Brightwater Holidays - Risk-free booking in 2021

SPECIAL OFFERS

£50 £200 LOW DEPOSIT

SAVE UP TO

RISK-FREE HOLIDAY BOOKINGS

FREE CANCELLATION OR TRANSFER IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND (ALL 2021 HOLIDAYS)

FREE TRANSFERS

OR CANCELLATIONS In these uncertain times, if you change your mind about travelling, you can transfer to a future tour or cancel without penalty up to eight weeks prior to departure. Valid for 2021 bookings only.

COVID CREDENTIALS

Our holidays operate under our 11-step COVID-19 action plan and we offer additional insurance with specific cover for the virus. We’ve thought of everything to help you travel with confidence.

BOOK NOW FOR THE BEST PRICE* As the year progresses, holiday prices will increase.

To secure the best deal, it pays to book early as we have a selection of great offers available. Book before 28th February for £50pp deposits, savings of up to £200, and free transfers and cancellations.

We’re proud to offer risk-free booking on your 2021 holiday Celebrations at the end of last year were no doubt quieter and more reserved than usual, but I did feel a slight shift and sense of hope emerge as the calendar changed to 2021. There’s no denying that 2020 was incredibly challenging, but now that the vaccination programme has begun and we’re hopefully in the final stretch of staying at home, it is starting to feel as though better days really are ahead – finally.

While we can’t predict when things will return to what we recognise as ‘normal’, we can at least share with you the steps we’ve put in place to help get you back on your way to enjoying a holiday with us. After all, couldn’t we all do with something to look forward to?

If you book a place on a 2021 holiday before 28th February, you will be entitled to a free transfer or cancellation up to eight weeks before departure. This means that if you change your mind about travelling, you can either cancel your trip entirely or swap to a different departure date or holiday without penalty. That’s right, you can secure your next Brightwater trip completely risk-free and with great flexibility.

We also want to remind you that our low deposits of £50pp and savings of up to £200pp if you pay in full at the time of booking are still available, and that our COVID-19 11-step action plan will continue to be in place to help keep you safe while on holiday with us. This initiative includes steps such as being sent a ‘travel safe’ kit ahead of your departure, coaches that allow for social distancing and enhanced heath and safety protocols. Additionally, it’s worth noting that you can also opt to include our travel insurance that has specific cover for COVID-19 for an extra fee. When it comes to your wellbeing, safety and desire to enjoy a holiday in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, we really have thought of everything to help get you back out there with confidence.

So, if you’re longing for a change of scenery, why not treat yourself to a holiday in 2021? With our special offers and risk-free booking, and now with the long-awaited vaccines being rolled out, this might be the ideal time to secure your next trip. In the meantime, we do hope you enjoy browsing the holidays on the pages that follow and we can’t wait to welcome you back on a Brightwater Holiday soon.

Alison Wilson Managing Director

HOW TO BOOK Give our friendly sales team a call, Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm, on 01334 766 051. Alternatively, please send an e-mail to info@brightwaterholidays.com Finally, if you have any questions, do feel free to get in touch with our experienced customer care team on 01334 845 530.

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Brightwater Holidays

*Terms and conditions apply (see website for details). Low deposits are available on tours if paid by 28 February 2021 with the difference between the low deposit and the standard deposit payable by 31 March 2021. Pay in full when you book and you could save up to £200 per person. Valid for bookings until 28 February 2021 and tour departures from 1 June 2021

KEEPING YOU SAFE ON YOUR TRAVELS Something we all share is the concern around travelling in the time of COVID-19. While the risk of contracting the virus on holiday can’t be entirely eliminated, we have created an industry-leading action plan designed to minimise your exposure and to help get you back out there with confidence. Our 11-step plan helped us operate a number of departures last year and feedback was very positive, so we do hope that our efforts continue to reassure you.

OUR 11-STEP ACTION PLAN IN ACTION You might be interested to know that thanks to our industry-leading 11-step action plan, we were able to operate some departures last year, including our beloved Classic Scottish Steam Break holiday. The feedback we received from guests was positive and we were so proud to see the steps we designed in action, and to see them succeeding in helping you to travel both safely and with confidence.

In October, Good Housekeeping magazine published an article about our 2020 Classic Scottish Steam Break departure, entitled “What it’s really like to go on a rail tour during a pandemic”. Our guest Franceska and her husband, John, spoke to the magazine’s Alex McFadyen about their experience with us: “John is 76 and can be classified as at risk, but Brightwater [the operator of the tour] inspired us with such confidence in the pre-communication. We had a little pack given to us a week before we went which was really good. It had face masks in, hand gel, and wipes and that sort of thing. You felt well prepared.” She continued: “When we first met Alastair, our guide, he said to all wear our masks on the coach, and everyone was being very conscientious and socially distanced on the bus.” To read the full article, just search its title along with the name of the magazine.

A NEW WORLD OF TRAVEL

As always, we are here to ensure that your time with us is memorable, enjoyable, and – above all – safe, and we will continue to ensure that we’re doing our best to help you have the best holiday possible in all circumstances. All of our holidays operate under our 11-step action plan and if you would like extra protection on your travels, you can add on insurance that includes specific cover for COVID-19.

11-STEP ACTION PLAN

COVID-19 INSURANCE

•

We can quote for any age of traveller up to 90 (at the time of departure) and any worldwide destination except the USA and Canada. At a glance, your cover includes:

• • • • • • • • • •

Free ‘Travel Safe’ kits for every traveller, which include hand sanitiser and masks for every day of the tour in question, and will be sent out ahead of departure Enhanced health and safety audits Travel insurance with COVID-19 cover Distanced seating on our coaches Self-drive options available ‘Get me home’ service and private airport transfers available upon request COVID-19 protocols at our hotels and aboard our cruise ships Packed lunches and flexible dining options available throughout Flexible balance payment date and COVID-friendly refund conditions COVID-19 testing and medical training for tour staff Constant monitoring and post-tour tracing

• • • •

COVID-19 pre-departure cancellation up to £3,000 COVID-19 holiday curtailment up to £3,000 COVID-19 medical and other expenses up to £1,000,000 Standard (i.e. non-COVID-19) cover for cancellation, delay, missed departure, personal accident, personal property, personal liability, loss of passport and legal expenses

01334 766 051 | info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com

3

Eriskay Harbour © Graham Addison

GRAND TOUR OF THE

OUTER HEBRIDES

6 DAYS FROM

£995

Our tours of the Hebrides have proved extremely popular, offering the opportunity to travel the length and breadth of the Western Isles. Our Grand Tour takes in all the beauty and diversity of this very special environment with 10 different islands and four ferry trips included. Two comfortable hotels ensure that this holiday is as relaxing as possible, while at the same time offering great variety.

We take the ferry from Mallaig to Lochboisdale in South Uist and continue to our hotel in Benbecula. We visit the islands of Eriskay; Vatersay with its fantastic sandy beaches, and Barra, where visits include Kisimul Castle and Cockleshell Beach, which is used as the island’s airport. A captivating journey follows as we travel north by ferry from North Uist and on through the magnificent mountain scenery of Harris and the rolling moorland of Lewis to Stornoway. We continue with visits to the remarkable Standing Stones of Callanish, the tranquil little Norse Mill at Shawbost and the distinctive Black Houses at Gearrannan. Our return route takes us by ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool.

Your Itinerary Day 1 We head to Mallaig to catch a ferry to Lochboisdale in South Uist. Upon arrival, we continue over causeways until we arrive in Benbecula.

Day 2 Today we head for Barra, travelling via the little island of Eriskay. We enjoy a tour of the island, including a visit to Kisimul Castle. Next, we visit Cockleshell Beach, the unique airport runway whose use is governed by the tides. Finally, we visit Vatersay by the causeway which links the two islands.

Day 3 We take the ferry from Berneray to Leverburgh. Upon arrival, we visit St. Clement’s Church at Rodel. The tombs here are among the most spectacular in Scotland. Next, we travel along the coast to Lewis, continuing to our hotel in Stornoway.

Day 4 This morning we travel to the west coast of Lewis for a visit to the 5,000 year old Standing Stones of Callanish. From here, we move on to the Black Houses at Gearrannan, typical of the crofting settlements. The final visit is the Norse Mill at Shawbost, a reconstruction of the type of building used by Viking settlers.

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Brightwater Holidays

Day 5 Today we visit Lews Castle and Museum, and view the Outer Hebrides as never before in an audio-visual presentation. This afternoon we visit St. Columba’s Ui Church. We will also see the Port of Ness and the Butt of Lewis, home to the unique Stevenson lighthouse.

Day 6 This morning we check out of the hotel and take the early morning ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool.

Note: The above itinerary is for the Benbecula to Stornoway departures.

Please note this tour also operates in reverse on 9 May, 4 July, 1 August and ​ 5 September, 2 nights in Stornoway and 3 nights in Benbecula, from £995pp.

Departures & Prices Benbecula - Stornoway 4 May from £1075pp 22 June from £1175pp 24 August from £1075pp 28 September from £995pp Single Supplement £200

Lews Castle

5 Day Package We offer a shorter version of the Grand Tour which begins with a scenic drive via Fort William, Glenfinnan and Mallaig, before taking the ferry to Lochboisdale in South Uist. We spend two nights in Benbecula and two nights in Stornoway.

Departures & Prices 6 April from £725pp 25 May from £895pp 18 July from £845pp 21 September from £845pp 5 October from £695pp 12 October from £695pp Single Supplement £160

6 days from £795

5 days from £995

4 days from £595

Achmelvich

Dunrobin Castle

Logan Botanic Gardens

Highland Explorer

Gardens of the Far North

Gardens of Dumfries & Galloway

A classic coach tour of Scotland, with nothing more demanding than sitting back and enjoying one scenic delight after another unfold before you. We travel to the wilds of Assynt and the glorious beach at Achmelvich, enjoy a full day on the Isle of Skye, head west to Mallaig, with views of the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, and return via hauntingly beautiful Glen Coe. Departing: Jun, Jul, Sep

Top of the bill is Inverewe, a truly wonderful garden, which involves a scenic journey to the wild west coast, closely followed by the Castle of Mey, where the late Queen Mother created a homely garden. Other gardens include Cawdor Castle, immortalised in ‘Macbeth’; Dunrobin Castle, home of the Dukes of Sutherland and Dunbeath, perched on a lonely promontory.

Departing: Jul

Dumfries and Galloway is home to some of the country’s most attractive gardens.

The artistic highlight is undoubtedly Dumfries House, one of the Adam Brothers’ finest achievements, complemented by an exciting new walled garden. Further highlights include Logan Botanic Gardens, full of exotic rarities, and Drumlanrig Castle, with extensive gardens and fine artworks.

Departing: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

5 days from £995

4 days from £575

6 days from £1175

Luskentyre, Harris

Pictish Stone, Aberlemno

Quoy of Houton

Walking in the Outer Hebrides

In the Footsteps of the Picts

Orkney’s Garden Trail

The Outer Hebrides provide some of the best walking to be had in the British Isles, with wide open spaces, deserted beaches and breathtaking vistas at every turn, not to mention the freshest of fresh air and the warmest of Hebridean hospitality. From our base in Tarbert, Harris, we set forth each day on a series of manageable but highly scenic walks.

Departing: Apr, Jul, Oct

Living beyond the northern frontier of the Roman Empire, the people of northern Scotland were known as the Picts. They were renowned as one of the most warlike of the Celtic barbarian tribes, yet left behind some of the finest carved stones and jewellery from early medieval Europe, which we will discover as we travel through their southern heartland.

Departing: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

The far north of Scotland and the Orkney Isles are well known for their wild landscapes, however they are also home to a collection of very determined gardeners who have created a collection of excellent gardens. We follow Orkney’s Garden Trail with visits to a selection of private gardens, as well as calling in at some of its archaeological and historical wonders.

Departing: Jul

5 days from £995

4 days from £565

Port Charlotte, Islay

Islay & Jura Islay is perhaps best known for its distinctive malt whiskies, its sandy beaches and its diverse birdlife, all of which feature while we are here. We also cross to Islay’s neighbour Jura, an untamed and rather mysterious island with just 200 human inhabitants, and offer an optional excursion to Colonsay, with its glorious beaches and a superb woodland garden.

Departing: May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct

4 days from £545

Castle of Mey

Private Gardens of Caithness & Sutherland

The spectacular landscapes of Caithness and Sutherland, right at the very top of Britain, are home to a surprising number of stunning gardens, from formal gardens that surround grand castles with colourful herbaceous borders, to small and homely gardens tucked away in neat little villages.

Travelling among the jagged headlands we uncover one gem after another.

Departing: Jul

T&C’s - Supplements apply to some dates and single rooms

Culzean Castle

Best of Ayrshire Gardens There is a host of fine gardens to be discovered in this green and fertile county, from grand properties such as Culzean Castle and Dumfries House, to smaller, privately owned gardens. These include Burnside, with its wide range of plants; Carnell, with a traditional walled garden and Barnweil, where a splendid garden has been created in challenging soil.

Departing: May, Jul

01334 766 051 | info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com

5

HIGHLIGHTS OF

ORKNEY & SHETLAND

S

ail away to lands steeped in history, wildlife and stunning scenery – the Orkney and Shetland isles. Many people have landed there before us, some 6 DAYS FROM as early as 3,000 BC. Most famous of all were the Vikings, but they were not alone and all around you historical treasures can be found. Both Orkney and Shetland have their own identities. Orkney is green and fertile, while Shetland has rugged cliff and sea loch landscapes, however both share a colourful history of Picts, Norsemen, ancient antiquities and seafaring legends.

£1195

Your Itinerary Day 1 We take the overnight ferry to Lerwick with dinner served on board.

Day 2 We leave the ship and commence our tour of Shetland. Our first stop is Scalloway, where we visit the ruined castle built in 1600 by the infamous Earl Patrick Stewart. We then continue north to the spectacular cliffs of Eshaness and the narrow isthmus known as Mavis Grind.

Day 3 Today we start with a visit to the outstanding Prehistoric and Norse Settlement of Jarlshof, spanning 3,000 years since the days of the Stone Age, travel to nearby Sumburgh Head and visit the RSPB reserve, home to thousands of seabirds including puffins (May-Aug),

Seascape, Orkney

and have free time in the island’s capital of Lerwick. This evening, we rejoin our ship and sail south to Orkney.

Day 4 We have a full day excursion around mainland Orkney, visiting the great stone circles of Brodgar and Stenness; Maeshowe, the finest chambered tomb in Western Europe, and Skara Brae with its new visitor centre depicting the history of this world famous monument.

Day 5 This morning, we have free time to explore Kirkwall at leisure. Places of interest include St. Magnus Cathedral, one of Europe’s greatest architectural masterpieces, and the adjacent Bishop’s Palace. In the afternoon, we depart on a

tour of the south end of mainland Orkney, crossing the Churchill Barriers, which were built after the sinking of the HMS Royal Oak in October 1939. We also stop off at the beautiful Italian Chapel, built on the site of a former prisoner of war camp. The marvellous paintings in the interior were done by one of the prisoners who returned several times to restore and repaint parts of the building.

Day 6 After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and catch the Pentland Ferries sailing to Gills Bay.

Departing: May, Jun, Aug, Sep

AN ARCHAEOLOGIST’S VIEW OF

ORKNEY & SHETLAND

T

he islands of Orkney and Shetland are littered with archaeological remains. 6 DAYS FROM People first came here over 5,000 years ago and many of their remains survive. Research is ongoing here and excavations by archaeologists continue to uncover new information. The islands are therefore of enormous interest to anyone who enjoys first-hand contact with ancient settlements, with visits to sites such as Jarlshof, Skara Brae, Maeshowe and the Tomb of the Eagles offering fascinating insights into the lives of long vanished people.

£1245

Your Itinerary Day 1 We take the overnight ferry to Lerwick with dinner served on board.

Day 2 Arriving in Lerwick, we take a scenic tour of the island, crossing to Mousa to visit the 2,000-year-old Mousa Broch, an Iron Age tower still standing at its original height of 13 metres. Returning to the mainland we head 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 longhouses and medieval farmhouses. Finally, we visit the nearby cliffs at Sumburgh Head before transferring to our hotel.

Day 3 We travel down to St. Ninian’s Isle,

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Brightwater Holidays

Jarlshof

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 before continuing through Tingwall Valley, site of the old Norse parliament. We return to Lerwick to explore the town before sailing to Orkney.

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 Italian Chapel, built on the site of a prisoner of war camp. The marvellous paintings in the interior were the work of one of the prisoners. We continue to the Tomb of the Eagles and the Liddle Burnt

Mound – two exceptional sites discovered by the same farmer some 50 years ago.

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 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.

Day 6 We check out of the hotel and catch the Pentland Ferries sailing to Gills Bay. Departing: Apr, May, Jul, Aug

4 days from £795

5 days from £1295

Duart Castle

Tiree

Mull, Staffa and Iona

Coll and Tiree

The Isle of Mull is a place of tumbling burns, high peaks, dramatic views, and a silent, lonely beauty. From Tobermory, with its famous multi-coloured waterfront, we sail on a wildlife cruise that takes us to the Treshnish Isles, home to thousands of seabirds including puffins (seasonal), and Staffa, a natural cathedral of basalt columns.

We also cross to the isle of Iona, with its calm and peaceful abbey.

Departing: May, Jun, Aug, Sep

Coll and Tiree are two little jewels basking in the Hebridean Sea. Steeped in the romantic legends and the tangled history of the western isles, they abound with natural wonders, abundant wildlife and ancient remains. Offering peace, tranquillity and spiritual calm, they can also be wildly invigorating as the machair (coastal meadowland) comes alive with flowers during the summer months.

Departing: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

5 days from £995

5 days from £675

Skara Brae

Brodick Castle

Undiscovered Orkney

Arran ‘Scotland in Miniature’

Orkney is an archipelago of 70 islands, each with their own distinctive history and natural beauty. We offer an opportunity to visit previously unexplored areas as we discover the historic landmarks and captivating landscapes of Westray and Hoy, as well as exploring the sites that are collectively known as the ‘Heart of Neolithic Orkney’, including Maeshowe, Brodgar and Skara Brae.

Often described as “Scotland in Miniature”, Arran has a blend of Highland and Island scenery with granite peaks and deep glens to the north of the island, contrasting with its rolling and lush farmlands to the south. Only 56 miles around its coastline, the small villages are compared to ‘jewels on a necklace’, strung out like pearls around the island.

Departing: Jun, Aug

Departing: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Sep

7 days from £1675

5 days from £1045

Isle of Iona

Shetland seascape

Grand Tour of the Inner Hebrides

Shetland and its Outer Isles

This grand yet relaxing tour takes in the principal Inner Hebridean isles of Mull, Islay and Jura as well as the famous little island gems of Staffa and Iona. While on Mull we enjoy an exciting boat trip to the tiny island of Staffa and its famous Fingal’s Cave and visit the wonderfully peaceful island of Iona. Moving on to Islay we explore historic sites and taste the island’s most famous product.

Departing: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

If you want to get away from it all, Shetland is the place to be.

There are over a hundred islands here, each with its own individual character. Our tour offers the opportunity to visit four of them, providing a real taste of the diversity of this amazing archipelago.

As well as the principal island, we visit Mousa, with its superb Iron Age broch, and the northernmost isles of Yell and Unst.

Departing: Jun, Jul, Aug

T&C’s - Supplements apply to some dates and single rooms

01334 766 051 | info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com

7

The Jacobite steam train

A CLASSIC

4 DAYS FROM

SCOTTISH STEAM BREAK

£595

Steam locomotion has an enduring fascination for many of us and combined with the wonderful scenery of Scotland it becomes utterly irresistible. The Jacobite Steam Train, from Fort William to Mallaig, is one of the longest steam-hauled rail journeys available in Britain today, an 84-mile round trip through some spectacular scenery, which features an impressive list of superlatives. It starts near Britain’s highest mountain, (Ben Nevis), passes its most westerly mainland railway station, (Arisaig), deepest freshwater loch, (Loch Morar), shortest river, (River Morar) and finally arrives next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe, (Loch Nevis). ‘Concrete Bob’ McAlpine’s 21-arch Glenfinnan viaduct is just one of the engineering marvels we encounter on our journey, which is made all the more enjoyable by the sound and fury of the steam locomotive at the head of our train, forging its way along the Iron Road to the Isles.

A gentler pace is set as we sail ‘Doon ra Watter’ on the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, the PS Waverley (subject to confirmation of the Waverley’s timetable), still elegantly plying her trade on the Clyde. There can be no better way to enjoy the gentle beauty of the Argyll hills and the Kyles of Bute than from the deck of this grand old lady. We also enjoy a relaxed and informative cruise on the calm waters of Loch Katrine amid the spectacular scenery of the Trossachs and a boat trip on the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s first rotating boat lift.

Your Itinerary

Stirling Highland Hotel

Day 1 We travel to the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s first rotating boat lift and enjoy the truly spectacular scenery.

Day 3 Today we enjoy our sail ‘Doon ra Watter’ on the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer - The Waverley.

Day 2 We journey back in time aboard the Jacobite steam train and experience one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the world.

Day 4 This morning we depart on a cruise on Loch Katrine which is one of the most attractive fresh water lochs in Scotland.

We will have free time in Callander in the afternoon.

We offer two different packages for this tour in 2021 following the same itinerary; one staying at the Arrochar Hotel and one staying at the luxurious Stirling Highland Hotel.

PS Waverley

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Brightwater Holidays

Departures & Prices 1 July

from £695pp

19 August

from £695pp

Single Supplement £120 Arrochar Hotel

Departures & Prices 21 June

from £625pp

24 June

from £665pp

8 July

from £595pp

15 July

from £595pp

22 July

from £665pp

5 August

from £595pp

12 August

from £665pp

26 August

from £595pp

14 October

from £595pp

Single Supplement £90

5 days from £745

4 days from £595

John O’Groats

4 days from £595

Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway

Strathspey Railway

Scotland’s Northern Edge

Caledonian Days

Scenic Scottish Railways

The coastal views and landscapes are breathtaking – sometimes quite literally, as the wind whips in off the Pentland Firth and snatches the breath from your mouth.

Standing here on the northern edge of mainland Britain you are moved to reflect on the awesome, unstoppable power of the sea and the equally indomitable strength of the ancient rock beneath your feet.

Departing: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

This new tour is an unashamedly nostalgic recreation of the type of day trip enjoyed by millions in the time before car ownership, along with the opportunity to see some of the locomotives and ships that still survive from the golden age of excursion travel in Scotland. These include a trip across the Firth of Clyde to the resort of Rothesay and a highly scenic train ride to bustling Oban.

Departing: Jun, Jul, Sep

The challenge of building railways through some of the most difficult terrain in the British Isles was taken up by the great engineers of the Victorian age. Their legacy is in the sweeping curves and majestic viaducts of the single‑track lines, which cross wild moors and glens. We take diesel trains north to Wick, west to Kyle of Lochalsh and ride the Jacobite steam train.

Departing: May, Jul, Sep, Oct

6 days from £1445

4 days from £475

4 days from £695

Local colour © Frances Taylor

Knitting in the Shetland Isles

Whether you are an absolute beginner or an experienced knitter you are bound to enjoy this unique experience. Under the watchful eyes of our experienced local tutors there are workshops aplenty, both starting off our mornings and rounding off our afternoons, which present the perfect opportunity to learn new skills. We also enjoy the spellbinding scenery of Shetland.

Departing: Sep 4 days from £995

Assynt

Scotland’s Extreme North West

The rugged and remote north-west coast of Scotland takes on a majestic character in the early spring and autumn months as Mother Nature lays on a spectacular display of beauty. Enormous waves roll in from the Atlantic and hurl themselves against the shore in an awesome display of raw natural power and the coastal views are even more breathtaking at this time of year.

Departing: Apr, Oct 4 days from £695

Puffins on the Island of Lunga

Bottlenose dolphin

Highland Wildlife Safari Scotland’s natural environment is second to none with a more diverse range of habitats than almost any other country of comparable size. On this distinctly Scottish safari we hope to see ospreys, deer, otters, red squirrels and woodland birds; dolphins, beavers and a wildcat project; mighty salmon making their way upstream as well as a host of exotic zoo animals.

Departing: Jun, Jul 4 days from £465

Abbotsford House

Inveraray

Mull Wildlife Experience

Historic Houses of the Scottish Borders

Spring and Autumn in the West Highlands

With its diverse landscape of mountains, sea lochs, moorland and peatbog, the Isle of Mull is home to a wide range of mammals and birds, and has established itself as one of the UK’s top wildlife destinations. We hope to see big raptors such as the golden eagle and white-tailed sea eagle as well as a multitude of seabirds; dolphins, porpoises and whales; otters, seals and red deer.

Departing: May

The Borders have a quiet, understated beauty of their own, with softly rolling hills draped in early morning mist and peaceful valleys dotted with sheep farms. The region is also home to a remarkable number of historic houses, such as extravagant Manderston House; Traquair House, the oldest continuously inhabited house in Scotland and magnificent Floors Castle.

Departing: Apr, Jun, Oct

Spring and autumn are wonderful times to visit the West Highlands of Scotland.

In spring the trees are in fresh green leaf and rhododendrons bring the first splashes of colour to the gardens. By autumn the trees have taken on a golden hue while the gardens put on one last defiant display of colour before winter returns. The gardens of Arduaine, Ardkinglas and Glenarn feature.

Departing: Oct, Mar 2022

T&C’s - Supplements apply to some dates and single rooms

01334 766 051 | info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com

9

RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

F

or the first time in its 108-year history, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show will take place in autumn instead of May. Whilst the September Show will be very different to the usual spring event, the RHS believes it will celebrate the best of autumn horticulture.

7 DAYS FROM

£1295

This tour combines the colour, prestige and excitement of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show with some of the south of England’s finest gardens. Our two centre holiday includes visits to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the unmissable RHS Garden Wisley, as well as to stunning Sissinghurst and Great Dixter.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019

Your Itinerary Day 1 We depart from our pick-up points in London and travel to RHS Garden Wisley, where we enjoy a guided tour. This outdoor space is home to glasshouses, an arboretum and many glorious gardens.

Day 2 Today we spend a full day at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, a great British tradition and exciting source of inspiration and advice.

Day 3 Today begins at the manicured gardens of Sissinghurst, where we are treated to an exclusive guided tour before the gardens open to the public. We continue to another classic English garden – this time, Great Dixter. .

Day 4 We make our way to the gardens of Heale House, just north of Salisbury in Wiltshire. The timeless atmosphere at Heale is the result of the creative endeavours of many generations of the Rasch family, We then make our way to the gardens at Stourhead, first opened in the 1740s. Temples, urns, a grotto and a wealth Day 5 We start our day at The Bishop’s Palace in Wells, Somerset, a stunning medieval building where will enjoy a special ‘Horticulture at the Palace’ tour. In the afternoon, we visit Hestercombe, one of Jekyll and Lutyens’ greatest works.

Day 6 Today, we visit Iford Manor, where we have an exclusive private visit. Its Italianate garden was designed by Harold Peto. In the afternoon we head to Bath for some free time.

Day 7 This morning we transfer to Tyntesfield with its immaculate terraced lawns and parkland filled with hundreds of trees.

Departing: Sep

HIGHGROVE

AND THE COTSWOLDS

O

4 DAYS FROM ur tour of the Cotswolds features an exclusive visit to Highgrove House, the country home of HRH The Prince of Wales. This will be a rare opportunity to see these fascinating gardens, which are cultivated using wholly organic methods. Some of the finest gardens in England are to be found nestled among the green and rolling hills of Gloucestershire, such as the Arts and Crafts house of Rodmarton Manor, Hidcote Manor with its innovative and quite magnificent ‘garden rooms’ and the splendid National Arboretum at Westonbirt.

£595

Your Itinerary Day 1 We head for the garden of Rodmarton Manor. The grey gabled ‘Arts and Crafts’ house has an intricate garden of lively atmosphere, formal in spirit but with a cottage-garden feel to it. The eight-acre Cotswold garden was originally designed as a series of outdoor rooms and is still the same today, with each part of the garden having different characters.

Day 2 This morning, we visit the gardens of Hidcote Manor, near Chipping Camden.

Although among the best known gardens in Britain, Hidcote Manor still has the power to startle, thanks to the innovative use of garden ‘rooms’, each one an absolute gem of form and colour. Everywhere something enticing is glimpsed through an opening, framed by a gate or across a pool.

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Brightwater Holidays

Local residents, Chipping Camden

We then visit Kiftsgate Court, which offers an admirable selection of plants and flowers, not least of which is the well known rambling rose R. filipes ‘Kiftsgate’.

Day 3 This morning, 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. Since buying the property in 1980 His Royal Highness and his friend Lady Salisbury have laid out parts of the garden with scented plants: wisteria, honeysuckle, jasmine, loboellia, lillies and thyme were chosen to surround the house. On the advice of Miriam Rothschild, another gardening expert, the Prince created an experimental wild flower meadow which already boasts around 32

different varieties of endangered native plants.

Day 4 En route home, we pay a visit to Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, which is perhaps the most important and widely known arboretum in the United Kingdom. It is managed by the Forestry Commission and was established in 1829

by Robert Stayner Holford. It comprises some 18,000 trees and shrubs, over an area of approximately 600 acres. We will see numerous ‘champion’ trees including rare magnolias, tree rhododendrons and maples as well as a wide variety of smaller trees.

Departing: Apr, May, Jun, Aug, Sep

5 days from £695

4 days from £795

8 days from £1575 LE T G N N E SI EM O L N PP SU

National Botanic Garden of Wales

Gardens of West Wales In the rolling hills of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire are some fine gardens, large and small; ancient and modern. The National Botanic Garden of Wales is a spectacular re-interpretation of the original garden blended with Norman Foster’s impressive single span Great Greenhouse.

Aberglasney, Dyffryn Botanic Gardens and Cae Hir are among the other highlights.

Departing: Jun, Sep 4 days from £765

Alnwick Garden Tree House

Gardens of Northumberland

The Irish Rover

The 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. Alongside the now well established Alnwick Garden we visit a wide range of intriguing private gardens.

As in the song by Van Morrison, this Irish Rover is wrapped up in glory – the glory of Ireland’s finest gardens. Among the highlights are Mount Stewart with its dazzling garden and micro-climate; special access to the new private garden of Helen Dillon in Dublin; Powerscourt, perhaps the most famous garden in Ireland, and magical Ilnacullin, a jewel set in Bantry Bay.

Departing: Jun, Jul, Aug

Departing: May, Aug

4 days from £595

4 days from £595

Great Dixter

Portmeirion

Gardens of Kent & Sussex

Gardens of North Wales

If 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 including Great Dixter and writer and broadcaster Sarah Raven’s Perch Hill.

Top of the bill is Sissinghurst, where we enjoy a special ‘early bird’ visit.

Set amongst 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 over 20 years ago was an overgrown, abandoned wilderness of ivy and decrepit fruit trees. Its new owner brought it back to life and it has emerged as a gem of a garden.

Departing: May, Jun, Aug, Oct

Departing: Jun, Jul, Aug

4 days from £595

Mount Stewart

Walmer Castle and the Cinque Ports

The historic pleasure gardens at Walmer Castle in Kent have been dramatically brought back to life thanks to a £2.3m restoration project funded by English Heritage, and they form the centrepiece of this tour, which also visits the ‘Cinque Ports’ of Hastings, Sandwich, Hythe, Dover and Romney. Other visits include Pashley Manor and the Salutation Gardens.

Departing: Jun, Sep

4 days from £695

Italian Gardens, Trentham Estate

Walmer Castle Gardens

4 days from £595

Hampton Court Castle

RHS Garden Bridgewater

Gardens of Herefordshire

RHS Garden Bridgewater opens to the public in 2021 and we are delighted to offer the opportunity to be among the first to visit it. Based on an overall design by leading landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, this once in a generation project includes one of the largest walled gardens in the UK, beautifully landscaped grounds, living plant collections and horticultural trails.

Departing: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Rural Herefordshire boasts some of Britain’s finest gardens, offering a great variety of styles – from water gardens to plantsman’s gardens, and from a garden of sentiment and memories to a garden of history and refinement. Highlights include The Laskett, the ‘uniquely autobiographical’ garden by Sir Roy Strong and a workshop, tour and talk with the gardener at Stockton Bury.

Departing: Jun, Aug, Sep

T&C’s - Supplements apply to some dates and single rooms

Beth Chatto Garden

Private Gardens of East Anglia

The adjoining counties of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk feature on this tour of some of the finest gardens that East Anglia has to offer. We have the privilege of visiting Raveningham Hall, the garden of former RHS President Sir Nicholas Bacon Bt, along with East Ruston Old Vicarage, an inspirational exotic garden that lies less than two miles from the North Sea. Departing: May, Aug

01334 766 051 | info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com

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3 days from £395

3 days from £395

Jane Austen’s House

5 days from £995

Thomas Hardy’s Cottage

Pencarrow

Literary Trails of the South Coast

Literary Trails of the West Country

Walking in Cornwall

It is a truth universally acknowledged that many of the giants of English literature, including the author of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ herself, have associations and connections with the south of England. This tour unites some of our best loved and most celebrated authors in this corner of the country, such as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling and Virginia Woolf.

This tour takes us on the trail of further literary greats but also features Jane Austen and as the tours can be taken back to back will appeal to anyone with a particular interest in that author. As well as visiting Austen’s Bath we spend a day in Devon on the trail of the queen of crime writers, Dame Agatha Christie, and visit two Dorset properties connected with Thomas Hardy.

Our Cornish walking experience is based around the Saint’s Way that runs coast to coast from Padstow to Fowey, along the route of early Christian travellers making their way from Ireland to the Continent, unlocking the atmosphere of the fascinating Celtic traditions of the region. Walking in the mornings, the afternoons are spent relaxing in local gardens.

Departing: May, Sep

Departing: May, Sep

Departing: Apr, Aug, Sep

5 days from £795

5 days from £1195

Monsal Trail

4 days from £695

Mont Orgueil

Wensleydale Railway

Walking in the Peak District

Gardens of Jersey

Steam Trains of Yorkshire

The Peak District of Derbyshire offers some of the finest walking in England, with its distinctive limestone-scarred landscape of rolling hills and wooded dales. Bracing walks in the morning are complemented by stimulating visits in the afternoon featuring the historic houses and natural wonders of the region, such as Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall and the Blue John Caverns.

Situated within touching distance of France, the island of Jersey is blessed with wonderfully sunny weather, making it the perfect destination for a summer holiday.

It is also home to some splendid gardens, which make the most of this favourable climate to produce stunning displays, not to mention a profusion of wildflowers that thrive in the lush green meadows.

The star of Channel 5’s ‘The Yorkshire Steam Railway’, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is one of the most popular heritage railways in the country and also one of the longest, travelling through some glorious scenery in a truly authentic recreation of the golden age of steam. In addition to this we travel over the Wensleydale and Keighley and Worth Valley Railways.

Departing: Sep

Departing: Sep

Departing: Jun, Oct

4 days from £675

5 days from £695

Bosvigo Hot Garden

4 days from £695

Stourhead Garden

Sizergh Castle

Private Gardens of Cornwall

Gardens of Somerset & Dorset

Autumn Tints of the Lake District

Cornwall’s gardens are justly famous for their colour and variety, and there are some truly outstanding examples here. Choose between spring when the rhododendrons burst into life or high summer when the hydrangeas run riot. Highlights include Bosvigo with its bold and imaginative planting, new planting and fresh ideas at Trewithen and lovely Marsh Villa.

Departing: Apr, Jul

The neighbouring counties of Dorset and Somerset epitomise the timeless and restrained beauty of rural England, and are home to a fine selection of classic gardens in a variety of different styles.

Visits include the wonderful landscape of Stourhead, Kilver Court and East Lambrook, recognised as the ‘Home of English Cottage Gardening’.

Departing: Jul, Aug

Taking a golden leaf from the books of the area’s most famous residents, we will embark upon a scenic tour, paying visits to Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse, William Wordsworth’s idyllic Dove Cottage, and artist and critic John Ruskin’s Brantwood.

Further highlights include the ‘Arts and Crafts’ house of Blackwell, the splendid gardens of Sizergh Castle and Levens Hall.

Departing: Oct

12

Brightwater Holidays

Archaeology Tours

Rila Monastery

Our archaeological tours have proved extremely popular thanks to a combination of outstanding sites, well-paced itineraries and engaging experts. They are designed to provide a broad understanding of the archaeology and history of the country or region while at the same time offering a relaxing holiday experience.

The awe-inspiring antiquities of the Mediterranean and the Balkans are well represented, with tours to Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Malta and Portugal, each one filled with remarkable visits, many of them UNESCO World-Heritage sites. Our wide-ranging tour of Sweden and Denmark uncovers a host of Nordic gems, while closer to home our archaeologist’s view of Orkney and Shetland provides fascinating glimpses of lives that were lived 5,000 years ago.

Tour departures An Archaeologist’s View of Orkney and Shetland

Archaeology of Denmark and Sweden Albanian Archaeology Archaeology of the Peloponnese Bulgarian Archaeology Crete Archaeology Malta’s Archaeological Heritage

Portuguese Archaeology Gardens and Archaeology of Turkey

26 April

from £1295pp

31 May

from £1245pp

12 July

from £1445pp

23 August

from £1445pp

5 July

from £1945pp

6 September

from £1925pp

4 May

from £1395pp

12 October

from £1395pp

26 April

from £1495pp

4 October

from £1495pp

11 May

from £1595pp

5 October

from £1645pp

20 April

from £1595pp

14 October

from £1595pp

4 May

from £1495pp

9 November

from £1395pp

8 March 2022

from £1395pp

20 April

from £1895pp

14 October

from £1895pp

19 April 2022

from £1895pp

T&C’s - Supplements apply to some dates and single rooms

Temple ruins in ancient Apollonia

Palace of Knossos

To book your Brightwater holiday, call our travel experts today: 01334 766 051

01334 766 051 | info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com

13

European Garden Tours and Cruises

Botanical Gardens, Madeira

A short hop by train or plane to continental Europe opens up a whole world of possibilities for the garden enthusiast. Spain, France and Italy provide the majority of our destinations and it’s not hard to understand why. From the glories of Granada to the romantic, flower-filled ruins of Ninfa; from the sun-kissed gardens of the French Riviera to the aristocratic villas of the Italian Lakes there is a cornucopia of horticultural delights to be discovered there.

New additions include the Gardens and Archaeology of Turkey featuring the Istanbul Tulip Festival; the colourful Spring Flowers of Crete and, slightly further afield, the alluring Gardens of Marrakech. Many wonderful gardens also feature in our expanded cruise programme, which includes a unique opportunity to navigate the River Loire.

Tour departures Gardens of Madeira

from £1295pp

from £1495pp

8 June

from £1295pp

13 September

from £1495pp

7 September

from £1295pp

23 March

from £1395pp

Spring Flowers of Crete

5 April 2022

from £1495pp

Gardens and Archaeology of Turkey

19 April 2022

from £1895pp

Gardens of Marrakech

5 October

from £1395pp

22 June

from £2395pp

Gardens and Architecture of Andalucia 10 May Gardens of Mallorca

Rome, Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo

11 May

1 November

22 March 2022

from 1395pp

from £1395pp

Arts and Gardens of the French Riviera 2 September

from £1465pp

Alpine Flowers of Wengen

Gardens of the French Riviera featuring the Menton Lemon Festival

17 February 2022

from £1395pp

Cruises

24 February 2022

Castles and Gardens of the Loire

2 July

from £1995pp

from £1395pp

Legends of the Rhône

11 August

from £2095pp

Gardens of the French Riviera featuring the Grasse Rose Festival

Picardy Gardens Cruise

20 May

from £1495pp

6 May

from £1595pp

17 June

from £1495pp

The Genius of Monet

7 May

from £895pp

16 April

from £1195pp

23 July

from £875pp

20 April

from £1795pp

Gardens and Villas of Sicily

Villas and Gardens of the Italian Lakes 5 May

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Brightwater Holidays

from £1895pp

23 June

from £1895pp

3 September

from £1895pp

Dutch Bulbfields Cruise

To book your Brightwater holiday, call our travel experts today: 01334 766 051

Long Haul and Overseas Special Interest Tours Golden Pavilion

The rigours of a long haul flight can be tough but the rewards are immense. It’s one thing to explore a country through the pages of a book or the images of a website and quite another to be there with your feet upon the ground and the sun upon your back. To look up at a troop of sifaka sunbathing in the treetops in Madagascar; to wander round an exquisite Japanese garden; to climb to the Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan or stand at the foot of a Patagonian glacier – these are the stuff of which dreams are made.

Escorted throughout by an experienced and knowledgeable tour manager and assisted by local expert guides, our carefully crafted and gently paced itineraries bring out the best of every country and provide experiences and memories to last a lifetime.

Tour departures Flora and Fauna of Madagascar

3 November

from £5295pp

South Africa’s Garden Route

21 September

from £3995pp

28 September

from £3995pp

Bhutan and Nepal

15 October

from £5395pp

Seasonal Gardens of Japan

10 November

from £4995pp

30 March 2022

from £4995pp

Zebu cart and baobabs

9 November 2022 from £4995pp Grenada – Gardens of the Spice Island

15 May

from £2895pp

2 October

from £2895pp

Gardens of Costa Rica

28 January 2022

from £3995pp

Southern Costa Rica

8 February 2022

from £3295pp

New Zealand

25 October

from £6995pp

9 January 2022

from £6995pp

Flowers and Flavours of Colombia

15 February 2022

from £3995pp

Landscapes and Flora of Patagonia

30 November

from £6995pp

Iceland Northern Lights

14 November

from £1995pp

The Faroe Islands

8 July

from £2195pp

2 September

from £2195pp

T&C’s - Supplements apply to some dates and single rooms

Hamilton Gardens

To book your Brightwater holiday, call our travel experts today: 01334 766 051

01334 766 051 | info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com

15

Floriade & Keukenhof - 3 Days 3 DAYS FROM

H

eld once every ten years at a different venue in the Netherlands, Floriade is one of the premier events of the horticultural world.

£455

Based at the 4-star Best Western Plus Plaza Hotel, conveniently situated in the centre of Almere, this short break combines the wonderful Floriade Expo with a memorable visit to Keukenhof – truly one of Europe’s most spectacular gardens, planted with over seven million bulbs and in full bloom during spring.

Departing: Apr & May

Treasures of Holland - 4 Days As well as spending a full day at the all-important Floriade Expo, this holiday includes visits to the country house and garden of De Wiersse and the Museum Van Loon. There will also be a stop at Het Loo Palace, widely recognised as one of Europe’s finest formal gardens.

Departing: May, Jun, Jul, Aug and Sep

Arts & Gardens of Holland - 5 Days In addition to spending a day at the Floriade Expo, this holiday includes visits to some of the Netherlands’ greatest artistic treasures. Tour the Kröller-Müller Museum, the canal-side residence and garden at the Museum van Loon, the Mauritshuis art gallery, the Royal Delft Factory and the Vermeer Centre.

Departing: Jul & Aug

NOW

BOOKING

Full details of packages, dates and prices are available on our website.

If you would like to book your place, please call us on 01334 766 514.

6 DAYS FROM

£2195

OBERAMMERGAU AND THE AUSTRIAN TYROL - 2022

Along with experiencing the Passion Play, you will also ride aboard the Zillertal Steam Railway, enjoy a themed tour in Salzburg and discover the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck.

Departures: May & Aug 2022

OBERAMMERGAU AND LAKE CONSTANCE - 2022

From the glorious shores of Lake Constance, pay visits to the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, the Pilgrimage Church of Wies and a scenic cruise to the ‘island garden’ of Mainau.

Departure: Aug 2022 ©Passion Play Oberammergau 2020