Travel Specialists To Britain & Europe

hotel a BirminghamChelsea Flower Show
Journey 1

A Garden Journey In
England & France

Chelsea Flower Show
Journey 2

Gardens & Walks In Wessex

An English Garden Journey
& Hampton Court Flower Show

Gardens & Walks In Cornwall

18-27 May 1999 (10 days, 9 nights)

A gentle journey of contrasts through the glorious gardens and countryside of Kent,the Cotswolds, and the southwest of England. A day at the Chelsea Flower Show is one of the highlights of this tour.

alberghi a BruxellesDay 1 - Tuesday, 18 May
Arrive London and join 'welcome' briefing and drinks reception at hotel.
Overnight London.

Day 2 - Wednesday, 19 May
An excursion to the homes of Vita Sackville-West including the stately home of Knole, the private garden of Long Barn, and the famous, beautiful Sissinghurst.
Overnight London. (B)

Day 3 - Thursday, 20 May
Today begins with a visit to William Morris' Kelmscott Manor, the charming Cotswold town of Burford, and Rosemary Verey's famous Barnsley House Garden.
Overnight Cotswolds. (B, D)

Day 4 - Friday, 21 May
A full day in the Cotswolds including a delightful private garden, shopping in Chipping Campden, and a visit to Sudeley Castle and Gardens.
Overnight Cotswolds. (B, D)

Day 5 - Saturday, 22 May
We journey to the West Country, stopping en route to visit a special private garden. Then we visit Bath and in the afternoon we visit Hadspen Garden, famous for its carefully colour-schemed borders.
Overnight Shaftesbury, Dorset. (B, D)

Day 6 - Sunday, 23 May
Today we visit the two contrasting gardens at Hestercombe: one a Gertrude Jekyll/Edwin Lutyens creation; the other a recently restored, award-winning Georgian landscape garden. Afternoon visit to an unusual and colourful garden and afternoon tea with the owner in her medieval manor house. Overnight Shaftesbury, Dorset. (B, T, D)

Day 7 - Monday, 24 May
First a visit to a cottage and herb garden, then to Forde Abbey, set in 30 acres of gardens around the house that was once a medieval abbey. The garden at Tintinhull with its six 'rooms' of clipped hedges is visited this afternoon.
Overnight Shaftesbury, Dorset. (B, D)

Day 8 - Tuesday, 25 May
A visit to elegant and grand Stourhead Gardens is followed by a pub lunch. This afternoon we visit the delightful garden at Heale House and Stonehenge before returning to London.
Overnight London. (B, L)

hotel a ManchesterDay 9 - Wednesday, 26 May
Transfer to the Chelsea Flower Show to enjoy the exclusive day for Royal Horticultural Society members.
Overnight London. (B)

Day 10 - Thursday, 27 May
The tour ends after breakfast.

9 nights accommodation, welcome reception, transportation in deluxe, air-conditioned touring coach, meals as shown above, fully qualified British tour guide, entrance fees, tours with owners, head gardeners, or site guides whenever available, membership of the Royal Horticultural Society, ticket for the Chelsea Flower Show, maps of Britain and London, porterage of 1 piece of baggage per person.

B = Full English Breakfast, L = Lunch, T = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner.

Hotels:

London: The Vanderbilt Hotel. A 4-star elegant hotel in west London.

Cotswolds: Hatton Court Hotel. A 3-star hotel.

Dorset: The Royal Chase Hotel. A 3-star hotel which was once a Georgian Monastery.

18-27 May 1999 (10 days, 9 nights)

Price: $1899.00 per person based on double occupancy. Rate quoted in US dollars.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $569.00

19-27 May 1999 (9 days, 8 nights)

Based on our sell-out tours in 1996 & 1997, this special journey takes in Kent & Sussex, the Cotswolds, and some of the hidden delights of Northamptonshire and the East Anglia. A day at the Chelsea Flower Show is one of the highlights of this tour.

Day 1 - Wednesday, 19 May
Arrive London and join 'welcome' briefing and drinks reception at hotel.
Overnight London.

Day 2 - Thursday, 20 May
An excursion to Sussex and a private visit to the truly English garden of Great Dixter. Afternoon at the connoisseurs garden of Sissinghurst.
Overnight London. (B)

Day 3 - Friday, 21 May
Today we visit Anglesey Abbey and Gardens with their dramatic vistas and decorative plantings. Walking tour and time to shop in Cambridge.
Overnight Huntingdon. (B, D)

Day 4 - Saturday, 22 May
Through Norfolk to the private country retreat of Her Majesty the Queen, Sandringham House. Then to the nearby village of Heacham, where John Rolfe married the Indian Princess Pocahontas in 1614. We move on to Norfolk Lavender and a traditional cream tea.
Overnight Huntingdon. (B, T, D)

Day 5 - Sunday, 23 May
Begin with a visit to the enchanting private garden at the Old Rectory, Sudborough before travelling on to colourful Coton Manor Garden. Into the Cotswolds and a stop in the quaint Cotswold town of Stow-on-the-Wold.
Overnight Cotswolds. (B, D)

Day 6 - Monday, 24 May
A full day touring in the picturesque Cotswolds takes in the elegant gardens at Sudeley Castle, inspirational Hidcote Manor Garden, and some time for shopping in the delightful town of Chipping Campden.
Overnight Cotswolds. (B, D)

Day 7 - Tuesday, 25 May
Today begins with a visit to Rosemary Verey's garden at Barnsley House before stopping in the charming town of Burford. This afternoon a visit to the lovely private garden of Haseley Court, the former home of the famous designer Nancy Lancaster. Then we return to London.
Overnight London. (B, D)

Day 8 - Wednesday, 26 May
Transfer to the Chelsea Flower Show to enjoy the exclusive day for Royal Horticultural Society members.
Overnight London. (B, D)

Day 9 - Thursday, 27 May
The tour ends after breakfast.

8 nights accommodation, welcome reception, transportation in deluxe, air-conditioned touring coach, meals as shown above, fully qualified British tour guide, entrance fees, tours with owners, head gardeners, or site guides whenever available, membership of the Royal Horticultural Society, ticket for the Chelsea Flower Show, maps of Britain and London, porterage of 1 piece of baggage per person.

B = Full English Breakfast, T = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner.

Hotels:

London: The Regency Hotel. A 4-star elegant hotel in south Kensington.

Huntingdon: Swallow Hotel. A 4-star luxury hotel on the outskirts of town.

Cotswolds: Hatton Court Hotel. A 3-star hotel.

19-27 May 1999 (9 days, 8 nights)

Price: $1659.00 per person based on double occupancy. Rate quoted in US dollars.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $648.00

3-7 July & 11-15 September 1999
(5 days, 4 nights)

This very special tour includes visits to Sissinghurst Castle Garden and Monet's Garden at Giverny near Paris. Both visits have been timed to enjoy them at their least crowded. The tour also takes in some very special private gardens, dinners in a candlelit inn and a private home, and the return journey to Paris via the Channel Tunnel.

Day 1 - Saturday
Join the tour at Victoria Coach Station in central London where your guide will be waiting to welcome you. Travel to Kent and visit a private garden. Then to Chartwell, home of Sir Winston Churchill. A welcome supper is taken by candlelight in an ancient country inn.
Overnight Kent. (D)

Day 2 - Sunday
Begin the day with a visit to famous Sissinghurst Castle garden with its romantic, enclosed garden 'rooms.' Time to lunch and shop in the ancient town of Rye with its cobbled streets before visiting Great Dixter, a beautiful traditional garden with innovative plantings. Dinner in a private home. Overnight Kent. (B, D)

Day 3 - Monday
Join the Eurostar train to Paris, then drive to Monet's garden at Giverny for a special visit during the time when the garden is closed to the general public. Here the water lilies recreate the beauty that so inspired the painter. Dinner in hotel.
Overnight France. (B, D)

Day 4 - Tuesday
Today is spent visiting very special private gardens. To enjoy the gardens during their best season, the programme will be different on each departure. Dinner in hotel.
Overnight France. (B, D)

Day 5 - Wednesday
Morning drive to Paris and depending on departure time and season, a visit to the rose garden of La Bagatelle or a sightseeing drive in Paris. Join the Eurostar train to London's Waterloo station where the tour ends. (B)

4 nights accommodation, welcome reception, transportation in deluxe, air-conditioned touring coach, meals as shown above, fully qualified French-speaking British tour guide, standard class return ticket UK/Paris on the Eurostar, entrance fees, tours with owners, head gardeners, or site guides whenever available, maps of Britain and France, porterage of 1 piece of baggage per person.

B = Full English Breakfast in Kent & Continental Breakfast in France, D = Dinner.

Hotels:

Kent: Stakis Hotel. A 4-star elegant hotel set around a courtyard.

Giverny: Chateau de La Corniche. A 3-star luxury above the River Seine.

3-7 July & 11-15 September 1999 (5 days, 4 nights)

Price: $1357.00 per person based on double occupancy. Rate quoted in US dollars.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: Please inquire for single rate.

28 May-2 June, 9-14 July 1999 (6 days, 5 nights)

Day 1 - Friday
Join the tour at Salisbury Railway Station (based on train arriving from London at noon). Lunch in village pub before visiting Heale House Garden in an idyllic, riverside setting. View mysterious Stonehenge.
Overnight Wells. (L, D)

Day 2 - Saturday
Visit the world-famous Hestercombe Gardens, the superb produce of the collaboration between Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll. Adjoining is an award-winning, newly restored 18th century landscape garden. Walk in the lush greenery of the Ebbor Gorge. Afternoon tea with owners of a delightful private garden.
Overnight Wells. (B, D)

Day 3 - Sunday
Morning visit to Hadspen, famous for its colour schemes, followed by a country walk. Afternoon visit to magnificent Stourhead with its grand vistas and Stourton House Flower Garden, with its hydrangeas and camellias.
Overnight Wells. (B, D)

cheap hotel in NewcastleDay 4 - Monday
Drive to south Somerset and local walk to Forde Abbey where primulas and an extensive kitchen garden flourish within its medieval walls. Lunch before afternoon visit to Glastonbury Abbey, said to be the burial place of King Arthur. Walk on Glastonbury Tor.
Overnight Wells. (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Tuesday
Walk to south Cadbury Holl Fort, perhaps the sight of Camelot. Visit Elizabethan Montacute House and Gardens with their mixed borders and old roses before reaching Tintinhull Garden, which achieves an impression of size with a series of vistas created under the influence of Hidcote. Overnight Wells. (B, D)

Day 6 - Wednesday
Transfer to the city of Bath where the tour ends. You might like to leave your baggage at the railway station and spend the day sightseeing and shopping, or catch an early train to your destination. (B)

5 nights accommodation, transportation in deluxe mini coach, meals as shown above, fully qualified tour guide, entrance fees, tours with owners, head gardeners, or site guides whenever available, guided walks, touring map, porterage of 1 piece of baggage per person.

B = Full English Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner.

Hotels:

Wells: The Market Place Hotel. A 3-star stylish hotel in a 15th century building.

Hoteles de estadia nocturna ToulouseNote: This tour is accompanied by a coach and driver throughout and would therefore offer a relaxed tour for anyone who prefers not to participate in the walks, none of which are strenuous.

28 May-2 June, 9-14 July 1999 (6 days, 5 nights)

Price: $1179.00 per person based on double occupancy. Rate quoted in US dollars.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $132.00

11-15 June, 3-7 September 1999
(5 days, 4 nights)

This brand new tour takes a leisurely pace through some of the most beautiful gardens and walks in Cornwall, where the warmth of the Gulf Stream creates sub-tropical weather. Enjoy the contrast between the dramatic coastal scenery and the sheltered valley gardens with exotic plantings.

Day 1 - Friday
Join the tour at Plymouth Railway Station (based on train arriving from London at 12:35p). Visit the Mayflower Steps and Sutton Harbour, used by Captain Cook. After lunch drive into Cornwall and visit fascinating Probus Demonstration Gardens.
Overnight Truro. (L, D)

Day 2 - Saturday
Ferry to St. Mawes and private visit to Lamorran House Garden with its lovely water features. Afternoon scenic walk and visit to Trelissick Gardens in a beautiful setting with riverside walks and super collections of tender and exotic plants.
Overnight Truro. (B, D)

Day 3 - Sunday
Morning walk in Helford Passage, setting of Daphne du Maurier's novel Frenchman's Creek. Pub lunch and visits to Glendurgan and Trebah Garden, two 19th century gardens of great charm. Overnight Truro.. (B, L, D)

Day 4 - Monday
View of St. Michael's Mount before walking part of the coastal path to Land's End, mainland Britain's most westerly point. Lunch and a visit to a delightful private garden.
Overnight Truro. (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Tuesday
Visit the 'lost gardens' of Heligan, described as "the garden restoration of the century," with 80 acres of gardens and a huge collection of plants from all over the world. The tour ends at Plymouth Railway Station (based on the 3:30p train to London). (B)

B = Full English Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner.

Hotels:

Truro: The Royal Hotel Truro. A 3-star traditional hotel in the city centre.

Note: This tour is accompanied by a coach and driver throughout and would therefore offer a relaxed tour for anyone who prefers not to participate in the walks, none of which are strenuous.

11-15 June, 3-7 September 1999 (5 days, 4 nights)

Price: $998.00 per person based on double occupancy. Rate quoted in US dollars.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $112.00

1-8 July 1999 (8 days, 7 nights)

A connoisseur's garden tour that takes you to the gentle rolling countryside of the English 'Shires' where picturesque stone-built villages, pretty market towns, magnificent houses, and wonderful gardens await. The tour also includes a day visiting the homes of Vita Sackville-West, including Sissinghurst, and a full day at the Hampton Court Flower Show.

Day 1 - Thursday, 1 July
Arrive London and join 'welcome' briefing and drinks reception at hotel.
Overnight London.

Day 2 - Friday, 2 July
Touring begins today with a drive to Northamptonshire and a visit to colourful and well-tended Coton Manor Garden. Later visit acclaimed Cottesbrooke Hall Gardens and ancient Brixworth Church. 'Welcome' dinner in a private home.
Overnight Northampton. (B, D)

Day 3 - Saturday, 3 July
Two wonderful private gardens and time to explore and shop in an ancient market town are planned for today. This evening we have a short canalboat cruise and candlelit supper in Waterside Inn. Overnight Northampton. (B, D)

Day 4 - Sunday, 4 July
Morning visit to the Garden of the Old Rectory, Sudborough, then a visit to Forthinghay Village, where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned and executed. Pub lunch and afternoon private tour of the Rothschild Flowering Meadows.
Overnight Northampton. (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Monday, 5 July
Private manor house garden and glorious Woburn Abbey with its delightful landscaped gardens, private art collection, and antiques centre.
Overnight London. (B)

Day 6 - Tuesday, 6 July
An excursion to the 'Homes of Vita Sackville-West.' The stately home of Knole, Private Garden Long Barn, and the most famous, beautiful Sissinghurst.
Overnight London. (B)

Day 7 - Wednesday, 7 July
Transfer to & from Hampton Court Flower Show, the largest annual gardening event in the world, for an exclusive Royal Horticultural Society Members' Day.
Overnight London. (B)

Day 8 - Thursday, 8 July
The tour ends after breakfast.

7 nights accommodation, welcome reception, transportation in deluxe, air-conditioned touring coach, meals as shown above, fully qualified British tour guide, entrance fees, tours with owners, head gardeners, or site guides whenever available, membership of the Royal Horticultural Society, ticket for the Hampton Court Flower Show, maps of Britain and London, porterage of 1 piece of baggage per person.

B = Full English Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner.

Hotels:

London: The Regency Hotel. A 4-star private hotel in South Kensington.

Northampton: Stakis Hotel. A 4-star modern hotel on the outskirts of town.

1-8 July 1999 (8 days, 7 nights)

Price: $1619.00 per person based on double occupancy. Rate quoted in US dollars.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $333.00