined in the itinerary
A welcome drink, four dinners and two lunches
Services of Kate Williamson as tour manager and local guides
Comfortable coach travel throughout
Return flights from London to Turin
www.brightwaterholidays.com
42
Itinerary Day 1 We fly from London to Turin.
Upon arrival, we check-in at our hotel before enjoying a welcome drink and dinner at a local restaurant. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 After breakfast, our local
guide leads us on a walking tour of Turin’s historic centre, ending at the Egyptian Museum, the oldest museum in the world devoted entirely to ancient Egyptian culture, dating back to around 1630. Later, our coach takes us to Masino Castle to learn about Savoyard culture along with contemporary developments in Italian gardening. A captivating aspect of the park is the “Cloud Garden”, created by one of Italy’s most prominent garden designers, Paolo Pejrone, founder of the Piedmontese Garden Academy. A local restaurant hosts us for dinner.
18th century Juvarra Stables – all add up to a masterpiece of baroque style. The gardens are equally magnificent and we will have time to explore these at our own pace. Later, we enjoy a “Merenda Sinoira” at the on-site restaurant – a light lunch of traditional Piedmontese cold meats and cheeses. In the afternoon, we are treated to a wine tasting session in Chieri and then, back in Turin, we visit the beautiful, carefully restored Villa della Regina now reopened to the public. Its Italianate gardens bewitch with pavilions, fountains and far-reaching views. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 3 After breakfast we visit Tenuta View of Turin over the Po River
Banna Spinola Castle. It presides over a lake and is home to many small gardens, where gorgeous roses bloom throughout the summer. From here, we visit the Villa Silvio Pellico, near Moncalieri, to admire its gardens. It features ornamental ponds and a maze, as well as the original 19th century parkland in the ‘English’ style, with ancient cedars and gentle slopes. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 This morning we visit Turin’s
Masino Castle
Departures 21 May 2019
Price
£1895
6 days from per person Single room supplement £300
National Automobile Museum, which has a collection of almost 200 cars from 80 different makers, representing a total of eight countries. Next, we drive to Acqui Terme and visit Villa Ottolenghi Wedekind for a light lunch and wine tasting. In the afternoon, we visit Alba which dates back to Roman times and is famous for its white truffle, peach and wine production. It is also home to the confectionery group Ferrero. There is time to explore at leisure after an orientation tour. Our evening meal is at the hotel.
Inside the Venaria Reale
Day 6 We check out of our hotel and
enjoy free time to visit the historic squares and buildings of the city: Royal Savoia Palace, Piazza Castello, Piazza Carlo Felice and Mole Antonelliana (entrances not included). Later, we catch our return flight home to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 5 Today, we tour Venaria Reale,
a UNESCO site created as hunting lodges and places of pleasure of the Royal Savoy family. The enchanting 17th century Hall of Diana, the solemn splendour of the Great Gallery and the Church of St. Hubert; the vast
43
Villa della Regina
www.brightwaterholidays.com
New for 2019
Lake Garda and the Dolomites W
ith crystal clear waters and a stunning mountain backdrop, Lake Garda can rightly claim to be the jewel in the crown of the northern Italian lakes. It is certainly the largest, stretching for over 50 kilometres from the walled town of Sirmione in the south to the foothills of the Dolomites in the north. A particularly mild climate favours Mediterranean plants including olive and citrus trees and a profusion of other flora, as we will discover in the wonderful gardens we visit on the shores of the sparkling lake. We then head north into the dramatic mountains of the Dolomites, where the plants change from Mediterranean to Alpine varieties, which we will seek out on a series of gentle walks in the company of a local specialist guide, with cable cars carrying us silently to the mountain tops. In the brief period after the snow has melted and before autumn returns, a
host of delicate Alpine flowers can be found among the peaceful pastures, with just the distant tinkle of cowbells breaking the silence. Our tour is guided throughout by Italian specialist Kate Williamson, who will share her enthusiasm for this particularly lovely corner of Italy.
What’s Included Seven nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast: three nights at the 4-star Hotel Acquaviva del Garda, Sirmione; four nights at the 3-star Hotel Bellevue, Selva di Val Gardena (or similar)
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of local guide Kate Williamson as tour manager and a local alpine specialist guide for our wildflower walks in the Dolomites
Four lunches Return flights from London to Venice
www.brightwaterholidays.com
44
Itinerary Day 1 We fly from London to Venice
and upon arrival transfer to the historic thermal spa town of Sirmione on Lake Garda. After an orientation tour of the local area, we check into our hotel, where dinner is served in the evening. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 We start with a boat trip across the clear blue waters of the lake to Isola del Garda. We visit the early 20th century villa which is in Venetian Neo-Gothic style and is situated so as to dominate the terraces and formal gardens. A welcome cocktail and guided tour is included. This afternoon we visit the André Heller Botanical Garden, where species from all over the world can be found in a plot of about 10,000 square metres. Naturalness and spontaneity of the landscape are paramount here but the garden is also embellished by entertaining sculptures by modern artists such as Keith Haring and Roy Lichtenstein. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Isola del Garda
Day 3 This morning after breakfast we
visit the Giardino Giusti, considered a masterpiece of Renaissance landscaping, and named after the noble family that has tended them since they opened to the public in 1591. The vegetation is an Italianate mix of the manicured and natural, graced by soaring cypresses, one immortalised in Goethe’s travel writings. We then transfer to Verona for a walking tour of the city of Romeo and Juliet. Sights include the Roman Arena di Verona, still used today for operas such as Aida and the Juliet House, with its famous balcony (exteriors only). Later in the afternoon we hope to visit a privately owned garden.
four nights in the ski resort of Selva di Val Gardena. Our traditional, chalet style hotel is family-run and offers great views of the mountains as well as being ideally placed for our excursions. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 5 We travel along the floor of the valley to Ortisei where we take the cable car to Alpe di Siusi for a gentle walk along the plateau. At 2000m above sea level, this is the largest and highest plateau in Europe. We wander through fields of flowers and view the fantastic scenery of the Dolomite Mountains. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & dinner.
Day 6 After breakfast we depart by
coach this morning to Passo Pordoi for an amazing walk up along the mountain ridge with spectacular views of the Marmolade mountain. A coach transfer back to the hotel is provided and a packed lunch is included today. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & dinner.
Day 7 We return by coach to Ortisei
and take the cable car on the opposite side of the valley to Seceda. From here we walk for 5 – 6 miles downhill to either Col Raiser or to Selva, depending on the best flowering conditions. A coach transfer back to the hotel is provided. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & dinner.
Day 8 Today we check-out of the
hotel and transfer to the airport for our return flight to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Alpe di Siusi
Departures 9 July 2019
Price
£2395
8 days from per person Single room supplement £245
Day 4 We depart for a visit to the
gardens of Parco Giardino Sigurta, which date back to 1617. The garden features irises, roses, lilies and asters, a great oak, an award-winning maze, 18 ornamental ponds and lakes, a herb garden and a great lawn. There are famous box trees, sculpted by nature and by topiary into more than 40,000 surprising and surreal forms. After lunch in a trattoria in Borghetto sul Mincio we head north for the Dolomites and our base for the next
45
Ponte Pietra in Verona
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Villas and Gardens of the Italian Lakes T
he fabulous scenery and warming climate of the northern Italian lakes have attracted eager aristocrats and the wealthy for years. The beguiling beauty of this Mediterranean landscape of colour shows no signs of waning with its scarlet camellias, pink oleanders and cerulean waters. Elegant villas and lush gardens complement the natural landscape of the northern Italian Lakes. We begin with a treat – visiting the private garden of the President of the Italian Camellia Society, home to a collection of over 500 plants. Nowhere captures the extravagant spirit of the lake-land gardens better than the three Borromean islands we visit: Bella, Pescatori and Madre. They feature sumptuous terraced gardens, flowered terraces, shaded woodland walks and elegant statuary. Other highlights during our stay on Lake Maggiore include a fascinating specialist plant nursery,
Villa Taranto, and the gardens of Villa Pallavicino, where animals from the villas own zoo roam the grounds. On our way to Lake Como, we pause for a private tour of the Villa Cicogna Mozzoni with its owner. Azaleas and rhododendrons put on a dazzling display at Villa Carlotta and the manicured garden of Villa Balbianello, impeccably maintained, completes our tour.
What’s Included Seven nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast: four nights’ at the 4-star Grand Majestic Hotel on Lake Maggiore and three nights’ at the 4-star Hotel Barchetta Excelsior on Lake Como
Return flights from London to Milan
Two lunches
Services of Kate Williamson as tour manager
www.brightwaterholidays.com
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout
46
Itinerary Day 1 We fly from London to Milan
before transferring to our hotel – the Grand Majestic Hotel, Pallanza, Verbania where lunch will be served. Built in 1870, on the elegant west Piedmont shores of Lake Maggiore, overlooking the Isola San Giovanni, the hotel is a fascinating example of Belle Époque architecture. Pallanza’s lakefront is one of the finest on Lake Maggiore - a walk along its promenade with the lake and the Borromean Islands on one side and colourful façades, porticoes, flowered balconies, terraces and cafés on the other is a most agreeable experience. Enjoy a welcome drink before our evening meal. Inc. Meals: Lunch & dinner.
Day 4 We tour the private Garden of
the President of the Italian Camellia Society, which since the 1950s has housed a remarkable collection of camellias. Later we take a stroll in the idyllic grounds of the 18th century Villa Pallavicino, where zoo animals wander freely. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 5 Today, we visit Villa Cicogna
Mozzoni and its owner will treat us to a guided tour. We continue to the town of Como and our lakeside hotel, which is only accessible on foot or by horse-drawn carts. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 6 Today is free to explore at
leisure, so why not hop on board one of the many ferries or hydrofoils that go to Bellagio where you could visit the Villa Melzi d’Eril. (Entrance is not included) Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 7 We spend an enchanting day Baroque garden of Isola Bella
Isola Bella
Day 2 We start at a leisurely pace with a visit to the gardens of Villa Taranto, which flourish with rare botanical examples. In the afternoon we visit a wholesale nursery, Compagnia Del Lago, which offers an outstanding selection of plants, available to mail-order. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Tremezzo and Lake Como
Departures 12 May | 26 June & 25 September 2019
Price
£1895
8 days from per person Single room supplement £490
Day 3 Discover the Borromean
on Lake Como and later, in Tremezzo, we have time to enjoy the elegant 18th century Villa Carlotta. This afternoon we catch the ferry to the Villa Balbianello on the Lavedo point. It sits in a sylvan setting of pine, soaring cypress and oak, with pollarded plane trees, manicured lawns and flowerbeds. Dinner will be at our hotel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 8 After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and transfer to Milan in time for our return flight to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Note: Our 12 May departure operates in reverse starting in Lake Como and finishing in Lake Maggiore. Our free time will be two half days on this date.
Islands today, starting with a cruise from Stresa to Isola Bella to see the baroque palace built from the island’s rock and whose gardens were inspired by the ‘Hanging Gardens of Babylon’. We continue to Isola Pescatori with its narrow cobbled streets and quaint harbour. A final visit to Isola Madre, where citrus fruits, crape myrtle, hibiscus and agaves all flourish. Dinner will be served at our hotel tonight. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Blue peacock in Isola Madre
47
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Alpine Flowers of Wengen B
reathtaking scenery, rich green alpine meadows and spruce forests make Wengen a superb destination, not just for native flora, but for bird and butterfly-spotting opportunities too. Join us in the high pastures of the Bernese Oberland, where the hills are alive with a carpet of flowers. Once the snow retreats, there is a wealth and profusion of flowers on both the high tops and in the lush pastures of the valleys. The list of flowers is endless and included on our target list will be: Campanula cenisia, Gentiana acaulis, Gentiana lutea, Globularias, Lilium martagon, Paradisea liliastrum, Veratrum album, Androsace alpina, Anemones, Pulsatillas and many more. Indeed there can be between 250 and 350 species of plants in the Bernese Oberland area at this time of year.
In Wengen, timber-framed buildings and Belle Epoque hotels transport the visitor back to another century, an experience enhanced by the town’s car free policy. Each day we will walk a different route of up to five miles, sometimes taking a mountain railway to the starting point. We will also take the rack railway to Schynige Platte where we will visit the Alpine Botanic Garden which has 600 different species of local plants.
What’s Included Seven nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the 3-star Hotel Bellevue, Wengen
plus a 50% reduction on mountain railways and cable cars
Return flights from London to Zürich
All visits as outlined in the itinerary
Return rail transfers between Zürich and Wengen and a 6-day Berner Oberland Rail Pass, covering all local rail and bus journeys,
Services of Julia Corden of the Explorers’ Garden, Pitlochry as tour manager, assisted by The Beechgrove Garden’s Brian Cunningham
www.brightwaterholidays.com
48
Itinerary Day 1 We depart from London on a
flight to Zürich. On arrival we board the train for Lauterbrunnen where we change trains and continue to Wengen, a car-free village which offers stunning views of the imposing Jungfrau. On arrival in Wengen, we will be met by a representative from the hotel, and walk the short distance to the hotel. Please note that our luggage will be transported separately from Wengen station to the hotel. Our accommodation is at the Hotel Bellevue, a traditional chalet-style hotel in a spectacular location, with breath-taking views of both the Jungfrau and the majestic Lauterbrunnen Valley. All rooms have private facilities with south-facing balconies. Following dinner the evening is free to explore your surroundings. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Schilthorn Meadow Pink Lady Slipper
Day 2 Following breakfast we take the train to Kleine Scheidegg, gateway to the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau where some of Switzerland’s most attractive walks begin. We walk back to Wengernalp, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and Ibex Wood, looking for flowers on the way. Dinner is served in the evening. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 3 We take the cable car from
Wengen in the Jungfrau valley
Wengen to Männlichen and walk to Kleine Scheidegg, approaching the peak from the opposite direction to yesterday’s walk, looking for wildflowers as we go. From here we return via train to Wengen. Dinner is served in the evening.
Day 5 This morning we take the train to Wengernalp and walk down to Slipper Valley where we look for the most spectacular plants in the area including the Lady Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium calceolus). Dinner is served in the evening. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 6 After breakfast this morning
we travel by cable car to the glacier village of Grindelwald. There’s a fine view of the massif that features the Wetterhorn, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains. From Grindelwald we will travel to First for a gentle walk and look at the flowers in this most scenic part of the Bernese Oberland. Dinner is served in the evening. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 7 We start our day travelling to
Schynige Platte on the rack railway which climbs to an alpine plateau from Wilderswil, 4km from Interlaken Ost. This is the finest picture postcard panorama of the surrounding area. It is hoped that we will be able to enjoy a visit to the delightful Alpine Garden with its spectacular flora and fauna. Many of the 500 different species of plants in the garden have been saved from extinction and now the garden contains 80% of the Swiss mountain flora growing above treeline. Dinner is served in the evening. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 8 After breakfast we check out
of our hotel. Once again our luggage will be transported to the station in Wengen. We will travel by train to Lauterbrunnen and on to Zürich in time for our return flight to London. On arrival our group will disperse or travel on to regional airports. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Departures 25 June 2019
Price
£2295
8 days from per person Single room supplement £175
Day 4 Today we take the train to
Lauterbrunnen, bus to the end of the valley and then an exciting cable car ride to Mürren and on to Schilthorn. We will then have a moderate walk from Birg back to Mürren, seeking out wildflowers on the way. We return to our hotel where dinner is served in the evening. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
49
Anemones
www.brightwaterholidays.com
New for 2019
Highlights of Provence E
arly summer in Provence and the lavender fields have taken on their distinctive hue as flowering begins. Stand close, run your fingers over the buds and breathe in one of the most gorgeous scents in nature.
Taking advantage of the direct Eurostar train service which whisks us from London to Avignon in just six hours, Provence is within easy reach yet is a world away, with its ancient ruins, lavender fields, vineyards, and, of course, superb cuisine. Among the many highlights are the Roman wonders of the Pont du Gard, Arles, Nîmes and Orange; the Gothic Palace of the Popes and the famous truncated bridge in Avignon; the wetlands of the Camargue; a cheese and wine tasting on the terroir of a distinguished wine. But it’s the lavender that steals the show, with a tour
of the fields and the distillery where the ‘blue gold’ is transformed into myriad different products. Reflect on 2,000 years of history since the Romans colonised this most alluring province of France. Look forward to your evening meal of Provençal specialities and a glass or two of Châteauneuf du Pape. Aah, la vie est bonne!
What’s Included Six nights’ bed and breakfast at the 4-star Mercure Pont d’Avignon Centre
All visits as outlined in the itinerary
Welcome drink and dinner on the first evening and a farewell dinner with wine
Services of a professional tour manager
Comfortable coach travel throughout
Return standard class rail travel from London to Avignon with Eurostar
www.brightwaterholidays.com
50
Itinerary Day 1 We depart from London St
Pancras on the Eurostar to Avignon, and upon arrival transfer to our hotel. This evening we enjoy a welcome drink followed by dinner. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 Our day begins with a guided
Lavender field in Provence
tour of Avignon aboard the road train that winds its way through the city’s historic streets, past many places of interest including the ‘Hanging Garden’ which decorates the north wall of the covered market. Also included is a visit to the monumental Gothic Palais des Papes, the seat of the Avignon Papacy from 1309-77. (Please note that access involves a climb up about 70 steps). We continue to the Pont St Bénezet, the famous truncated bridge on the River Rhône, then visit the gardens at the Abbey of Saint-André. A mosaic of flowerbeds, parterres and terraces, the gardens are designed in Tuscan Renaissance, Mediterranean and Provençal styles. Rose bushes, wisteria, hundred-year-old pines and olive trees, and more than 100 other plant species intermingle with the ruins and the tombs of the former abbey. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 3 After breakfast we travel to
Pont du Gard
Departures 9 June 2019
Price
£1495
7 days from per person Single room supplement £300
the spectacular Pont du Gard. If this were a 19th century railway viaduct it would be impressive enough, but the fact that it was built two thousand years ago makes it quite staggering. The three-tiered aqueduct was part of an extensive network of canals built by Agrippa to bring water to Nîmes and was designed to carry 20,000 cubic metres of water a day. This afternoon we continue to Nîmes, one of the most important Gallo-Roman towns and home to the best preserved Roman amphitheatre in France, which we shall visit, along with the Jardin de la Fontaine, Europe’s first public garden.
chance to purchase natural cosmetics and essential oils. We continue to the town of Apt to visit the Distillerie des Agnels, which includes a guided tour of the lavender fields and the distillery itself. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 5 We depart this morning on
an excursion to the Maison de Vin Bouachon in Châteauneuf du Pape, where we will have a tour of the cellars followed by a tasting which includes three wines, AOC cheeses and artisanal breads. Châteauneuf du Pape is one of the most famous wine appellations in the world, with a distinctive terroir of pebbly soil which retains the heat of the day during the night and hastens grape ripening. In the afternoon we continue to Orange, where we will visit the Roman Theatre, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best preserved of all the great Roman theatres, with a façade over 100 metres long, along with the impressive Triumphal Arch, built between AD 10 and 25. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 6 This morning we travel to
Arles to visit the fine Amphitheatre, Constantine’s Baths and the Eglise St Trophime. Later, we enjoy an afternoon tour of the Camargue, an area of desolate beauty at the mouth of the Rhône. Circling round the Étang de Vaccarès, we reach the seaside village of Stes Maries de la Mer, whose Romanesque church has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. We enjoy a farewell dinner tonight. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 7 We enjoy our final morning
at leisure before transferring to the station this afternoon. We arrive in London this evening. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 4 We start our day with a circular
tour that takes us through the Luberon, a mountainous region of strikingly picturesque hilltop villages. En-route we visit the Lavender Museum at Cabrières d’Avignon, which has a rich collection of lavender stills from the 16th century to the present day. Here, we learn about the fragrance and virtues of lavender along with a
51
Pont St Bénezet, Avignon
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Gardens of the French Riviera M
enton’s zesty Lemon Festival brings a vibrant burst of colour to our tour of the French Riviera. Exotic gardens, cacti collections, and azure seas complete our sparkling itinerary.
With elegant gardens, dazzling azure skies and a stunning coastline, it isn’t surprising that a generation of artists was inspired by the French Riviera. Over a century on, it still has that same glamorous allure that was captured on canvas. Join us as we explore some of the finest gardens created for the rich and famous, notably the Rothschilds.
gardens of the Fondation Ephrussi de Rothschild, while a short hop over the border to Italy finds us at the incomparable Hanbury Gardens – arguably the greatest of all the Riviera gardens. We also visit the gardens of Villa Thuret at Cap d’Antibes, Serre de la Madone in Menton, the exotic cactus gardens of Monte Carlo and the tranquil private gardens of La Mouissone.
At the Clos de Peyronnet we have an exclusive tour with the owner, whose passion for exotic plants is reflected in the colour and variety of this fascinating garden. At St Jean Cap Ferrat we visit the exquisite
What’s Included Five nights’ bed and breakfast at the 4-star Hotel Grimaldi
All visits as outlined in the itinerary
Three dinners and four lunches
Services of a professional tour manager (Trevor Edwards in February)
Comfortable coach travel throughout
Return flights from London to Nice
www.brightwaterholidays.com
52
Itinerary Day 1 We fly from London to Nice. On
arrival we will enjoy a lunch in a local restaurant before visiting the historic garden of Serre de la Madone, created by American Lawrence Johnston, who travelled the world over a thirty-year period seeking plants to acclimatise here among the ancient olives. We continue to our accommodation for the next five nights, the 4-star Hotel Le Grimaldi. A welcome drink and dinner at a local restaurant are included this evening. Inc. Meals: Lunch & dinner.
Day 2 Our first full day begins with
a visit to the Fondation Ephrussi de Rothschild at St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. After lunch, we continue to Jardin Exotique d’Èze, located on the site of a medieval fortress high above the Gulf of St Tropez and home to caves and cascades, Mediterranean blooms and a host of succulents and xerophytes. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
Villa de Rothschild
Day 3 Our day begins with a visit
Departures 21 February 2019
Price
£1395
6 days from per person Single room supplement £280
9 May 2019
Price
£1595
6 days from per person Single room supplement £400
Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 5 This morning, we drive to Cap
d’Antibes for a visit to the Villa Thuret, where 3,000 plant species are grown over four acres of exotic jungle. We continue to the tranquil eight-acre olive grove and garden of La Mouissone to the east of Grasse, only recently opened to the public, where we enjoy a leisurely lunch. Later in the afternoon we continue to the attractive village of St Paul de Vence, which has served as a haven for writers and artists for years. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 6 We finish on a high at the
Exotic Gardens of Monte Carlo. This fascinating garden specialises almost exclusively in succulent plants, making it a prickly paradise for cactus lovers. Thereafter we transfer to the airport for our flight home. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Gardens in the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
View of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat
for the 86th time in February 2019. Our entry to the festival includes a grandstand seat for a perfect view of the afternoon parade.
to the private garden of Clos du Peyronnet, where we will enjoy a personal guided tour of this beautiful Arts & Crafts garden by the owner himself, a Brightwater exclusive and a real highlight of our tour. We then move not only from the private sphere to the public, but from France to Italy, as we cross the border to the gardens of La Mortola, (also known as the Hanbury Gardens), where we have lunch. This is a truly global botanical garden, operated by the University of Genoa, presenting an eclectic, exotic selection of plants along with stunning views of the French Riviera.
In May we offer a similar tour to Nice, with a morning at the International Rose Festival in Grasse taking the place of the Lemon Festival. All the other garden visits are included though in a different order – please ask for a full itinerary or see our website for full details.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 4 When life gives you lemons...
enjoy it to its fullest! Today sees us spend a full day at the Lemon Festival in Menton, with its enormous displays and jaw-dropping floats made with tonnes of brightly-hued citrus fruits. This joyous event will be taking place
53
Menton Lemon Festival
www.brightwaterholidays.com
What’s Included Three nights’ dinner (with wine), bed & breakfast at the Château de Montvillargenne, Chantilly Return standard class rail travel (Standard Premier class upgrades avaiable on request) All visits as outlined in the itinerary
The Genius of Monet
Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager
Monet Garden
J
ust as the gardens at Giverny inspired Monet, who spent half his life nurturing and enjoying them, they continue to enthral countless visitors more than 90 years after this legendary artist’s death. Giverny’s lovingly restored gardens offer a vivid impression of Monet’s favourite subjects. Cross Japanese bridges festooned with wisteria and pass the draped fronds of willow, which frame his iconic water lilies. A visit here is a surreal experience — art brought to life right before your eyes, beckoning you in to take a closer look. With so much here to remind us of his breathtaking works, it is only right that we also visit Paris’ Orangerie Museum during our tour. The centrepiece here is Monet’s series of murals, Les Nymphéas — a moving testament to the genius of a painter at the height of his powers. Art and garden lovers rejoice!
Departures 10 May & 26 July 2019
Price 4 days from
£895
per person
Single room supplement £210 May supplement £50pp
Itinerary Day 1 We depart from London by
Eurostar and upon arrival in Paris are met by our comfortable coach. We travel to the charming town of Chantilly, in the heart of the Chantilly Forest where our hotel is set in its own wooded grounds. Later, join our party for a welcome glass of Kir before dinner. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 This morning, we transfer to
nearby Senlis, a market town typical of Picardy, where we can explore the shops or enjoy some pâtisserie. We continue to Château de Chantilly, one of the jewels in the crown of France’s cultural heritage, a magnificent edifice surrounded by water. Our visit includes
www.brightwaterholidays.com
the sumptuously decorated Grands Appartements, dating from the 17th-19th centuries, along with time to stroll around the extensive formal gardens, designed in part by André le Notre. Dinner is at our hotel.
2-metre high murals entitled Les Nymphéas. Thereafter, there is time to sightsee at leisure before we catch our Eurostar train back to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 3 The world famous house and
gardens of Claude Monet await today. Following our visit, we enjoy free time in Giverny and can visit the church where Monet is buried. Dinner is served at our hotel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 We travel to Paris to visit the
Musée de l’Orangerie des Tuileries. The highlight of its collection is Monet’s
54
Claude Monet
What’s Included Four nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the 5-star Corfu Holiday Palace One lunch Return flights from London Gatwick to Corfu All visits as outlined in the itinerary
Discover Corfu with Lee Durrell
Special appearance from Lee Durrell, including a private talk with Q&A and a tour of locations Services of a professional tour manager
Vlacherna Monastery and Mouse Island
C
ome and explore the magical Mediterranean island that inspired ITV’s hit drama, The Durrells.
During this exclusive Corfu experience, we get the chance to meet the famous naturalist and writer Lee Durrell, who will give us a private talk about her family’s love affair with the island, and her late husband Gerald’s pioneering role in wildlife conservation. Lee will also accompany us on a visit to some of the Durrell family’s favourite places in Corfu. So, instead of daydreaming about The Durrells, why not come along and discover this beautiful and beguiling Mediterranean island for yourself? Plus, there will be plenty of time for you to explore Corfu at your own pace.
Departures 17 May 2019
Price 5 days from
£1395
per person Single room supplement £200
EXTEND YOUR TRIP! For those who’d like to stay in Corfu a little longer, we have arranged an optional, great value two-night extension for an additional £200 per person, including airport transfers and breakfast (single price £300).
Itinerary Day 1 We fly to Corfu and upon arrival,
we transfer to our hotel. This afternoon, choose to relax by the pool or enjoy a guided walking tour through Corfu Town. A welcome drink and dinner will be served tonight. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 A visit to the Achilleion
Museum is our first stop today. We have the afternoon to explore before dining at our hotel with Lee Durrell, who will also give a fascinating talk. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 3 Lee Durrell joins us again today as we visit some of the unforgettable locations that millions of viewers have fallen in love with while watching The
Durrells. We take a trip to Pontikonisi (mouse island), a place that Gerald and his sister Margo loved to visit. We stop for lunch at the famous White House in Kalami, the beautiful building that was once their family home. We also see some of the picturesque villages on the north of the island. Later, we continue to the Lake of the Lillies before visiting the abandoned village of Perithia, where we meet a local bee keeper.
Day 5 This morning we check out of
our hotel and transfer to Corfu airport for our flight to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 4 We have breakfast at our hotel
and then have the rest of the day free to spend how we wish. Choose to relax by the pool, take a trip to the beach or venture into Corfu Town. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
55
Lee Durrell
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Gardens and Architecture of Andalucia A
ndalucia is unrivalled in Europe for its wealth of history, culture, Moorish architecture and gardens, all set against the backdrop of the snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada. We visit the gardens which complement the adjoining palaces and discover the wild mountain landscapes. Andalucia has a wonderful hinterland scattered with exotic palaces and gardens left behind by the Moors, the most famous of which are the Alhambra and the Generalife. It commands exceptional views towards the old city, the Albaicin and the mountains of the Sierra Nevada. In Córdoba we visit the Great Mosque and the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos with its characteristic terraced pools. We discover Seville and all it has to offer, including the Old Jewish Quarter, Plaza de España and the Gardens of Murillo.
We also get to enjoy a full day here to explore at our own pace. Opt to try the local tapas, attend a flamenco show, take a cruise along the Guadalquivir river, or simply relax soaking up the culture and atmosphere. We conclude our tour in the dramatically situated town of Ronda, with visits to the Alameda del Tajo Gardens and the Palacio de Mondragon.
What’s Included Seven nights’ accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis: three nights in Granada; three nights in Seville; one night in Ronda
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of Michael Gill as tour manager
Three dinners, four lunches and welcome drink on the first evening Return scheduled flights from Luton or London Gatwick to Málaga
www.brightwaterholidays.com
56
Itinerary Day 1 We fly to Málaga and upon
arrival, we transfer to our hotel. A welcome drink and dinner is served this evening. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
dinner is served this evening. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5 We devote our entire day to
Seville. We visit the Maria-Luisa Park and the Plaza de España, one of the most impressive public squares in Spain. Later we continue to the Gardens of Murillo and Seville’s majestic Cathedral. This afternoon, we see Seville’s Orange Tree Courtyard and the gardens of the Royal Palaces of Alcázar. The Alcázar is a magnificent palace which mixes Christian and Moorish styles. The patios, salons and ceilings in particular are sublimely ornate. The beautiful gardens span several eras and include an “English Garden” unlike any garden in this country as the trees and plants are much larger! Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Alhambra Palace, Granada
Day 2 This morning following Plaza de España, Seville
breakfast we visit the famous Alhambra Palace with its Generalife Gardens. The Alhambra has one of the most spectacular sites in the world. Alhambra means “red castle”, and the buildings are of a seductive pink stone and were built in the 14th century. We will also visit the gardens of The Generalife which was the summer palace of the Sultans of Granada in the 14th century. In the afternoon, after lunch in a local restaurant, your guide will accompany you as you wander through the medieval streets of the Albaicín, glimpsing several “Carmens”, the enclosed gardens typical of the Moorish era of Granada, many of which were maintained following the return of the Christian population. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
Palacio de Mondragon, Ronda
Departures
8 days from
£1550
Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 7 We head to Ronda, a
spectacular town rising dramatically amid a ring of dark, angular mountains set above the gorges of the River Tajo. We will see the Alameda del Tajo Gardens set on the edge of the spectacular gorge offering fantastic views. Next we visit the Palacio de Mondragon, whose Moorish courtyards and gardens evoke memories of kings and governors who called Ronda home. After lunch, enjoy free time to explore the town before we continue to our hotel, where dinner is served in the evening. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 8 This morning after breakfast we will transfer to Málaga airport in time for our return flight. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
to the Alpujarra and Sierra Nevada region, visiting some of the local villages and enjoying the mountain scenery. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
9 April | 14 May & 17 September 2019
Price
Day 3 We have a full day excursion
Day 6 Free time in Seville.
Day 4 After breakfast we depart for
per person
Single room supplement £295
Córdoba where we visit the Great Mosque. On entering you are struck by the vast number of pillars supporting the arches with their distinctive red and white tiles. After lunch, we have some free time. Later, we continue to our comfortable hotel in Seville, where
57
Seville
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Gardens of Mallorca A
way from the busy beach resorts, the Balearic island of Mallorca offers a timeless, verdant landscape of wooded hills and orange groves, sweeping bays and rocky mountains.
Dotted around the island is a host of historic gardens whose origins date back hundreds of years, as well as more modern creations, providing a rich range of horticultural delights to be enjoyed in the warm spring sunshine. These include the gardens at Raixa and Alfaiba, both with Moorish origins and later Christian influences; Son Marroig, a former residence of Archduke Luis Salvador with dramatic views; and the contemporary hilltop garden of Sa Torre Cega on the eastern tip of the island, designed by Russell Page.
Elsewhere we visit the monastery of Real Cartuja de Valldemosa, with its peerless location high in the mountains; tour the island’s principal city of Palma with its Gothic cathedral and Arab baths; observe the flora and fauna of the Albufera Nature Reserve and take an exhilarating ride on the Tren de Soller, a heritage train that runs through spectacular mountain scenery.
What’s Included Five nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the 3-star Hotel Helios, Ca’n Pastilla
All visits as outlined in the itinerary
Four lunches
Service of a professional tour manager
Comfortable coach travel throughout
Return flights from London to Palma
www.brightwaterholidays.com
58
Itinerary Day 1 We fly from London to Palma
and upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel where dinner will be served in the evening.
see the Hort del Rei, the 10th century Arab Baths and the Castell de Belver, a fortified Gothic castle. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 We start with a visit to the
La Seu Cathedral and gardens
gardens of Raixa, once part of a Moorish estate, but after the re-conquest of Mallorca owned by the church. In the 18th century it gained its Italianate characteristics, bringing statuary from Italy and exotic plants from the New World. The garden is divided into seven terraces with parterres, pergolas, fountains and loggias. After lunch at a local restaurant in Port Soller (included), we drive through the olive groves of the spectacular west coast and visit the garden of Son Marroig, arranged in a series of attractive terraces and presenting dramatic views of the rocky coastline. From here we transfer to Soller and take the delightful narrow gauge train back to Palma along a stunning route of mountains, tunnels and bridges. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 3 After breakfast, we visit the
San Marroig
Departures 24 March 2019
Price
Jardínes de Alfaibia, set in the Tramuntana Mountains towards Mallorca’s northwestern coast and dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Its irrigation channels and shaded ‘rooms’ are typical of the Moorish style, created in such a way as to merge seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. There are contrasts throughout the lush, terraced gardens, with clipped avenues of low hedging and elsewhere a veritable jungle of palms, bamboos and bulrushes. Bougainvillea-covered pergolas, flowers cascading over stone terraces and vistas of olive trees also enchant. After lunch we visit the monastery of Real Cartuja de Valldemosa. The monastery sports a distinctive, ornate green bell tower and the gardens still have a monastic air, with long pathways through bushes of clipped yew.
Cala Ratjada
Day 5 After breakfast today we
depart for a visit to the hilltop garden of Sa Torre Cega at Cala Ratjada on the eastern tip of the island. It was designed about 30 years ago by Russell Page as a beautiful and harmonious setting for works of art by international sculptors. Conifers, olives and all kinds of flowering shrubs, along with aloe, cacti and dragon trees, combine to form a dramatic backdrop for works by sculptors such as Henry Moore, Antony Caro, Auguste Rodin and Barbara Hepworth. After lunch in Cala Ratjada, we transfer to the Albufera Nature Reserve, the island’s major reserve of maritime marshlands, and the Formentor Woods. Dinner is served this evening. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 6 After breakfast we check out of our hotel and transfer by coach to the airport for our return flight to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 4 We tour Palma today where
£1395
6 days from per person Single room supplement £300
visits include the Cathedral which is the second tallest Gothic cathedral in Europe, and the former royal residence Palacio de la Almudaina. We will also
59
Gardens of Raixa
www.brightwaterholidays.com
New for 2019
Walking in Madeira M
adeira’s famous network of irrigation canals - the levadas – provide the basis for a range of walks to suit all abilities, at the same time affording the opportunity to see all the beauty and diversity that this small subtropical island has to offer. We break ourselves in gently with a walk of around five miles that takes in the spectacular Risco waterfall and 25 natural springs, while our second walk features some fantastic mountain scenery as well as a profusion of unique plants. Our final outing takes us on one of Madeira’s most famous walks that starts on flat ground but quickly climbs into some rugged terrain, home to delicate flowers and a variety of birds, including the Madeiran Firecrest.
We also visit the Monte Palace Gardens, with their splendid views over the bay and you have the option of a relaxing coach tour of the island featuring a host of picturesque towns and villages. Our tour is led by local guide Joao Camacho, affectionately known as our ‘Mr Madeira’. We are visiting Madeira at a time of year where we can enjoy some welcome spring sunshine without it being too hot meaning we’ll be able to explore every corner of the island in comfort!
What’s Included Six nights’ bed and breakfast at the 5-star Pestana Casino Park Hotel, Funchal
All visits as outlined in the itinerary
Two dinners
Services of Joao Camacho as tour manager and a local guide
Comfortable coach travel throughout
Return flights from London Gatwick to Funchal
www.brightwaterholidays.com
60
Itinerary Day 1 We depart from London
Gatwick on a direct flight to Funchal. Upon arrival, we are met by our local guide and our coach, which takes us to our accommodation at the 5-star Pestana Casino Park Hotel in Funchal. There will be leisure time before our welcome buffet dinner.
Vicente, among others. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 After breakfast we take our first walk: Rabaçal-Risco to 25 Fontes (5 miles). From Rabaçal, we walk to the Risco waterfall and then descend to the levada of 25 Fontes, where 25 natural springs cascade into the small lake. This is a gentle introduction, but the path is very narrow in some places and at 1000m above sea level, you should be prepared for cooler temperatures. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 3 A 10-minute cable car ride
Monte Palace Gardens
from the centre of Funchal to Monte gets our day off to a scenic start. Visit Monte Palace Gardens, which cover more than 70,000 square metres and showcase exotic plants. After our tour, we can take part in one of Madeira’s most treasured traditions: a 10-minute toboggan ride, where you slide down the streets from Monte to Funchal in traditional wicker toboggans. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 4 After breakfast, head high into
Pico Ruivo
Departures 25 March 2019
Price
£1195
7 days from per person Single room supplement £270
the central mountains as we walk between Pico de Arieiro and Pico Ruivo (5 miles), This walk features some sublime mountain scenery, where rock formations soar into the sky like statues. A profusion of unique plants flourish in this habitat and near Pico Ruivo is the oldest heather forest in existence. The trees here are many hundreds of years old; already there when the island was first settled in the 1400s. Although this is the most strenuous of our walks, it is well worth the effort.
Pico de Arieiro
Day 6 We enjoy our final walk at
Ribiero Frio to Portela (7.5 miles) today. This is one of Madeira’s best known walks, the first five miles of which are over flat terrain along the Serra do Faial Levada from the Ribeiro Frio. Thereafter the terrain becomes more rugged and you understand how difficult it must have been to build the channels to take the water from the springs in the north to the farmland on the south coast. All along the levada, among the different shades of green, we can see delicate flowers budding on tiny plants that enjoy living in the shade and high humidity of the Laurissilva Forest. Look out too for Madeiran firecrests, the smallest bird in Madeira; the Madeiran chaffinch and the grey wagtail. Later, we enjoy a delicious farewell meal. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 7 We check out of our hotel after breakfast and catch our flight home from Funchal airport. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 5 Today is free to explore at
leisure or why not join our optional excursion – a full day guided tour of the island including lunch. Visit Camara de Lobos, made famous by Sir Winston Churchill in 1950 when he painted the sea cliffs at Cabo Girao, Ribiera Brava, Encumeada and Sao
61
Mountain sign post
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Gardens of Madeira S
et in a bright blue sea, some 400 miles off the coast of Africa, lies the lush, volcanic Portuguese island of Madeira. Just 36 miles long and 14 miles wide, it is an island of outstanding natural beauty. Its warm climate makes Madeira a sub-tropical paradise where the vegetation is verdant and rich. Every inch of Madeira’s workable land is terraced and cultivated, and some fields are so steep you would think they were planted by steeplejacks, rather than farmers. One of the best ways to explore is by following the footpaths alongside the “levadas” (small man-made irrigation canals) and we have included a gentle half-day levada walk, with the chance to take further walks on your free days. We also visit the splendid Palheiro Gardens which for many visitors are the best of all Madeira’s horticultural wonders.
We take time to visit the Monte Palace Gardens, glorious gardens that surround the château-like Monte Palace. Getting there is an experience in itself, as the cable car ride from Funchal to Monte offers stunning views over the harbour and bay. This tour is led by local expert Joao Camacho, who knows Madeira inside and out, and he will take great pride in showing us around his native island.
What’s Included 7 nights’ bed and breakfast at the 5-star Pestana Casino Park Hotel in Funchal
Return flights from London Gatwick to Funchal
Welcome and farewell dinners at the hotel
Comfortable coach travel throughout
Afternoon tea at Reid’s Palace Hotel
Services of Joao Camacho as tour manager
www.brightwaterholidays.com
All visits as outlined in the itinerary
62
No single supplement
Itinerary Day 1 We depart from London
Hotel, which has welcomed the likes of Sir Winston Churchill and George Bernard Shaw. After a look at its lush gardens, we will treat you to a delicious afternoon tea of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, home-made pastries, jam, butter and cream. The rest of the evening is free for you to enjoy at leisure.
Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & afternoon tea.
Day 2 We make our way to Quinta do
Day 6 Today is free to explore at
Gatwick airport on a direct flight to Funchal. Upon arrival, we are met by our local guide and coach, which takes us to our accommodation – the 5-star Pestana Casino Park Hotel, Funchal. The remainder of our day is free and in the evening, we come together for a welcome buffet dinner.
Palheiro after breakfast. Established over several generations, the gardens are famous for their camellias, though there is also a wonderful spread of agapanthus and arum and belladonna lilies in season. Afterwards we enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Botanical Gardens
Bird of paradise
Day 3 This morning, we enjoy a
gentle half-day walk on the footpaths alongside the “levadas” (small manmade irrigation canals). Later, we have some free time to unwind. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 4 Take a 10-minute cable car Camara Da Lobos
Departures 7 October 2019
Price 8 days from
£1395
ride from the centre of Funchal to the fashionable hill town of Monte this morning. We visit the glorious Monte Palace Gardens which surround the château-like Palace, and after our tour of the gardens, we have the option of taking part in one of Madeira’s most treasured traditions: a 10-minute toboggan ride down the streets from Monte to Funchal in wicker toboggans. The afternoon can be spent at leisure.
leisure. Alternatively join us on a full-day tour of the island, including lunch. We will visit the picturesque villages of Camara de Lobos, which was made famous by Sir Winston Churchill in 1950 when he painted the sea cliffs at Cabo Girao; Ribiera Brava (wild river), which was one of the earliest settlements in Madeira; Encumeada, a 1000m high mountain pass where fascinating cloud displays can often be seen; the coastal town of Sao Vicente, popular with surfers and sunbathers, and Porto Moniz, which has long been famous for its natural bathing pools and wonderful scenery, where lunch will be served. In the afternoon we continue via Santana, a pretty village characterised by its thatched houses; the forests and high plateau of Paul da Serra and finally Ponta do Sol, which as the name implies is the sunniest part of the island. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 7 Today is free to explore Funchal at leisure. Later, we sit down to a farewell dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 8 After breakfast, we return to
the airport in time to catch your flight home to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
per person
No single room supplement
Day 5 A leisurely start to the morning awaits. After some free time, we walk to the famous Reid’s Palace
63
Monte Palace Tropical Garden, Funchal
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Longhaul & 2020
Chile & the Falkland Islands
pg 66
Southern Costa Rica
pg 68
Gardens of Costa Rica
pg 70
Gardens and Wilflowers of South Africa’s Western Cape
pg 72
Flora and Fauna of Madagascar
pg 74
Yunnan & Tibet
pg 76
Seasonal Gardens of Japan
pg 78
WAFA 2020 and Palaces & Gardens of India’s pg 80 Golden Triangle Oberammergau & the Austrian Tyrol - 2020
www.brightwaterholidays.com
pg 82
64
Torres del Paine Patagonia Chile
65
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Chile & the Falkland Islands I
n one of the most exciting holiday packages that Brightwater Holidays has ever offered, we combine Chile, that amazing ‘land of contrasts’ with snow-capped volcanoes, towering glaciers and spectacular flora and fauna, with the unique thrill of travelling to the remote Falkland Islands. We begin in the Chilean capital, Santiago, a city of shining skyscrapers and beautiful parks. We tour the National Park of La Campana (in the footsteps of Charles Darwin) before flying south to Punta Arenas and the Torres del Paine National Park. Two full days are set aside to do justice to the extraordinary range of plants, birds and animals to be found here in the magnificent desolation of Patagonia, and we have also included a boat trip to Lake Grey and the Grey Glacier.
We then fly from Punta Arenas to the Falkland Islands, situated 400 miles off the coast of South America in the South Atlantic Ocean. The Falklands offer fresh air, big skies and an abundance of wildlife, much of which is very tame and approachable – we will discover that the penguins have no hesitation in coming up to investigate visitors! During the course of our stay we visit many different islands, providing photo opportunities and an unforgettable experience.
What’s Included Seven nights’ accommodation in Chile: three nights’ B&B in Santiago, three night’s full-board in Torres del Paine and one night B&B in Punta Arenas. Seven nights’ accommodation on a full-board basis in locations around the Falkland Islands
Return flights from London to Santiago and all internal flights All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of Colin Crosbie, former curator of RHS Garden Wisley, as tour manager and local guides
Welcome drink and dinner in Chile
www.brightwaterholidays.com
66
Itinerary Day 1 & 2 We fly from London to
Day 8 Fly to Mount Pleasant
Santiago and, upon arrival, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city before checking in to our hotel and enjoying a welcome drink followed by dinner.
International Airport on the Falkland Islands. On arrival, we travel to Stanley and enjoy dinner at our overnight logging.
Inc. Meals: In-flight & dinner.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 3 After breakfast, we tour La
Day 9 & 10 We fly to Sea Lion Island,
Campana National Park. Charles Darwin visited this site on several occasions and adored the views from the summit. Our evening will be spent at leisure.
where we will see a wide variety of birds as well as wildflowers, one of which, the Fuegian Violet, is found nowhere else in the Falklands. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 11 & 12 After breakfast, we fly
Day 4 This morning we fly from
Santiago to Punta Arenas. Once here, we travel to Torres del Paine National Park through vast Patagonian steppes, where an array of endemic plants can be seen.
to Saunders Island, home to albatross and penguin colonies. We have an introductory tour on arrival followed by a full day observing the abundant wildlife which also includes elephant seals, dolphins and sea lions.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 13 An internal flight takes us back to Stanley, with the afternoon free to explore the islands’ capital. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Torres del Paine National Park
Day 14 Enjoy a full day excursion to
Volunteer Point, travelling in 4x4s. Here, we observe a colony of breeding King penguins. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 15 We fly to Santiago, Chile,
where we will transfer to our hotel. Evening at leisure. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Southern rockhopper penguin
Day 5 Our entire day is spent in Torres del Paine National Park. We visit low-growing patches of Antarctic beech and if we are lucky we may see herds of Guanaco, Andean deer and Culpeo foxes. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Laguna Torres
Grey to see the Grey glacier. Our Torres del Paine National Park tour continues, and we hope to spot wild orchids.
Departures 23 November 2019
Price 17 days from
Day 6 Take a boat across Lake
return to Santiago Airport and fly overnight back to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & in-flight.
Argentina La Campana National Park Santiago
Chile
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 7 Check out of the hotel
£8995
Day 16 & 17 After breakfast, we
per person
Single room supplement £1400
and transfer to Punta Arenas. The rest of the day will be at leisure.
Torres del Paine National Park
Falkland Islands
Punta Arenas
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
67
www.brightwaterholidays.com
New for 2019
Southern Costa Rica A
rugged and unexplored wilderness awaits on this off-the-beaten-track adventure. Costa Rica’s unique range of plant, bird and animal life never ceases to amaze and as we head south we can expect to see an astonishing variety of species on this most colourful of tours. Introduced by popular demand, this new holiday complements our highly successful tour of the northern part of the country and explores the incredible southern regions, including Golfito, which is often referred to as Costa Rica’s ‘last frontier’. Here, the amenities may be slightly more basic, but visitors to this part of the country are invited to experience an alternative to the hustle and bustle of the more popular tourist destinations, where an authentic adventure can be enjoyed.
Among the highlights are the Lankester Garden, which boasts a world-renowned variety of orchids, and a walk in the tropical cloud forest where humming-birds dart from flower to flower. We spend a full day in the lush surroundings of the Wilson Botanical Garden exploring its floral delights and end on a high with an aerial tram tour through the tropical treetops.
What’s Included Eight nights’ bed and breakfast: two nights at the Wyndham Hotel, San José; two nights at Rio Perlas; two nights at the Wilson Botanical Garden; two nights at Vista Ballena (or similar)
Return flights from London to San José
Eight dinners and seven lunches
Services of Christopher Bailes, former curator of RHS Garden Rosemoor, as tour manager and a local guide
www.brightwaterholidays.com
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout
68
Itinerary Day 1 Fly from London to San José,
Day 7 We pay a visit to Casa
Costa Rica’s capital. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel in time for dinner. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 After breakfast we visit
Lankester Garden, which boasts a world renowned variety of orchids. Orchids can be tricky to spot in the wild as they grow high in the canopy on trunks and branches, flowering only for a day or two. With this in mind, we are lucky to see so many at eye-level in this garden. We stop for lunch and then journey south into the mountains, an area of National Parks and Reserves. Finally, we transfer to our hotel which sits beside the Perlas River in the heart of the rainforest.
Orquideas, one of the oldest and most interesting botanical gardens in the region. The garden is home to 100 species of orchids along with heliconias, bromeliads and a whole host of edible plants. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 3 An unusual and fascinating
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
day lies ahead of us, beginning with a tropical walking tour of the surrounding cloud forest. Look out for humming birds, fly catchers and finches that dart about the mighty oaks. After lunch, we enjoy a visit to the surrounding area of San Gerardo de Dota. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 4 We continue south, stopping
en route for lunch. Our destination is San Vito and the fabulous Wilson Botanical Garden, which was established in 1963. The garden covers a total of 12 hectares and is surrounded by 254 hectares of natural forest. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 5 We spend today among the
elaborate surroundings of the Wilson Botanical Garden. The plants here include palms, marantas, bananas and bromeliads. Flowering species are being added and a new hummingbird garden has been built in a Japanese style. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Toucan
Departures 14 February 2019
Price
£3195
10 days from per person Single room supplement £400
Day 6 We check out of the hotel and head south towards Golfito. A remote and secluded region, this is an unexplored wilderness and one that offers an authentic experience. Our base here is within the jungle of Piedras Blancas National Park, home to over 300 species of birds.
Orchid at the Lankester Garden
Day 8 This morning it is time to
head back to San José. Our journey is broken up with a ride aboard the Aerial Tram, near Jaco. This unique tour allows us to explore every level of the tropical, transitional forest from the ground to the treetops. We then visit the beautiful Butterfly Garden and the fascinating Medicinal Plants Garden, taking a walk through the terrariums. In the afternoon we continue to our hotel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 9 & 10 After breakfast, we
transfer to the airport for our return flight to London. We arrive in the UK on Day 10. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & in-flight.
Costa Rica San José Province Jaco
Rio Perlas
Golfito
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
69
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Gardens of Costa Rica C
osta Rica, Spanish for ‘rich coast’, is especially well-named if you consider the extraordinary wealth of plant, bird and animal life found within this small Central American country.
The term ‘biodiversity’ might have been coined with Costa Rica in mind, such is the range and number of different species that flourish within its pristine, tropical forests. Add some truly spectacular scenery and a resplendently laid-back, happy people to the mix, and you have the makings of a life-affirming holiday experience. Visit a broad range of gardens both public and private, such as the Else Kientzler Botanical Gardens with its world class collection of plants.
In such a beautiful setting, we spend plenty of time taking in the spectacular natural features of the country. Lake Arenal is Costa Rica’s largest body of fresh water, and was enlarged to three times its original size when a hydro-electric dam was built here. The Poás Volcano is another highlight and is one of Costa Rica’s most spectacular volcanoes, with an enormous crater and a steaming lake at the bottom. We also seek sub-tropical wildlife in the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge.
What’s Included 11 nights’ bed and breakfast: three nights at the Bougainvillea Hotel, Heredia (or similar); two nights at La Quinta, Sarapiqui (or similar), two nights in the Arenal area, two nights in Monteverde, two nights in Manuel Antonia
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of Julia Corden of the Explorers’ Garden as tour manager and a local guide
Eight dinners and ten lunches Return flights from London to San José
www.brightwaterholidays.com
70
Itinerary Day 1 Depart from London and fly to
Day 9 We start our day with a tour
of the Monteverde Cloud Reserve, whose variable climate and large altitudinal gradient supports a complex and extensive eco-system.
San José. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel for dinner. Inc. Meals: In-flight & dinner.
Day 2 After breakfast, we visit Else
Kientzler Botanical Garden. This private garden houses over 2,000 plants from around the globe. After lunch we tour a private garden, which featuring hibiscus, helicons, succulents and bromeliads.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 3 We make our way to Poás
Volcano today, which has an astonishing steaming lake at the bottom. Later, we visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and spend time at the world’s largest butterfly garden. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. National Park of Manuel Antonio
Day 4 We begin at the reserve of La
Tirimbina, where we visit an organic cacao plantation with the chance to make our very own chocolate! We then learn about pineapple farming at the Organic Paradise Tour. Arenal Volcano
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 5 We head to the majestic Arenal
Day 10 This morning, we tour the
Manuel Antonio National Park. After lunch we tour the Rainforest Spices Plantation, where we have the chance to taste many different spices. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
Volcano where we visit a medicinal garden and discover how various plants are used to produce effective medicines. We then transfer to our hotel which overlooks the volcano.
Day 11 This morning we head to San
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 6 We depart on a full day
Day 12 & 13 We transfer to the
José, stopping at the Orchid Garden in La Garita en route. Costa Rica has the richest orchird flora in central America, with over 1,400 identified species.
excursion to the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. In the course of our boat trip we hope to see an astonishing variety of monkeys, sloths, alligators and turtles as well as a diverse range of flora. Next, we travel back to the Arenal area where we visit some of the abundant hot springs.
airport this morning and catch our return flight home. We arrive in London on Day 13. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & in-flight.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 7 After breakfast we take a Red-eyed tree frog
Departures 3 February 2019
Price
£3895
13 days from per person Single room supplement £960
boat trip on Lake Arenal, Costa Rica’s largest body of fresh water. We then head south to Monteverde and our next hotel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 8 We tour a nearby orchid
Costa Rica Arenal Springs Resort
Sarapiqui
Monteverde Volcán Poás National Park San José Province
garden and after lunch, we visit a butterfly garden. This evening we have an opportunity to have dinner in the unique Tree House restaurant (not included). Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
71
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Gardens and Wildflowers of South Africa’s Western Cape R
enowned for its stunning scenery, cultural diversity, rich variety of wildlife and in particular its indigenous flora, South Africa is a spectacular destination to visit. Wildflowers will put on a dazzling display, and we enjoy a mixture of gardens, estates and fantastic vineyards. As soon as you touch down in this country, your senses are captivated by intoxicating sights. Travel by cable car to Table Mountain’s peak and let your eyes fall upon an immense range of flora, encompassing over 1,470 species. Further delights await at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden - one of the finest in the world. Our tour around the Western Cape finds us travelling north to the small town of Clanwilliam, where we see multitudes of wildflowers at the Ramskop Nature Reserve.
Continuing to the lesser known West Coast National Park, we are treated to sightings of wildflowers and wild birds amidst stunning scenery, whilst our palates are enchanted by delicious wine tastings. Moving into the southern Cape, we enjoy a spot of whale-watching off the coast at Hermanus and travel inland to the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, home to a bewildering range of flora and fauna. Further visits include the sumptuous Stellenbosch Botanical Garden and the wonderfully productive gardens of Babylonstoren.
What’s Included 13 nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast: three nights at the Cape Town Hollow Hotel; two nights at the Piekenierskloof Resort; one night at the Buffelsfontein Game Reserve; two nights at the Cumberland Hotel, Worcester; two nights at the Windsor Hotel, Hermanus; three nights at the Stellenbosch Hotel (or similar)
www.brightwaterholidays.com
14 lunches Return flights from London Heathrow to Cape Town All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of horticulturalist Colin Crosbie as tour manager and a local guide
72
Itinerary Day 1 & 2 We fly overnight from
London to Cape Town, arriving on Day 2. We visit the Old Company Garden. before transfering to our hotel, where dinner awaits. Inc. Meals: In-flight, lunch & dinner.
Day 3 Explore the many trails on top
of Table Mountain, which we ascend by cable car, before touring the great Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 4 Discover the Cape Peninsula,
starting at Boulders Beach to see penguins. Next, at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, we admire the carpet of wildflowers and landscapes. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 5 Today we travel to Clanwilliam, 200km north of Cape Town. Afternoon at leisure. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
to spot Southern Right whales, and maybe even dolphins, seals and a variety of other marine life. After lunch we head inland to the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, which covers 1800 hectares. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 12 Following breakfast, we visit
the Harold Porter Botanic Garden. From here, we travel to Elgin, where we visit a private garden before continuing to our hotel in Stellenbosch. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 13 Today we visit the Helderberg
Nature Reserve, where we have the chance to see South Africa’s diverse flora in the mountain fynbos. thereafter we visit the Vergelegen Wine Estate and its beautiful gardens. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 14 Our day starts at the Old
a presentation on the growing of Rooibos, South Africa’s famous indigenous tea. We also walk around Ramskop Nature Reserve and see its unique wildflowers.
Nectar Gardens in Jonkershoek. The gardens extend over two hectares and each individual garden has its own character. We continue to Babylonstoren, one of the best preserved farm yards in the Cape Dutch tradition.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 7 This morning, we travel to the
Day 15 & 16 We check out of our
Day 6 We visit Clanwilliam for Babylonstoren Garden
Day 11 We set off on a boat trip
quaint village of Darling. After lunch, we explore the West Coast National Park, before continuing to our game reserve lodge. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 8 After a stop at a local nature
reserve, we head to Vondleling for a walk in the fynbos, followed by a wine tasting and lunch. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
hotel and head to Stellenbosch Botanical Garden. Plants here have come from across the globe, including aquatic plants from the Amazon, tropical orchids, Mexican cacti, as well as Welwitschia from the Namibian Desert. Later this afternoon, we transfer to Cape Town airport for our return flight back to London. We arrive into Heathrow on Day 16. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & in-flight.
Day 9 Today we visit the Karoo Table Mountain
Departures 23 August 2019
Price
£4295
16 days from per person Single room supplement £650
National Botanical Gardens in Worcester, with its range of succulents endemic to dry Karoo areas.
South Africa Clanwilliam
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 10 Drive to Hermanus this
morning to visit the charitable flower project Flower Valley, whose aim is to promote the sustainable harvesting of threatened fynbos plant species in the area. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
73
Buffelsfontein Darling Worcester Cape Stellenbosch Town Hermanus Cape of Good Hope
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Flora and Fauna of Madagascar M
adagascar, the world’s fourth largest island, is like a gigantic ark sailing ever so slowly across the Indian Ocean, having broken free from the African continent some 160 million years ago. The national parks and private reserves that feature on this tour are among the finest in the world. On the botanical side we can expect to see a huge range of fascinating trees and plants, none more curious than the baobab, which look like giant tubers that have been pulled from the earth and thrust back in with the roots uppermost, hence the name ‘Upside Down Tree’. Among the other highlights are spiny bush plants including the unique cactus-like Didiereaceae; strange Triangulated Palms, bloated Pachypodiums and carnivorous Pitcher Plants; tree ferns, Aloes and Euphorbias. We will also see a host of orchids, including the famous Comet Orchid.
Think of Madagascar and you think of lemurs and for many these endearing primates will top a star-studded cast list of wildlife. As well as the familiar ring-tailed lemur, we hope to see Sanford’s brown lemur, nocturnal mouse lemur and Indri. Other creatures that may cross our path are geckos, chameleons and a wonderful selection of rare birds.
What’s Included 12 nights’ full board: four nights at the Hotel du Louvre, Antananarivo; two nights at the Allamanda Hotel; two nights at the Gîte de Berenty; one night at the Hotel La Croix du Sud, Fort Dauphin; three nights at the Vakona Lodge (all hotels subject to change). Please note that picnic lunches are provided on days when we are away from the lodge or hotel
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Return flights from London Heathrow to Antananarivo and four internal flights All visits as outlined in the itinerary All land transfers in appropriate vehicles for the road conditions Services of a professional tour manager and local guides
74
Itinerary Day 1 & 2 Fly to Antananarivo
(usually known as Tana) from London, arriving on Day 2. Our local guide meets us at the airport and we transfer to our hotel. Inc. Meals: In-flight & dinner.
Day 3 Catch a flight to Diego Suarez/ Antsiranana. Upon arrival, stroll along the Three Bays, see the lighthouse and the French military installations. We also visit the village of Ramena.
emerald green Parson’s chameleon. After lunch, relax in the hotel pool or visit the Vakona Reserve by canoe. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 12 Trek through the forest
reserve of Analamazaotra. Tonight, enjoy a nocturnal visit to see the smallest frog and chameleon species of the rainforest, along with the smallest lemur species. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 4 An excursion to Montagne
d’Ambre National Park awaits, where rivers, lakes and waterfalls can be admired. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 5 Today, we visit Montagne des
Français to see dry-country flora and baobab trees. Near the top, on Pic des Orchidées, the Comet Orchid should be in flower. Later, fly back to Tana. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.. Panoramic view at sunset above Baobab avenue
Day 6 Fly to Fort Dauphin and travel
to Berenty Private Reserve, a private gallery forest that protects ‘spiny desert’ habitat. Here, we can see the strange triangulated palm. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Traditional Madagascan fishing boat
Day 13 En route to Antananarivo, we
visit the Madagascar Exotic Park with its butterflies and insects. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 7 Berenty Reserve, with its
lemurs, fruit bats and vast bird species, awaits again today. See pachypodiums, moringas and tamarind trees. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 8 After lunch, we travel back to
Fort Dauphin, hopefully stopping to see endemic pitcher-plants.
Day 14 & 15 This morning we
visit the nursery of late Alfred Razafindratsira, a major supplier of seeds. After lunch in Tana, shop for souvenirs at the market and then catch a flight to London. We arrive in London on Day 15. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & in-flight.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 9 We fly to Tana and visit
the National Botanical Garden in Tsimbazaza Parc, home to the island’s biggest herbarium. Ring-tailed lemur
Montagne d’Ambre NP
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 10 We depart for Andasibe
Departures
today on road No.2, travelling through the forests of Angavo.
5 November 2019
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Price
Day 11 After breakfast, we
£4995
15 days from per person Single room supplement £720
spend the morning exploring the lush rainforest of the AndasibeMantadia National Park. Wildlife includes lemurs, rainforest birds and reptiles such as the giant,
75
Antananarivo
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park Vakona Forest Lodge
Madagascar Fort Dauphin
www.brightwaterholidays.com
New for 2019
Yunnan & Tibet: In the footsteps of the plant hunters
Kunming Temple
I
n 1904, a 31 year-old herbarium assistant called George Forrest set off from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for a great adventure to the other side of the world – the remote, mountainous region of Yunnan in south-west China. Now, over a hundred years later, travel to China is not as daunting as it was in Forrest’s day, and we are delighted to announce the opportunity to travel to Yunnan in the expert company of botanist and horticulturalist Duncan Coombs, who has undertaken several plant hunting trips in the hope of finding a species new to science. In 2019, for the first time ever, we have added Tibet to our itinerary, offering a unique opportunity to visit this mysterious, mountainous region, known as the ‘Roof of the World’. Journey through deep gorges and towering
mountains, pausing from time to time to botanise at suitable spots on the way. Many of the plants we enjoy in our gardens today originate in this region and to see them growing in the wild is a rare privilege. Our tour begins in Lijiang, where we combine botanising with visits to spectacular sites such as the dramatic Tiger Leaping Gorge, Songzam Monastery and the Yangtze River.
What’s Included 20 nights’ bed and breakfast: three nights Lijiang, two nights Zhongdian, two nights Deqen, one night Markam, two nights Zuogong, one night Baxoi, one night Ranwuzhen, two nights Bome, two nights Bayi, one night Gongbo’gyamda, three nights Lhasa
Return flights from London to Kunming and all internal flights
18 lunches and 19 dinners
Comfortable coach travel throughout
Chinese/Tibetan Tourist Visas (UK residents only) All visits as outlined in the itinerary Services of botanist Duncan Coombs as tour manager and local guides
www.brightwaterholidays.com
76
Itinerary Day 1 & 2 An overnight flight takes us
to Kunming and we arrive on Day 2. We then take an internal flight to Lijiang and transfer to our hotel where we can relax from our journey. Inc. Meals: In-flight & dinner.
Day 3 Visit Yufeng Temple, where the
Camellia tree in the courtyard is said to be more than 500 years old. Later, tour the village of Yuhu before continuing to Black Dragon Pool Park. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 4 We experience a day of
botanising, in the mysterious Ganghoba Valley, where rhododendrons, cypripdiums and arisaemas can be seen. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 5 We travel to Zhongdian,
pausing en route to visit Tiger Leaping Gorge – one of the world’s deepest. Upon arrival, we visit Songtsam Monastery. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 6 Today we botanise on Shika
Snow Mountain, which we ascend via cable car. Half way up the mountain we see the expansive Yala Green Wave Ranch, embellished with wildflowers of various colours.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 18 Today we depart for our final
our hotel in Deqen, taking a stop at the Bend of the Yangtze to botanise.
Day 8 Another full day of botanising
awaits and we take to the slopes of the Baima Shan Mountain.
Day 9 The time has come to enter
Day 19 After breakfast we head for
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Lhasa, pausing to enjoy the plants and flowers on the mountain pass at Mi La. We stay here for the next three nights.
Tibet and we do so as we drive from Deqen to Markam. On the way, we botanise on the Hung La Mountain.
Day 20 We start our day at the
Day 10 Travel from Markam to
Zuogong, enjoying jaw-dropping views over the Mekong River — the 12th longest in the world — in a deep gorge.
Day 21 Today is free to explore Lhasa at your own pace. Shop for souvenirs or take last minute photos of the area.
break to botanise at Gama La pass.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 13 We continue to Ranwuzhen
Day 22 & 23 This morning we
today, with a chance to botanise at the mountain pass along the way. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
£6595
today as we drive to Bome, stopping to botanise on the lower slopes of the Galung La mountain.
Day 15 In the morning, we return
Single room supplement £900 Please note this tour takes place at high altitude so you must be physically able to cope with this.
transfer to Lhasa Gonggar airport for our flight to Kunming. From here, we fly to London, arriving on Day 23. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & in-flight.
Day 14 A little altitude is lost
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
per person
Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet. The chapels here are alive with the hum of prayers and adorned with Buddhist paintings. Next, we see Potala Palace, the winter home of all the Dalai Lamas until 1959. Our final visit is to Shera Temple. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 12 We drive to Baxoi, taking a
23 days from
overnight stop, Gongbo’gyamda, before we reach Lhasa. En route, we visit Basum-tso lake, noted for the tiny island at its centre. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Price
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
the slopes of Dungda La for a gentle day of botanising.
24 June 2019
Day 17 We botanise on the slopes
Day 7 After breakfast, we transfer to
Day 11 After breakfast we return to
Departures
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
of Serkhyem La, where we see large numbers of Rheum nobile, a species of rhubarb that can grow up to 2m tall.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Old town of Lijiang
mountain in the area. Later, we cross the pass at Serkhyem La en route to our hotel.
to Galung La mountain, this time botanising on the higher slopes, peaking at 4,400m.
China Gongbo'gyamda Bome Baxoi Lhasa Markam Ranwuzhen Zogang Deqen Shangri-La Lijiang
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 16 Travelling from Bome
to Bayi, we enjoy views of the Parlung Tsangbo and Rong Chu rivers, as well as the highest
77
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Seasonal Gardens of Japan Ginkakuji, also known as the Silver Pavillion
S
urround yourself with the splendours of the Far East with an action-packed itinerary of rare gardens, bamboo forests, ancient temples, golden Buddhas and, of course, the majestic Mount Fuji.
The origins of these Japanese gardens lies in simple, gravel-covered forest clearings where the gods could manifest themselves. Experience the other worldliness of this mystical country on a garden tour unlike any other. Travel aboard the iconic bullet train, visit the historic town of Omi Hachiman, take a cruise beneath Mount Fuji’s snow-capped peaks on Lake Ashi, and embark upon an optional excursion to Hiroshima and its Peace Memorial Park.
Many of the country’s most notable gardens are situated in and around Kyoto, Japan’s former capital, and we enjoy three full days exploring both public and private gardens in this area. We have included a variety of different natural styles in order to bring this tour to life, from landscape gardens and stroll gardens, to pond-and-island spaces. A recent and popular addition to this tour is dinner with a Maiko, an apprentice Geisha, in traditional costume. Tradition, stories and natural beauty await.
What’s Included 11 nights bed and breakfast; six nights’ at the ANA Hotel, Kyoto and five nights’ at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa, Tokyo (or similar)
Flight from London Heathrow to Osaka, returning from Tokyo
Dinner and welcome drink on first evening, a dinner with a Maiko, three lunches and a farewell dinner
Comfortable coach travel throughout
www.brightwaterholidays.com
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Services of a professional tour manager – horticulturalists Colin Crosbie in March and Trevor Edwards in November
78
Itinerary Day 1 Depart from London on an
overnight flight to Kansai International Airport, Osaka. Inc. Meals: In-flight only.
Day 2 Upon arrival in Osaka, we
transfer to Kyoto to visit the gardens of the Imperial Palace, which feature broad gravel paths and attractive weeping cherry trees. From here we transfer to our hotel. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 3 After breakfast we discover
the dry landscape garden at Ginkaku-ji and the private garden of Hakusasonsou. We continue to Kyoto Botanical Garden, home to over 120,000 plants, and the Bamboo Forest Path, a strange forest of dense bamboo.
and the Hachimanbori Canal. In the old merchants’ area, we explore Nishikawake House, a former residence of a wealthy merchant family before we return to Kyoto. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
leisure. There is an optional excursion to Hiroshima today. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 6 We start at the Daisen-in
Temple, before visiting two more dry landscape gardens, Zuiho-in and Ryogen-in. Next, we tour the stunning Kinkakuji Temple and end at Ryoan-ji Temple. This evening we have a special dinner with a maiko, and we learn all about the history of this practice and its customs. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 We enjoy a full day excursion
Day 7 We head to Nara and explore
the Kasuga Grand Shrine, one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines. Afterwards, we tour the Todai-ji Temple, home to the world’s largest bronze statue of Buddha. Next we enjoy Nara Park where thousands of tame deer run free. Later, we enjoy an evening visit at the Kodai-ji Temple. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
Day 8 This morning we visit the Heian
Shrine, a rare example of a pond garden in the grounds of a Shinto shrine. We move onto the Nanzen-ji Temple Complex, a quintessential Zen temple. Later, we travel to Tokyo by bullet train. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 9 We take a coach to the seaside
The Bamboo Forest
Departures 27 March & 13 November 2019
Price
£4995
13 days from per person Single room supplement £1500
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
Day 11 After breakfast, we see the
Day 5 Today we explore Kyoto at
Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
to the Prefecture of Shiga beginning in Otsu where we visit the ancient temple of Ishiyamadera. We continue to the historic town of Omi Hachiman
principal attraction of Hakone. Views from here are amazing and on the way back, we can take photos at Mount Fuji.
town of Kamakura to visit the Great Buddha. After lunch, we continue to the simple and elegant Hase Kannon Temple. Our next stop is to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, one of the biggest attractions in Kamakura and dedicated to the God of War.
garden of Kyu Furukawa. A waterfall and large stone lanterns heighten the serene atmosphere in the garden. Later, we tour Mukojima Hyakken Garden and visit Shunkanen’s Bonsai Museum before having free time to explore the area. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Senso-ji Temple
Day 12 Our second full day in Tokyo
starts with a trip to the Hamarikyu Garden. Then, we take a cruise on the Sumida River, visit Senso-ji Temple, browse the stalls at Nakamise-dori and continue on to Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens. We see the Imperial Palace East Gardens before sitting down to our farewell dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 13 We transfer to the airport for our return flight to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & in-flight.
Japan
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
Day 10 Hakone and Mount
Fuji are our tour stops for today. We begin with a visit to Onshi Hakone Park, an area of forested mountains and deep ravines. After lunch, we take a cruise on Lake Ashi, the
79
Omihachiman Tokyo Kyoto Osaka International Airport Mount Kamakura Nara Fuji
www.brightwaterholidays.com
New for 2020
WAFA 2020 and Palaces & Gardens of India’s Golden Triangle H
eld once every three years, the World Association of Flower Arrangers’ (WAFA) showpiece event has established itself as the premier occasion for anyone with an interest in flower arranging and floral art. Previous shows were based in Dublin and Barbados and in 2020 it moves to vibrant Jaipur. Our tour begins in Delhi, where we will have the rare opportunity to visit the Mughal gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan, which are only ever open in February. Wander the teeming bazaar and explore the Lodi Gardens, which have elements of early Mughal garden design and were later developed into a flower garden by the wife of the Governor General. From here, transfer to Agra, where we visit the gardens at Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh and experience the Taj Mahal, an unmissable sight.
We also explore the striking Amber Fort, the step well at Abhaneri, the elegant gardens of Rambagh Palace and the incredible sights of Jaipur. The show itself will include demonstrations on flower arranging and lectures, along with unique displays of floral art created by professional, amateur and even novice flower arrangers from all around the world. This holiday will be an absolute feast for the senses – in colour, scent and sound.
What’s Included Seven nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast in 5-star hotels: two nights at the Meridien Hotel, Delhi; one night at the Trident Hotel, Agra; three nights at the Jaipur Marriott Hotel and one night at the Pride Plaza Aerocity, Delhi (or similar)
Return flights from London Heathrow to Delhi
Four lunches
Services of a professional tour manager and local guides
www.brightwaterholidays.com
All local travel within India All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout
80
Itinerary Day 1 We depart this evening on an
overnight flight from London Heathrow to Delhi. Inc. Meals: In-flight only.
Day 2 Upon arrival, we meet our local
guide and transfer to our hotel. Later, we visit the beautiful Lodi Gardens, an oasis of shaded calm demonstrating the principles of Mughal garden design, but developed into a fine floral garden by Lady Willingdon, wife of a former Governor-General of India. It now features nearly 200 species of trees and 40 species of flower. In the evening we will enjoy dinner at our hotel. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 4 After breakfast, we ride the
Gatiman Express train to Agra. We check in to our hotel and visit the UNESCO-listed Agra Fort. We explore Mehtab Bagh (the Moonlit Garden) and return to the hotel for dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 5 A visit to the Taj Mahal awaits.
This majestic monument to love will simply take your breath away. After, time in contemplation of its marble glory, we travel to Jaipur, pausing at Abhaneri to visit the Chand Baori, a step well built over 1,000 years ago that featured in Michael Portillo’s ‘Great Indian Railway Journeys’. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 6 After breakfast, visit the Amber Fort, with a photo stop en route at Hawa Mahal, known as the ‘Palace of Winds’ – note that access to the fort is by jeep. Next, tour the Maharajah’s City Palace, a building still used by the royal family of Jaipur. End at the gardens of Rambagh Palace, renowned for their elegance and foliage, which attracts exotic birds. We return to our hotel in Jaipur for dinner.
Taj Mahal
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 7 Today is devoted to WAFA Ancient building in the Lodi Gardens
Day 3 A tour of Old Delhi starts at
Local colour
Departures 21 February 2020
Price
£1995
9 days from per person Single room supplement £525
the Jama Mosque, the largest in India, followed by a rickshaw ride through the bazaar in Chandni Chowk. Our final stop is Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation ground. In New Delhi, we visit Humayun’s Tomb. Built in 1560, the tomb was commissioned by Humayun’s senior widow thus inaugurating a series of grand Mughal Tombs, introducing the concept of the char bagh (four garden) system, with the main mausoleum in the centre of the garden, with paved walkways dividing the garden into four parts. Our tour concludes at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Mughal Gardens, the Lutyens-designed residence of the President of India, formerly Viceroy House. As such the gardens feature both Mughal and English landscaping styles, along with a great variety of flowers and even a fine bonsai collection. Dinner is at our hotel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast lunch & dinner.
81
2020 and we enjoy this iconic event’s exhibits and demonstrations. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 8 You can return to WAFA 2020
today (admission not included) or you can choose to sightsee in Jaipur at leisure. Later, we travel to Delhi and stay overnight at the airport. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 9 After breakfast, we catch our
return flight back to London Heathrow airport. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & in-flight.
Mughal Garden
www.brightwaterholidays.com
New for 2020
Oberammergau & the Austrian Tyrol - 2020 T
he hills — not to mention the picture-postcard Salzburg streets — are alive with the sound of music on this tour. Join us as we take in the setting for the classic musical ‘The Sound of Music’, and the home of one of the world’s foremost musical geniuses, in the sublime setting of the picturesque Austrian Tyrol. Our focus may be on Oberammergau on this tour, but there’s more to Bavaria than passion plays and historic pacts — this is the land of storybook castles and dramatic landscapes straight out of a Brothers Grimm fairytale. Just a short hop over the border in Austria, even more beauty awaits... Hop aboard the Zillertal Steam Railway, clink a complimentary glass of schnapps (prost!) and admire the scenery in comfort and luxury.
Even Austria’s urban spaces are devastatingly beautiful, and our day trips to two of its finest cities take in castles, cathedrals, old-town streets and even gilded architecture. Choose from a Mozart or ‘The Sound of Music’ themed excursion on your Salzburg sojourn — whatever you choose, the musical pedigree of this region is undeniable. Then there’s the big event itself — a transcendent evening watching the Oberammergau Passion Play. This trip is a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience.
What’s Included Five nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast: four nights at a 4-star hotel in the Tyrol; one at a hotel in the Oberammergau area
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager
One lunch Return flights London to Munich
www.brightwaterholidays.com
82
Itinerary Day 1 We fly from London to Munich
and continue to our hotel in Zillertal where dinner is served in the evening. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
including a stop at Emperor Maximillian I’s ‘Golden Roof’. After lunch (not included) we pay a visit to Tratzberg Castle, before returning by coach to our hotel for dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 5 Today’s the day! We bid
farewell to Austria and say “guten tag” to Germany as we transfer to Oberammergau via the ski town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. After free time for lunch in Oberammergau the day’s performance of the immersive Passion Play begins at 2:30pm, with a break for dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 6 Sadly, today is our final day. ©Passion Play Oberammergau 2020
Day 2 Our first morning on tour sees
©Passion Play Oberammergau 2020
us embark on an excursion on the historic Zillertal Steam Railway. As we travel through stunning Tyrolean scenery from Jenbach to the chic ski resort of Mayrhofen, in the shadow of the great Hintertux Glacier, we are served a chilled glass of schnapps for an added touch of luxury. For lunch, we’re treated to another jaw-droppingly scenic journey, this time by cable car, to our mountainside restaurant. Afterwards, we return by coach to our hotel, where dinner will be served in the evening.
After a breakfast abuzz with the chatter of yesterday’s performance, we check out of our hotel and return to Munich airport for our flights home. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 3 We’re spoilt for choice today
Neuschwanstein Castle
Departures 13 May & 12 August 2020
Price 6 days from
£1995
per person Single room supplement £280
as we make our way to Salzburg, with the opportunity to decide between two themed excursions. Classical music aficionados will surely be enticed by the Mozart option, while others will be tempted to see some of the locations from the classic musical ‘The Sound of Music’. Both options cover visits to the castle and cathedral (lunch is not included), and afterwards, we make our return by coach to our hotel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 We begin today with a
visit to the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck, including a guided tour of the beautiful old town and a stroll down the famous Maria-Theresien-Strasse,
83
Tratzberg Castle
Germany
Munich Oberammergau Garmisch-Partenkirchen Innsbruck
Salzburg Zillertal Mayrhofen
Austria
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Archaeology
An Archaeologist’s View of Orkney and Shetland
pg 86
Archaeology of Denmark & Sweden
pg 88
Romanian Archaeology
pg 90
Bulgarian Archaeology
pg 92
Albania Archaeology
pg 94
Crete Archaeology
pg 96
Malta’s Archaeological Heritage
pg 98
Pompeii
pg 100
www.brightwaterholidays.com
84
Pompeii
85
www.brightwaterholidays.com
An Archaeologist’s View of Orkney and Shetland O
rkney and Shetland are an archaeologist’s dream — stunning, isolated archipelagos carpeted by windswept landscapes and dotted with the remains of ancient cultures. Join us on this island-hopping tour, following expert archaeologists as they bring the extensive relics of the region to life. Scotland’s Northern Isles are imbued with an allure that’s hard to pin down. Gain a fascinating insight into Stone Age life at Skara Brae, where everyday objects —such as beds, jewellery and medicines— paint a full and telling picture. Enjoy an enlightening experience at the Tomb of the Eagles, where we ponder the mysteries of ancient Orkney; and marvel at the complexity of the former Norse settlement at
Jarlshof as we consider the Scandinavian chapters of Scotland’s past. While the human history of these striking archipelagoes is our main focus, there’s also plenty in the natural world here to enjoy. Take a free afternoon to wander the lanes of Kirkwall, the vibrant harbour-front capital of Orkney, and walk the rugged cliffs of craggy Sumburgh Head, accompanied by the chattering calls of the fulmars.
What’s Included One nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the Busta House Hotel, Shetland and three nights’ bed and breakfast (plus two dinners) at the Kirkwall Hotel, Orkney
One breakfast and two dinners on board ship
All ferry crossings, including 1 nights’ accommodation in 2-berth inside cabins on Serco Northlink Ferries. (Outside cabins are available on request for a small supplement)
Services of an archaeological expert as tour manager
www.brightwaterholidays.com
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout
86
Itinerary Day 1 We travel to Aberdeen, via the
dramatic coastal ruins of Dunnottar Castle, and board the Serco Northlink ferry for our overnight sailing to Shetland. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 Arriving at Lerwick, we take
a tour of the island, passing through the communities of Gulberwick and Cunningsburgh. Weather permitting, we cross to Mousa to visit the 2,000 year old Mousa Broch, an Iron Age tower still standing at its original 13m height. Returning to the mainland, we visit Hoswick Visitor Centre, before heading to the outstanding Prehistoric and Norse Settlement of Jarlshof, where three millennia of history may be traced in the remains and buildings, from oval-shaped Bronze Age houses to Viking long houses and medieval farmhouses. Finally, we visit the nearby cliffs at Sumburgh Head before transferring to our historic hotel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Dunnottar Castle
Italian Chapel, built on the site of a prisoner of war camp. Several hundred Italians, captured during the North African campaign were sent here to work on the Causeways and converted two huts into a chapel. The marvellous paintings in the interior were the work of Domenico Chiocchetti, one of the prisoners who has returned several times to restore and repaint parts of the building. We continue to the Isbister chambered tomb (otherwise known as the Tomb of the Eagles for the number of talons of sea eagles found there) and the Liddle Burnt Mound – two exceptional sites discovered by the same farmer some 50 years ago. We return to Kirkwall for free time this afternoon, when you may choose to visit magnificent St Magnus Cathedral. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 5 Today we enjoy an excursion
to the heart of Neolithic Orkney’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. We visit Maeshowe, home to the largest collection of runic inscriptions to be found in one place in the world, the evocative Ness of Brodgar and the world-famous prehistoric stone settlement of Skara Brae. Later we visit the iconic Standing Stones of Stenness and Neolithic village of Barnhouse. Dinner is at our hotel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 6 We check out of the hotel and
transfer to St Margaret’s Hope to catch the Pentland Ferries to Gills Bay. We will then return to our original pick-up points. Mousa Broch
Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 3 We travel up to St Ninian’s Isle, Italian Chapel
Departures 22 April | 27 May & 16 September 2019
Price
£1195
6 days from per person Single room supplement £350
with its church dating from the 6th century, when Christianity first came to Shetland. We travel to Scalloway, Shetland’s former capital, where we visit the ruined castle of the infamous Earl Patrick Stewart. We continue through Tingwall Valley, site of the old Norse parliament. We return to Lerwick to explore the town before sailing to Orkney. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 This morning we depart on
a tour of southern Orkney, crossing the Churchill Barriers, built after the sinking of the HMS Royal Oak in October 1939. We stop first at the
87
Jarlshof
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Archaeology of Denmark & Sweden J
oin us on a journey of discovery through southern Scandinavia, going on the trail of warriors, commoners and kings. These lands are home to a rich abundance of artefacts, from runestones to ruined ring castles.
The Nordic lands of Denmark and Sweden are unmistakably Viking country — megaliths and mounds, tales of legendary kings and mysterious stones abound, enabling us to build up a vibrant image of this near-legendary civilisation. But it’s not just about the Vikings here — drive the spectacular Öresund Bridge, eponymous star of Scandi noir drama ‘The Bridge’; come face-to-face with the remarkable ‘bog bodies’ of the magnificently
preserved Tollund Man and Elling Woman; and explore the personal collections of a brewing dynasty at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Our tour’s unique combination of capitals and castles, standing stones and warships, and some of Europe’s most beautiful landscapes, is truly the stuff that memories are made of.
What’s Included Seven nights’ bed and breakfast in 3 and 4 star hotels: two nights Uppsala, one night Malmö, two nights Copenhagen and two nights Aarhus
Standard class rail journey from Stockholm to Malmö
Three dinners and one light meal on board the train
Comfortable coach travel throughout
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Services of an archaeological expert as tour manager
Return flights from London to Stockholm and Copenhagen to London
www.brightwaterholidays.com
88
Itinerary Day 1 We fly from London to
Stockholm Arlanda. On arrival we transfer by coach to Uppsala and visit the archaeological site at Gamla Uppsala (a legendary royal burial site) before reaching our hotel for dinner. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 5 We tour Copenhagen with
visits to the former royal residence of Rosenborg Slot; the National Museum of Denmark, which chronicles 14,000 years of Danish history; and Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, an art museum built around the personal collection of the founding family of Carlsberg Breweries, including sublime pieces, both ancient and modern. After a city tour we enjoy an evening at leisure. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 6 After breakfast we depart for a
visit to Frederiksborg Slot, Hillerød, the largest Renaissance palace in Scandinavia. We then head for Aarhus in Jutland, travelling by way of the impressive Great Belt Bridge, to our hotel for the evening where we have dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Ales Stenar
Day 2 After breakfast we depart by Frederiksborg Palace
coach for a visit to the archaeological site at Anundshög near Västerås. We continue to Skokloster Castle near Sigtuna, considered to be one of the great castles of Baroque Europe. Built between 1654 and 1676, Skokloster is a monument to the Swedish Age of Greatness – a period of expansion and prosperity in the middle of the 17th century when Sweden expanded to become one of the major powers in Europe. Our evening is at leisure. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 3 After breakfast we check out of
Skokloster Castle
Departures 8 July & 1 September 2019
Price
£1895
8 days from per person Single room supplement £420
our hotel and depart for the Swedish capital Stockholm, where we visit the Vasa Museum (housing a magnificent 17th century warship salvaged from Stockholm Harbour) and the Swedish History Museum before we take a late afternoon train to the city of Malmö in Skåne, the southernmost province of Sweden. A light meal is served on board.
Day 7 This morning, after breakfast,
we visit the Viking Museum, located on the spot where the Vikings founded Aarhus some 1200 years ago. Thereafter we depart for a visit to Fyrkat, thought to be the oldest of Denmark’s Viking ring castles and then continue to the Silkeborg Museum, home of the bog bodies. We return to our hotel in Aarhus for an evening at leisure. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 8 After breakfast we depart
for visit to the archaeological site at Jelling, which is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an outstanding example of the Pagan nordic culture. Following this, our final visit, we continue to Copenhagen airport in time to check in for our flight back to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 This morning we take a tour of
Österlen and we visit the megaliths known as Ales Stenar. This afternoon, we cross the strait to Denmark via the Öresund Bridge to our hotel in Copenhagen. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Vasa Museum, Stockholm
89
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Romanian Archaeology D
iscover over two thousand years of history in our brand-new tour of Romania – this is a journey of Transylvanian tales, magnificent castles, medieval art and ancient civilisations.
We take you to the heart of Romania starting in the glorious capital city of Bucharest. As we start to unravel Romania’s timeline we discover the medieval town of Sibiu, founded in the 12th century by Saxon settlers and the later town of Sighișoara famed for its Swiss clock tower. Romania’s rich history has seen many civilisations pass through, none of which are more apparent than in Ulpia Traiana. Once the former capital of Roman Dacia, all that remains of this great city now are the ruins of what was once
the political, administrative and religious centre of Dacia Romana. We pass spectacular scenery such as the much understated Orăștie mountains and the Bucegi mountains, where the snow-capped peaks are dotted with alpine forests. Bram Stoker’s novel, Count Dracula, is synonymous with the region and on the border of Transylvania and Wallachia stands the magnificent Bran Castle, which with its imposing towers and turrets is often thought of as Dracula’s lair.
What’s Included Eight nights’ dinner (with wine) bed and breakfast in 3 and 4-star hotels: one night in Pitești, two nights in Sebes, one night in Sighișoara, one night in Brașov, two nights in Bucharest, one night in Constanța
Return flights from London to Bucharest All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of an archaeological expert as tour manager
Seven lunches
www.brightwaterholidays.com
90
Itinerary Day 1 We depart this morning from
Day 5 We continue to Brașov,
Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 2 Following breakfast this
Day 6 After breakfast we depart this
London on a direct flight to Bucharest. On arrival we will be met by our local guide and coach and transfer to our hotel in Pitești where we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
morning we re-join our coach and depart for Sibiu, a medieval town founded in the 12th century by Saxon settlers, which became the most important of Transylvania’s ‘seven cities’. It remains a charming old town with narrow lanes, medieval houses, churches, a merchants’ guild house and the Brukenthal Palace, which houses one of Romania’s largest and oldest museums. After lunch, we continue to Sebeș, our stop for tonight. Originally a Dacian settlement, later incorporated into the Roman Empire, Sebeș was also settled by the Saxons in the 12th century, and it flourished economically and politically during the Middle Ages. Peles Castle
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 3 Today we head for
Sarmizegetusa, where we visit Ulpia Traiana, the former capital of Roman Dacia, built on the site of a camp of the Fifth Macedonian Legion and populated with veterans of the Dacian Wars. The town was destroyed by the Goths and remains atmospherically in ruins today. We then continue to visit the greatest Gothic-style castle in Romania, Hunyadi’s Castle. This beautifully preserved structure features a sumptuous Knights’ Hall, an impressive drawbridge, high buttresses, inner courtyards, a chapel and some 50 rooms resplendent with medieval art. We have dinner at our hotel in Sebes.
fringed by the peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains and resplendent with gothic, baroque and Renaissance architecture, as well as a wealth of historical attractions.
morning for Bran Castle, which is often referred to as Dracula’s Castle. We continue to the winter ski resort of Sinaia at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains, where we will tour Peleș Castle, a 160-room palace built in German Renaissance style, Later we return to our hotel in Bucharest, where dinner is served in the evening. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 7 In the morning we depart for Constanța on the Black Sea coast, crossing the River Danube. We continue with a visit to Histria, the largest excavation site in Romania. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 8 After breakfast we check out
of the hotel and cross the Dobrudja region from east to west for a visit to Adamclisi to see the Tropaeum Traiani, the triumphal monument erected in celebration of Trajan’s victory over the Dacians - the provincial counterpart to Trajan’s column in Rome, one of the very few such monuments which still survives. Later we return to Bucharest for a panoramic tour, Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 9 After breakfast we transfer
to the airport for our return flight to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Triumphal Arch
Departures 9 April & 17 September 2019
Price
£1995
9 days from per person Single room supplement £280
Day 4 After breakfast today we travel
along the newly-paved roads that will take us 1200 metres up into the Orăștie mountains, where we will find Sarmizegetusa Regia, the capital of pre-Roman Dacia. In the afternoon we continue to the ancient wine-making region of Alba Iulia and then on to Sighișoara, famed as the birthplace of Vlad Dracul, the infamous ‘impaler’ and inspiration for the fictional Count Dracula in Stoker’s novel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
91
Sarmizegetusa Regia
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Bulgarian Archaeology
F
ollowing a golden age of archaeology, Bulgaria is now one of the culturally richest countries in Europe. Hidden in the hills and forests are some of the oldest Neolithic settlements, Thracian tombs and exuberantly painted Medieval churches. For decades after the Second World War Bulgaria lay firmly behind the Iron Curtain and had little contact with the outside world, but in classical times it prospered through trade with the Near East and was richly endowed with fine cities and monuments. Now this fascinating and hospitable country is opening up once again and we are delighted to be able to visit a wide range of well-preserved archaeological sites, four of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
These are the famous Rila Monastery, set high in the mountains; Boyana Church with its outstanding frescoes; the Horseman rock relief at Madara and the historic town of Nessebar, beautifully preserved with over 80 churches. Further highlights include the Kazanluk Thracian Tomb, Nicopolis ad Istrum, an ancient city site; the Neolithic dwelling houses at Stara Zagora and Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval capital of Bulgaria with a stunning location above the Yantra river.
What’s Included Eight nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast in 3 and 4 star hotels: two nights in Sofia, one night in Veliko Tarnovo, two nights in Varna, two nights in Kazanluk and one night in Plovdiv
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of archaeological expert Clive Warsop and a local guide
Return flights from London to Sofia
www.brightwaterholidays.com
92
Itinerary Day 1 We fly from London to Sofia and
transfer to our hotel. This afternoon we visit the National Museum of History and Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back as far as the late 10th century and renowned for its 13th century frescoes, depicting 89 scenes. We return to Sofia for a panoramic tour, and then continue to our hotel for dinner. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 After breakfast we visit the
Rila Monastery
Arena di Serdica ruins, and the unique Underground Museum, located under the ‘St Sofia’ church. Here are 56 tombs and four churches, one of which was built in the 4th century. Later, we leave the city and visit the remains of the Roman city of Nicopolis ad Istrum, founded by Emperor Trajan in memory of his victory over the Dacians, but later destroyed by Attila the Hun. Archaeologists have uncovered a network of streets, planned according to the orthogonal system; the forum, surrounded by an Ionic colonnade and many buildings; a two-nave room later turned into a basilica and other public buildings. We then proceed to Veliko Tarnovo and explore the hill fortress of Tsarevets, primary stronghold of the Second Bulgarian Empire in the 13th and 14th century. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 3 Today we will see the Madara
Madara Horseman
1 October 2019
9 days from
£1595
historical town of Nessebar and visit the local Archaeological Museum. We continue to Stara Zagora to explore the Neolithic Dwellings Museum, which is built around two of the best preserved Neolithic houses in Europe. Later, we continue to Kazanlak. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 6 Our first stop today is to the
Regional Museum in Kazanlak. We then visit two remarkable Thracian tombs — the Goliama Kosmatka and the Ostrusha. We visit two further tombs: the tomb with the Gryphons and the Thracian Necropolis Helvetia. This afternoon we visit the Kazanlak Thracian Tomb, the Roman Forum in Stara Zagora, the ancient town of Nova Zagora and the nearby village of Karanovo. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 7 We depart for Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second largest city where we visit the Amphitheatre, Stadium, the exhibition of Roman Mosaics and the Old Plovdiv Architectural Reserve, a well-preserved quarter with beautiful houses and churches. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 8 This morning we visit the
famous Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was founded in the 10th century, and still one of the country’s principal cultural and spiritual centres. Tonight, we enjoy a farewell dinner as a group. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 9 We have free time this morning
for final sightseeing before transferring to the airport for our return flight to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 We begin with a visit to Varna’s
Departures Price
Horseman, another UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to C. 710 AD. We proceed to the small town of Devnya to visit the Mosaics Museum, built atop a large ruined 4th century Roman villa. This afternoon we continue to Varna and enjoy a panoramic tour of the town, which was a major port trading with Constantinople, Venice and Dubrovnik. Finally, we arrive at our hotel for dinner this evening.
Day 5 This morning, we journey to the
per person
Single room supplement £200
Archaeology Museum, home to the oldest golden treasures in the world (dated to 5000 BC), We then travel to the Roman Baths in Odessos, amongst the best preserved remnants of the period in Bulgaria, before seeing the Aladja Rock Monastery, founded on the site of ancient hermit caves. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
93
Fresco in the Tomb of the Thracian King
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Albania Archaeology
I
n archaeological terms, Albania offers some of the best sites in Europe with a host of Classical cities that were once on a par with those in Greece and Italy. A dramatic landscape of high mountains and rugged coastline adds to this unique experience. Having emerged from almost five troubling decades of Communism, it is slowly opening its doors to the world, and behind those doors lie a bevy of wonders, from ancient Greco-Roman theatres to medieval towns, 8th century castles and archaeological parks. We begin our journey in the colourful capital of Tirana, visiting the National Historical Museum, the triumphant Tirana Mosaic and Skanderbeg Square, still resonating with the reverberations of recent unrest. In such an evocative place, the temptation to fixate on the tumult
of the 20th century is understandably great, but this is an archaeology tour after all! Moving away from the capital, the sites are plentiful and exquisite. These include Durrës on the Adriatic coast, one of the largest amphitheatres in the Balkans; Apollonia, the second largest Greek colony in Albania; the UNESCO World Heritage site at Butrint, which dates from the 7th century BC, and the remote mountain city of Byllis.
What’s Included Seven nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast: two nights in Tirana, two nights in Saranda, one night in Gjirokastra and two nights in Berat
All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of an archaeological expert and local guides
Return flights from London Gatwick to Tirana
www.brightwaterholidays.com
94
Itinerary Day 1 We fly from London to Tirana.
Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel, where dinner is served in the evening. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 We enjoy a walking tour of
Tirana, Albania’s bustling capital, featuring Skanderburg Square, the Mosque of Et’hem Bej, the National Historical Museum and the Mosaics of Tirana. In the afternoon we visit the bazaar at the town Kruje along with Skanderberg Castle. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 3 We drive along the coast to the
Bay of Vlora, past the villa of former dictator Enver Hoxha and the glorious orange plantations of Radhima to make a photo stop at the top of the pass in Llogara National Park. In the afternoon, we continue south to the Himara region. En route, we stop at Llamani beach as well as the Panormi castle of Ali Pasha. After visiting the Springs of Borshi, we make our way to our hotel in Saranda. Amphitheatre at Butrint
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 Our entire day is spent at
the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint, one of the most striking archaeological destinations in the Mediterranean, set on the shores of the Ionian within sight of Corfu. We tour its key locations, including the Temple of Asclepius, the Baptisteries, the gymnasium, the aqueduct, and also the largest basilica in south Albania. We continue our explorations of this historically rich area and visit a Venetian Castle. Dinner is served in the evening. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 5 This morning we journey to the View of Gjirokaster Castle
Departures 7 May & 15 October 2019
Price
£1395
8 days from per person Single room supplement £175
town of Gjirokastra, a well-preserved Ottoman mountain stronghold. Here, we visit the 8th century Castle Museum, which was formerly a prison. In the afternoon, we pore over the collections at the Ethnographic Museum and then explore the Antigonea Archaeological Park. Our evening will be spent enjoying regional cuisine and also soaking up a little culture with a traditional folk music show.
Day 6 Albania continues to wow us
with its, ever-changing landscapes as we journey to the little-known ruins of Byllis, which date back as far as the 4th century BC. According to legend, this remote city was founded by warriors returning from the Trojan wars, led by the son of Achilles. Archaeologists have discovered a Hellenistic-era stadium, theatre and fortifications After an independent lunch, we continue on to the gorgeous mountain town of Berat. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 7 This morning we explore the
UNESCO World Heritage town of Berat, otherwise known as the “town of a thousand windows” due to its many Ottoman houses. The lower city, situated by the riverside, was once the exclusive preserve of Muslim inhabitants while, by agreement, the Christians held the citadel. During our time here, we explore the Onufri Icon Gallery, tour Byzantine churches and mosques and visit the fabulous Çobo Winery. We return to the hotel and for our final meal together. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 8 This morning we head to the
archaeological site of Apollonia, founded by the Corinthians in the 6th century BC. Today, its excavations lie romantically among olive and oak trees. We visit the Odeon, Pitaneon and the Temple of Diana, before continuing to Durrës, Albania’s chief port and the starting point of the Via Egnatia - a Roman road that once led all the way to ancient Constantinople - to visit the city’s 2nd century amphitheatre, which is the largest in the Balkans. We then transfer to Tirana Airport for our return flight back to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Temple ruins in ancient Apollonia
95
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Crete Archaeology
T
he Greek island of Crete presents a rich tapestry of archaeological treasures, sleepy villages and lively towns, all set in a Homeric landscape of mountains, gorges and flower-strewn pastures.
Crete was home to one of the earliest European civilizations, the Minoans, who roamed these hills some 4000 years ago. Their legacy can be seen all over the island, in particular at the legendary Palace of Knossos.
in the spring is carpeted with flowers, driving high into the mountains to visit labyrinthine caves and along the coast where we will see sparkling seascapes and picturesque fishing villages.
From this distant starting point we journey through time, from the Hellenic-Roman era to the periods of Turkish and Venetian domination, as illustrated by archaeological remains and buildings which remain in use to this day. We also explore the countryside, which
Our tour will be led by archaeologist Peter Yeoman, who is very familiar with the island and its ancient history.
What’s Included Seven nights’ bed and breakfast: three nights at the 3-star Atrion Hotel, Heraklion and four nights at the 4-star Bio Hotel in Rethymnon
Return flights from London to Heraklion All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout
Six dinners in the hotels and a farewell dinner (with wine) in a local taverna
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Services of archaeological expert Peter Yeoman as tour manager
96
Itinerary Day 1 We depart from London on our
morning we visit the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion, which brings together archaeological finds from all over Crete, covering over 5500 years of the island’s history. This afternoon we visit the Palace of Knossos, the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and centre of the remarkable Minoan civilisation. Thereafter, we enjoy some sightseeing before returning to our hotel for dinner.
Rethymnon. The town maintains an aristocratic air, with buildings dating from the 16th century and even back to the Byzantine and Hellenic-Roman eras. A walk through the charming old quarter shows Venetian and Turkish architecture in the harbour, arched doorways and stone staircases. In the narrow streets shopkeepers sell a large variety of Cretan goods such as leather, honey, herbs, cheese, yoghurt and olive oil. This afternoon we travel to the beautiful, flower-filled cultural city of Chania. Upon arrival, we enjoy a short walking tour of the old centre, followed by free time to enjoy the atmosphere of the Venetian Harbour. Dinner will be at the hotel this evening.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 3 Today we travel to the beautiful
Day 6 Enjoy free time today, or,
direct flight to Heraklion. Upon arrival, we will transfer to our hotel where dinner will be served this evening. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 Following breakfast this
Palace of Knossos
village of Elounda where we will board a boat that will take us to Spinalonga, the former leper colony island which has found recent fame as the setting of Victoria Hislop’s novel “The Island”. A walking tour introduces the Venetian fortress and many fine buildings. Returning to the main island this afternoon, we enjoy some free time in the town of Agios Nikolaos. Later we return to the hotel for dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 After breakfast we check out of
Spinalonga
Departures 9 April 2019
Price
£1595
8 days from per person Single room supplement £245
the hotel. Passing through some of the most beautiful areas of Crete, full of vineyards and olive trees, we will travel via the Aghia Varvara Pass to Southern Crete. Our first stop is Gortys, an old Greek-Roman town with its famous law stones, Roman amphitheatre and ruins of the Saint Titus Church. Then we visit Phaistos, one of the most important centres of Minoan civilisation, and the most wealthy city in southern Crete. In ancient times it was inhabited from the Neolithic period until the foundation and development of the Minoan palaces in the 15th century BC. We continue to Zaros, located on the south slope of Ida Mountain, and here we will have a stop at the lake, home to trout and turtles. Finally, we continue to Rethymnon and check in to our hotel before dinner this evening.
alternatively, join our optional excursion to the pottery village of Margaritas, surrounded by green rolling hills, and the Arkadi Monastery, set 500m above sea level. We also visit the Eleutherna Museum. Lunch in a local taverna is included in the excursion. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 7 We have a relaxed day today,
visiting the Minoan cemetery of Armeni and two of the many scenic Byzantine monuments found in the picturesque Amari Valley. We return to Rethymnon and this evening gather for a farewell dinner in a local taverna. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 8 We check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for our flight back to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 5 This morning we depart on a
guided walk through the old town of
97
Amari Valley
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Malta’s Archaeological Heritage M
alta’s diminutive archipelago is by no means any indication of the vast riches it holds — from the Neolithic to the present day, they are many and varied, and all out there to be discovered on this very special tour...
Arriving in Malta, with its golden limestone-cliff coasts, lucid seas, beautiful laid-back towns and heartstirring views, you could be forgiven for thinking that you’ve already seen all there is to see. But take a peek beneath the surface, and no doubt you’ll be astounded by the wealth of wonders to be found there. Venture inside the walled citadel of Mdina, explore the warren of narrow tomb-lined passages of St Paul’s
Catacombs, and take to the waves for a boat trip around the spectacular cliffs and caverns of the famed Blue Grotto. But most startling of all, perhaps, are the mysterious sites left by civilisations with whom we are just starting to get acquainted — the ancient Mnajdra Temples, the megaliths of Ħaġar Qim: these make for a truly unforgettable archaeological expedition.
What’s Included Six nights’ dinner (with wine), bed and breakfast: at the Dolmen Hotel, St. Paul’s Bay
All visits as outlined in the itinerary
Return flights from London to Malta
Services of a professional tour manager and local guides
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Comfortable coach travel throughout
98
Itinerary Day 1 We catch our flight from London to Malta and continue to our hotel where we enjoy dinner this evening. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 This morning following
Cathedral of Saint John in Valletta
breakfast we tour Malta’s capital city of Valletta. The tour will take us through the bustling streets of Valetta allowing us to view the Upper Barakka Gardens that command a breathtaking panorama of the Grand Harbour and then to St. John’s Cathedral, adorned in riches including a world famous Caravaggio. Also included is a visit to the Grand Master’s Palace, which contains an Armoury with around 6000 pieces and magnificent State Rooms, decorated with stunning Gobelin tapestries, frescoes and paintings. Later we will visit the Archaeological Museum, whose treasures include discoveries from the Hypogeum and the Tarxien Tombs (see Day 6). We also have included a visit to the show Valletta Living History which gives a vivid insight into the rich history of the city.
visit the prehistoric Ggantija Temples and the capital city of Victoria. Later we will admire the picturesque Bay of Xlendi and the Inland Sea. Also included in our excursion is the Brochtorff Circle a prehistoric burial site, and the Palazzo Bondi, a museum that showcases archaeological finds from the 11 phases of prehistoric Gozo. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 6 We tour the southern part of
Malta today, including the picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk, the largest in Malta and venue for the 1989 Bush/Gorbachev summit which symbolised the end of the Cold War. We continue to the Tarxien Temples, untouched for thousands of years until the splendidly-named Sir Themistocles Zammit begain excavations in 1915. Thereafter we visit the world renowned Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, an ancient subterranean structure whose exact purpose is still somewhat shrouded in mystery. We return to the hotel for a farewell dinner and entertainment is traditional Maltese style.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 3 After breakfast, we explore
Day 7 Today we head to the airport to
Mosta Church, Europe’s third-largest free-standing dome, and the splendid walled citadel of Mdina. Later, we continue to the Skorba Temples. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built out of local limestone and clearly shows the different phases of construction. This afternoon, we continue to Rabat, where we will visit the Museum of Roman Antiquities, and St. Paul’s Catacomb, an extraordinary labyrinth of narrow passages lined by rock-cut tombs.
fly back to the London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
Day 4 Today is spent on a full day Hagar Qim, an ancient megalithic temple
Departures 5 March & 5 November 2019
Price
excursion which will take us to some of the notable sites in the south and west of the island, such as the Ħaġar Qim and the Mnajdra Temples. We then take a boat trip around the spectacular cliffs and caverns of the famed Blue Grotto, and the impressive Dingli Cliffs, which drop 250m to the sea. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.
£1345
7 days from per person Single room supplement £150
Day 5 Today is a free day to spend
at leisure. Alternatively, we have an optional excursion to Malta’s neighbouring island of Gozo. Here, we Traditional boats in Marsaxlokk
99
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Pompeii T
he region of Campania in southwest Italy is blessed with a dramatic coastline, a perfect Mediterranean climate and a host of ancient ruins. The most famous of these is Pompeii, a once thriving seaside town until AD79 when Vesuvius erupted with cataclysmic force. Since its rediscovery in 1748 Pompeii has been a major tourist destination, offering as it does a unique insight into the lives and times of ordinary people from two thousand years ago, with many of the streets and buildings uncovered and excavated to reveal an astonishingly well-preserved example of a Roman town. Equally revealing are the nearby remains at Stabiae and Herculaneum, where even some of the rooftops have been preserved. Other highlights include the fascinating site of Paestum, which shines a light on the
world of the ancient Greeks and the Archaeological Museum in Naples, home to many of the most significant and illuminating finds from Pompeii and other sites. We also take a close-up look at Vesuvius itself, the volcano which brought unimaginable horror to the local inhabitants yet in doing so has allowed us to share in their lives two millennia later.
What’s Included Five nights’ bed and breakfast at a 4-star hotel in Naples
All visits as outlined in the itinerary
Welcome drink and dinner on the first evening
Services of archaeological expert Clive Warsop as tour manager
Comfortable coach travel throughout
Return flights from London to Naples
www.brightwaterholidays.com
100
Itinerary Day 1 We depart from London on a
direct flight to Naples. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel in this vibrant, coastal city. A welcome drink and dinner is served this evening. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.
Day 2 We begin with a fascinating visit
to Paestum, known in ancient times as Poseidonia. Before the arrival of the Romans, this was a thriving Greek city and part of Greater Greece from the 6th century BC. We stroll among the impressive atmospheric temples, some of which are among the most well-preserved in the Greek world. This afternoon we continue to Paestum Museum, which houses the unique, painted archaeological monument, ‘Tomb of the Diver’, dated to around 480 BC. The evening is at leisure. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
in the same eruption, but unlike Pompeii, it was mainly affected by pyroclastic flows, thus preserving the wooden objects such as roof tops and building beams. A more compact site with fewer visitors, Herculaneum is no less interesting - a richer town than its sister, it features a remarkable density of fine houses and more lavish use of marble cladding. This afternoon we return to Naples to visit the Archaeological Museum, noted for its works from Greek, Roman and Renaissance times, including artefacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum. These include glass beads, dice and other objects that poignantly reflect everyday life. We conclude today at the Flavian Amphitheatre, one of the most impressive in the world, thought to have been built by the same architects who constructed the Colosseum in Rome, during the reign of the emperor Vespasian (AD 69-79). Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 5 After breakfast we travel to Ancient street in Pompeii
Ruins of Pompeii
Day 3 We depart on a full day visit
Paestum Museum
Departures 14 March & 31 October 2019
Price
£1395
6 days from per person Single room supplement £395
to Pompeii, the bustling Roman seaside town that perished in the Vesuvian eruption of AD79. The town was buried under 23 feet of ash, which solidified with rain and time, preserving everything as if it was in a time capsule. Hidden for centuries, excavation work revealed an elegant resort with complete streets, beautiful villas, sculptures, an amphitheatre, forum, bars and even brothels. Now almost four-fifths of the original city has been unearthed and many of the treasures are housed in the National Museum in Naples. Our evening is at leisure.
Stabiae, which was an exclusive Roman resort for the very rich. Here we visit the Villa San Marco, one of the most opulent coastal villas, and the Villa Arianna, which presents wonderful views over the Bay of Naples and features grand rooms, chambers and gardens, all in splendid isolation. Later, we visit the great volcanic crater of Vesuvius to admire the different coloured layers of lava and appreciate magnificent panoramic views across the Bay of Naples from the summit. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 6 We transfer to the airport for our return flight to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.
Day 4 This morning we visit
Herculaneum, which was destroyed
101
Herculaneum
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Month by Month January Southern Costa Rica
May 26 Jan
February Gardens of Costa Rica
3 Feb
Southern Costa Rica
14 Feb
Gardens of the French Riviera
21 Feb
March
Albania Archaeology
7 May
Rome, Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo
7 May
Private Gardens of Herefordshire
8 May
Gardens of the French Riviera
9 May
Highgrove and the Cotswolds
10 May
The Genius of Monet
10 May
Arts & Gardens in Cornwall
11 May
Villas and Gardens of the Italian Lakes
12 May
Tresco’s Abbey Gardens
13 May
Gardens and Architecture of Andalucia
14 May
Discover Corfu with Lee Durrell
17 May
The Legacy of Gertrude Jekyll
19 May
Pharaohs and Ferraris
21 May
RHS Chelsea Flower show and Classic English Gardens
23 May 27 May
Malta’s Archaeological Heritage
5 Mar
Pompeii
14 Mar
Gardens of Mallorca
24 Mar
Walking in Madeira
25 Mar
Gardens and Villas of Sicily
27 Mar
Seasonal Gardens of Japan
27 Mar
An Archaeologist’s View of Orkney and Shetland
Tresco’s Abbey Gardens
29 Mar
Private Gardens of East Anglia
29 May
Gardens of Kent & Sussex
30 May
April Crete Archaeology
9 Apr
Gardens and Architecture of Andalucia
9 Apr
Gardens and Villas of Sicily
9 Apr
Romanian Archaeology
9 Apr
Gardens of Devon and Cornwall
June Gardens of Northumberland
2 Jun
Rome, Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo
4 Jun
10 Apr
The RHS Chatsworth Flower Show and Gardens of Derbyshire
6 Jun
Gardens of Cornwall
11 Apr
Gardens of North Wales
7 Jun
Highgrove and the Cotswolds
12 Apr
Highlights of Provence
9 Jun
Tresco’s Abbey Gardens
12 Apr
The English Rose
19 Jun
Dutch Bulbfields Cruise
14 Apr
Highgrove and the Cotswolds
21 Jun
An Archaeologist’s View of Orkney and Shetland
22 Apr
Gardens of Kent & Sussex
24 Jun
Arts and Gardens of Florence and Tuscany
22 Apr
Yunnan & Tibet
24 Jun
Private Gardens of Guernsey and Sark
29 Apr
Alpine Flowers of Wengen
25 Jun
Tresco’s Abbey Gardens
29 Apr
Villas and Gardens of the Italian Lakes
26 Jun
Irish Rover
27 Jun
www.brightwaterholidays.com
102
July
October
Gardens of Devon and Cornwall
3 Jul
Bulgaria Archaeology
1 Oct
Archaeology of Denmark & Sweden
8 Jul
Gardens of Cornwall
1 Oct
The Faroe Islands
8 Jul
Tresco’s Abbey Gardens
4 Oct
Lake Garda and the Dolomites
9 Jul
Gardens of Madeira
7 Oct
The Faroe Islands
15 Jul
Albania Archaeology
15 Oct
Pompeii
31 Oct
Gardens of Cheshire and RHS Flower show 17 Jul Tatton Park The Genius of Monet
26 Jul
November August
Flora and Fauna of Madagascar
5 Nov
Malta’s Archaeological Heritage
5 Nov
Queen Victoria and the Isle of Wight
4 Aug
Seasonal Gardens of Japan
13 Nov
Highgrove and the Cotswolds
9 Aug
Chile & the Falklands Islands
23 Nov
Private Gardens of East Anglia
12 Aug
Irish Rover
15 Aug
Gardens of Kent & Sussex
18 Aug
Private Gardens of Herefordshire
19 Aug
Gardens and Wildflowers of South Africa’s Western Cape
23 Aug
2020 February
September Archaeology of Denmark & Sweden
1 Sep
Rome, Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo
3 Sep
Arts & Gardens in Cornwall
4 Sep
Highgrove and the Cotswolds
6 Sep
The Faroe Islands
9 Sep
Palladian Villas of Veneto
10 Sep
An Archaeologist’s View of Orkney and Shetland
16 Sep
Tresco’s Abbey Gardens
16 Sep
Gardens and Architecture of Andalucia
17 Sep
Romanian Archaeology
17 Sep
Private Gardens of Guernsey and Sark
19 Sep
Tresco’s Abbey Gardens
20 Sep
Villas and Gardens of the Italian Lakes
25 Sep
Tresco’s Abbey Gardens
30 Sep
WAFA 2020 and Palaces & Gardens of India’s Golden Triangle
21 Feb
May Oberammergau & the Austrian Tyrol
13 May
August Oberammergau & the Austrian Tyrol
103
12 Aug
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Booking conditions Please note that bookings with Brightwater Holidays are accepted only in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in our full booking conditions, which can be found on our website or are available on request.
Your holiday contract
Insurance
When you make a booking you guarantee that you have the authority to accept and do accept on behalf of your party the terms of these booking conditions. A contract will exist as soon as we issue our confirmation invoice. Once you have received your confirmation invoice, it is your responsibility to check that the information and booking details, including the spelling of all passenger names, as stated on your invoice are correct and match the passport details. If any of the details on the confirmation invoice are incorrect, you must notify us immediately. We will pass on any additional charges incurred as a result of these details not being correct, We reserve the right to refuse to accept and/or not proceed with any booking at any time at our sole discretion.
We strongly recommend insurance cover for all other holidays and you do not travel against medical advise. You should organise your insurance when you book, to ensure you have cover against possible cancellation charges, medical treatment and repatriation. Should you have your travel insurance in place we will need to know the details of your policy 4 weeks before departure at the latest, this is an essential requirement for all overseas holiday bookings. It is a requirement of booking that you provide us with an emergency contact number while you are on holiday stating your relationship (e.g. family member, neighbour, workplace). This is purely for your benefit in the unlikely event of you becoming ill or incapacitated on tour.
Book by phone, by email or online For bookings made by telephone or email, payment can be made by card or cheque (payable to Brightwater Holidays Ltd). You can pay securely via our website, in either sterling or dollars. We accept Visa, Mastercard and Visa Debit cards. There is no credit card fee for guests. WE do not accept post-dated cheques, nor do we keep your card details.
Our price promise It is our principle that the earlier you book, the lower the price you pay. When we launch our new holidays our lowest prices are made available to give you the very best value for money. It pays to book early as prices can increase as the departure date approaches.
Deposits & Balance payments The following deposits are required at the point of booking in order to secure your place on a tour: For coach and rail tours in the UK, ÂŁ100 per person For tours with flights in UK/Europe, ÂŁ200 per person For long-haul tours 10% of basic tour cost is required. For cruises deposits start from 20% You are welcome to pay the full balance at the time of booking. Balance payments will be requested 12 weeks before you depart (for cruise: balance is due 17 weeks before) for all tours and closer to departure we will then send you practical information regarding the tour, flights, hotel and joining instructions.
Programme changes For the vast majority of our tours, the program will be exactly as described in the brochure. Occasionally we do make changes to the order or number of visits. This is usually due to opening hours, or in order to include a reopened site or museum. We always tell guests in advance of any changes.
www.brightwaterholidays.com
104
Cancellation by you Cancellation charges payable to Brightwater Holidays are calculated on time prior to departure as follows: Up to 70 days: Deposit* 69 - 41 days: 35% of tour cost 40 - 29 days: 55% of tour cost 28 - 8 days: 75% of tour cost 7 days to date of departure: 100% of tour cost.
ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if you are abroad. Please note that bookings made outside the EU are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Brightwater Holidays Ltd. In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company. You can access the The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ ukdsi/2018/9780111168479/contents
If you are on a cruise, different cancellation terms apply: Lord of the Glens From date of booking until 84 days before sailing: loss of deposit.* Within 83 days of sailing – 100% of tour cost
AITO quality charter Brightwater Holidays is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. The Association represents Britain’s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. Brightwater Holidays abides by the Association’s Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO Quality Charter which can be viewed on www.aito. com. Visit the website to find out more about the Association or call 020 8744 9280.
Hebridean Princess After payment of deposit – Loss of deposit* 112 to 60 days before departure - 60% of invoiced charge 59 to 29 days before departure - 90% of invoiced charge 28 days before departure up to the departure date - 100% of invoiced charge *plus any invoiced flight costs
What’s included
Cancellation by us If we have to cancel your holiday before the date of departure, you will have the choice of taking an alternative holiday (and paying or receiving a refund/credit in respect of any price difference) or accepting a full refund of all monies paid.
If you change your holiday If, after we have accepted your booking, you wish to change details of that booking, we will make every effort to satisfy your requirements, although this cannot be guaranteed. When a request has been met, an amendment fee of £50 per person will be charged and a revised invoice will then be issued.
• • • • • •
Tour Manager (subject to a minimum of 20 guests) Coach Travel Accommodation Meals as outlined Entrance to all featured visits Porterage (where available)
Data Protection / Privacy
Financial protection
Any personal data that you provide will be held securely and for the purpose you have provided it, in accordance with both the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679.
Flight inclusive tours: we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence issued by the CAA (ATOL No. 4498) which the ATOL Protection Contribution (APC) we pay to the CAA. This charge is included in our advertised prices. When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong.
We may need to disclose personal data to a third party including countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) for the purpose of providing your holiday. In addition, your data may be disclosed to regulatory bodies or public authorities such as customs or immigration for the purposes of monitoring and/or enforcing compliance with any regulatory rules/codes; and it may be used for marketing, offering renewals, research and statistical purposes and crime prevention.
Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be protected by the ATOL scheme as explained below.
For full details of how we may use your personal information and your rights in relation to your personal information, please see our see our Privacy Policy. www.brightwaterholidays.com/cookies-privacy-policy
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Brightwater Holidays Ltd, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for the following: 1. non-flight packages and 2. flight inclusive packages that commence outside of the EU, which are sold to customers outside of the EU.
By booking online, or over the phone, you are stating that you have read and agreed to our Privacy Policy. A copy of which can be found here: www.brightwaterholidays.com/cookies-privacy-policy A copy can also be requested and supplied via email during the booking process. We are Brightwater Holidays Ltd, registered limited company no. SC137295. Registered offices: Eden Park House, Cupar, Fife KY15 4HS.
A full set of Brightwater Holidays booking conditions is available on request or on our website.
105
www.brightwaterholidays.com
SPECIALIST Journeys Quality, Specialist Group Travel
Quality Specialist Group Travel A collection of some of the world's finest niche tour operators, Specialist Journeys often feels more like a family than a business – but then, when you do something you love, it never feels like work. As people who are passionate about travel, our staff works together to make guests' dreams come true on a daily basis. Our dedicated team includes wine experts, archaeologists and – of course – individuals who truly understand the importance of adventure. So, whether you'd like to experience a wine tour in the company of a Master or Wine or television personality, travel to a little-visited site and explore it alongside an archaeologist who excavated there, or wander the grounds of a stately home and its glorious gardens – we can make it a reality for you.
Contact us today 01722 713800 www.specialistjourneys.com
www.brightwaterholidays.com
106
ARCHAEOLOGY | HISTORY | WINE | SCENIC GARDENS | CHARITY CHALLENGES | PRIVATE GROUP TOURS
What style of travel are you interested in? • A journey back in time to sites of historic significance with renowned experts • An extended archaeological adventure to a far-flung destination • Tours that explore archaeology, culture and history in places around the world • A charming coach-based garden tour or scenic Scottish break • Charity fundraising challenges or bespoke activity trips with an authentic twist archaeological tours
Request one of our many brochures today
Operated by Andante Travels
Contact us today 01722 569795 www.andantetravels.com
Operated by Archaeological Tours
Arblaster & Clarke
Contact us today 1 833 670 9275 (toll free) www.archaeoloigcal-tours.com
Wine Tours
Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours 2019
Operated by Arblaster & Clarke
Contact us today 01730 887259 www.arblasterandclarke.com
Operated by Historical Trips
Contact us today 01722 569580 www.historicaltrips.com
107
www.brightwaterholidays.com
Looking for more inspiration? Why not try a Scenic Scottish Break... • No-one knows Scotland like the Scots. From our base in the heart of Fife, we have organised tours to every corner of Scotland, visiting 35 Hebridean islands in the process • The scenic splendour of Scotland is famous the world over. Whether it’s sailing out of Loch Broom bound for the Western Isles, steaming across the Glenfinnan Viaduct or enjoying the gentle beauty of the Borders, Scotland has it in spades • Our tour managers know what they’re talking about. As the countryside glides by, settle back in your seat and listen as our guides regale you with tales of long vanished peoples and romantic legends
Call our friendly sales team today: 01334 898575 After you have enjoyed browsing these pages at your leisure and you’re ready to treat yourself with a place on one of our tours, just get in touch and we will do the rest. For further details on any of our holidays, including full day-by-day itineraries, what’s included as well as any extras, please just head to our website www.brightwaterholidays.com.
Here to create your dream holiday... www.brightwaterholidays.com | Brightwater Holidays Ltd, Eden Park House, Cupar, Fife KY15 4HS
5020
Sept 18 Iss 1
Tel: 01334 898575 | Email: info@brightwaterholidays.com