% WHEN YOU 5off PAY IN FULL 2020 or 2nd Edition LOW Scenic , Gardens

From £50 DEPOSIT and Archaeology Tours Welcome As you may well know, the beginning of a new year means the arrival of our exciting second edition brochure. 2019 has been a record year for us, as not only did we win the gold prize for Best Coach Holiday Company, we also won silver for Best Special Interest Holiday Company at the prestigious British Travel Awards. In addition, we also took more guests on holiday than ever before – and to more destinations. So, what can you expect from us in 2020? Let us tell you... Firstly, we wanted to give you a little treat to celebrate the new year so we’ve launched two special January offers, which mean you’ll be able to book your Brightwater Holidays trip for less. You can choose to pay in full at the time of booking and receive 5% off your total, which could save you up to £350, or you can take advantage of our low deposit offer, which starts from just £50pp. Both offers will run until 2nd February, 2020, so there is no better time to book than right now! Next, we have a selection of brand-new tours that can take you to new places and invite you to experience new things. Firstly, we’ve launched a selection of European River Cruises which will take in some outstanding gardens and historic cities. We’ve added another Dutch cruise, in addition to our Bulbfields holiday, which can take you to some of the outstanding gardens of the Low Countries in the summer. There’s also a new river cruise along the Seine as well as a Gardens of Picardy holiday, which includes three half-day cruises, and a Rhine and Moselle river cruise. In 2022, the seventh Floriade Expo 2022 – the garden festival held every 10 years in the – will take place and we’ll be taking you there! Elsewhere, why not treat yourself to a place on our Singapore Garden Festival holiday, or our new South Africa tour, now featuring the famous Garden Route. And we’re very excited to announce our brand new RHS Garden Workshops, that will provide practical and theoretical gardening lessons as well as inspirational RHS garden visits. There is also a new way to travel with Brightwater for 2020 – we are now offering self-drive departures, known as FIT tours – for Fully Independent Travellers. These are designed for people who are unable to travel on our regular group departures. Finally, there are a number of holidays that are designed for our solo travellers as they have no single supplements! Now that you know what awaits in 2020, all that’s left to do is choose your next holiday – we can’t wait to welcome you.

Spring landscape British Travel Awards Winners 2018 and 2019 Price In November 2019, we were absolutely delighted to learn promise that Brightwater Holidays had won two prizes at the When we launch our new prestigious British Travel Awards. We brought home a holidays, we ensure that gold prize for Best Coach Holiday Company and we also our very lowest prices won silver for Best Special Interest holiday Company. are made available to This is the second year running we’ve enjoyed success you in order to offer the at the BTAs, as in 2018 we brought home prizes in the best value for money. very same categories. We’d like to extend a huge thank So, with Brightwater, just you to everybody who took the time to vote for us, and remember that the earlier we can’t wait to make more of your holiday dreams you book, the more you’ll come true in 2020. save! It pays to be an early bird with us. www.brightwaterholidays.com 2 January booking offers % PAY IN FULL LOW DEPOSIT Pay in full at the time of booking or Holidays without flights = £50 and receive 5% off the cost of Holidays with flights = £125

off the holiday. From Long haul = £350 5 £50Terms and conditions apply (see website for details)

A world of colour How to book Full financial protection Once you’ve finished browsing these pages at your leisure and when All our holidays are fully bonded and protected. you’re ready to treat yourself to a place on one of our holidays, just The air holiday packages in this brochure are ATOL get in touch and we’ll do the rest! Protected, since we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Give our friendly sales team a call, Monday to Friday between 9am Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 4498. ATOL protection does and 8pm, on 01334 208082. Alternatively, send us an email at not apply to all holiday and travel services in this [email protected]. brochure. Holidays without flights are protected For further details on any of the trips mentioned, including information by ABTOT. This means that in the unlikely event of on our day-by-day itineraries or full booking conditions, please visit our insolvency, your holiday would be completed or our website: www.brightwaterholidays.com. refunded. Finally, if you have any questions, do feel free to get in touch with our customer care team on 01334 845530. Happy browsing, and we look forward to hearing from you! 5020 3 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Contents Old Man of Storr Scenic Scottish tours Oberammergau & the Austrian - 2020 pg 16 A Grand Tour of Scotland pg 29 Grand Tour of the Inner pg 30 Oberammergau and Lake Constance pg 17 Grand Tour of the pg 32 Grand Tour of the Outer Hebrides - 5 day pg 34 Cruises Up Helly Aa - 5 day pg 35 Fully Independent Traveller (FIT) pg 36 Seine River Cruise pg 18 Highlights of & pg 38 Picardy Gardens Cruise pg 20 An Archaeologist’s View of Orkney and Shetland pg 40 Summer Gardens Cruise of Holland and Belgium pg 22 Undiscovered Orkney pg 42 Rhine and Moselle River Cruise pg 24 Shetland and its Outer Isles pg 43 Knitting in the Shetland Isles pg 44 Arran, Scotland in Miniature pg 45 RHS Workshops Autumn Tints of Arran pg 46 and pg 47 RHS Workshop - Rosemoor pg 26 and Jura pg 48 RHS Workshop - Hyde Hall pg 27 Mull, & pg 49 Stornoway, Skye and the pg 50 Scotland's Northern Edge pg 51 Gardens of the Far North pg 52 Private Gardens of & pg 53 Gardens of Dumfries and pg 54 and Island Gardens pg 56 In the Footsteps of the Picts pg 57 The V&A Museum, pg 58 Gardens and Architecture of the pg 59 : Scotland’s Larder pg 60 A Taste of pg 61 Whisky Tasting on Islay and Jura pg 62 Mull Wildlife Experience pg 63 Highland Wildlife Safari pg 64 A Classic Scottish Steam Break pg 65 Scenic Scottish Railways pg 66 Historic Houses of the pg 67 Lord of the Glens - Highlands and Islands pg 68 Lord of the Glens - Heart of the Highlands pg 69 Lord of the Highlands pg 70 Autumn Tints of pg 72 Cologne Christmas in the Scottish Borders pg 73 www.brightwaterholidays.com 4 UK and Irish Gardens RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Classic English Gardens pg 76 RHS Garden Bridgewater and Gardens of the North West pg 78 The RHS Chatsworth Flower Show and Gardens of pg 79 Derbyshire Gardens of Cheshire and RHS Flower Show Tatton Park pg 80 Gardens of Northumberland pg 81 Private Gardens of East Anglia pg 82 Gardens of North Wales pg 83 Private Gardens of Herefordshire pg 84 Highgrove and the Cotswolds pg 85 Dutch Bulbfields Gardens of Kent & Sussex pg 86 Christmas in Kent pg 87 In the Footsteps of Gertrude Jekyll pg 88 Overseas Gardens Gardens of Somerset and Dorset pg 89 Cornwall and Tresco pg 90 Iceland Northern Lights pg 106 Tresco’s Abbey Gardens pg 91 The Faroe Islands pg 107 Gardens of Devon pg 92 Dutch Bulbfields pg 108 Gardens and Wildfowers of pg 93 Gardens of the French Riviera pg 109 Irish Rover pg 94 Arts and Gardens of the French Riviera pg 110 Gardens of Jersey pg 95 The Genius of Monet pg 111 Walmer Castle and the Cinque Ports pg 96 Alpine Flowers of Wengen pg 112 Queen Victoria and the Isle of Wight pg 97 Discover the Durrells’ Corfu with Lee Durrell pg 113 Summer Gardens of the Peak District pg 98 Palladian Villas of Veneto pg 114 Autumn Tints of the Lake District pg 99 Rome, Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo pg 115 Hidden Gardens of Lincolnshire pg 100 Villas and Gardens of the Italian Lakes pg 116 Downton Abbey and the Stately Homes of England pg 101 Gardens and Villas of Sicily pg 118 Gardens of Distinction pg 102 Gardens and Architecture of Andalucia pg 119 Heritage of the pg 103 Gardens of Mallorca pg 120 Steam in the Lake District pg 104 Gardens of Madeira pg 121

Butrint, Albania Cherry blossom time in Japan Archaeology Long-haul Archaeology of & pg 123 WAFA 2020 and Palaces & Gardens of India’s Golden pg 133 Triangle Romanian Archaeology pg 124 Singapore Garden Festival pg 134 Bulgarian Archaeology pg 125 Grenada - Gardens of the Spice Island pg 136 Albanian Archaeology pg 126 Gardens of Costa Rica pg 138 Archaeology of the Peloponnese pg 127 Seasonal Gardens of Japan pg 140 Crete Archaeology pg 128 New Zealand pg 142 Malta’s Archaeological Heritage pg 129 Flora and Fauna of Madagascar pg 144 Pompeii and the Classic Wonders of Campania pg 130 South Africa’s Garden Route pg 146 Portuguese Archaeology pg 131 5 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Why choose Brightwater?

aving been based in picturesque Cupar – HFife’s small county town – for over 25 years, we’ve seen our fair share of gardens and ancient sites. The team here at Brightwater really understands the restorative power of nature and feelings of awe that wandering around an archaeological treasure trove or a stunning garden can inspire, and we have designed our 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. After every tour, we ask guests for their feedback, which is incredibly useful for us as we seek to perfect every itinerary and strive to make sure we are using the best available hotels as well as employing the best tour managers and coach companies. Eilean Donan Castle

What makes our 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 and visits • 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

Our Tour Managers

Our Tour Managers sprinkle their magic on your holiday and are a vital part of the service we provide. They have your health and safety in mind at all times but also your comfort and enjoyment. They make the tours come alive with their knowledge of the destination, their sense of humour, help, advice and patience and are there to ensure the smooth running of the tour from start to finish. Most are specialists in their field and are chosen to fit our tours perfectly, whether from their horticultural background, archaeological expertise or their knowledge of a particular destination. www.brightwaterholidays.com 6 Departure points Connecting travel What we include

UK garden tours generally depart UK regional airports offer a wide As always we try and give our guests from , with additional pick- range of domestic flights with a wealth of experiences and our ups depending on the route of the low‑cost airlines to the main airports, tours always include admission to coach. Tours in Scotland depart from while the national rail network offers the highlighted visits. Most tours , , Dunfermline, frequent nationwide services, so do are on a dinner, bed and breakfast Kinross and Perth, with Dundee ask us to quote for connecting travel. basis, though occasionally you will be and sometimes added. Why not treat yourself to a first-class given a free evening if we are staying Eurostar tours depart from London upgrade or enjoy the comfort of an somewhere with a good choice of St. Pancras. Flight-inclusive tours airport lounge? We can also organise local restaurants so you can sample depart from one or more of the main airport parking, fast-track security regional specialities. Lunch is generally London airports, with regional flights clearance or priority boarding where not included although we will always often available at a supplement. available. ensure lunch facilities are available.

Room and cabin upgrades Rail/air connections Extra nights either side Extend pre- or post-tour Whether you want to treat Rail or air travel connections to Overnight accommodation If you want to explore more yourself to a sea view, a get you to one of our in or near our pick-up of what your destination has junior suite or an upper deck pick-up points can be arranged points including airports are to offer, why not extend your cabin, just let us know and along with airport parking, if available at a supplement. trip with an extra week and we’ll do the rest. required, for a supplement. later flights, for example.

7 New for 2020 and beyond In this brochure, you will find a number of brand new tours such as the Singapore Garden Festival and others that have been arranged specifically with the solo traveller in mind. We have significantly expanded our river cruise collection with offerings based on European rivers and Floriade 2022 waterways. Looking beyond Singapore Garden On a purpose-built site at Almere, a new 2020, there will be a host of city district close to Amsterdam, the Festival new tours and destinations, seventh iteration of Floriade will be one The Singapore Garden Festival but there is one major event of the horticultural high points of 2022. takes place every two years and With a theme of ‘Growing Green Cities’, is among the very top flower and to let you know about, –the the focus will be on cities of the future, garden shows on the international with visitors being invited to ‘explore, calendar, attracting award-winning 2022 Floriade Expo in Almere touch and change’. Almost everything landscape and garden designers, in the Netherlands. that will be built for the exhibition and florists and horticulturalists from will remain and become part of the all around the world. A colourful Cruises community. It will be a living laboratory and stimulating experience with and a platform for smart solutions, but a truly international flavour, the In addition to our popular Dutch festival is a treat for the senses. In most of all it will be colourful, fun and Bulbfields cruise in April, we have addition to the show, we take the friendly. In typical Brightwater style, added another Dutch cruise in the opportunity to explore Singapore’s summer, which follows the same route we will combine our visit here with the many attractions, including the but takes in some of the outstanding best garden experiences to be had in spectacular Gardens by the Bay, gardens of the Low Countries. Talking the surrounding region with a variety of whose illuminated Supertrees have of outstanding gardens, for many years holidays to suit every budget. gained iconic status. we have taken guests to the great Contact us to be the first to receive Departing 15, 20 and 22 July - see pg 134 gardens of Normandy and now for the full details. first time we are offering the chance to do this from the comfort of a luxurious riverboat as we cruise the River Seine. Also in is our Gardens of Picardy holiday, which although based in Amiens, includes three half-day cruises aboard an eco-friendly little boat, well stocked with French food and wine. Finally, we have a classic river cruise on the Rhine and Moselle, featuring some of the great sights of the region, decked in autumn colours. - see pgs 18-25 MS Gérard Schmitter www.brightwaterholidays.com 8 Singapore Supertree light show View from First to Grindelwald Alpine Flowers of Wengen No single Join us in the heart of Switzerland supplement for breathtaking scenery, rich alpine meadows and amazing native flora. Here, in Wengen, timber-framed buildings and Belle Epoque hotels transport the visitor to another time – an experience enhanced by this town’s car-free policy. Each day will see us walk up to five miles, sometimes boarding a charming mountain train to get us to our starting points. We will also take the rack railway to Schynige Platte, where a visit to the Alpine Botanic Garden awaits, a stunning space that boasts around 600 different species of endemic plants and flowers. Lady Slipper Orchid Departing 23 June - see pg 112 Autumn Tints of the Lake District It’s easy to see why so many celebrated literary figures chose No single to call the Lake District home - supplement this part of the country is simply spectacular. By far the UK’s most popular national park, the Lake District was given UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2017 and its spellbinding landscape of rolling mountains and sprawling lakes is sure to inspire even the most uncreative soul! Visits include Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse, two of Wordsworth’s homes and the Arts & Crafts house of Blackwood. Departing 5 October - see pg 99 Windermere - Lake District 9 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 tailor-made group travel

Since 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 make a package for you. Remember it’s your tour, and we will try and supply the perfect holiday to match your requirements and budget. Group size A small group of friends, a club of 50, or anything in between — no matter the number, we’ll find the visits and hotels that offer the perfect fit. Transport 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. Room and board 5* luxury accommodation and pre-dinner drinks or comfortable hotels and independent meals? You decide on the particulars, and we’ll factor it all into your total price. Tour destination Let us know where you’d like to go, and for how many days, and we’ll do the rest. A multi-centre trip around Scotland or three-week break to New Zealand – whatever you have in mind, we can make it happen. All-inclusive All site and garden visits included, or a pick-and-mix 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 ur friendly and highly experienced Private Groups Manager, Jenni Duncan, Ohas been with Brightwater for over 20 years. Give her a call on 01334 208082, or send an email to [email protected] 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. www.brightwaterholidays.com 10 Popular itineraries

Jama Masjid, old town of Delhi, India Tulips Inner Wheel Convention in Jaipur, India Floriade 2022 Following WAFA in 2020, in 2021 the city of Jaipur plays host On a purpose-built site at Almere, close to Amsterdam, to the 18th International Inner Wheel Convention. This is the Floriade will be one of the horticultural highpoints of 2022 perfect opportunity for your Inner Wheel group to combine and, if the previous event in 2012 is anything to go by, a very a day at the convention with a classic tour around India’s popular destination for private groups. Our visit here can ‘Golden Triangle’ of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, featuring visits to be combined with the best attractions in the region with iconic sites such as the Taj Mahal. itineraries to suit every budget.

Osborne House Bodnant Gardens The Isle of Wight North Wales Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s favourite family home, North Wales has been a firm favourite among Brightwater tends to take centre stage of any tour of the Isle of Wight, groups in recent years and has much to offer. There are but there is much more to see here. Visits to National Trust glorious gardens such as Bodnant and Plas Cadnant, great properties such as Mottistone Manor and the Needles castles such Powis and Carmarthen and characterful little Batteries are always popular, along with Carisbrooke Castle, railways that wind their way through the stunning landscape Shanklin Old Village or a cruise round Cowes harbour. of Snowdonia, not to mention knowledgeable local guides.

Kiftsgate Court Gardens Drumlanrig Castle Highgrove and the Cotswolds You may not get to talk to Prince Charles but you can at Cross the border at Gretna Green, take a left turn and you least talk to his plants! This is the irresistible appeal of will find yourself in one of the prettiest corners of Scotland Highgrove - the chance to nose around the private garden of - and undeservedly one of the least well-known. Great HRH The Prince of Wales. With a wealth of fabulous gardens gardens abound here, but there are also castles and abbeys, to choose from elsewhere in the Cotswolds this is always a art galleries and second-hand bookshops, nature reserves popular choice. and stunning beaches, all waiting to be discovered. 11 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 The unmissable, once-a-decade OBERAMMERGAU Passion Play 2020 Taking place just once every decade, the Oberammergau Passion Play is worthy of being described as iconic. As the summer of 2020 creeps up on us, with a performance that only happens once every ten years, there is no such thing as securing your place too early. Join us in beautiful next year for what is sure to be an experience to remember.

All Oberammergau images © Passion Play Oberammergau An extraordinary heritage 2020 will mark the 42nd performance of the now-iconic Passion Play, but its wheels were first set in motion back in 1633 when the Great Plague descended upon the residents of this charming Bavarian village. Citizens made a solemn vow that if their lives were spared, they would perform a play depicting the story of Christ’s life, suffering, death and resurrection every ten years. Amazingly, there were no further deaths as a result of the plague and the Passion Play officially began a year later in 1634. An epic performance The Oberammergau Passion Play is set to begin at 2.30pm local time and will finish at 10.30pm. On our Oberammergau tours, dinner will be included during the intermission so there will be adequate time to stretch your legs. It is helpful to note that the Passion Play is performed in German, but you will be able to obtain a playbook with an English translation at the event itself. A spectacular setting A small German village known also for its traditional wood-carvings, Oberammergau is located in beautiful Bavaria. Situated among the stunning Alps, it is a great base from which to do some exploring. The roots of Oberammergau’s wood-carving tradition can be traced back to the Middle Ages and it is something first recorded in the year 1111, by Rottenbucher monks. Why not get a feel for the local colour with a leisurely walk in this glorious area? www.brightwaterholidays.com 12 Interview with one of the actors playing Jesus in 2020 The 2020 production of the Oberammergau Passion Play will have two villagers playing the role of Jesus, one of whom is Frederik Mayet, who told us all about the honour of accepting such a position as well as what it’s like to live in this charming Bavarian village.

“I was in the play for the first time in the year It’s not often that you find such a famous 2000, when I played John the Apostle. I was and long-standing tradition in a small village invited by the director, Christian Stückl, to like Oberammergau – it truly is so special attend some castings and after turning up to be part of the play. I remember back in several times I was surprised – and more 1990, when I was 10-years-old, I sat in the than happy – when he suggested that I audience and watched the Passion Play with played the role of John. Cast members my great-grandmother. For me, this is one of show a real dedication to being part of the the best places to live.” Passion Play. We start with the beard and hair-growing around one year ahead of the premiere. The first half of this year is spent rehearsing, while the other half is filled with performances. Almost half of our whole village is involved, and our aim is to bring a great Passion Play to the stage for our visitors.

13 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Facts about the world-renowned Oberammergau Passion Play

To take part in the legendary Passion Play, you must 1 either have been born in the village of Oberammergau, married to a local for 10 years or have lived there for 20 years. No exceptions to these rules are ever made.

All costumes are made by villagers and no wigs are allowed, 2meaning that people have to grow their hair for accuracy and authenticity according to the ‘Hair & Beard Decree’. For the 2020 performance, this came into force on 6th March and will see participants growing their beards and facial hair according to the roles they were assigned.

In the upcoming performance, some scenes will be 3accompanied by up to 64 vocalists, whereas normally there are just four vocal soloists and 44 choristers. There will be a total of 55 instrumentalists sitting in the orchestra pit for the event.

www.brightwaterholidays.com 14 Over 2,000 citizens take part in the performance, despite 4the fact that there are only around 124 speaking roles.

For the 2020 performance, Jesus will be played by both 5Frederik Mayet (who played the same role in the 2010 production) and Rochus Rückel. Rückel has been confirmed as the second-youngest actor to play Jesus in the almost 400-year-old history of the Passion Play.

The first-ever performance, in 1634, took place at the 6cemetery next to the parish church, on the graves of the plague victims. Later, in 1830, the performance space relocated to the northern edge of the village, where it still remains today.

15 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Once every 10 years

Oberammergau and the Austrian Tyrol ©Passion Play Oberammergau 2020 berammergau is a once-per-decade opportunity Itinerary Oto witness one of the most powerful, dramatic spectacles in Europe – an epic portrayal of the Passion Day 1 Fly from London Day 4 Visit Innsbruck, of Christ as performed by a cast of over 2,000 local to Munich and transfer to stopping at Emperor residents. Before the play, we enjoy some of the delights Zillertal. Maximillian I’s ‘Golden of the neighbouring Austrian Tyrol, beginning with a trip Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Roof’ and continuing on to on the Zillertal Steam Railway and lunch in a mountain Tratzberg Castle. Day 2 Our first day sees Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. top restaurant. us ride aboard the historic On our visit to Salzburg, choose from a Mozart or Sound Zillertal Steam Railway Day 5 Bid farewell to of Music-themed excursion, while in Innsbruck we enjoy to the chic ski resort of today and travel to Bavaria, a guided tour of the beautiful old town and a stroll down Mayrhofen, where we stop where we have lunch in the the famous Maria-Theresien-Strasse, before we pay a for lunch at a charming village of Oberammergau. mountainside restaurant. Later on, we will sit down to visit to the vaulted halls of Tratzberg Castle. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & experience the phenomenal dinner. Passion Play. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. What’s Included Day 3 Today we explore Five nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: four at a vibrant Salzburg, but there Day 6 After breakfast, 4-star hotel in the Tyrol; one at a hotel in the are two ways to do so. we make our way back to Choose between a Mozart- Munich and fly home. Oberammergau area themed excursion or one Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. One lunch based around “The Sound of Music”. Both options include Return flights London to Munich visits to the city’s fantastic All visits as outlined in the itinerary castle and cathedral. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Comfortable coach travel throughout Ticket for the Passion Play (includes dinner in the intermission) Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 6 days from 13 May £2145pp 12 August £2095pp

Single Supplement £280 Salzburg www.brightwaterholidays.com 16 Once every 10 years

OberammergauOberammergau andand LakeLake ConstanceConstance Lost in Paradise ©Passion Play Oberammergau 2020 he prelude to the Passion Play on this tour is a four Itinerary Tnight stay on the shores of Lake Constance, whose sparkling waters form an ever-present backdrop to Day 1 Fly from London Day 4 Tour the Baroque our touring. From our base in Bregenz on the Austrian to Munich and transfer to palace at Meersburg, with shore of the lake, we visit a selection of outstanding Bregenz on the shores of sweeping views over the gardens and impressive palaces. Lake Constance, calling in bustling lake, and visit at the incredible fairy-tale tranquil Salem Monastery, Pick of the bunch has to be Insel Mainau, one of the castle of Neuschwanstein idyllically set among most splendid garden sites in Europe. Elsewhere, we on the way. orchards and meadows. visit a couple of hugely impressive Baroque palaces, Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. the fairy-tale castle of Neuschwanstein and the Pilgrimage Church of Wies. Day 2 Visit the majestic Day 5 Depart for Baroque palace of Tettnang, Oberammergau and with its formal gardens and tonight we get to enjoy a panoramic views, and the performance of the Passion medieval town of Wangen Play. im Allgäu, within whose Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. What’s Included walls we find a number of small but charming gardens. Day 6 Transfer to Munich Four nights’ dinner, bed & continental breakfast at Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Airport with a stop en route the 4-star Schwärzler Hotel in Bregenz, Austria at the Pilgrimage Church One night bed & breakfast at a hotel in the Day 3 We take a lake of Wies, a Bavarian rococo Oberammergau area steamer from Bregenz to masterpiece, before our Insel Mainau, one of the flight to London. Scheduled flights between London and Munich most remarkable gardens Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. All visits as outlined in the itinerary in Europe, home to a host of botanical treasures. Comfortable coaching Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Ticket for the Passion Play (includes dinner in the intermission) Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 6 days from 10 August £1895pp 25 August £1895pp

Single Supplement £295 Insel Mainau 17 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

SeineSeine RiverRiver CruiseCruise featuringfeaturing GivernyGiverny andand thethe GardensGardens ofof NormandyNormandy River Seine and Les Andelys

oin us on a luxurious cruise on the sinuous River Seine, into which we have woven Ja series of visits to the outstanding gardens of Normandy, including Monet’s garden at Giverny, which continues to enthrall countless visitors more than 90 years after his death. Other garden highlights include the Bois des Moutiers, where the influence of Gertrude Jekyll can be clearly seen, and Le Vasterival, one of the finest gardens of its type and a lasting legacy of its creator, the Princess Sturdza. At the Jardin Agapanthe we find many interesting and unusual features, while at the Jardin Bois des Moutiers Plume, we will discover a natural yet structured contemporary garden in a typical Normandy orchard. At the Jardins d’Angélique, we explore a romantic and delightfully old-fashioned garden. Our tour finishes in grand style at the magnificent palace and gardens of Versailles. On board our ship, the A-ROSA VIVA, we will enjoy all-inclusive luxury, with all meals and high quality drinks provided throughout the day.

What’s Included

Seven nights in a lower deck cabin Comfortable coaching in France A-ROSA VIVA on the A-ROSA VIVA on a Premium Visits to the Jardin Plume, Bois des All-Inclusive basis including breakfast, Moutiers, Le Vasterival, Jardins Departures & Prices lunch and dinner buffets, snacks, tea d’Angélique, Jardin Agapanthe, Monet’s and coffee and alcoholic or soft drinks 7 days from Garden and the Palace and Gardens of throughout the day (cabin upgrades are Versailles 3 September £2495pp available at a supplement) Services of a professional tour manager Single Supplement £595 Return standard class rail travel from Cabin upgrades London St Pancras International to Middle deck - £350pp Paris Upper deck - £455pp www.brightwaterholidays.com 18 Itinerary

Day 1 We depart from London St. Pancras International on the morning Eurostar service to Paris Gare du Nord. On arrival, we will be met by our comfortable local coach and transfer to our ship on the banks of the River Seine. In the evening, once we have settled into our cabins, we enjoy dinner on board while the ship casts off and slips downstream. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.

Day 2 Enjoy breakfast and watch the French countryside glide by as we continue downstream. During the morning, Monet’s Garden we will arrive in Les Andelys, a little town on a bend in the river, which is dominated by a ruined castle. In the afternoon return to the ship for lunch and the afternoon is free to we depart for a visit to the Jardin Plume. Making generous explore Rouen at our leisure a beautlful city of church spires use of grasses and perennials, the garden includes seasonal and half timbered lanes. plantings, a central square mirror pool and a kitchen garden. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Day 6 Early this morning we arrive in Vernon and after Day 3 We arrive in the village of Caudebec-en-Caux early breakfast we depart for nearby Giverny, and the world this morning, our furthest point down river on the Seine. famous house and gardens of Claude Monet. Both the house After breakfast we depart by coach for the first of our garden and gardens have been lovingly and accurately restored - visits today, Bois des Moutiers on the northern coast, one would believe that the family have just gone out to walk near Dieppe. The garden, in part influenced by the English in the garden. You will have plenty of time to explore this designer Gertrude Jekyll, is full of charm and is one of the marvellous garden at your leisure, followed by an opportunity most beautiful landscapes of the region. We continue to the to visit the little church where Monet is buried. We return to nearby garden of Le Vasterival. In 1957, Princess Sturdza – a the ship for lunch and enjoy the last leg of our cruise back talented plantswoman – started to create this magnificent along the Seine to Paris. garden in a natural style and it continues to thrive, with Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. a huge range of plants which grow to perfection in its composted earth. Day 7 Following breakfast, we depart for a morning Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. excursion to the magnificent Palace of Versailles. The extensive gardens are the creation of the celebrated landscape gardener Le Nôtre, who worked on them from 1661 for over 20 years. We return to the ship for lunch with the afternoon free to go ashore to shop and sightsee at our leisure in Paris. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 8 After breakfast on board, we disembark and transfer to the Gare du Nord for our Eurostar train back to London, where we expect to arrive in the afternoon. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.

Jardin Plume

Day 4 As we sit down to breakfast this morning, the ship will sail back upstream towards Paris, arriving in the city of Rouen around midday. After lunch, we visit the impressive Jardins d’Angélique at Montmain. Created six years ago, this garden, whose queen is the rose, displays intense bursts of flower in a relaxing environment characteristic of Normandy. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 5 Following breakfast, we travel deep into the heart of the Normandy countryside for our visit to the Jardin Agapanthe. There are two gardens and a nursery here, with many interesting and unusual features, including a scented walk, a sunken garden with lavender, and a Mediterranean garden with ponds, a pergola, terraces and a fountain. We Rouen 19 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

Picardy Gardens Cruise Amiens

he River Somme, which meanders gently through the countryside of Picardy in Tnorth-east France, takes its name from a Celtic word meaning ‘tranquillity’, and we will discover just why this is so apt as we cruise silently along the waterways of the Somme on board our eco-friendly, electrically powered barge. The only noises to be heard will be the gently lapping water, and the sound of fellow guests sipping wine and eating a delicious lunch comprised of local produce. On most canal stretches there are towpaths on which guests are welcome to walk from one lock to the next. As cruising is slow, you can keep up with the boat or even get ahead of it and take pictures and admire the scenery and wildlife. We will enjoy three half-day cruises during the course of our tour, with the rest of the time spent exploring our host city of Amiens and visiting some of the St. Vulfran Collegiate Church, Abbeville outstanding gardens of the region. These include the Moulin Ventin, with a host of water features; the unique floating gardens of Les Hortillonnages; and Maizicourt, which was recently voted the best garden in Picardy by French TV viewers.

What’s Included Six nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at Three half-day cruises on the Somme the 3-star Campanile Hotel Centre waterway with lunch and wine included Lunch on board Cathédrale, Amiens (or similar) Visits to the gardens of Moulin Ventin, Departures & Prices Return ferry crossings from Dover to Maizicourt and André van Beek; boat 7 days from Calais trip on Les Hortillonnages; visit to the Château de Long 21 June £1495pp Comfortable coaching throughout Services of a professional tour manager Single Supplement £360 www.brightwaterholidays.com 20 Itinerary

Day 1 We depart by coach from central London and Gatwick and head for Dover, where we catch a mid-morning ferry to Calais. On arrival, we continue to Amiens in the Picardy region of north-east France and into our hotel. Dinner is served later in the evening. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.

Amiens had taken over. The backbone of hedges of beech, holly and box remain and have been restored to the neat symmetrical lines and pruned shapes that once dominated the garden. Examples of planting combinations include irises with astilbe, phlox and geraniums, and roses with an underplanting of hostas and day lilies. We return to Amiens once again, with dinner served in the evening. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 5 Following breakfast we spend the day in our host city Les Hortillonnages of Amiens. In the morning we visit the remarkable floating gardens of Les Hortillonnages, which cover 300 hectares of Day 2 After breakfast, we make our way to Picquigny where small islands and are criss-crossed by 55km of canals. The we board our electrically-powered barge and cruise silently ancient marshes were originally exploited for their and along the tranquil waterway that runs alongside the River later for market gardening purposes. The area is now a nature Somme as far as the village of Long, a distance of around reserve, where the flora and fauna enjoy a calm protected 18 kilometres. Designed to serve as a floating observation environment. The gardens are best appreciated from the lounge, our boat allows us to cruise in armchair comfort with water and our visit includes a 50-minute guided tour by boat close-up views of the passing scenery. We will enjoy a light (also electrically-powered). The afternoon is free to explore lunch of French specialities and accompanying wine as we Amiens at leisure. Highly recommended is a visit to the cruise. In the afternoon, we visit the Château de Long, an Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame, which was built between elegant building in pink brick and white stone built in the 1220 and 1270 and is the tallest cathedral in France. Dinner is early part of the 18th century. The château has extensive served in the evening. gardens overlooking the river and is renowned for its rose Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. gardens and orangery. We return by coach to our hotel, where dinner is served in the evening. Day 6 After breakfast we once again transfer by coach to Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Picquigny and rejoin our barge, this time sailing upstream along 17 kilometres of waterway and though a total of 3 locks Day 3 Following breakfast we transfer by coach for a visit back into Amiens. Lunch will be served on board once more to the Moulin Ventin (Mill Garden) at Paillart, set around the and, arriving back into Amiens the rest of the afternoon is River Noye, a tributary of the Somme. Born from a passion free to explore the city at leisure. Alternatively, you may wish for nature, the garden contains some exceptional trees, to join our optional excursion to the underground city of herbaceous and aquatic plants and roses. A 19th century Naours. Dinner is served in the hotel in the evening. water mill and numerous water features characterise this Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. tranquil country garden. After some free time for lunch in Beauvais (not included), we continue to the picturesque Day 7 After breakfast, we drive back to Calais and take the gardens of the painter André van Beek, who discovered his ferry to Dover, continuing to Gatwick and London where we second passion in gardening and created an all year round expect to arrive in the evening. garden of colourful blooms. Dinner is served in the evening at Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. our hotel in Amiens. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 4 After breakfast we transfer to Abbeville, the capital of maritime Picardy, where we rejoin our barge for another day of relaxing cruising as we set out again for Long, but this time cruising upstream. We will cruise for around 16 kilometres at a gentle pace only occasionally interrupted by locks, with lunch on board included once more. After disembarkation, we make our way by coach to the Gardens of Maizicourt, recently voted the best garden in Picardy by TV viewers. Once a formal French garden, it was abandoned during the 19th century until its current owners bought the property and recovered it from the forest of brambles and nettles that Somme waterway 21 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

SummerSummer GardensGardens CruiseCruise ofof HollandHolland andand BelgiumBelgium Ada Hofman garden

njoy some of the best gardens that the Low Countries have to offer at the height Eof their summer glory, as we cruise from Antwerp to Amsterdam. As part of this trip you’ll enjoy three nights as a guest onboard the MS Gérard Schmitter. Our comfortable vessel transports us across rivers and sea, ensuring that our journey is just as special as the destinations it brings us to. Think welcoming cocktails with the crew, falling asleep to the water’s gentle motions, lunches and dinners with wine and beer, and – of course – the convivial company of like-minded Brightwater travellers.

On land we visit a trio of top gardens, beginning with the Hemelrik Garden and Van Loon Museum Arboretum, described by Brightwater’s horticultural expert Colin Crosbie as “a heavenly garden, one of the most beautiful and special in Belgium”. In the Netherlands, we visit two more gardens with the Crosbie seal of approval: the garden of Mien Ruys, described by Colin as “one of the finest and most inspirational gardens in Holland,” and the nearby garden of Ada Hofman, which he says is “one of the best water gardens in Europe”. Praise indeed from the former curator of RHS Wisley!

What’s Included Poppy at Mien Ruys Gardens Three nights’ full board (including two Comfortable coaching in Belgium and Departures & Prices lunches and wine or beer) on board The Netherlands the MS Gérard Schmitter in a twin- 4 days from All visits as outlined in the itinerary berth cabin on the lower deck (cabin 24 July £1195pp upgrades are available at a supplement) Services of a professional tour manager Single Supplement £295 Standard class rail travel from London to Belgium and Amsterdam to London Cabin upgrades Upper deck - £150pp www.brightwaterholidays.com 22 Itinerary

Day 1 We depart by Eurostar train from London St. Pancras to Belgium. From here, we continue by coach to our first visit, the Hemelrijk Garden, in Essen. Hemelrijk, the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ and once a monastery, has been created by Robert and Jelena de Belder over the last 40 years, in collaboration with Russell Page, the famous garden architect. Under the century-old planting of oaks and beech, and throughout the meadowlands, some 6,000 trees and shrubs have been planted, including major collections of Acer, Betula, Hydrangea and Malus. Later in the afternoon, we return to Antwerp and board our ship, the MS Gérard Schmitter, a Flower market in Amsterdam (Bloemenmarkt) spacious and well-appointed river cruiser with a tasteful, relaxed and distinctively French ambience. There is also an appear spacious, colourful and bathed in light. Between the attractive, partially-covered sun deck area, and the friendly pools are many other inventive features – glittering rock and attentive crew will cater for your every need. Prior to gardens made from blocks of glass, a Japanese garden and, dinner, there will be a welcome cocktail reception with the on the roof of Ada Hofman’s own house, a Chinese garden chance to meet the crew. complete with a pond. We rejoin the ship in Amsterdam, Inc. Meals: Dinner only. where dinner is served, the remainder of the evening is free to explore Amsterdam. Day 2 After breakfast, we have a leisurely day on board the Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. ship, as we cruise from Antwerp to Rotterdam, crossing the Westerschelde and Oosterschelde, two sheltered inlets off the . Lunch is served on board and in the evening we enjoy a gala dinner on the ship. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Ada Hofman garden

Day 4 After breakfast on board, we leave the ship and visit the Museum Van Loon, a magnificent canal-side private residence from the Dutch ‘Golden Age’, with a large collection of paintings, fine porcelain and silver. The formal Garden of Mien Ruys gardens perfectly complement the Classical style of the house. We continue to the Bloemenmarkt, the floating flower market at Singel, a relic of the days when fresh flowers Day 3 This morning we cruise from Rotterdam to Utrecht, were brought to Amsterdam every day by barge. Nowadays, arriving around midday. A picnic lunch will be provided the flowers are grown in glasshouses so there is a constant so we can depart immediately by coach for our visits to supply all year round and there are also a wide range of two outstanding gardens. The first is that of Mien Ruys, tempting souvenirs on offer here. After some free time, we who dominates the story of 20th century gardening in the transfer to Amsterdam Central railway station for our train Netherlands. Following a period of study in England, Ruys to Brussels, where we board the Eurostar service back to developed a keen interest in herbaceous plants and began London St. Pancras, with arrival due in the late evening. experimenting in her parents’ garden in 1924. The garden Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. now contains some 25 different areas, each with a distinct character, but many have been added since her death. Some are dedicated to habitats, the Water Garden and the Sun Border for example; some to specific types of plants like the Mixed Border and Herb Garden, and some to special effects. We move on to Loozen Gramsbergen, where we visit the dazzling garden created by Ada Hofman. This is the largest, most complex series of water gardens in Holland, with no fewer than 30 gardens, 50 ponds and 3,000 different types of plants, developed with great vigour and creativity since 1987. The ponds are of differing sizes and reflect both the surrounding plantings and the sky, making the gardens MS Gérard Schmitter 23 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

Rhine and Moselle River Cruise Reichsburg Castle, Cochem

classic river cruise on the celebrated German rivers of the Rhine and the AMoselle, featuring historic cities and half-timbered towns, and hillsides blanketed with terraced vineyards or topped by imposing fortresses. Waking up to a new vista every morning is always a joy, but when it’s a picturesque river port with the promise of a day spent exploring fascinating places, it’s doubly special. We have included three shore excursions to give you the opportunity to see the best the region has to offer, including Reichsburg Castle with its opulent furnishings, the unique half-timbered buildings of Bernkastel-Kues, and Koblenz – where a panoramic cable car ride takes us to the mighty fortress of Ehrenbreitstein. We sail on the A-ROSA FLORA, a spacious and well-appointed river cruiser Cologne accommodating around 180 passengers. On board we will enjoy all-inclusive luxury, with all meals and high quality drinks provided throughout the day. All cabins have a large window to the outside and a full range of amenities such as flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, en-suite shower and WC.

Koblenz What’s Included Departures & Prices Five nights in a lower deck cabin on Return standard class rail travel from 6 days from the A-ROSA FLORA on a Premium London St Pancras International to All-Inclusive basis including breakfast, Cologne 26 October £1495pp lunch and dinner buffets, snacks, tea Three shore excursions Single Supplement £240 and coffee and alcoholic or soft drinks Cabin upgrades throughout the day (cabin upgrades are Services of a professional tour manager Middle deck - £150pp available at a supplement) Upper deck - £200pp www.brightwaterholidays.com 24 Itinerary

Day 1 We depart from London St. Pancras International on a morning train to Brussels. We continue by train to Cologne in and, upon arrival, we transfer the short distance to the quayside where we join our ship. In the afternoon, our cruise begins as we sail south along the Rhine, heading for Cochem on the Moselle, which joins the Rhine at Koblenz. Dinner is served on board later in the evening. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.

Trier sample the cosy wine bars, as our ship is not due to sail until later this evening. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 4 This morning sees us waking up in Trier, an ancient Roman city that boasts a wealth of historic monuments, many with UNESCO World Heritage status. An optional excursion is available to book on board, which takes in the Roman bridge (the oldest in Germany), the amphitheatre, the ruins of the Barbara thermal baths, and the throne room of the Emperor Ehrenbreitstein, Koblenz Constantine the Great. You also see the 18th century Palace of the Electorate and the city’s principal landmark and World Heritage Site, the Porta Nigra. Day 2 Arrival is due in Cochem early this morning. After Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. breakfast on board we depart on a shore excursion, which includes a walk through the Old Town, famous for its Day 5 This afternoon we arrive in Koblenz, an ancient city half‑timbered houses, and past the Capuchin monastery, at the confluence (the origin of its name) of the Moselle the parish church of St. Martin, and the 17th century and the Rhine. Our shore excursion includes a breathtaking Rathaus (Town Hall). Minibus transfers are then provided cable car ride across the river to the gigantic castle of to the splendid Reichsburg Castle, which towers above the Ehrenbreitstein, the second-largest preserved fortress in river, where we enjoy a tour of the neo-Renaissance and Europe. Together with the Deutches Eck (German Corner) at neo-Baroque rooms with their elaborate furnishings. In the the confluence it forms the northern gateway to the UNESCO afternoon, we continue our cruise along the Moselle. World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Afterwards, we Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. will walk back to the ship through the Old Town. In the late evening, we sail for Cologne. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 6 Following breakfast, we disembark the ship in Cologne and transfer to the railway station for the train back to Brussels, and onward connection by Eurostar to London St. Pancras International, where the group will disperse or make onward connections. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.

Bernkastel-Kues

Day 3 We arrive early this morning in Bernkastel-Kues, a picturesque town full of history and culture, and famous for its wine. Our shore excursion takes in some of the unique medieval half-timbered buildings, including the Spitzhäuschen, which has been balancing on a foundation that seems much too narrow since the 15th century! Other points of interest include the Renaissance Rathaus from 1608, the Michaela fountain in the market square and the 600-year-old church of St. Michael on the river bank. There will also be an opportunity to go ashore in the evening and A-ROSA FLORA 25 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

RHSRHS WorkshopWorkshop -- RosemoorRosemoor RHS Garden Rosemoor he Royal Horticultural Society offers an extensive Itinerary T range of workshops at its showpiece gardens, which provide both theoretical and practical lessons Day 1 We depart by coach developed by the RHS as in every aspect of gardening, from pruning and from London and head for a display garden. In the composting to planting and propagation. Their first- North Devon. We will break morning, we will take part class facilities provide the ideal teaching environment our journey with a visit to in the classroom-based workshop with a break for indoors, and when you step outside into the beautifully Tyntesfield, where terraced lunch before moving out into maintained garden, you cannot help but be inspired. lawns give way to spacious parkland filled with hundreds the garden and putting our This short workshop tour is based around RHS Garden of trees collected by the new skills into practice. Rosemoor, in the heart of rural North Devon. Our family, and a glorious walled Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & full day here is complemented with visits to the fine kitchen garden beyond. dinner. Inc. Meals: Dinner only. gardens at Tyntesfield House, featuring flower-filled Day 3 Depart for home, terraces and champion trees, and Ridleys Cheer, where Day 2 After breakfast we with a visit en route to the we find a quintessentially English garden designed and depart for RHS Garden privately-owned garden of planted by the owners. Rosemoor at Great Ridleys Cheer, on the edge Torrington. There are two of the Cotswolds. The garden gardens here: the first is an contains mixed borders, intimate woodland garden sweeping lawns and a native with an excellent collection wildflower meadow providing What’s Included of trees and shrubs, and the a sea of soft colours. other is a more ambitious Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Two nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the Best affair, which has been Western Tiverton Hotel (or similar) Full-day workshop at RHS Rosemoor including lunch All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 3 days from 1 October £595pp

Single Supplement £75 Tyntesfield www.brightwaterholidays.com 26 New for 2020

RHSRHS WorkshopWorkshop -- HydeHyde HallHall RHS Garden Hyde Hall ur other RHS Workshop takes place at RHS Itinerary OGarden Hyde Hall in Essex. This is an enormous garden with an immensely wide range of plants – Day 1 We depart by coach we will take part in the daylilies, irises, peonies, roses, and countless trees from London for our hotel in classroom-based workshop and shrubs. Hyde Hall has two National Collections: Essex, breaking our journey with a break for lunch before crab apples (Malus) and viburnums. We will spend a with a visit to Beth Chatto moving out into the garden and putting our new-found full day here in the company of our expert tutor, based which was transformed from theories and skills into both in the classroom, where we will learn about waste land to a justly famous garden. We continue our practice. various techniques, and out in the garden, where we hotel, where dinner is served Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & will put the theory into practice for a true hands-on in the evening. dinner. experience. Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Day 3 We depart for home, Our additional visits on this tour will be to the Day 2 We transfer to stopping en route at a inspirational garden of the late Beth Chatto and a RHS Garden Hyde Hall, private garden with a host private garden filled with unusual plants. an extensive garden which of interesting features and informs and delights in equal unusual plants. measure. In the morning, Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.

What’s Included Two nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the Best Western Marks Tey Hotel (or similar) Full day workshop at RHS Hyde Hall including lunch All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 3 days from 8 May £595pp

Single Supplement £75 Hands-on 27 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 ScenicScenic ScottishScottish ToursTours

Highland scenery A Grand Tour of Scotland Eilean Donan Castle his tour is designed for anyone with the desire to Itinerary Ttravel the length and breadth of Scotland, and who wants to get a real taste of all the beauty and diversity Day 1 Optional introductory Day 7 Travel south to Fort that fair Caledonia has to offer. From Edinburgh, panoramic tour of Edinburgh. William via the stunning we head north along the ‘backbone’ of Scotland to Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Eilean Donan Castle. Speyside; north and west to Ullapool on the wild yet Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. wonderful west coast; south to Fort William and Oban Day 2 Visits to Royal Yacht Britannia and Rosslyn Day 8 Enjoy a round trip on for more West Highland magic, and back through the Chapel. the ‘Jacobite’ steam train to historic heartlands of to the capital. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner Mallaig. Among the highlights are an exclusive whisky tasting with whisky tasting. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. and dining experience in Edinburgh, boat trips to the Day 3 Falkland Palace and Day 9 Boat trip from Oban remote Summer Isles and on romantic Loch Lomond, Blair Castle await discovery to Mull, Staffa and Iona. and a highly scenic journey by steam train over the as we travel north. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 10 Cruise on Loch Day 4 Circular tour of Lomond and visit to Speyside including a visit to Castle. Cawdor Castle. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. What’s Included Day 11 Return to Edinburgh Day 5 Transfer to Ullapool where our group disperses. 10 nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: three nights in via . Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. the Edinburgh area, two nights in the Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. area, two nights in Ullapool, one night in Fort William and two nights in Oban Day 6 Cruise to the Summer Isles to see seals All visits as outlined in the itinerary and endemic birdlife. Comfortable coach travel and all ferry crossings Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 11 days from 22 August £2295pp

Single Supplement £480 Blair Castle 29 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Grand Tour of the Isle of Iona

omplementing our Grand Tour of the Outer Hebrides (see pages 32-34), this Cequally 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. We begin on the with a visit to the colourful ‘capital’ Tobermory, followed by an exciting boat trip to the tiny island of Staffa and its famous Fingal’s Cave, an amazing natural cathedral of basalt columns. A full day is given over to the wonderfully peaceful island of Iona, with its famous abbey and beautiful beaches, a place of undeniable calm and contemplation. Oban After a visit to , which enjoys superb views over the Firth of Lorne and the surrounding mountains, we enjoy a highly scenic cruise as we sail south on the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Oban, calling in briefly at the little island of and continuing on to Islay. We will explore the island with visits to historic Loch and the Museum of Islay Life, as well as a tour and tasting at the Distillery, one of nine distilleries on the island. We will also visit Jura, Islay’s sparsely populated and rather mysterious neighbour, a naturalist’s paradise dominated by three majestic mountains.

Puffin, Departures & Prices What’s Included 7 days from Six nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: All visits as outlined in the itinerary 9 May £1645pp three nights at the Isle of Mull Hotel, Comfortable coach travel and all ferry 3 June £1645pp and three nights at the Port crossings 20 June £1645pp Askaig Hotel, Islay Services of a professional tour manager 1 August £1645pp One packed lunch 5 September £1595pp

Single Supplement £300 www.brightwaterholidays.com 30 Itinerary

Day 1 We depart from our designated pick-up points and head for the Western Highlands. On arrival in Oban we take a ferry to Craignure on the island of Mull. Our base is the Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa, conveniently located close to the ferry terminal with superb views of the Hills and Duart Castle. The hotel offers excellent spa and leisure facilities, including an indoor swimming pool and steam room. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.

Day 2 After breakfast we depart for Tobermory, the island’s ‘capital’ and whose colourful buildings lining the waterfront Tobermory will be familiar from a hundred calendars. This is the starting point for our cruise to the little island of Staffa and the Day 5 This morning, following breakfast, our first visit will Treshnish Isles, during which we hope to see whales, be to Loch Finlaggan, which was once the centre of the dolphins, basking sharks, various seabirds, and sea eagles. ‘Lordship of the Isles’. We continue to , We sail first to Staffa, where we hope to have time ashore to which is the oldest distillery on the island and has stood on explore Fingal’s Cave, one of the wonders of the west coast. the shores of since 1779 and it’s here we will see We continue to the Treshnish Isles and observe the wildlife, how this unique whisky is produced by hand, before maturing which in the summer months includes puffins. in Spanish and American oak casks. Later, we transfer to Port Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Charlotte on the other side of Loch Indaal for a visit to the Museum of Islay Life. The museum was established in 1976 and is housed in the former Free Church in Port Charlotte. Since then, it has built up a main collection of over 2,700 objects, including stone implements used in the Mesolithic era. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 6 This morning, we travel to the neighbouring island of Jura, an island which has a record of habitation stretching back over 5,000 years. The island, with approximately 200 inhabitants, is 30 miles long and seven miles wide and it is a naturalist’s paradise. It is dominated by the three mountains known as the “Paps of Jura”, the highest being 2,576ft. The northern end of the island was home to George Orwell, who wrote his masterpiece “1984” while living here at Barnhill. We enjoy a scenic tour before having some free time in Craighouse, a lovely little village and the main settlement on the island with a shop and tearoom. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Fingal’s Cave Day 7 After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and take the morning ferry to Kennacraig on the mainland. Day 3 Today we drive along the to , We continue our homeward journey, stopping en route in where we cross as foot passengers to the Isle of Iona. Here, Inveraray, before returning to our original pick-up points. we have the opportunity to visit the abbey and wander Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. over the island, taking in the atmosphere of calm and contemplation, which attracts visitors from all over the world. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 4 Following breakfast, we visit Duart Castle, the 13th century home of the Chief of Clan MacLean. We explore the dungeons, the state rooms and appreciate the strategic position of the castle from the top of the keep. Following our visit, we catch the lunchtime ferry back to Oban, where there will be time for a quick stroll before we board the afternoon ferry to Islay. The wonderfully scenic passage takes us south along the Firth of Lorne, stopping briefly at the island of Colonsay before continuing to . Our hotel is conveniently located next to the harbour. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Bowmore Distillery 31 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 AA GrandGrand TourTour ofof thethe OuterOuter HebridesHebrides -- 66 daysdays Luskentyre, Harris

ur extended tour of the Hebrides has proved extremely popular, offering as it Odoes a unique 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 and continue to our hotel in . We visit the islands of ; with its fantastic sandy beaches, and , where visits include Kisimul Castle and Cockleshell Beach, used as the island’s airport. A captivating journey follows as we travel north by ferry from and on through the magnificent mountain scenery of Harris and the rolling moorland of Lewis to Stornoway. We continue with visits to the remarkable Sea aster 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 Departures & Prices Stornoway to Ullapool. 6 days from Benbecula - Stornoway 23 June £1095pp 14 July £1025pp 21 July £995pp What’s Included 25 August £995pp Five nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: All visits as outlined in the itinerary 15 September £1065pp two nights at the Dark Island Hotel Comfortable coach travel and all ferry and three nights at the Cabarfeidh Stornoway - Benbecula crossings Hotel, Stornoway (one dinner and one 10 May £1015pp breakfast served on board the ferry) Services of a professional tour manager 7 June £975pp

Single Supplement £195 www.brightwaterholidays.com 32 Itinerary

Day 1 We depart from our designated pick-up points and head to Mallaig, stopping en-route for refreshments. We catch a ferry to Lochboisdale in South Uist and enjoy dinner on board. Upon arrival, we continue over causeways until we arrive in Benbecula. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.

Butt of Lewis 50 stones forms a well-marked megalithic avenue. From here, Kisimul Castle we move on to the Black Houses at Gearrannan, typical of the crofting settlements, which, until relatively recently, were Day 2 After breakfast we head for Barra, travelling via the found throughout the Western Isles. The final visit on our little island of Eriskay. Upon arrival in Barra, we enjoy a tour circular tour is the Norse Mill at Shawbost, a reconstruction of the island, including a visit by boat to Kisimul Castle. of the type of building used by Viking settlers. Next we visit Cockleshell Beach, the unique airport runway Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. whose use is governed by the tides. Finally, we visit Vatersay Today we visit , where we by the causeway, which links the two islands. In the course of Day 5 Lews Castle and Museum can meet the famous Lewis Chessmen and view the Outer our tour today, we hope to see many species of wildflowers. Hebrides as never before in a wrap-around audio‑visual Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. presentation. This afternoon we visit St Columba’s Ui Day 3 We check out of our hotel and take the ferry from Church, one of the most important archaeological sites on to Leverburgh, located on the Isle of Harris. Upon the island. We will also see the Port of Ness and the Butt of arrival, we visit St. Clement’s Church at Rodel. The tombs Lewis, home to the unique Stevenson . here are among the most spectacular in Scotland. Next, Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. we travel along the coast to the rolling moorland of Lewis, This morning we check out of the hotel and take the continuing to our hotel in Stornoway. Day 6 early morning ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool (breakfast Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. will be served on board) before continuing to our original pick-up points. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.

Note: The above itinerary is for the Benbecula to Stornoway departures. We also operate this tour in reverse on 10 May and 7 June 2020 with two nights in Stornoway & three nights in Benbecula from £975pp

Callanish Standing Stones

Day 4 This morning after breakfast we travel to the west coast of Lewis for a visit to the 5,000-year-old Standing Stones of Callanish. Undoubtedly the most remarkable antiquity in the Western Isles, this collection of almost Black Houses, Lewis 33 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 AA GrandGrand TourTour ofof thethe OuterOuter HebridesHebrides -- 55 dayday Callanish, ur shorter version of the Grand Tour begins with Itinerary Oa scenic drive via Fort William, Glenfinnan and Mallaig, before taking the ferry to Lochboisdale in Day 1 We depart by coach St. Clement’s Church at South Uist and continuing to our hotel in Benbecula. from our pick-up points Rodel. The tombs here are From here, we visit the islands of Eriskay; Vatersay with and head for the ferry among the most spectacular its fantastic sandy beaches and Barra, and our tours terminal at Mallaig. We sail in Scotland. We continue along the coast through the include a visit to Cockleshell Beach, which is used as to Lochboisdale in South rolling moorland of Lewis to the island’s airport. A captivating journey follows as we Uist before continuing to our hotel in Benbecula. Dinner is our hotel in Stornoway. travel north by ferry from North Uist, on through the on board the ferry. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. magnificent mountain scenery of Harris and the rolling Inc. Meals: Dinner only. moorland of Lewis to Stornoway, our base for the next Day 4 We have a full day two nights. We continue with visits to the remarkable Day 2 Today we head for of visits today. First, we Standing Stones of Callanish, the tranquil little Norse Barra, travelling via the little gaze upon the Standing Mill at Shawbost and the distinctive Black Houses at island of Eriskay. We enjoy Stones of Callanish, then we visit the Gearrannan. Our return route takes us by ferry from a tour of the island before Black Houses at Gearrannan and the Norse Stornoway to Ullapool. visiting Cockleshell Beach, whose unique runway whose Mill at Shawbost. use is governed by the tides. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Finally, we visit Vatersay, What’s Included which was the the film Day 5 We depart this location for “Whisky Galore”. morning on an early ferry Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: two nights Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. to Ullapool, with breakfast at the Dark Island Hotel and two nights at the served on board. Upon Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway (Caladh Inn in Day 3 This morning we take arrival on the mainland, we September) the ferry from Berneray to continue to our original Leverburgh on the Isle of pick-up points. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Harris and visit Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Comfortable coach travel and all ferry crossings Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 5 days from 31 March £695pp 4 September £745pp 7 April £695pp 6 October £695pp

Single Supplement £140 St. Clement’s Church www.brightwaterholidays.com 34 Just announced for 2021

Up Helly Aa - 5 day Up Helly Aa festival ander through the streets of at the Itinerary Wend of January and it’s likely to be a unique experience. Here, squads of bearded Vikings kitted Day 1 Depart from our begin. As darkness falls out in gleaming chain-mail and winged helmets can designated departure points (mid‑afternoon at this time be seen carrying a 30ft longship, which will eventually and travel to Aberdeen, of year), the celebrations be set alight by a thousand blazing brands. As the sky where we cross overnight to start. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. over Lerwick shimmers with heat and light, fireworks Lerwick aboard the Serco explode, brass bands play and the gloom of winter is Northlink Ferry. Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Day 4 Another full-day tour lifted for another year. awaits today, this time to This is the annual festival of Up Helly Aa, the annual Day 2 We arrive in the the isles of Yell and . During this excursion, we winter festival of Shetland, which celebrates the morning and after breakfast travel through Girlsta and lengthening of the days and the coming of another on board, we enjoy a full‑day tour, which begins Tingwall, and we enjoy the year, not to mention the chance of a good old knees- in Scalloway. Later, we visit views from Saxa Vord Hill. up. It’s run by Shetlanders for Shetlanders, but that’s the Prehistoric and Norse Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. not to say visitors aren’t welcome. Settlement of Jarlshof and the RSPB reserve at Day 5 After breakfast on . board, we disembark in Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Aberdeen and return to our What’s Included original pick-up points. Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: two nights at Day 3 Today we depart for Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. the Busta House Hotel and two nights in a two- Lerwick, where we enjoy berth inside cabin on board Serco Northlink Ferries free time before the (outside cabins available at a supplement of £35pp) Up Helly Aa festivities All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 5 days from 24 January 2021 £895pp Single Supplement £240 Shetland Hotel, Lerwick supplement: £100 Limited late availability for 2020 - please call for details. A Viking squad in Lerwick 35 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 FullyFully IndependentIndependent New for 2020 TravellersTravellers (FIT)(FIT)

rom time to time we are asked to prepare FIT (Fully Independent Traveller) Fpackages for individuals, couples or families who for various reasons cannot travel on our regular group departures. As these requests are becoming more frequent, we felt the time was right to introduce a selection of FIT self-drive packages, beginning with two of our most popular destinations, namely the Outer Hebrides and Orkney & Shetland. We have outlined two possible itineraries for each, but the key thing to remember here is that every package we offer can be tailored to meet your individual requirements. Whether you want to stay in hotels or B&Bs, drive your own car, fly in and rent locally or have a driver/guide, stay for a weekend or a fortnight, we will make a bespoke package to your exact requirements. Here are just two possibilities. Orkney & Shetland he Northern Isles of Orkney & Shetland are perfectly Tsuited to a self-drive holiday as the roads are generally of good quality – particularly in oil-rich Shetland – and are very quiet and uncrowded. There is also a plethora of attractions and scenic viewpoints, so you don’t have to travel far before it’s time to stop and have another wander round an ancient monument or get the camera out and capture another amazing vista. Jarlshof, and Maeshowe are among the outstanding sights.

Suggested itinerary Skara Brae Day 1 Drive to Aberdeen in time for the overnight sailing to Day 5 Explore Orkney today with visits to Lerwick. Maeshowe, Skara Brae and the great stone circles of Brodgar and Stenness. Day 2 Begin your exploration of Shetland, perhaps with a visit to the remote islands of Yell and Unst, about as far north Day 6 Suggested visits today include the Italian Chapel, as you can drive in the British Isles, before driving to your Churchill Barriers and St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. hotel in Lerwick. Day 7 Take a ferry to one of the outer islands, such as Day 3 You may wish to visit the little island of with , where you can visit the Scapa Flow exhibition, the its outstanding example of a 2000-year-old broch or explore Napoleonic Martello tour or the poignant war cemetery. your host town of Lerwick. Day 8 Take a ferry to the island of or a flight to Day 4 After visits to Scalloway and the ruined castle of North Ronaldsay, both ideal locations for birdwatching. In the Earl Patrick Stewart, the RSPB reserve at Sumburgh Head evening, take the overnight ferry back to Aberdeen. and the prehistoric and Norse site of Jarlshof, take the evening sailing from Lerwick to Kirkwall and drive to your Day 9 Return home. harbour‑side hotel. 9 days B&B from £1095

The Outer Hebrides he roads here in the Outer Hebrides can be a little narrower, Tbut for spectacular scenery there is nowhere quite like it in Britain, as the drive over the mountains of Harris to Stornoway will testify. Just as in the Northern Isles, the Western Isles offer a succession of jaw-dropping panoramas and fascinating historical sites, from the endless, empty beaches of blinding white sand on the Uists to Kisimul Castle and the mysterious standing stones of Callanish. The Gaelic-speaking culture adds another layer of interest here.

Suggested itinerary Day 1 Drive to Mallaig and take the evening ferry to Day 4 Spend the day touring the west side of Lewis, whose Lochboisdale in South Uist, with dinner available on board attractions include the 5,000-year-old standing stones at (not included). On arrival, continue over the causeways that Callanish, the Black Houses at Gearrannan and the recreation link the islands to Benbecula and the Dark Island Hotel, your of a Norse Mill at Shawbost. base for the next two nights. Day 5 Further suggested visits in Lewis today include Lews Day 2 Take the ferry from Eriskay to Barra and tour Castle and Museum, home to the famous Lewis Chessmen, the island. Suggested visits include Kisimul Castle, the St Columba’s Ui Church, one of the most important neighbouring island of Vatersay and the unique airport at archaeological sites on Lewis, and the Butt of Lewis, where a Cockleshell Beach. unique Stevenson lighthouse stands sentinel.

Day 3 Take the morning ferry from Berneray to Leverburgh Day 6 Return to the mainland on the ferry from Stornoway on Harris and after a visit to St. Clement’s Church at Rodel, to Ullapool and return to your starting point via the central drive over a spectacular mountain pass and on to Stornoway, Highlands. where you spend the next three nights. 6 days B&B from £695

Please note: these are sample itineraries and prices only - all tours are tailored to your exact requirements. 37 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Highlights of Orkney & Shetland the ‘Islands of the Simmer Dim’

Whale bone, Orkney

ail away to lands steeped in history, wildlife and stunning scenery, far from the Sjostling crowds, to the haunting beauty of the Orkney and Shetland Isles. Many people have landed there before you - some as early as 3000 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 identity, Orkney being very green and fertile, while Shetland has more rugged cliff and sea loch scenery. Both, however, share a colourful history of Picts, Norsemen, ancient antiquities, buried treasure, and seafaring legends, all bound up with an independent spirit that makes them quite different from the rest of Scotland. We sail with Serco Northlink Ferries and their modern, purpose-built vessels – the Hrossey and the Hjaltland – from Aberdeen overnight to Lerwick. We then have two full days to tour Shetland. After rejoining the ship for an evening sailing to Kirkwall, we have a further two full days touring Orkney, before our short crossing back to the mainland.

Ring of Brodgar What’s Included Departures & Prices One night’s dinner, bed & breakfast at One breakfast and two dinners on 6 days from the Busta House Hotel, Shetland and board ship 20 April £1095pp three nights’ bed & breakfast (plus two All visits as outlined in the itinerary dinners) at the Kirkwall Hotel, Orkney 4 May £1195pp Comfortable coach travel throughout 8 June £1195pp All ferry crossings, including one night’s 27 July £1095pp accommodation in two-berth inside Services of a professional tour manager cabins on Serco Northlink Ferries MV 17 August £1155pp Hrossey/Hjaltland on the outward 14 September £1095pp sailing (outside cabins available at a Single Supplement £375 supplement of £35pp) www.brightwaterholidays.com 38 Itinerary

Day 1 We depart from our designated departure points and travel to Aberdeen. We take an overnight ferry to Lerwick and once on board, we shall check in to our comfortable twin-berth cabins, which have en-suite facilities. The ship has a delightful restaurant, where dinner is served this evening. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.

Day 2 After breakfast, 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 towards the spectacular Neolithic site of Skara Brae cliffs of Eshaness. Look out for the ‘Otters Crossing’ sign at the narrow isthmus known as Mavis Grind, where it is said remain uncertain. We then continue to Maeshowe, the finest to be possible to throw a stone from the North Sea to the chambered tomb in Western Europe. Built before 2700 BC, Atlantic Ocean. From here, we transfer to our hotel. Maeshowe was raided by the Vikings in the 12th century, and Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. it houses the largest collections of runic inscriptions to be found in any one place in the world. A visit to Skara Brae is also included, with its new visitor centre depicting the history of this world famous monument. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 5 This morning, we have free time to explore Kirkwall at leisure. 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. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Scalloway Harbour Day 6 After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and Day 3 Today we start with a visit to the outstanding transfer to St. Margaret’s Prehistoric and Norse Settlement of Jarlshof, with over three Hope to catch the Pentland acres of remains, spanning 3,000 years since the days of Ferries sailing to Gills Bay. the , including We then return to our oval‑shaped original pick-up points. Italian Chapel houses, an Iron Age broch Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. and wheel houses. From here, we travel to mainland Shetland to Sumburgh Head and visit the RSPB reserve, home to thousands of seabirds including puffins (May-Aug), guillemots and razorbills. This afternoon we travel through small communities before we Puffins have free time in the island’s capital of Lerwick and an opportunity to visit the state of the art Shetland Museum. This evening, we rejoin our ship and sail to Orkney. Dinner is on board and upon arrival in Orkney, we transfer to our hotel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 4 We have a full-day excursion to mainland Orkney, visiting the many archaeological sites including the great stone circles of Brodgar and Stenness, which lie to the north side of the Orphir Hills. To this day, the monuments’ ages St. Magnus Cathedral 39 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 An Archaeologist’s View of Orkney & Shetland Dunnottar Castle

he islands of Orkney and Shetland are littered with archaeological remains. TPeople 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 and buildings, and the people who once lived here. During our time on Shetland we will visit the uninhabited island of Mousa with its 2,000-year-old full size broch, the Prehistoric and Norse Settlement of Jarlshof, St. ’s Isle with its 6th century church, and the ruined castle of Scalloway. We then travel to Orkney where we visit the Italian Chapel; the , which offers a unique ‘hands-on’ experience - an opportunity to handle 5,000‑year old artefacts excavated from an extensive cliff-top site; Maeshowe, the finest chambered tomb in Western Europe; and Skara Brae as well as Skaill House. En route to Aberdeen, we will stop for a photo opportunity at Dunnottar Castle, a clifftop fortress dating back to the 3rd century.

What’s Included One nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at One breakfast and two dinners on Mousa Broch the Busta House Hotel, Shetland and board ship three nights’ bed & breakfast (plus two All visits as outlined in the itinerary dinners) at the Kirkwall Hotel, Orkney Departures & Prices Comfortable coach travel throughout 6 days from All ferry crossings, including one night’s accommodation in two-berth inside Services of an archaeological expert as 27 April £1195pp cabins on Serco Northlink Ferries tour manager 6 July £1285pp MV Hrossey/Hjaltland on the outward 31 August £1285pp sailing (outside cabins available at a supplement of £35pp) Single Supplement £375 www.brightwaterholidays.com 40 Itinerary

Day 1 We depart from our designated departure points and 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.

Italian Chapel

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. 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 Mousa Broch of the Eagles for the number of talons of sea eagles found Day 2 Arriving in Lerwick, we take a scenic tour of the there) and the Liddle Burnt Mound – two exceptional sites island, passing through the communities of Gulberwick and discovered by the same farmer some 50 years ago. We Cunningsburgh. Weather permitting, we cross to Mousa to return to Kirkwall for free time this afternoon, where you may visit the 2,000-year-old Mousa Broch, an Iron Age tower still choose to visit the magnificent St. Magnus Cathedral. standing at its original height of 13 metres. Returning to the Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. mainland, we visit Hoswick Visitor Centre, before heading to Today we enjoy an excursion to the heart of Neolithic the outstanding Prehistoric and Norse Settlement of Jarlshof, Day 5 Orkney’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We visit Maeshowe, where three millennia of history may be traced in the remains home to the largest collection of runic inscriptions to be and buildings, from oval-shaped Bronze Age houses to Viking found in one place in the world, the evocative Ness of longhouses and medieval farmhouses. Finally, we visit the Brodgar and the world-famous prehistoric stone settlement nearby cliffs at Sumburgh Head before transferring to our of Skara Brae. Later, we visit the iconic Standing Stones of hotel. Stenness and Neolithic village of Barnhouse. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 6 We check out of the hotel and transfer to St. Margaret’s Hope to catch the Pentland Ferries sailing to Gills Bay before returning to our original pick-up points. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.

St Ninian’s Beach

Day 3 We travel down to St. Ninian’s Isle, 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. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Jarlshof 41 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Undiscovered Orkney Skara Brae rkney is an archipelago of 70 islands, each Itinerary Owith their own distinctive charm, history and natural beauty. Based on Mainland, as the principal Day 1 We depart from our Maxwell-Davies. Later, we island is called, we will have an opportunity to visit pick-up points and travel visit the stone-built Martello previously unexplored areas as we discover the historic north to Scrabster to catch Tower, Lyness Naval Base landmarks and captivating landscapes of the North the evening ferry to Orkney. and the Naval Cemetery. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. and South Isles. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel. On the island of Westray we will relive Orkney’s Viking Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Day 4 A full day exploring past as we sail the old Norse sea routes. We will also mainland Orkney awaits, as sail across Scapa Flow to Hoy – an island of dramatic Day 2 After breakfast, we we visit the archaeological sites of Maeshowe, Skara mountain scenery and seascapes that inspired the head to Westray and visit Brae and the Standing Orcadian symphonies of former resident Sir Peter the Scaun Natural Arch, where guillemots and fulmar . After Maxwell-Davies. Finally, we will explore Mainland and can be spotted. Later, we an opportunity to explore the sites that are collectively known as the ‘Heart of discover Westray Heritage the local Museum and Arts Neolithic Orkney’ – Maeshowe, the Stones of Stenness Centre, before touring the Centre, we visit the Highland and Skara Brae. historic Noltland Castle. Park Distillery for a dram. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. dinner. Day 5 We catch the ferry What’s Included Day 3 We tour the island back to the mainland of Hoy, visiting the Dwarfie and visit the Timespan Four nights’ bed & breakfast at the Kirkwall Hotel, Stane, which dates from Museum and Arts Centre in Orkney. Three dinners in the hotel and one on around 3000 BC, and Helmsdale before continuing board the Serco Northlink ferry (all with wine) Rackwick Bay, once home back home. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch. Two lunches to composer Sir Peter All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel and all ferry crossings Services of a professional tour manager Departures & Prices 5 days from 15 June £1095pp 24 August £1095pp

Single Supplement £300 The Old Man of Hoy www.brightwaterholidays.com 42 Shetland and its Outer Isles Shetland seascape f you want to get away from it all, Shetland is the Itinerary Iplace to be. There are over a hundred islands here, only 16 of which are inhabited and each has its own Day 1 We depart from our Day 3 Today, we have a individual character. Our tour offers the opportunity to pick-up points and travel to full-day tour of Yell and visit four of them, providing a real taste of the diversity Aberdeen. From here, we sail Unst. We travel north of this amazing archipelago. We visit the little island overnight to Lerwick with through Tingwall and Girlsta, of Mousa, whose Iron Age broch is the best-preserved Serco Northlink Ferries. and past Sullom Voe, before example anywhere in the world; the Shetland Croft Inc. Meals: Dinner only. arriving at Toft where we catch the ferry to Yell. House Museum, which gives an insight into a typical Day 2 Disembarking at Upon arrival, we transfer 19th century croft; and Jarlshof, which provides a Lerwick, we start with a to Gutcher before taking unique archaeological time-capsule, spanning 3,000 visit to the Shetland Croft the ferry to Unst and visit years of successive settlements. Finally, we have a tour House Museum, housed in a Muness Castle, Baltasound of the northernmost islands of Yell and Unst, a day typical thatched croft house and Saxa Vord Hill. of stunning seascapes and air so fresh it takes your of the 19th century. Next, Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. breath away. we explore the outstanding Norse Settlement of Day 4 After breakfast Jarlshof, which has over this morning we return to three acres of remains, Lerwick and enjoy some free including Viking longhouses time. Later, we board the What’s Included and medieval farmhouses. overnight ferry to Aberdeen. This afternoon, we visit the Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: two nights at little island of Mousa to the Busta House Hotel and two nights in two-berth view the 2,000-year-old Day 5 We disembark and inside cabins on Serco Northlink Ferries. (Outside broch — the best-preserved return to our original pick-up cabins are available for a supplement of £35pp) example in the world. points. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel and all ferry crossings Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 5 days from 15 June £1095pp 1 August £985pp 26 June £1015pp

Single Supplement £250 Jarlshof 43 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Knitting in the Shetland Isles Local colour © Frances Taylor ven those who think they know all there is to know Itinerary Eabout the art of knitting can pick up a thing or two in the scenic Shetland Isles, and we’re not just talking Day 1 Departing by coach Nielanell Design Studio and about those pesky dropped stitches... from our pick-up points, we Hoswick Visitor Centre. travel to Aberdeen for our Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & As anyone who’s been lucky enough to visit the overnight sailing to Shetland. dinner. Shetland Isles can surely attest, it can get a bit chilly. Dinner is served on board. It should come as no surprise, then, that one of their Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Day 4 A tour of western most famous exports is as warming as the welcome we mainland Shetland and a receive on landing there. Day 2 Disembark at knitting workshop await. Lerwick, travelling to the Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & There are workshops aplenty, both starting off our Prehistoric and Norse dinner. mornings and rounding off our afternoons, which Settlement of Jarlshof. We present the perfect opportunity to hone our skills stop at Sumburgh Head, Day 5 Another knitting — and perhaps learn some new ones — under the Lerwick’s Textile Gallery workshop is followed by a watchful eye of experienced tutors. of the Shetland Museum visit to Scalloway and some and Archives, and finally free time in Lerwick. Shetland Textile Museum. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. What’s Included Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 3 Today is the first of Day 6 We return to Five nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: three nights at our knitting workshops, Aberdeen this morning, the Busta House Hotel and two nights in two-berth where we learn about where we join our coach and inside cabins on Serco Northlink Ferries (outside Shetland hand-knitting. make our way back to our cabins are available for a supplement of £35pp) After lunch, we visit the pick-up points. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Three lunches Three knitting workshops with expert local tutor All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel and all ferry crossings Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 6 days from 24 September £1345pp Single Supplement £295 Scalloway Castle www.brightwaterholidays.com 44 No single supplement

Arran: ‘Scotland in Miniature’ Brodick Castle s you board the ferry at Ardrossan, you see Itinerary Athe distinctive silhouette of Goat Fell rising dramatically from the clear waters of the Firth of Clyde, Day 1 We depart from our Day 3 Today we are free to giving a foretaste of your destination whose unique designated pick-up points relax. For those who prefer, magic never disappoints. Often described as “Scotland and head for Ardrossan to there is an optional excursion in Miniature”, Arran has a blend of Highland and Island catch the ferry to Brodick. to the little Hebridean island scenery with granite peaks and deep glens to the Upon arrival we travel to our of and Achamore north of the island, contrasting with its rolling and lush hotel in Blackwaterfoot. Gardens, where something Inc. Meals: Dinner only. is always in bloom. farmlands to the south. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Only 56 miles around its coastline, the small villages Day 2 This morning we are compared to ‘jewels on a necklace’ strung out like embark on a circular tour of Day 4 We travel to Brodick pearls around the island. From Blackwaterfoot, we Arran. From Blackwaterfoot, Castle and gardens, which we visit Whiting Bay, offers views across the will visit Whiting Bay, Lamlash, Brodick - the capital of Lamlash, Brodick, Corrie Firth of Clyde. On site we Arran, the pretty village of Corrie under the shadow of and Sannox. Down the find a delightful Bavarian Goat Fell, and Sannox before passing the ‘12 Apostles’ west coast we take in summerhouse. The at Lochranza. Pirnmill and Catacol, with afternoon is free to explore its ‘Twelve Apostles’, 19th Brodick before we return century cottages built to to the hotel for a farewell What’s Included relocate locals from inland dinner. Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 3-star homes. Next, we visit Arran Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Kinloch Hotel, Blackwaterfoot Distillery for a tour and tasting of their single malt Day 5 This morning we One lunch along with lunch. In the catch the ferry back to the mainland before returning to All visits as outlined in the itinerary evening, we enjoy some live folk music. our original pick-up points. Comfortable coach travel and all ferry crossings Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Services of a professional tour manager dinner.

Departures & Prices 5 days from 25 May £695pp 24 August £675pp 22 June £675pp 21 September £675pp 13 July £675pp

No Single Supplement Optional excursion - Gigha £55pp Goatfell 45 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 No single supplement

AutumnAutumn TintsTints ofof ArranArran Goatfell t no time are we more assured of Arran’s beauty Itinerary Athan in the autumn months, when its wild woods and wide open spaces are aflame with a riot of red Day 1 We depart from our a splendid position as it is and gold foliage. Just add impressive castles, imposing designated pick-up points well protected from westerly mountains and idyllic bays for a truly unforgettable trip. and head for Ardrossan to winds and overlooks catch our ferry to Brodick. the Firth of Clyde. The We will be based for three nights at the 3-star Best Upon arrival, we travel to our present garden dates from Western Kinloch Hotel in Blackwaterfoot, on the hotel in Blackwaterfoot. 1932 when the Duchess western shore of the island, overlooking Kilbrannan Inc. Meals: Dinner only. of Montrose started an Sound and the Mull of . The hotel has a heated ambitious woodland swimming pool, sauna, solarium, squash court, snooker Day 2 Today we have a garden with a collection of and fitness room. Here you will receive a truly warm circular tour of the island of rhododendrons. A walled garden, dating from 1710, has welcome, sample the best of local Arran produce and Arran. From Blackwaterfoot we will visit Whiting Bay, been restored and mixed enjoy a friendly atmosphere. Lamlash, Brodick, Corrie, borders on three sides retain and Sannox under the the gardener’s interest shadow of Goat Fell and throughout the year. We other mountains, and then have free time this afternoon down the west coast to to explore Brodick. Catacol and Pirnmill, with Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. its ‘12 Apostles’. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 4 This morning we catch the ferry back to the Day 3 This morning, we mainland before returning to What’s Included visit Brodick Castle and our original pick-up points. Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 3-star Gardens, which occupies Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Kinloch Hotel, Blackwaterfoot All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel and all ferry crossings Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 19 October £475pp

No Single Supplement Catacol www.brightwaterholidays.com 46 Coll and Tiree Tiree oll and Tiree are two little jewels basking in the Itinerary CHebridean Sea. Steeped in the romantic legends and the tangled history of the western isles, they Day 1 We depart from our Day 4 Today we tour Tiree, abound with natural wonders, abundant wildlife and pick-up points and head for passing through the small ancient remains. Offering peace, tranquillity and Oban, where we board a crofting townships where spiritual calm, they can also be wildly invigorating as ferry to Coll. We arrive in the some of the distinctive the machair (coastal meadowland) comes alive with little harbour of Arinagour speckled cottages remain. flowers during the summer months, creating a colourful and we transfer to our hotel. We will visit the Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Lighthouse Museum carpet along the shoreline. and the Treshnish Isles From our base in comfortable and friendly guesthouse Day 2 We depart for a tour Natural History Museum, accommodation, we will explore unspoilt beaches of of the island, enjoying the which offers visitors the glistening white sand, and some of the ancient purples, yellows and whites opportunity to learn of the flowers that punctuate and Iron Age forts that litter the island of Coll. In Tiree about the enchanting the rich greens of the Treshnish Isles. we will visit the Skerryvore Lighthouse Museum, which machair in summer. Next, Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & records the building of Britain’s tallest lighthouse. we visit the RSPB reserve, dinner. which was established to help protect the corncrake. Day 5 We check out of our Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & hotel and view ‘An Turas’, What’s Included dinner. a piece of architecture the locals have named the ‘Wind Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: two nights Day 3 This morning, we Tunnel’, before we board the at the Coll Hotel and two nights at the Scarinish take the short ferry crossing ferry back to the mainland. Hotel, Tiree (or similar) to Tiree, renowned as one Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Two packed lunches of the sunniest places in Britain. We have the rest of All visits as outlined in the itinerary the day to relax. Comfortable coach travel and all ferry crossings Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Services of a professional tour manager Departures & Prices 5 days from 23 June £1325pp 25 August £1295pp 7 July £1295pp 22 September £1295pp

Single Supplement £360 Coll 47 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Islay and Jura Port Charlotte, Islay slay represents the southern extreme of the Inner Itinerary IHebrides. Once the ancient home of the Lord of the Isles, it has always been popular with archaeologists Day 1 We depart from our to Colonsay, where we and historians. Today the island is perhaps better pick-up points and catch visit the 30-acre woodland known for its distinctive malt whiskies, its sandy the ferry from Kennacraig garden and Kiloran Bay. beaches and its diverse birdlife. While we are here, to Port Askaig, Islay. Upon Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. arrival we transfer to our we visit the Bowmore Distillery, the oldest distillery on Day 4 This morning, we the island, and RSPB Nature Reserve, hotel, which overlooks the harbour. travel to the neighbouring where we have the opportunity to hopefully see many Inc. Meals: Dinner only. island of Jura, which has bird species. a record of habitation stretching back over 5,000 To the north-east is Islay’s neighbour Jura, an untamed Day 2 Our first stop will be years. We enjoy a scenic and rather mysterious island with just 200 human to Loch Finlaggan, which was once the centre of the tour before having some free inhabitants, dominated by the “Paps of Jura”. ‘Lordship of the Isles’. We time in Craighouse, the main Completing our trio of islands we offer an optional then enjoy a guided tour of settlement on the island with excursion to Colonsay, with its glorious beaches and a Bowmore Distillery before a shop, tearoom and Jura’s distillery. superb woodland garden. visiting the Museum of Islay Life. Our final stop of the Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. day will be to Loch Gruinart RSPB Nature Reserve. Day 5 We leave Islay this Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. morning and make our What’s Included way home, stopping at Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the Day 3 Following breakfast, the picturesque village comfortable Port Askaig Hotel, Islay you are free to explore Islay. of Inveraray, before returning to our original pick All visits as outlined in the itinerary Alternatively, you may wish to join our optional excursion up points. Comfortable coach travel and all ferry crossings Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 5 days from 20 April £995pp 13 July £1025pp 8 June £1075pp 14 September £1025pp 29 June £1025pp

Single Supplement £175 Optional excursion - Colonsay £50pp Inveraray www.brightwaterholidays.com 48 Mull, Staffa & Iona Duart Castle he Isle of Mull is a place of tumbling burns, high Itinerary Tpeaks, dramatic views, and a silent, lonely beauty. From our base at the comfortable Isle of Mull Hotel Day 1 We depart from our the main attraction is the & Spa, we will explore some of the highlights of the designated pick-up points large puffin colony nesting island. The multi-coloured buildings that line the and head for Oban, where in burrows (May & June waterfront of the island’s principal town, Tobermory, we board the late afternoon only). Next, we take the short crossing to Staffa. will be familiar to many. From here, we sail on a wildlife ferry to Mull. Inc. Meals: Dinner only. We explore the island, in cruise that takes us to the Treshnish Isles, home to particular the massive thousands of seabirds including puffins, and the little Day 2 Today, we drive to natural cathedral known as island of Staffa, whose natural cathedral of basalt Fionnphort and cross as Fingal’s Cave, following in columns is one of the wonders of the west coast. We foot passengers to Iona. the footsteps of illustrious also see Duart Castle, the 13th century home of the Here, we visit its famous tourists from Sir Walter Scott Chief of Clan MacLean, which enjoys stunning views Abbey and explore the to Queen Victoria. across the Firth of Lorne to Ben Cruachan. Lying just island, which attracts many Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & off the Ross of Mull, the sacred isle of Iona is famous visitors every year. dinner. the world over for its peaceful Abbey, a place of calm Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 4 Following breakfast, and contemplation. Day 3 This morning, we we visit Duart Castle, where depart for Tobermory, the we have the chance to starting point for our wildlife explore the dungeons and What’s Included cruise to the Treshnish the state rooms. We take Isles and Staffa. We hope a short ferry crossing and Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the to see whales, dolphins and enjoy a scenic drive through comfortable Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa, Craignure sea eagles. We arrive on Morvern before crossing One packed lunch the idyllic Isle of Lunga, the Loch Linnhe by the Corran largest of the Treshnish Isles. ferry and continuing our All visits as outlined in the itinerary Surrounded by wildflowers journey home. Comfortable coach travel and all ferry crossings and stunning scenery, Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 15 May £795pp 14 August £795pp 12 June £795pp 11 September £765pp

Single Supplement £195 Fionnphort, Isle of Mull 49 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

Stornoway, Skye & the Summer Isles an any three place names evoke the joys of Itinerary CScotland’s great outdoors more succinctly than Stornoway, Skye and the Summer Isles? Stornoway, Day 1 Depart from our we visit Lews Castle and a stronghold of Gaelic culture; Skye, one of the most pick-up points and travel via Museum and St. Columba’s popular island destinations in Scotland; and the Strathbran and Ui Church. Summer Isles – well, the very name says it all. Join us to our hotel in Gairloch. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Inc. Meals: Dinner only. on this tour and get to know them better. Day 5 We continue our We will enjoy a morning cruise aboard the Summer Day 2 Transfer to Ullapool exploration of Lewis today Queen, which offers us the chance to spy grey seals, for our Summer Isles with visits to the Standing and we will admire a host of captivating trees and cruise. We pass Cathedral Stones of Callanish, the most remarkable antiquity in plants from around the world at Inverewe. We continue Cave and sail past Tanera the Western Isles; the Black with a circular tour of Lewis, taking in archaeological Mhor, keeping an eye out for seals and seabirds. En Houses at Gerrannan and sites from the Stone Age, Iron Age brochs and route to our hotel we stop at the Norse Mill at Shawbost. thatched cottages that were common just a couple of Inverewe Gardens, with its Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. generations ago. exotic trees. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 6 Travel south to Harris and take the ferry to Uig on Day 3 In Tarbet, we catch the , stopping a ferry to Handa Island at Portree and Sligachan, and look out for guillemots, before crossing the Skye What’s Included razorbills and arctic skuas. Bridge and continuing home Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. via the scenic route. Five nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: three nights Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. at the Gairloch Hotel and two nights in Stornoway Day 4 We catch a ferry (Cabarfeidh Hotel in July and the Caladh Inn in to Stornoway. In Lewis, September) All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel and all ferry crossings Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 6 days from 9 July £1035pp 17 September £995pp Single Supplement £175 Arctic skua www.brightwaterholidays.com 50 Scotland’s Northern Edge John O’Groats he coastal views and landscapes are breathtaking Itinerary T– sometimes quite literally, as the wind whips in off the Pentland Firth and snatches the breath from Day 1 We depart from our culture of today. We travel to your mouth. Standing here on the northern edge pick-up points and head to Tongue, where we have free of mainland Britain you are moved to reflect on the our hotel in Thurso. time for lunch before we visit awesome, unstoppable power of the sea and the Inc. Meals: Dinner only. the impressive Smoo Cave and continue to our hotel in equally indomitable strength of the ancient rock Day 2 This morning, we visit . beneath your feet. , which Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. We begin at , the most northerly headland offers stunning views from of all, and visit the Castle of Mey, the former summer the cliff top. After a brief Day 4 We travel south to Tarbet, the starting point for home of the late Queen Mother. Travelling west, we visit to John O’ Groats, the our boat trip to the island continue to , the lonely valley which landmark at the “end of the road”, we continue to of Handa, whose human evokes the dark days of the notorious ‘Highland the Castle of Mey, former population left in 1847 and Clearances’. From our hotel at Kinlochbervie we seek holiday home of the late is now home only to seabirds. out some of the gems of the north-west, such as Smoo Queen Mother, and Dunnet Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Cave at . Head, which boasts some of the most extensive views in Day 5 We journey home northern Scotland. today, travelling via Laxford Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Bridge, Loch More, Loch What’s Included Shin, Lairg, Bonar Bridge and Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: two nights Day 3 Our first visit today finally Tain. at the Station Hotel, Thurso (or similar) and two is to Strathnaver Museum, Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. nights at the Kinlochbervie Hotel which takes us on a journey Please note: July and September All visits as outlined in the itinerary from the mystical past of are operated in reverse order. prehistory to the vibrant Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 5 days from 4 June £755pp 27 August £725pp 17 June £695pp 4 September £695pp 11 July £695pp

Single Supplement £160 51 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Gardens of the Far North Dunrobin Castle journey to the far north of Scotland brings many Itinerary Arewards, not least the sense of freedom and open space to be found in the thrilling seascapes of the Day 1 We journey north, visit Inverewe Gardens, coasts or the vast, empty expanse of mountain and stopping en route in unquestionably one of the moorland that separates east from west. Rewards also Pitlochry. We continue to most outstanding gardens in come in the shape of some enchanting castles and the gardens of Cawdor the country. We will return to Inverness via Loch Maree. gardens, which we have threaded together to bring out Castle, which include vast Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. the best of this remote and unspoilt region. herbaceous borders, a rose garden and a peony walk. Top of the bill is Inverewe, a truly wonderful garden, Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Day 4 Our first stop this which involves a scenic journey to the wild west coast. morning is the private gardens of Dunbeath The Castle of Mey is where the late Queen Mother Day 2 This morning we Castle. Thereafter, we created a homely garden, which reflected her great visit Dunrobin Castle, the château-style ancestral explore the private garden at love of flowers. We also visit the gardens of Cawdor home of the Dukes of Langwell before returning to Castle, immortalised in ‘Macbeth’; Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland. Later, we the hotel. the ancestral home of the Dukes of Sutherland; continue to John O’Groats Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Dunbeath Castle, perched on a promontory, and the before having an afternoon privately-owned garden of Langwell. visit to the beautiful gardens Day 5 En route home we of the Castle of Mey. visit the House of Aigas and Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. enjoy lunch using produce from the estate. We continue Day 3 After breakfast, to Abriachan Gardens What’s Included we have a long but most where we will have the Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 3-star rewarding day as we chance to purchase plants Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel drive across the north of from the adjoining nursery Scotland to visit Dundonnell before returning home. One lunch House Garden. Next, we Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 5 days from 28 June £975pp 10 July £975pp Single Supplement £280 Inverewe Gardens www.brightwaterholidays.com 52 Private Gardens of Caithness & Sutherland Dunbeath Castle he spectacular seascapes and wild lands of Itinerary TCaithness and Sutherland, right at the very top of Britain, are home to a surprising number of stunning Day 1 We depart for the Day 3 This morning we visit gardens – from formal gardens that surround grand private garden of Old the Castle of Mey, former castles with heaving and colourful herbaceous borders, Allangrange, where a summer home of the late to small and homely gardens tucked away in neat beautiful 17th century Queen Mother, which she little villages. lime-washed house is the renovated and lovingly backdrop to a semi-formal restored. This afternoon, we Travelling amongst the jagged headlands and shining garden with many fine will visit the private garden at white sands on the Northern coast, our visits include old trees. the Auld Post Office before two gardens both protected from the wind by high Inc. Meals: Dinner only. continuing to Dunbeath walls – Bighouse Lodge by Melvich and The House of Castle, whose extensive Tongue in a spectacular setting on the Kyle of Tongue. Day 2 Travel along the gardens feature mature and coast to Bighouse Lodge. We could not go to Caithness without including a visit new plantings. The walled garden features Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. to The Castle of Mey, the former summer retreat of the herbaceous borders, a late Queen Mother, and we also tour the fine gardens sunken garden and four Day 4 En route home we that surround Dunbeath Castle. separate conceptual visit the award-winning gardens behind the private garden The Lookout hedgerows. We continue at North Kessock, which to the House of Tongue, a enjoys lovely views over 17th century house with a the Firth, before walled garden, herbaceous continuing to Inverness borders, old fashioned roses, Botanic Garden which What’s Included vegetables, soft fruit, and provides a sub-tropical oasis Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the even a small orchard. in the heart of the Highlands. Station Hotel, Thurso (or similar) Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 6 July £595pp 20 July £545pp

Single Supplement £120 Castle of Mey 53 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Gardens of Dumfries and Galloway Drumlanrig Castle

n the south-western corner of Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway is home to some Iof the country’s most attractive gardens. The artistic highlight of our tour is undoubtedly Dumfries House, actually in and which Prince Charles helped to save. One of the Adam Brothers’ finest achievements, the stunning interiors showcase a unique collection of Chippendale furniture, while the walled garden is one of the most exciting new garden developments in all of Scotland. We see something rather different at Broughton House – an artist’s garden at the restored former home of ‘Glasgow Boy’ EA Hornel, which shows the influence of his time in Japan and is always full of colour. Yellow iris at Cally Gardens Further highlights include Drumlanrig Castle, with its extensive gardens and world-class collection of fine art and furniture. This was one of the first and most important Renaissance buildings in the grand manner built in Scotland. A hidden gem nestled in a bowl of rolling hills in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway, Crawick Multiverse is another interesting stop – with its unique combinations of natural features and artificial landscaping.

Glenwhan Gardens What’s Included Departures & Prices Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast All visits as outlined in the itinerary 4 days from at the 4-star Woodland House Hotel, Comfortable coach travel throughout 12 June £625pp Dumfries 12 July £595pp Services of a professional tour manager 16 August £575pp 4 September £575pp Single Supplement £140 www.brightwaterholidays.com 54 Itinerary

Day 1 We depart from our pick-up points and head for Dumfries House, near Cumnock in Ayrshire. As we will discover on our guided tour, its stunning interiors are home to a world-class collection of furniture by Thomas Chippendale and many late 18th century cabinet makers. We will also visit the Queen Elizabeth Walled Garden, which is one of the best examples of its kind in Scotland and in many ways the flagship of the restoration project. After our visit, we will travel to our accommodation. Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Dumfries House gardens have been largely created by students at the School of Horticulture, which started here in 1960. Mature woodland of beech, conifers and oaks form the background to a large collection of shrub roses, sweeping mixed borders, dwarf heathers, peat and rock gardens, a walled kitchen garden, and also superbly maintained glasshouses. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Logan Botanic Gardens

Day 2 Today we visit Glenwhan Gardens, spread out over a windy hilltop with marvellous views of Luce Bay and the . Since 1979, a very large, interesting and individual garden has been created that is filled with good plants – almost any gardener will find something unfamiliar Threave House and Gardens here. This afternoon we continue to the world-famous Logan Botanic Gardens at Port Logan. The garden was started by the McDougall family who lived here for 800 years, and since Day 4 En route home we visit the gardens at Drumlanrig 1969 it has been in the care of the Royal Botanic Garden Castle. Surrounded by the 120,000 acre Queensberry Estate, at Edinburgh. Logan Botanic Garden is beautifully laid out, Drumlanrig Castle was completed in 1691 by William Douglas, particularly in the walled garden with its fine terraces and 1st Duke of Queensberry and is one of the first and most well-planned borders under an avenue of cabbage palms. important Renaissance buildings in the grand manner in The climate here is exceptionally mild and several different Scotland. Our final visit is to Crawick Multiverse, a hidden habitats provide conditions for a huge range of plants. Next gem nested in a bowl of rolling hills in the heart of Dumfries door are the gardens of Logan House, which were originally and Galloway. This major new land restoration project has part of Logan Botanic Garden. This Victorian woodland transformed a former open cast coal mine into a spectacular garden features champion trees, sweeping lawns, ancient artland and public amenity and was designed by Charles shrubberies, meandering pathways, and a majestic monkey Jencks, the celebrated landscape architect and author. puzzle avenue. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. NB: As the gardens at Logan House are at their best in the early summer, on our August and September departures we will instead visit Cally Gardens at Gatehouse of Fleet. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 3 This morning after breakfast, we visit Broughton House, a fascinating 18th century house and garden that was home to E A Hornel from 1901 until his death in 1933. During his lifetime, he had twice lived in Japan and his experience there influenced many of his paintings. The garden, which runs down to the estuary of the Dee, also shows the influence of his time in Japan and is always full of colour. After a visit to the wonderful plantsman’s nursery of Ellenbank, we continue to the gardens of the Threave Estate. The Crawick Multiverse 55 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

HighlandHighland andand IslandIsland GardensGardens Arduaine Gardens aking a welcome return to our collection of Itinerary MScottish garden tours, this one is for lovers of rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias, all of which Day 1 We depart from our Day 3 We visit the garden thrive in the gentle climate of Scotland’s western pick-up points and head at Arduaine, a splendid site seaboard. In May and June, these flowering shrubs turn for Wemyss Bay, where overlooking Loch Melfort, peaceful gardens into a riot of colour. we catch the ferry to the full of the most magnificent Isle of Bute. Here we visit plants, and the small, private On the Isle of Bute, we visit the unique Ascog Fernery the spectacular house and garden of An Cala on the and Mount Stuart, one of the most spectacular high gardens of Mount Stuart Isle of , which has equally Victorian Gothic houses in Britain and a real treasure and the unique Ascog Hall impressive views out to sea. trove for the garden enthusiast. We also visit Gigha, a Fernery. Later, we catch the Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. gem of an island, where Sir James Horlick (of bedtime ferry back to the mainland drink fame) created his marvellous woodland garden at and continue to our Day 4 Today we visit Crarae Gardens, which is stuffed Achamore. accommodation, which is on Loch Fyne. like a good plum pudding Other grand gardens include Arduaine at Loch Melfort, Inc. Meals: Dinner only. with plenty of rich fruit; the quaint private garden of An Cala on the Isle of Seil, the great Asiatic flowering Crarae Gardens with its great collection of Asiatic Day 2 We take the shrubs - azaleas, camellias shrubs, and Benmore Botanic Gardens, near Dunoon. ferry to Gigha and visit and magnolias. Our last Achamore Gardens, visit is to Benmore Botanic where rhododendrons reign Gardens, the country supreme, constituting one of annexe of the Royal Botanic the best collections in all of Garden in Edinburgh. Scotland. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. What’s Included Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the Best Western Inveraray Inn, Loch Fyne All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel and all ferry crossings Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 15 May £645pp 5 June £645pp

Single Supplement £135 An Cala www.brightwaterholidays.com 56 In the Footsteps of the Picts , Aberlemno iving beyond the northern frontier of the Roman Itinerary LEmpire, the people of northern Scotland in the Dark Ages were known as the Picts – a name given by the Day 1 We depart by coach Day 3 We head to Dunkeld Romans meaning the ‘painted, tattooed ones’. from our pick-up points and to visit the Pictish hillfort, They were renowned as one of the most warlike of transfer to the National and then on to the attractive the Celtic barbarian tribes of Europe, successfully Museum of Scotland, where village of Dunning, where we attacking the Roman army, and yet few of their homes we will be joined by one of visit the Pictish monastery. or forts have ever been found. They did, however, leave the curators for a specially We then travel to Forteviot, arranged guided tour of the the royal centre of Pictish behind some of the finest carved stones and jewellery Pictish jewellery collection kings, and finally, we explore from early medieval Europe. and sculpture held here. Perth Museum, viewing its During this tour, we will travel through the heartland of Inc. Meals: Dinner only. fine displays and collections. the southern Picts in Perthshire and Angus, tracking Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 2 We begin with a visit down these elusive people and coming face-to-face to the symbol-inscribed Day 4 We drive to with them through the clues of their everyday life as cross-slab, depicting angels St. Andrews this morning seen in the incredible artistry of their monumental and a striding cloaked figure to see the decorated stone stone sculpture. at Eassie. We then travel sarcophagus of a great to Brechin to view the Pictish king before travelling medieval round tower and by boat (weather permitting) adjacent cathedral. Next, we to visit the monastery on What’s Included visit nearby Aberlemno with the , a National its four magnificent Pictish Nature Reserve. We return Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star stones. From here, we travel to our original pick-up points Links Hotel, Montrose the short distance to this evening. All visits as outlined in the itinerary St. Vigeans Museum of Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Pictish Sculpture. Comfortable coach travel throughout Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Services of an archaeological expert as tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 19 June £595pp 7 August £575pp 17 July £575pp 4 September £575pp

Single Supplement £90 St. Andrews Cathedral 57 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 The V&A Museum, Dundee V&A Dundee - © Ross Fraser McLean rt, culture and history await on this wonderful, Itinerary Afour‑day Scottish escape. Experience the stories that shaped the city of Dundee and the surprisingly Day 1 We start our tour Works, a former jute mill scenic surrounding countryside as we travel at Kellie Castle, home to which shines a light on 19th from gallery to architectural marvel, and see this the Earls of Kellie and century Dundee. often‑neglected corner of Scotland in a fascinating restored in 1878, with a Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. new light. visit to the old stables, now housing an exhibition on Day 3 We visit the RRS We take a tour of Glamis Castle, the former childhood Hew Lorimer’s life, and a Discovery, which sailed home of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and stroll in the magical Arts & with the National Antarctic spend time at the V&A Museum in Dundee, where the Crafts garden. Expedition of 1901-04, captained by Robert Falcon best in Scottish creativity and international design are Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Scott. This afternoon, we showcased. We visit the RRS Discovery, one of the last Day 2 This morning we visit travel north of Dundee for a three-masted wooden ships built in Britain, and her the V&A Museum Dundee, visit to Glamis Castle, which sister attraction – the Verdant Works, which tells the which showcases Scottish has been a royal residence tale of life in 19th century Dundee. In neighbouring , creativity and offers the since 1372 and was the we tour historic Kellie Castle, with its Arts & Crafts best in design from around childhood home of the garden. Perth Museum and Art Gallery round off an the world, while providing Queen Mother. illuminating tour. a place of inspiration and Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. discovery. This afternoon, we tour the McManus Day 4 We begin our journey What’s Included Gallery & Museum, where home with a stop off at the we discover how Dundee Perth Museum and Art Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star developed through the ages Gallery, one of the oldest Hotel Indigo Hotel, Dundee (or similar) from a small settlement museums in Britain with over half a million objects. All visits as outlined in the itinerary into the great city we know today, and the Verdant Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 29 March £499pp 4 October £499pp 7 June £565pp

Single Supplement £135 Kellie Castle www.brightwaterholidays.com 58 GardensGardens && ArchitectureArchitecture ofof thethe FirthFirth ofof ClydeClyde Mount Stuart oin us as we visit architectural marvels and fine Itinerary Jgardens in and around the Firth of Clyde, including works by the ever-popular Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Day 1 We depart by coach gardens of Mount Stuart, this morning and head for which is one of the largest We visit his House for an Art Lover, Scotland Street Glasgow’s Bellahouston Victorian Gothic houses in School and Hill House, one of his finest domestic Park, where we visit the Britain before visiting the creations. Currently undergoing a major conservation House for an Art Lover. unique Ascog Hall Fernery, project, it is now enclosed in a metal box, allowing a Later, we continue onwards a tiny fragment of unique opportunity to view normally inaccessible parts to our hotel. sub-tropical jungle on this the building. Inc. Meals: Dinner only. small Scottish island. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. We also sail to the Isle of Bute for a visit to the High Day 2 After breakfast, we Gothic masterpiece, Mount Stuart. Finally, we enjoy visit Hill House and have Day 4 We travel to afternoon tea at the iconic Willow Tearooms in a close-up look at the Glasgow and visit Scotland Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street, which were recently conservation work from Street School, which has reopened having been restored to their former glory. inside the protective box, many typical Mackintosh as well as admiring the features and details built original interiors. Next we into the stonework and explore the nearby gardens staircases. We continue to of Glenarn, reputedly one of the Hunterian Museum, the best woodland gardens home to one of the largest in Scotland. collections outside the What’s Included Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. National Museums. Finally, we will enjoy afternoon Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star Day 3 This morning, we tea at the authentically Gleddoch House Hotel, Langbank head for Wemyss Bay restored Willow Tearooms in Sauchiehall Street. One afternoon tea where we catch a ferry to Rothesay. Upon arrival Inc. Meals: Breakfast & All visits as outlined in the itinerary we explore the house and afternoon tea. Comfortable coach travel and all ferry crossings Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 25 May £595pp 7 September £635pp

Single Supplement £120 House for an Art Lover 59 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

Aberdeenshire: Scotland’s Larder

Highland cattle ot for nothing have we called this Scotland’s Itinerary NLarder, as Aberdeenshire – with its rich red soil and abundant farms, its skilled bakers, passionate distillers Day 1 We head for our Day 3 We head north and brave fishermen – is indeed the origin of much of first visit, which is to through lush and fertile the best food and drink to come out of Scotland. Put Aberdeenshire Highland farmland to , home the diet on hold and join us on a four-day tour featuring Beef in . to the Aberdeenshire top-quality producers, from a prize-winning herd of Welcomed in style by a Farming Museum before Highland cattle to melt-in-the-mouth shortbread, piper, we will meet Grace continuing to Cullen, where the farmer and her we will sample the local smooth malt whisky and a household name in the prize-winning herd of creamy fish soup, Cullen world of preserves and soups. pedigree Highland cattle, Skink. Later, we tour Glen Based at Ardoe House Hotel & Spa in Aberdeen, we and can enjoy a tasting of Distillery and travel the length and breadth of the county, and into the finished product. enjoy a taste of neighbouring Moray, sampling, tasting and learning all Inc. Meals: Dinner only. award-winning Highland single malt whisky. about the food and drink produced here. Day 2 We visit Baxter’s Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch Highland Village at & dinner. Fochabers, home to a famous range of soups and Day 4 We visit Aberdeen’s other quality products. In Maritime Museum, which the afternoon, we call in at tells the story of the fishing Dean’s Shortbread Bakery, industry. We break our What’s Included where we can observe the homeward journey at purpose-built bakery in Castleton Farm Shop, a Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star action while enjoying a cup last chance to stock up on Ardoe House Hotel, Aberdeen of tea and some shortbread. more delicious produce from One lunch Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Scotland’s larder. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 10 June £575pp 18 September £575pp

Single Supplement £120 Shortbread www.brightwaterholidays.com 60 New for 2020

AA TasteTaste ofof ArgyllArgyll Oban e know that many of our guests prefer not to Itinerary Whave a large meal in the middle of the day and for that reason we include very few lunches in our tours. Day 1 We head for Argyll, will call in at the Kilmartin However, we also know that some of you like nothing stopping for lunch at the House Museum and visit better than a relaxed lunch in a top quality restaurant Loch Fyne Oyster Bar just a selection of the nearby with great food, great company and a glass of wine. If outside Inveraray. We then Neolithic and Bronze Age sites. that’s you, then look no further – this is a holiday tailor- continue to our hotel on the Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch made with foodies in mind. shores of Loch Melfort. Inc. Meals: Lunch & dinner. & dinner. Argyll, in the West Highlands of Scotland, produces some of the best food in the world, with its rich coastal Day 2 We travel north to Day 4 We cross the so-called ‘Bridge Over the waters yielding a treasure trove of seafood, and its Oban, hailed as the ‘Seafood Atlantic’ to the islands of Seil rain-kissed moors and pastures providing the perfect Capital of Scotland’. After some free time to browse and , and continue habitat for raising beef, lamb and game. Based at the Oban’s excellent range of to the Isle of Eriska Hotel, comfortable Loch Melfort Hotel, noted for its cuisine specialist shops we have an award-winning luxury and blessed with stunning views, we will tour the lunch at Ee-Usk, Oban’s hotel and restaurant. Finally ancient kingdom of Dalriada, enjoying its wonderful premier seafood restaurant. we call at the Inverawe scenery as well as its superb food and drink. Later in the afternoon, we Smokehouse, a final will walk over to the nearby chance to stock up on Oban Distillery. Our tour more delicious produce includes a dram of from Argyll. Oban 14 Year Old and Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch. What’s Included Oban Little Bay. Three nights’ dinner (with wine), bed & breakfast Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch at the 3-star Loch Melfort Hotel, Argyll & dinner.

Four lunches Day 3 Walk down to the All visits as outlined in the itinerary adjacent Arduaine Garden, full of the most magnificent Comfortable coach travel throughout plants, which provide year Services of a professional tour manager round colour. For lunch today we will travel a little way south to the Crinan Departures & Prices Hotel, which has a very 4 days from picturesque location at the western end of the Crinan 8 May £975pp 3 October £975pp Canal. On the way back to Single Supplement £150 our accommodation, we Local whisky 61 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Whisky Tasting on Islay and Jura he Inner Hebridean island of Islay is synonymous Itinerary Twith whisky. Indeed, if you take a walk down the main street in Bowmore, the heady aroma of malt and Day 1 We head for Kintyre Day 3 Visit the neighbouring fermenting barley carries all around the town. There and catch the Kennacraig island of Jura, where we are now no fewer than nine working distilleries on the to Port Askaig ferry, and enjoy a scenic tour before island and we will be visiting the newest of these along continue to the adjacent visiting the distillery for a with three of the most famous and long-established. Port Askaig Hotel. tasting of this subtle malt. has a reputation for strong, peaty flavours Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. which can be an acquired taste, but as we will Day 2 We tour Ardnahoe Day 4 We visit two discover there are also lighter-tasting Islay whiskies Distillery, the most recently distilleries today: to be enjoyed. opened on the island, Bruichladdich, which We also take the opportunity to visit Islay’s sparsely and enjoy a tasting of five produces a range of peated different drams with the and unpeated single malts, populated neighbour Jura, home to a subtly smoky, distinctive characteristics and Laphroaig, where our sherry cask-finished whisky. With a wide range of of the various whisky tour is followed by a tasting tastings included, this is a tour suitable for both whisky producing regions of of three whiskies. connoisseurs and for those who are just getting to Scotland – an excellent Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. know the manifold delights of the ‘water of life’. introduction to the world of whisky. After a visit to Day 5 After breakfast, we the informative Museum transfer to Bowmore with of Islay Life, we transfer to some free time to browse the Bowmore for the marquee various whisky shops before event of our holiday, the catching the ferry to the What’s Included top-of-the-range ‘Vaults mainland and returning to Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the Secrets’ tour and tasting at our original pick-up points. comfortable Port Askaig Hotel, Islay Bowmore Distillery. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel and all ferry crossings Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 5 days from 3 July £1395pp 18 September £1395pp Single Supplement £175 Slainte! www.brightwaterholidays.com 62 Mull Wildlife Experience Puffins on the Island of Lunga ith its diverse landscape of mountains, sea lochs, Itinerary Wmoorland, and peatbog, the Isle of Mull is home to a wide range of mammals and birds, and Day 1 We depart from our Day 3 Today, following has established itself as one of the UK’s top designated pick-up points breakfast, we have a wildlife wildlife destinations. and head for Oban, where walk on the island of Mull we board the afternoon ferry with one of Mull’s top guides. Mull is a paradise for birdwatchers and one of the to Craignure and transfer We will learn how to find and best places in the country to see big raptors such as to our hotel. This evening where to search for different the golden eagle and white-tailed sea eagle, as well we have a presentation by animals. Today, we can hope as a multitude of seabirds such as puffins, guillemots, a member of the Hebridean to see otters, seals and razorbills and kittiwakes. Whale and Dolphin Trust. sea eagles. Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch This is also one of the most important habitats in & dinner. Europe for dolphins, porpoises and whales. In the Day 2 Our first stop today course of our cruise in the waters around Mull, we is awe-inspiring Staffa and, Day 4 We check out of hope to see some of these elusive and mysterious in particular, Fingal’s Cave. our hotel and enjoy a short mammals as well as the huge but harmless basking As we cruise through the wildlife cruise in the waters sharks. Otters, seals and red deer are just some of the many islands and rocks around Mull. We will look for other animals we will look out for during our time on that make up the Treshnish whales, dolphins, porpoises, Isles, look out for the basking sharks, and seals. the island. common and Atlantic grey Thereafter, we catch the seals. Finally, we land on ferry back to Oban before Lunga, the largest of the returning to our original What’s Included islands, where we spend a pick‑up points. Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the Isle of few hours viewing puffins, Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Mull Hotel & Spa, Craignure razorbills, fulmars, shags, and kittiwakes. Two packed lunches Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch All visits as outlined in the itinerary & dinner. Comfortable coach travel and all ferry crossings Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 21 May £945pp Single Supplement £195 Otter 63 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

Highland Wildlife Safari Bottlenose dolphin cotland’s natural environment is second to none Itinerary Swith a more diverse range of habitats than almost any other country of comparable size. Day 1 We depart for Day 3 We travel through the Loch of the Lowes some glorious mountain We begin at the Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve Wildlife Reserve, where scenery to Loch Maree, where, in addition to a pair of breeding ospreys, you the star attraction is a pair where we enjoy a gentle may spot deer, otters, red squirrels, and woodland of breeding ospreys. We woodland walk at the Beinn birds. The Highland Wildlife Park’s collection includes continue to the Highland Eighe National Nature both native and non-native species, such as the snow Wildlife Park near Reserve. In the afternoon, leopard and polar bears. Aviemore, which has an we visit Inverewe Gardens, extensive collection of both with a host of botanical It is hoped on our boat trip on the Moray Firth, we may native and exotic animals, specimens, both native and see the resident pod of dolphins, while at the House of most famously Hamish the exotic. Aigas, we see a beaver dam and the wildcat project. polar bear. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. We have a day among the majestic mountains of Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Day 4 We travel south to as we travel to National Day 2 We take a boat visit the Abernethy National Nature Reserve and our tour concludes at the Fish trip on the Moray Firth, Nature Reserve at Loch Ladder at Pitlochry Dam, for a chance to see the where we have an excellent Garten, where we hope to mighty salmon making their way upstream. chance of seeing bottlenose see a number of different dolphins at close quarters. birds, including the crested We continue to the House of tit, crossbills and ospreys. What’s Included Aigas Field Centre, where Our final stop is at Pitlochry we have a guided walk Dam and Fish Ladder, an Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at a around the estate to view opportunity to see salmon comfortable hotel in the Inverness area the beaver dam and Scottish passing upstream on the One lunch Wildcat project. River Tummel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. All visits as outlined in the itinerary & dinner. Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 26 June £695pp 24 July £725pp

Single Supplement £90 Osprey www.brightwaterholidays.com 64 AA ClassicClassic ScottishScottish SteamSteam BreakBreak The Jacobite steam train team locomotion has an enduring fascination Itinerary Sfor many of us and combined with the wonderful scenery of Scotland it becomes utterly irresistible. The Day 1 Depart from our Day 3 Today we sail on the Jacobite steam Train, from Fort William to Mallaig, is pick-up points and travel world’s last seagoing paddle one of the longest steam-hauled rail journeys available to the Wheel, the steamer - The Waverley in Britain today, an 84-mile round trip through some world’s first rotating boat (subject to successful boiler spectacular scenery that also includes the 21-arch lift. We sail along the Union refit). We leave the ship at Glenfinnan Viaduct. Canal and under the historic Tighnabruaich, where our Antonine Wall, the Romans’ coach is waiting to take us The PS Waverley requires a new boiler before most northern frontier, then back to the hotel. re‑entering service in 2020, but hopefully we will once continue to our hotel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. again enjoy a cruise on the Firth of Clyde. If not, we will Inc. Meals: Dinner only. take a boat trip on Loch Lomond and visit Inveraray Day 4 We depart for a Day 2 We journey back in cruise on the SS Sir Walter Castle instead. We also enjoy a trip on the SS Sir time aboard the Jacobite Scott. Launched in 1899, she Walter Scott, one of the last surviving screw steamers, steam train and experience retains her original engines, which has graced the calm waters of Loch Katrine one of the most spectacular which are powered by steam since 1900. railways journeys in the using smokeless solid fuel. world - the famous Fort After the cruise, we tour the William to Mallaig line. The before returning route also takes us over to our original pick-up points. What’s Included the Glenfinnan Viaduct Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the overlooking Loch Shiel. Arrochar Hotel, Loch Long Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 26 June £625pp 13 August £595pp 9 July £595pp 27 August £595pp 23 July £595pp 9 October £595pp

Single Supplement £90 SS Sir Walter Scott 65 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 ScenicScenic ScottishScottish RailwaysRailways Strathspey Railway he north of Scotland is blessed with some Itinerary Twonderfully scenic railway lines. The challenge of building railways through some of the most difficult Day 1 We travel to Day 3 We head west on terrain in the British Isles was taken up by the great Aviemore where we join the scheduled diesel train engineers of the Victorian age. Their legacy is in the Strathspey Railway. service to Kyle of , the sweeping curves and majestic viaducts of the The train will be hauled by on what is considered to single‑track lines, which cross wild moors and glens. a lovingly restored steam be the most scenic of all locomotive as we cross Highland railway lines. We Using scheduled diesel train services, we will travel heather-covered moorland also visit the 13th century northwards to Wick, following the coast as far as with the Cairngorm castle, Eilean Donan. Helmsdale, before sweeping inland through the wild Mountains beyond, scenes Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. and empty country of Sutherland and Caithness, which have changed little and westwards to Kyle of Lochalsh, by Strath Bran in the last hundred years. Day 4 After breakfast we travel to Fort William, where and Strath Carron to the shores of . We Afterwards, we continue by coach to our hotel. we join The Jacobite steam have the added attraction of steam haulage for our Inc. Meals: Dinner only. train and experience one of two other journeys. The Jacobite ensures that the the most memorable and haunting sound of a steam whistle continues to echo Day 2 Board the morning spectacular railway journeys around Glenfinnan, as the train crosses ‘Concrete Bob’ scheduled diesel train in the world, featuring McAlpine’s magnificent viaduct on its way from Fort service to Wick. The line the massive Glenfinnan William to Mallaig. takes us across the sparsely Viaduct. We return to our inhabited ‘flow country’ to original departure points in Thurso before we continue the evening. to the terminus at Wick. We Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. What’s Included return to our hotel by the Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at a scenic coastal route. comfortable hotel in the Inverness area Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. All excursions and visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 8 May £595pp 25 September £595pp Single Supplement £90 Glenfinnan Railway Viaduct www.brightwaterholidays.com 66 No single supplement

Historic Houses of the Scottish Borders Abbotsford House he Scottish Borders are often overlooked in Itinerary Tcomparison with the Highlands and Islands, whose grandeur and drama have an obvious attraction. Yet Day 1 We drive into the Day 3 This morning we the Borders have a quiet, understated beauty of their Scottish Borders for our visit Mellerstain House, own, with softly rolling hills draped in early morning visit to Manderston House, one of Scotland’s great mist, peaceful valleys dotted with sheep farms, and the built in the finest Georgian Georgian houses. We sinuous, salmon-filled , which runs like a country house style in the move on to Floors Castle, silver thread from the Lowther Hills down to the sea at 1790s. The mansion was home of the Duke & rebuilt in the early 20th Duchess of Roxburghe, a Berwick. century, and when the romantic fairytale castle This prosperous region is also home to a remarkable architect asked how much with a roofscape of turrets, number of historic houses. These include Manderston he could spend, he was pinnacles and cupolas. House, described as ”the swansong of the stately told that “it simply doesn’t Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. home”; Traquair House, the oldest continuously matter.” Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Day 4 We conclude at inhabited house in Scotland; and Abbotsford, home , a to Sir Walter Scott. Perhaps the grandest of all is Day 2 Travel through magnificent 16th century Floors Castle, the magnificent home of the Duke of to Abbotsford castle set in a quiet meadow Roxburghe. House, built by Sir Walter landscape. The family home Scott following the success of the Duke of , of his great novels. In the Thirlestane Castle is one of afternoon we visit Traquair the oldest and finest castles What’s Included House, which is said to be in Scotland ,and dates back the oldest continuously to at least the 12th century. Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star inhabited house in Scotland. Lunch is provided in the Peebles Hydro Hotel Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Victorian Kitchen here. One lunch Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 26 May £725pp 11 October £695pp

No Single Supplement Floors Castle 67 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Lord of the Glens Highlands and Islands – 6 Days

Tobermory he MV Lord of the Glens, with its 27 beautifully Itinerary Tappointed state cabins, sails between Inverness, Fort Augustus and Oban. Day 1 Travel under our own and visit the Glenfinnan arrangement to Inverness, Monument. We begin at Inverness and cruise Loch Ness to Fort where we embark the MV Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch Augustus. The vessel is then lifted by a series of locks Lord of the Glens. This & dinner. to peaceful Loch Oich and continues to Banavie in the evening, we join the crew for shadow of Ben Nevis. Here, we see Thomas Telford’s a welcome reception. Day 4 Negotiate ‘Neptune’s engineering masterpiece – Neptune’s Staircase, a Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Staircase’ then cruise Loch series of eight inter-connected locks that take vessels Linnhe to Tobermory on the back to sea-level near Fort William. We then sail out Day 2 Cruise the length Isle of Mull. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch into the sea and cruise to Mull and Oban, where the of mysterious Loch Ness & dinner. voyage concludes. In between our cruising, there with a photo opportunity at Urquhart Castle and time to is also a full programme of shore excursions, which explore Fort Augustus. Day 5 Visit Duart Castle on include a train journey, a visit to the Glenfinnan Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch Mull then sail over to Oban, Monument, and visits to both Duart Castle and & dinner. where we visit the fantastic Tobermory. whisky distillery. Day 3 Continue through Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch sections of the Caledonian & dinner. Canal and peaceful lochs What’s Included before we take a train Day 6 Today we disembark ride across the iconic and transfer by coach back Five nights’ accommodation in a lower deck twin Glenfinnan Viaduct to Inverness. cabin on a full board basis. All cabins have en-suite Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. facilities and can be upgraded at a supplement Shore excursions as described in the itinerary Return coach transfers from Inverness

Departures & Prices 6 days in 2021 from Inverness to Oban Oban to Inverness 16 April £1345pp 21 April £1345pp 27 September £1395pp 2 October £1345pp Single Supplement from £800 Limited availability for 2020 – please call for details Lord of the Glens www.brightwaterholidays.com 68 Lord of the Glens Heart of the Highlands – 8 Days

Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness slightly longer version of the tour to the left, this Itinerary A8-day edition includes everything on the other itinerary, but also features an excursion to Eilean Day 1 Travel under our own and visit the Glenfinnan Donan Castle and time to visit the tiny island of . arrangement to Inverness. A Monument. This latter destination offers a sense of what life is like coach transfer is provided to Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch for the 90 people who live there. There is also a visit Kyle of Lochalsh on the west & dinner. coast, where we embark to the Clan Donald Centre and Gardens on the Isle of Day 6 The vessel ascends Skye. the MV Lord of the Glens. Later, we join the crew for a Neptune’s Staircase and welcome drinks reception. sails through lochs and Inc. Meals: Dinner only. man-made sections of the Caledonian Canal. Day 2 Depart for a visit to Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch Eilean Donan Castle, one & dinner. of the most photographed We negotiate the Neptune’s Staircase castles in Scotland. Sail to Day 7 Skye for a visit to the Clan locks in Fort Augustus then Donald Centre and stay cruise the length of Loch overnight in remote Inverie. Ness. Afternoon visits to What’s Included Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch Clava Cairns and Culloden battlefield await. Seven nights’ accommodation in a lower deck twin & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch cabin on a full board basis. All cabins have en-suite & dinner. facilities and can be upgraded at a supplement Day 3 Sail to the tiny island of Eigg and experience the Shore excursions as described in the itinerary remoteness of island life. Day 8 Disembark in Inverness. Return coach transfers from Inverness Continue to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch Departures & Prices & dinner. 8 days in 2021 from Day 4 Cruise to the sacred Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness Isle of Iona and on to Oban. 26 April £2295pp 3 May £2295pp Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch 10 May £2295pp 17 May £2295pp & dinner. 24 May £2295pp 20 September £2295pp Day 5 Sail north into Loch 13 September £2295pp Linnhe before we take a Single Supplement from £1400 train ride across the iconic Limited availability for 2020 – please call for details Glenfinnan Viaduct Glenfinnan Monument 69 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

Lord of the Highlands Highlands and Islands Inverness

n 2020, the hugely popular ‘Lord of the Glens’ will be joined by a brand new sister Iship, the ‘Lord of the Highlands’. The challenge, as with her sister ship, was to craft a vessel that could both transit the intricate waters of the Caledonian Canal as well as navigate the sheltered waters around Scotland’s hauntingly beautiful fretted west coast, the result being a splendid craft whose elegance calls to mind that of a luxury yacht. There are 21 outward facing state cabins spread over two decks, four with their own small balcony, each named with references to John ’s “The Thirty-Nine Loch Lochy Steps”. Each cabin is decorated with hardwood finishes, plush carpeting, a dressing table, stool, wardrobe, satellite TV, and en suite facilities with shower, wc and washbasin. All state cabins are air conditioned and heated, and also have internal telephones and picture windows. The cuisine is excellent, freshly prepared on board by a loyal and long-serving brigade of chefs, drawing on the rich bounty of locally sourced produce. The Highlands and Islands cruise follows the same six- and eight-day itineraries as Eilean Donan Castle the Lord of the Glens, sailing between Kyle of Lochalsh, Inverness and Oban. Departures & Prices 6 days from What’s Included 30 September £1275pp Five nights’ accommodation in a lower All shore excursions as described in the 8 days available on request deck twin cabin on a full board basis. All itinerary from £1995pp cabins have en-suite facilities and can Return coach transfers from Inverness Single cabin supplement be upgraded at a supplement on request 2021 dates from April to September available on request, 8 days from £2295pp www.brightwaterholidays.com 70 Itinerary

Day 1 Travel under our own arrangement to Inverness. A coach transfer is provided to Muirtown Basin at the start of the first section of the Caledonian Canal, where we embark the MV Lord of the Highlands. This evening, we will be joined by the crew for a welcome reception before dinner. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.

Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness

Day 4 We negotiate Neptune’s Staircase, an impressive series of eight inter-connected locks that lower vessels step‑by-step to sea level at Corpach, close to Fort William. From here we sail down Loch Linnhe to Tobermory, the Duart Castle principal town on Mull whose multi-coloured buildings ringing the harbour will be familiar to many. Day 2 We cruise the length of Loch Ness. This most famous Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. of Scottish lochs is 23 miles long, a mile wide and up to 600ft deep, which is a lot of water in which to hide if you Day 5 We leave the ship for a visit to Duart Castle, the 13th are a monster! On the way we pass by the ruins of Castle century home of the Chief of Clan MacLean. We then sail Urquhart, which provides the perfect photo opportunity. across the Firth of Lorne to the bustling port of Oban, where Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. we have a walking tour. This includes the whisky distillery and McCaig’s Folly. In the evening, we will be joined by members of the crew once again for our farewell reception and dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 6 We disembark and transfer by coach back to Inverness. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.

Inverness Castle

Day 3 After breakfast, we ascend the series of six inter- connected locks that run through the centre of Fort Augustus and we sail through various man-made sections of the Caledonian Canal. We continue through peaceful Loch Oich and Loch Lochy to Banavie. In the afternoon, we board a scheduled diesel train service, which takes us along the shores of Loch Eil and across the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct for a visit to the Glenfinnan Monument, which was designed by James Gillespie Graham and erected by Alexander Macdonald of Glenaladale. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Caledonian Canal 71 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Autumn Tints of Perthshire Dunkeld Cathedral erthshire is home to some remarkable trees and, Itinerary Pcome autumn, the leaves turn from fresh green to a palette of red, gold, yellow and bronze – a wonderful Day 1 We travel to Scone the Fortingall Yew, which sight to behold as the morning mists clear. Palace, whose magnificent has been guesstimated at collection of trees includes anything between 3,000 At Scone Palace, we see some of the towering the original Douglas fir and 9,000 years old. We specimens and then visit two historic trees – the raised from the seed that continue to the wonderful Parent Larch in the grounds of Dunkeld Cathedral and plant-hunter David Douglas woodland garden at Cluny the Birnam Oak, the last surviving remnant of the wood sent back from House, the wild tree garden mentioned in ‘Macbeth’. in 1827. We continue to at the Hermitage, and on Dunkeld in the afternoon. to Aberfeldy, where we see We visit the Fortingall Yew, which is at least 3,000 Near the famous cathedral, the birch trees that inspired years old; The Hermitage, a wild ‘tree garden’ created we will find the remaining Robert Burns. by the Dukes of ; and the wonderful woodland Parent Larch, the sole Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. garden at Cluny House. survivor from a group of Day 3 After a stroll around We conclude at Faskally Forest, which offers a glorious larches planted here over 250 years ago, and nearby Faskally Forest, we continue profusion of trees and Diana’s Grove at Blair Castle, the Birnam Oak, believed to the Pass of Killiecrankie, which presents probably the best ‘big tree’ experience to be the last surviving which offers a splendid walk in the country. remnant of Birnam Wood, as beside the River Garry, then mentioned in ‘Macbeth’. we travel north to Blair Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Castle to visit Diana’s Grove, an outstanding ‘big tree’ Day 2 Our first visit is to experience. What’s Included the geographical heart of Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Two nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 3-star Scotland, where stands Birnam Hotel, Dunkeld All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of Brian Cunningham as tour manager

Departures & Prices 3 days from 11 October £325pp

Single Supplement £50 Autumn in the Hermitage, Dunkeld www.brightwaterholidays.com 72 ChristmasChristmas inin thethe ScottishScottish BordersBorders Christmas in Moffat he Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf & Spa, nestling Itinerary Ton the banks of the River Tweed in a tranquil valley a few miles to the east of Peebles in the Scottish Day 1 We depart for facilities, take a stroll or read Borders, provides the luxurious setting for a relaxing, Peebles and the Macdonald your book. stress-free Christmas break. From the moment you Cardrona Hotel, Golf Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & arrive at the hotel, welcomed with a cream tea, you will and Spa, set on the River dinner. Tweed. We are welcomed on enjoy the best of Scottish hospitality and a full festive Day 3 After breakfast, we programme that includes carol singing and a traditional arrival with festive teas and after dinner there will be a depart on an optional scenic Christmas lunch with all the trimmings. You can make drinks reception followed by coach tour of the Border full use of the superb leisure facilities, which include Christmas carols. country, which will see us an 18-metre swimming pool, and a range of beauty Inc. Meals: Dinner only. visiting the delightful towns treatments is also available. During the course of our of Moffat, Galashiels and stay, there will be an excursion into the rolling Borders Day 2 After a glass of Melrose. Alternatively, book hills and a visit to nearby Peebles, a charming little Buck’s Fizz with breakfast in for a spa treatment or enjoy a round of winter golf town with an appealing timeless quality. the morning is free to relax. A traditional Christmas at the hotel. carvery lunch with all the Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. trimmings follows and after the Queen’s Speech you Day 4 After breakfast, we are free to use the leisure head for home. What’s Included Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the 4-star Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf & Spa, near Peebles Welcome festive tea, Buck’s Fizz at breakfast and lunch on Christmas Day Comfortable coach travel including scenic tour of the Borders Services of a professional tour manager Departures & Prices 4 days from 24 December £499pp

Single Supplement £175 Celebrate the festive season 73 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 UK and Irish Gardens Waddesdon Manor The RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Classic English Gardens RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019

his tour combines the colour, prestige and excitement of the RHS Chelsea TFlower Show with some of the south of England’s finest gardens, affording the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of horticultural excellence. Our two-centre holiday includes visits to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the unmissable RHS Garden Wisley, as well as to the stunning Sissinghurst in Kent and also Great Dixter. We then head west, breaking our journey both at the beautiful gardens of Wilton House near Salisbury and then at ‘Capability’ Brown’s famous landscape garden of Stourhead. From our hotel in the West Country we visit the ancient Bishop’s Palace in Wells, the Harold Peto designed garden at Iford Manor and Hestercombe, one of Gertrude Best Display Garden - Chelsea 2019 Jekyll’s and Sir Edwin Lutyens’ greatest masterpieces. We also have some time in the town of Bath, famous for its Roman baths and elegant Georgian terraces. We conclude with a wander round Tyntesfield, a fine National Trust Victorian country house with a glorious walled garden, before returning to London.

What’s Included Six nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: All visits as outlined in the itinerary three nights at the 3-star Holiday Inn Comfortable coach travel throughout Farnborough (or similar) and three nights at the 3-star Walnut Tree Hotel, Services of a professional tour manager Great Dixter Garden North Petherton, Somerset (or similar) Full-day ticket for the RHS Chelsea Departures & Prices Flower Show 7 days from 21 May £1295pp

Single Supplement £330 www.brightwaterholidays.com 76 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. Inc. Meals: Dinner only.

RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey

gorgeous. Later, we take a trip to Iford Manor, where we have an exclusive private visit. Its Italianate garden is Grade I listed and was created by the architect and landscape gardener, Harold Peto. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 5 We start our day at The Bishop’s Palace in Wells, Stourhead Somerset. This is a stunning medieval building and we enjoy a special ‘Horticulture at the Palace’ tour upon arrival. There are 14 acres of gardens to explore, including the beautiful Day 2 Today, we head for the manicured gardens of well pools from which the city takes its name. We will Sissinghurst, where we are treated to an exclusive guided also be given some free time here to experience the city’s tour before the gardens open to the public. The history to architecture, view its breathtaking cathedral and have free be explored here is rich and fascinating, and the gardens time for lunch. In the afternoon, we visit Hestercombe, themselves are simply stunning. We continue to another one of Gertrude Jekyll and Sir Edwin Lutyens’ greatest classic English garden – this time, Great Dixter. The masterpieces. The garden is home to a round pool in a round distinguished garden writer Christopher Lloyd was the walled garden filled with wintersweet and roses, a Dutch genius behind the elegant gardens of a timbered 15th garden of lamb’s ears, lavender and the most beautiful century house. orangery of the 20th century. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 3 Our entire day is spent at the RHS Chelsea Flower Day 6 Today begins at the gardens at Stourhead, first Show, a great British tradition and exciting source of opened in the 1740s. Temples, urns, a grotto and a wealth inspiration and advice. One of the highlights of the show is of trees all contribute to the special atmosphere of this the collection of over 20 full-sized show gardens. Inside the celebrated landscape garden. It is, above all, a garden to walk Great Marquee, visitors are dazzled by hundreds of floral in, following the serpentine path that borders the lake which displays, many of them incorporating new, rare and unusual forms the serene centrepiece. After a tour of this beautiful plants. Other popular features here include flower-arranging, garden, we head back to Bath for some free time. floristry and garden design marquees, courtyard gardens, Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. window boxes and hanging baskets. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 7 This morning we travel to Tyntesfield, a fine Victorian country house. Spiralling turrets and pinnacles adorn the roof, and 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.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019

Day 4 A drive south starts our morning 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 simply Sissinghurst 77 Call our travel experts on 01334 766820 New for 2020

RHSRHS GardenGarden BridgewaterBridgewater andand GardensGardens ofof thethe NorthNorth WestWest Arley Hall urrently the largest gardening project in Europe, Itinerary CRHS Garden Bridgewater opens to the public in 2020 and we are delighted to be able to offer the Day 1 We depart from our Bridgewater, is much smaller opportunity to be among the first to visit it. pick-up points and head for but no less intriguing. the gardens of Trentham Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Based on an overall design by leading landscape Estate in Staffordshire. architect Tom Stuart-Smith, this once in a generation The revival of the famous Day 3 We visit the gardens project will include one of the largest walled gardens Italian Gardens was led by at Dunham Massey, in the UK, beautifully landscaped grounds, living plant the winner of multiple which was taken over by collections and horticultural trails. Chelsea gold medals, the National Trust in 1976. Tom Stuart-Smith. Modern additions include We will also take the opportunity to visit some of the Inc. Meals: Dinner only. the Rose Garden and the best gardens in the North West, including Trentham Winter Garden. Later we visit Estate in Staffordshire, where the contemporary revival Day 2 We depart for the Tatton Park, whose gardens of the famous Italian Gardens was also led by Tom brand new RHS Garden have developed over 200 Stuart-Smith; Dunham Massey, a great plantsman’s Bridgewater at Worsley. years yet retain much of their garden; and Arley Hall, whose pair of herbaceous This once in a generation Edwardian character. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. borders is one of the great garden sights of England. project will see the Royal Horticultural Society take inspiration from the heritage Day 4 We depart for a visit of the site and transform it to Arley Hall, whose pair of What’s Included into a world-class garden. herbaceous borders is one In the afternoon, we visit of the great garden sights of Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star a nearby private garden, England. Best Western Plus Pinewood on Wilmslow Hotel, which, in contrast to Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Cheshire (or similar) All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 4 September £625pp 18 September £595pp 11 September £595pp

Single Supplement £120 Italian Gardens, Trentham Estate www.brightwaterholidays.com 78 The RHS Chatsworth Flower Show and Gardens of Derbyshire Hardwick Hall et against the classic landscape shaped by Itinerary SCapability Brown and Joseph Paxton, the Chatsworth Flower Show aims to present the best Day 1 We depart from our Day 3 We enjoy a full day in British design and innovation. Various themes are pick-up points and travel to at the RHS Chatsworth explored and interpreted by garden designers in a Felley Priory. The tranquil Show. Set against the recreation of Joseph Paxton’s Great Conservatory. As grounds house many rare classic landscape shaped with all RHS shows, the country’s best nurseries will be and usual plants, and the by Capability Brown and in attendance with stunning displays. herbaceous borders are a Joseph Paxton, the show true sight to behold. We aims to present the best By contrast, the holiday will also include visits to some continue to Hardwick British design and innovation. of the region’s classic gardens including Felley Priory, Hall, which dominates the There will be a wide range with its beautiful herbaceous borders, old fashioned surrounding area. of show gardens, including roses and white garden; Hardwick Hall, known for its Inc. Meals: Dinner only. a new category ‘Free Form’, woodland, an orchard and romantic rambling roses; allowing designers to Day 2 Our day starts create something and Haddon Hall, which although an ancient residence, at RHS Harlow Carr. previously unseen. has had areas of the garden redesigned in the past Within this handsome and Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. few years. We will also visit the splendid RHS Garden well-wooded site, there Harlow Carr. are sections devoted to Day 4 We journey to particular groups of plants. Haddon Hall, an intensely After refreshments at romantic and hugely historic Betty’s Tearoom, we have house, whose gardens still What’s Included some free time in Harrogate, have much of their 17th whose attractions include century character. Following Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star the Mercer Art Gallery our visit we return to our Hotel Mercure Sheffield Kenwood Hall & Spa and the Royal Pump Room original departure points. Cream tea at Betty’s Tearoom (entrances not included). Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 11 June £695pp Single Supplement £90 RHS Harlow Carr Garden 79 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 GardensGardens ofof CheshireCheshire andand RHSRHS FlowerFlower ShowShow TattonTatton ParkPark Arley Hall he Royal Horticultural Society will once again bring Itinerary Ta spectacular celebration of flowers and gardening to the north-west of England with the RHS Flower Day 1 We depart from our Day 3 We start with a visit Show Tatton Park. Set against the splendour of Tatton pick-up points and head to the gardens of Arley Hall. Park’s 1,000-acre deer park, the show will be full of for Cheshire where we visit A pair of herbaceous borders attractions, imaginative and colourful displays, and Ness Botanic Gardens, was laid out here in 1846 exciting show gardens. This classic English flower show which feature herbaceous and they survive to this day, has everything you need – and didn’t know you needed borders, terraces with beautifully maintained. In the climbing plants, native afternoon we visit Mount – for your garden to flourish. plants, and water gardens. Pleasant, 10 acres The herbaceous borders at Arley Hall are one of the Later, we transfer to of landscaped garden great garden sights in England, while Mount Pleasant our hotel. and woodland with is a traditional mixed garden complemented by Inc. Meals: Dinner only. impressive views over the impressive views. Ness Botanic Gardens has a host of Cheshire countryside. Day 2 We depart for the Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. features including herbaceous borders, climbing plants RHS Flower Show Tatton and lush water gardens, and finally there is Stonyford Park. The show is full of Day 4 We check out of Cottage, an informal natural garden and specialist attractions, from spectacular our hotel and head home, plant nursery. floral marquees ablaze with stopping for lunch at colourful displays from over Stonyford Cottage. This 80 nurseries to a series informal natural space has of back-to-back gardens, been developed around a proving that even the pool with bridges leading What’s Included smallest space can become over to an island, which Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star a treasured retreat. evokes Monet’s iconic Queens Hotel, Chester Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. gardens at Giverny. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch. One lunch All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 22 July £595pp Single Supplement £135 Ness Botanic Gardens www.brightwaterholidays.com 80 No single supplement

GardensGardens ofof NorthumberlandNorthumberland Alnwick Garden Tree House he largely rural county of Northumberland is Itinerary Thome to a range of individual and imaginative gardens, with each one giving an unusual insight into Day 1 We travel from Day 3 Today, we visit the pleasure of gardening in this most beautiful and London’s Kings Cross to Alnwick Garden, one of the tranquil corner of England. Durham and transfer to world’s most ambitious new Crook Hall, a Grade I listed gardens. The Duchess of Mindrum was created by a natural artist who then set medieval Manor House with Northumberland’s vision for about creating a new garden at Kirky Cottage, filled a banqueting hall that dates a forgotten plot is now a 21st with her favourite plants. back to at least the century experience full of 13th century. imagination, inspiration and In Whalton, one of Northumberland’s prettiest villages, Inc. Meals: Dinner only. fun. Our second visit today we find Manor House, a charming English country will be to the garden at the house garden that features a contribution by Jekyll Day 2 Today we travel Manor House. and Lutyens. Newbiggin House offers us delightful old through the wild and Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. fashioned herbaceous borders, while in contrast the rugged landscape of Alnwick Garden gives us an innovative garden for the north Northumberland to Day 4 Before heading 21st century. We conclude at tranquil Crook Hall. Mindrum. The garden was home, we travel to the created with great skill and Northumberland/Durham verve by the owner and is border to Newbiggin House, now looked after by her a five-acre landscaped What’s Included son. We transfer to her new garden at 1,000ft started Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star garden, created a few years in 1996, which has matured Marriott Royal County Hotel, Durham ago at Kirky Cottage, where beautifully. We then catch lunch is included. a train from Durham back One lunch Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & to London. Return standard class rail travel from London dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Kings Cross to Durham (£100 reduction for no rail travel) and comfortable coaching in Northumberland All visits as outlined in the itinerary Services of a professional tour manager Departures & Prices 4 days from 14 June £795pp 26 July £825pp No Single Supplement Water feature in Alnwick Garden 81 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Private Gardens of East Anglia Beth Chatto Garden he adjoining counties of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk Itinerary Tfeature on this tour of some of the finest gardens that East Anglia has to offer. Day 1 We depart from Day 3 We visit the gardens London and visit RHS Hyde of Raveningham Hall, We begin in Essex, with visits to RHS Garden Hyde Hall Hall at Rettendon, south of protected by shelter belts of and the late Beth Chatto’s famous garden and nursery, Chelmsford. We continue woodland, herbaceous and which was transformed from overgrown wasteland into to Beth Chatto Gardens, mixed borders, wildflower an informal garden harmonising with the surrounding near Colchester, which was meadows, and rolling lawns. countryside. transformed from overgrown A highlight of our visit is the wasteland with poor gravel – designed We continue to Helmingham Hall where the house, Time Garden soil to a garden that has around Francis Bacon’s parkland and gardens together create an exceptional become justly famous. essays based on the passage work of art, and to Wyken Hall vineyards and gardens. Inc. Meals: Dinner only. of time. We continue with We have the privilege of visiting Raveningham Hall, a visit to the breathtaking This morning, we the garden of RHS President Sir Nicholas Bacon Bt, Day 2 20-acre East Ruston Old travel to Wyken Hall and along with East Ruston Old Vicarage, an inspirational Vicarage Garden, which for Vineyards where the many will be the highlight of exotic garden that lies less than two miles from the beautiful formal gardens our visit to Norfolk. North Sea. should be bursting with Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Our final day takes us to The Place for Plants at East topiary, herbs, roses, and Bergholt and Marks Hall Garden and Arboretum. fruit trees. Next, we head to Day 4 Discover the Helmingham Hall, which incomparable Place for overlooks a deer park with Plants at East Bergholt and a double avenue of oaks. To then continue to our final What’s Included one side, a walled kitchen visit – the gardens at Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 3-star garden has been put to Marks Hall – before we head Best Western Brook Hotel, Norwich (or similar) ornamental use. for home. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 18 May £595pp 17 August £595pp

Single Supplement £90 Helmingham Hall gardens www.brightwaterholidays.com 82 Gardens of North Wales Portmeirion et amongst glorious scenery that includes the Itinerary Smountains of Snowdonia, dramatic seascapes and ancient castles, North Wales is home to some Day 1 We depart by coach Day 3 Today we visit outstanding gardens. One of the best is Plas Cadnant, and head for Wales, where Mynydd Heulog, an 18th which 20 years ago was an overgrown, abandoned we visit the gardens of century stone cottage set wilderness of ivy and decrepit fruit trees. Its new owner Powis Castle, influenced by in a sloping garden with has brought it back to life and, rather like Heligan in French and Italian styles. We amazing views over the bay. Cornwall, Plas Cadnant has emerged as a gem of a continue to our hotel. We then visit Plas yn Rhiw, Inc. Meals: Dinner only. a delightful manor house garden, full of interest. with an ornamental garden. Further highlights include Plas yn Rhiw, a delightful Day 2 Today we travel to Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. manor house with an ornamental garden; Bodnant the privately-owned garden Garden, with a range of beautiful plants from all over of Maenan Hall, a beautiful Day 4 We visit the gardens property set among mature at Plas Brondanw, followed the world; and Portmeirion, the eccentric and rather hardwoods on the slopes by the famous village of surreal Italianate village that has been enhanced in of the Conwy Valley, Portmeirion – both created recent years with improvements made to the gardens. with dramatic views of in a unique Italianate style Snowdonia. In the afternoon, by Sir Clough Williams- we travel to Colwyn Bay Ellis. Much work has been to visit Bodnant Garden carried out in recent years and then we tour Plas to improve the gardens here, Cadnant, a hidden historic enhancing the beauty of the garden which is slowly being architecture. Following our uncovered. visit here we return to our What’s Included Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. original departure points. Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 3-star Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Celtic Royal Hotel, Caernarfon All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of Tony Russell as tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 5 June £595pp 17 July £595pp

Single Supplement £195 Bodnant Gardens 83 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 PrivatePrivate GardensGardens ofof HerefordshireHerefordshire Hampton Court Castle ural Herefordshire boasts some of Britain’s finest Itinerary Rgardens, offering a great variety of styles – from water gardens to plantsman’s gardens, and from a Day 1 We depart from our 1,000 acres of parkland, garden of sentiment and memories to a garden of pick-up points and stop en pasture and woodland. We history and refinement. route at Pengethley Garden explore Stockton Bury Centre. We continue to Sir Gardens at Kimbolton and Highlights include Sir Roy Strong’s ‘uniquely Roy Strong’s garden, The enjoy lunch, a garden tour, autobiographical’ garden of sentiments and memories, Laskett. Thereafter, we workshop and talk with the The Laskett, in the parish of Much Birch. transfer to our hotel. head gardener. Many of the Inc. Meals: Dinner only. unusual plants here are for Westonbury Mill Water Gardens is home to a wide sale – the perfect souvenir. range of water features and a number of delightful Day 2 We visit the private Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch follies, all hand-built by the owner, including a unique garden of the Old Rectory & dinner. water-powered giant cuckoo clock! at Thruxton, which is stocked with unusual Day 4 Our final day At Stockton Bury, a four-acre plantsman’s garden perennials and roses. Later, culminates with a visit to full of unusual plants, we are privileged to have a we visit Westonbury Mill Misarden Park, near Stroud. workshop, tour and talk with the gardener. Water Garden, which is Originally designed in the home to a bog garden and a 17th century, the gardens ‘Monet’ bridge. were redeveloped in the 20th Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. century by Sir Edwin Lutyens What’s Included in his famous Edwardian Day 3 We begin by travelling style. We return to our Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast a 3-star to the gardens at Hampton original departure points. hotel in Herefordshire Court Castle, a 15th century Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. One lunch structure surrounded by All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 14 May £695pp 2 September £695pp 2 August £695pp

Single Supplement £150 Hampton Court Garden www.brightwaterholidays.com 84 HighgroveHighgrove andand CotswoldsCotswolds Highgrove ur tour of the Cotswolds features an exclusive visit Itinerary Oto Highgrove House, the country home of HRH The Prince of Wales. This will be a rare opportunity to Day 1 We depart from our Day 3 This morning, we see these fascinating gardens, which, of course, are designated pick-up points transfer to Highgrove, the cultivated using wholly organic methods. and head for the garden of country home of HRH the Rodmarton Manor, which Prince of Wales (subject to Some of the finest gardens in England are to be was originally designed as successful application). This found nestled among the green and rolling hills of a series of outdoor rooms is a rare opportunity to see Gloucestershire. Our tour begins at the Arts and and are still the same today, these fascinating gardens, Crafts house of Rodmarton Manor, whose fine garden with each part of the garden which are cultivated using comprises a series of ‘outdoor rooms’. Hidcote Manor’s having a different character. wholly organic methods. In contrasting garden rooms and Kiftsgate’s splendid We continue to our hotel in the afternoon we enjoy a views are justly famous. We shall also visit the small, the Cotswolds. visit to Misarden Park, private garden of Misarden Park and then Westonbirt, Inc. Meals: Dinner only. near Stroud. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. the National Arboretum. Day 2 This morning, we Please note, by the very nature of this holiday we are visit the gardens of Hidcote Day 4 En route home, we dependent on a successful application for admittance Manor, one of the best pay a visit to Westonbirt, the to Highgrove, which will be confirmed in February 2020. known gardens in Britain. National Arboretum, which is We then visit Kiftsgate perhaps the most important Court, which is surrounded and widely known arboretum by a series of enclosed in the UK. It comprises some What’s Included gardens, whose formality 18,000 trees and shrubs, over Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star is blurred by generous an area of approximately Cotswold Waterpark Hotel, South Cerney planting. 600 acres. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager Departures & Prices 4 days from 17 April £595pp 7 August £595pp 14 May £595pp 4 September £595pp 12 June £625pp 25 September £595pp Single Supplement £175 Hidcote Manor 85 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 TheThe GardensGardens ofof KentKent && SussexSussex Sissinghurst Castle Garden f there’s one tour that epitomises the joy of strolling Itinerary Iaround a perfect English country garden, it is this one – with one shining example after another to be Day 1 We depart from our bird’ visit to the manicured savoured and enjoyed. Visitors will be bowled over pick-up points and head gardens of Sissinghurst, by the quality and pedigree of these gardens, which towards Kent for our first before they open to the capture the essence of the English country garden. visit - Great Comp Garden, general public. We continue a fine garden with many to another classic English We start at Great Comp, filled with rare and beautiful rare shrubs, perennials and Country Garden, namely shrubs, followed by Lullingstone Castle. Nymans hardy plants. We continue to Great Dixter. No gardener Garden offers outstanding plants in a theatrical Lullingstone Castle, with its could come here without setting and is twinned with Sussex Prairie Garden, unique World of Plants. making discoveries and reminiscent of the work of the great Dutch garden Inc. Meals: Dinner only. rekindling a zest for gardening. designer, Piet Oudolf. We also visit Sissinghurst, surely Day 2 Today, we set off Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. the most-copied flower garden in the world, and Great for Sussex Prairie Garden Dixter. A stroll around the gardens of Wakehurst Place at Henfield, an eight-acre Day 4 Our first visit today and a special tour at Perch Hill, a garden that belongs garden boasting large is to Wakehurst Place to a well-known TV presenter, round off a borders in a naturalistic style Gardens, set in 100 acres. distinguished tour. and drifts of herbaceous Thereafter, we continue to perennials. We continue Perch Hill, the garden of to Nymans Garden, an well-known TV presenter What’s Included outstanding plant collection Sarah Raven. After lunch, we in an inspirational setting. enjoy a special guided tour Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. in the company of the Head Donnington Manor Hotel, Sevenoaks Gardener, before returning to One lunch Day 3 This morning, we are our original pick-up points. privileged to have an ‘early Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 28 May £795pp 20 August £825pp 25 June £825pp

Single Supplement £195 Great Dixter www.brightwaterholidays.com 86 New for 2020

ChristmasChristmas inin KentKent Fallow Deer at Knowle Park in Sevenoaks ow many times, as you’ve slaved over a hot stove Itinerary Hor a never-ending pile of cranberry sauce-encrusted plates, have you promised yourself: Day 1 Depart from London evening help ourselves from “Next Christmas, someone else is going to do all the and Gatwick for our hotel Chef’s Christmas buffet. work!” in Sevenoaks, where we are Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch welcomed with a festive & dinner. Well, here’s your chance, with the friendly staff of the tea and later a Christmas comfortable Donnington Manor Hotel in Sevenoaks, cocktail reception followed Day 3 Boxing Day is a Kent, ready and waiting to bring Christmas to you on by a candlelit dinner. leisurely affair, with the a plate. From the moment you arrive, welcomed by a Inc. Meals: Tea & dinner. option of joining our coach warming drink, until the time you check out, replete tour to Canterbury. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and refreshed, the staff will ensure your every need is Day 2 A day of feasting & dinner. catered for, with an endless selection of snacks, meals, awaits as we enjoy a mulled wine reception followed by drinks and festive cheer. a traditional four-course Day 4 After a leisurely Christmas lunch. After breakfast, we return to our the Queen’s broadcast we original pick-up points. have afternoon tea with Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Christmas cake and in the What’s Included Three nights’ dinner, bed & full breakfast at the 4-star Donnington Manor Hotel, Sevenoaks Christmas lunch, Boxing Day lunch, Christmas cocktail reception, morning and afternoon tea and coffee and snacks Comfortable coach travel including optional excursion on Boxing Day Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 24 December £795pp

Single Supplement £175 Festive Christmas Dinner 87 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 In the Footsteps of Gertrude Jekyll Hestercombe ertrude Jekyll was a painter, writer and Itinerary Gplantswoman extraordinaire, however she is perhaps best remembered for her association with Day 1 We begin with a gardens of East Lambrook, the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. Over the last hundred visit to the garden of Vann, near South Petherton in years, few would doubt the great influence Gertrude which incorporates Gertrude Somerset, recognised Jekyll had on garden design — during her lifetime, she Jekyll’s 1911 water garden, throughout the world as the ‘Home of English Cottage created over 400 gardens. and continue on to Loseley Park, a highlight of which is Gardening’. Our tour stretches across the south of England, from the Walled Garden. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. the Home Counties of Kent, Sussex and Surrey – Inc. Meals: Dinner only. where she lived for most of her life — to the southern Day 4 We visit Nynehead Court, whose formal gardens counties of England and into the scenic West Country. Day 2 Today we visit feature a wide variety of Perhaps the true highlight of this holiday will be the Upton Grey Manor House, believed to be the most trees, a walled vegetable rare chance to visit Munstead Wood. This was where authentic Jekyll garden in garden and a parterre. Then Gertrude Jekyll lived and was the scene of many of existence. We continue we proceed to Cothay her highly influential garden experiments and ideas. with a visit to the excellent Manor, a magical, romantic The garden today is mainly woodland with many oaks, Godalming Museum. We garden that surrounds a Scots pines, silver birches, and chestnuts. then visit the nearby garden perfect example of a small at Munstead Wood, which medieval manor. is where Jekyll lived until her Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. death in 1932. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 5 Our final visit is What’s Included to Hestercombe, one of Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: two nights at Day 3 We head southwest, Jekyll and Lutyens’ greatest the 4-star Frensham Pond Hotel and two nights at for our visit to the private masterpieces, before the 3-star Shrubbery Hotel, Illminster garden of Bramdean, near we return to our original Alresford in Hampshire, departure points. All visits as outlined in the itinerary before continuing to the Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 5 days from 6 June £975pp

Single Supplement £200 Upton Grey www.brightwaterholidays.com 88 New for 2020

GardensGardens ofof SomersetSomerset andand DorsetDorset Stourhead Garden he neighbouring counties of Dorset and Somerset Itinerary Tepitomise the timeless and restrained beauty of rural England, and are home to a fine selection of Day 1 We depart from our 30 acres of award-winning classic gardens in a variety of different styles. Both pick-up points and head gardens. counties offer grand vistas, both natural and for the famous landscape Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. man-made, as well as small and intimate treasures, garden at Stourhead, with Day 4 We visit Tintinhull again, both natural and man-made. its temples, urns and grotto. Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Gardens, set around an From our base in Taunton, our tour heads out each day attractive 17th century to all four compass points, visiting historic National Day 2 Today we visit the manor house, and one Trust properties such as Barrington Court, Tintinhull gardens at Kilver Court, of the most harmonious small gardens in Britain. In and the wonderful landscape of Stourhead, as well as which feature an unusual the afternoon we call in at outstanding gardens such as Kilver Court, Forde Abbey and highly impressive backdrop – a vast railway East Lambrook Manor, and East Lambrook, recognised throughout the world viaduct. Later we visit the recognised throughout as the ‘Home of English Cottage Gardening’. On our Yeo Valley Organic Garden, the world as the ‘Home of final day, we visit the enchanting Lyte’s Cary Manor. a constantly evolving English Cottage Gardening’. patchwork of ornamental Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. and edible plants. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 5 We depart for the gardens of Barrington Day 3 We travel to the Court, enchanting formal gardens at Minterne, an gardens inspired by the 18th century serpentine park designs of Gertrude Jekyll. What’s Included with lakes, a stream and a Our final visit is to Lytes , which is Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 3-star fine woodland garden. We Cary Manor surrounded by an enchanting Holiday Inn, Taunton continue to Forde Abbey, whose towering fountain garden before returning to All visits as outlined in the itinerary is a highlight for many in our original departure points. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 5 days from 18 June £695pp 20 August £695pp

Single Supplement £150 Forde Abbey 89 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

CornwallCornwall andand TrescoTresco Lanhydrock Gardens ornwall’s gardens are renowned the world over Itinerary Cfor their colour and variety, and there are some truly outstanding examples here. Choose between Day 1 We depart from our home to more than 3,000 spring, when the rhododendrons burst into life, or high pick-up points and make species and magnificent summer, when the hydrangeas run riot. our way to Lanhydrock vistas, colours and scents. Gardens, which feature a Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. We start at Lanhydrock, rich in flowering shrubs formal courtyard garden and and trees, before visiting Bosvigo with its bold and a woodland garden, rich in Day 4 We depart for a imaginative planting, and then Trelissick, a modern flowering shrubs and trees. visit to Trebah, a wild and garden which is constantly evolving. On our middle day, Inc. Meals: Dinner only. colourful Cornish garden we offer the opportunity to fly to the Scilly Isles and with something for everyone. In the afternoon we visit the spend a day at the sub-tropical paradise of Tresco’s Day 2 We travel to Bosvigo, garden of Lamorran House, Abbey Garden. whose borders explode with dahlias, roses and which was designed by the Our final three garden visits are the wild and colourful nasturtiums. In the afternoon owner in an Italianate style, garden of Trebah, the Italianate style of Lamorran and we visit Trelissick, a modern although there are also the private garden of Marsh Villa, a labour of love that garden which was created Japanese influences here. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. has paid off handsomely. within shelter belts planted 200 years ago. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 5 We depart for a visit to Marsh Villa, whose Day 3 Today you have the three-acre garden is the option of relaxing in the result of years of hard work What’s Included hotel or joining our optional by the enthusiastic owner, Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star excursion to Tresco in the before we return to our Alverton Hotel, Truro Isles of Scilly, where we visit original departure points. the unique Abbey Gardens, Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 5 days from 10 April £895pp 12 June £895pp

Single Supplement £280 Optional excursion - Tresco £225pp Tresco www.brightwaterholidays.com 90 Tresco’sTresco’s AbbeyAbbey GardensGardens Tresco’s Abbey Garden ruly a sub-tropical paradise, this tiny corner of Itinerary TEngland has remained unpolluted, unspoilt and unchanged for decades. Tresco lies just 28 miles from Day 1 Taking the strain relax in the resident’s lounge. the Cornish coast yet basks in a balmy climate where out of the long drive to Visiting other islands can spring comes early, autumn stays late and winter hardly Penzance, we have arranged easily be arranged - Bryher, exists at all. The wonderful Abbey Garden is home to train transportation from St Martins, St Agnes and St Mary’s are nearby, all of more than 3,000 species as well as magnificent vistas, London Paddington. Upon which easily connect with colours and scents. There is certainly no other garden arrival, we transfer to Land’s End in time for our flight to each other. Regular boat like this in the world. Even in winter there are 300 the Scillies. On St. Mary’s, trips are available to see plants in flower in the Abbey Garden and as each day we take a short boat transfer the sea birds and seals of lengthens, more and more exotic flowers appear. In the to Tresco. We will enjoy a the western rocks. Time spring you will see flowers here that are weeks ahead welcome talk this evening. spent here is sure to leave of those on the mainland. Inc. Meals: Dinner only. you feeling renewed and revitalised. Day 2-3 We enjoy a guided Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. walk around the magnificent Abbey Garden with the Day 4 A morning boat will What’s Included head gardener or a member take us to St Mary’s for our flight to Land’s End. We will Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the of staff. We are then free to be transferred to Penzance New Inn, Tresco explore Tresco at leisure - the ancient castles, beautiful for our afternoon train back Return flight from Land’s End to St Mary’s (Exeter beaches and headland to London. or Newquay flights available at a supplement) walks, or we can simply Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Return train fare London Paddington/Penzance (£100 reduction for no rail travel) and boat transfers between St Mary’s and Tresco Entry to Tresco’s Abbey Gardens with guided walks (subject to minimum numbers) Departures & Prices 4 days from 27 March £995pp 14 September £1095pp 17 April £1095pp 5 October £995pp 18 May £1125pp Single Supplement from £210 Lulu, Abbey Gardens 91 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 GardensGardens ofof DevonDevon RHS Garden Rosemoor he lush green pastures and dramatic moors of Itinerary TDevon provide the attractive backdrop to our tour of gardens, both large and small – some famous, others Day 1 We depart for in the heart of rural Devon. privately owned and those less well-known. Hestercombe, one of There are two gardens Jekyll’s and Lutyens’ greatest here, the first an intimate We begin at the gardens of Hestercombe, a unique masterpieces. Everywhere woodland garden dating combination of three centuries of gardening. Of course there are details of design from the 1960s, while the we could not come to Devon without visiting RHS and planting from which any other is a more ambitious Garden Rosemoor, which is world-renowned for its gardener can learn. affair. Later, we visit the large roses. Nearby are the wonderful private gardens of Inc. Meals: Dinner only. private garden of Marwood Marwood Hill, with an impressive collection of plants. Hill, set around three lakes We travel down to Killerton, with its countless trees Day 2 We begin today with with marvellous views. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. and sparkling rock garden, and further still to The a visit to Killerton, where a masterly rock garden Garden House, a romantic and richly-planted garden. sparkles with hellebores, Day 4 We travel to nearby The small private garden of Holbrook and the great hostas and geraniums. We Holbrook Gardens, Gothic Revival house and gardens of Knightshayes then travel deep into south an evolving tapestry of Court round off a richly endowed tour. Devon to visit The Garden planting with experimental House, where Lionel naturalistic plantings Fortescue built a romantic creating differing habitats. garden around decaying Our final visit is to 16th century ruins. Knightshayes Court - one Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. of the finest examples anywhere of the Gothic What’s Included Day 3 We have a real treat Revival country house, with Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the Best with a guided tour of the an impressive Victorian Western Tiverton Hotel, Tiverton Royal Horticultural Society’s kitchen garden. great treasure of Rosemoor, Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 16 June £595pp 18 August £595pp

Single Supplement £105 Hestercombe www.brightwaterholidays.com 92 New for 2020

Gardens and Wildfowers of the Burren he Burren, from the Irish bhoireann - meaning ‘a Itinerary Tstony place’ - lies in the northwestern corner of Co Clare. Over 300 square kilometres in extent, it is the Day 1 We depart from varied plantsman’s limestone largest area of karstic limestone in western Europe. At London on a flight to garden. On our way back to first glance it presents a bleak appearance, but closer Shannon Airport. Upon the hotel we will briefly visit examination reveals the beautiful diversity of flora for arrival we transfer to the Poulnabrone , which is an impressive which the whole region has become justly famous. The Foynes, where the megalithic tomb. colourful exuberance and profusion of the wild flowers award-winning Boyce’s Garden overlooks Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. is simply captivating and, subject to the prevailing the Shannon. Nearby conditions, we can expect to see many interesting Knockpatrick is packed Day 3 We continue our different species as we explore it in the company of a full of interest including exploration of the Burren local expert guide. many unusual varieties of with a local expert guide. We can expect to see a good We will also visit the Cliffs of Moher, perhaps Ireland’s azaleas and rhododendrons. Following our visit we cross selection of plants typical most dramatically impressive natural attraction, and a the Shannon by ferry and of the area, with ‘textbook’ selection of private gardens full of colour and interest. continue to our hotel. examples of flower-rich Inc. Meals: Dinner only. grasslands and associated limestone features. Day 2 We drive the short Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. distance to the Cliffs of Day 4 After breakfast we What’s Included Moher, perhaps Ireland’s most dramatically impressive transfer back to Shannon Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star natural attraction. Next Airport in time for our return Old Ground Hotel, we drive into the beautiful flights back home. valley of the River Caher, Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Return flights from London Gatwick to Shannon and visit a wonderfully All visits as outlined in the itinerary All coaching and ferry transfers Services of horticulturalist Trevor Edwards as tour manager Departures & Prices 4 days from 2 June £995pp

Single Supplement £120 The Burren 93 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 The Irish Rover Blarney Castle ust like the song by Van Morrison, this Irish Rover Itinerary Jis wrapped in glory – the glory of Ireland’s finest gardens. We begin at Mount Stewart with its dazzling Day 1 Fly from Gatwick to Day 5 Hunting Brook is garden and then move on to romantic Rowallane as Belfast and pay a visit to our first visit, then it’s on to well as to the atmospheric Castle Ward. In Dublin, we Mount Stewart. June Blake’s Garden and meet Helen Dillon for an exclusive look at her new Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Nursery, and Powerscourt private garden; June Blake, who grows a unique mix Gardens. Day 2 Today we tour of bamboos and ornamental grasses; and Carmel Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Rowallane Garden and Duignan at her Italianate villa. Castle Ward, overlooking Day 6 Discover the informal En route to the cultured city of Cork, we call in at the Strangford Lough. garden of Mount Usher wild and informal garden of Mount Usher, a wild and Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. today. informal garden, and we also spend time at magical Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 3 Travel into the Ilnacullin and Blarney Castle and Gardens. , calling Day 7 Take the ferry to at Malahide Castle, one of Garinish Island and the Ireland’s oldest. Later, we garden of Ilnacullin, one transfer to Dublin. of Ireland’s most famous What’s Included Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. gardens with its unique intermingling of the formal Seven nights’ bed & breakfast: two nights at the Day 4 Explore the private and the wild, and visit Dunadry Hotel, Co Antrim; three nights at the garden of Carmel Duignan, Blarney Castle with its Hilton Hotel, Dublin; and two nights in Cork the private garden of legendary stone. Five dinners Helen Dillon (as seen on Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. “Gardeners’ World”) and Return flights from London Gatwick to Belfast, also the Italianate villa of Day 8 After breakfast, we fly returning from Cork Corke Lodge. home from Cork’s airport. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of horticulturalist Trevor Edwards as tour manager Departures & Prices 8 days from 14 May £1545pp 13 August £1495pp Single Supplement £490 Malahide Castle www.brightwaterholidays.com 94 New for 2020

Gardens of Jersey Mont Orgueil ituated within touching distance of France, the Itinerary Sisland of Jersey is blessed with wonderfully mild and sunny weather, making it the perfect destination for an Day 1 Fly from Gatwick to Tunnels, discover the shops early summer holiday. It is also home to some splendid Jersey and upon arrival we that line the streets in St. gardens which make the most of this favourable transfer to our hotel. Our Helier or join our optional climate to produce stunning displays, not to mention local guide will host a pre- excursion to . Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. the profusion of wildflowers that thrive in the lush dinner welcome meeting green meadows. to introduce us to this wonderful island. Day 4 We visit the privately Creux Baillot Cottage Garden is set in a tranquil valley Inc. Meals: Dinner only. owned Samarès Botanical and packed full of unusual plants and elegant features. Garden this morning and after some free time in At the Domain des Vaux, fine trees and shrubs are set Day 2 Three private gardens Gorey, we head to the Eric around a traditional Jersey farmhouse and at Les Aix await this morning, starting with Domain des Vaux. We Young Orchid Foundation we find nut and camellia trees, and borders with old continue to Les Aix and as well as Ransoms Garden English roses. then it’s on to Creux Baillot. Centre, where we have a We also visit the excellent Samarès Botanical Gardens Our June departure includes cream tea. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, cream tea and the Eric Young Orchid Foundation. a visit to Le Noir Pré, where wild orchids should be on & dinner. display. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 5 After breakfast, we catch our flights back home. What’s Included Day 3 Today is free for us Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. to explore all that Jersey Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star has to offer. Explore the War Pomme d’Or Hotel, St Helier Return flights from London Gatwick to Jersey All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 5 days from 18 June £1195pp 1 September £1195pp

Single Supplement £220 Samarès Rose Garden 95 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

Walmer Castle and the Cinque Ports Walmer Castle Gardens he historic pleasure gardens at Walmer Castle Itinerary Tin Kent have been dramatically brought back to life thanks to a £2.3m restoration project funded by Day 1 Depart from our Day 3 We begin at English Heritage, and they form the centrepiece of pick-up points and head to Dungeness, the starting this new tour which also visits the ‘Cinque Ports’ of Pashley Manor, an award- point for a ride aboard Hastings, Sandwich, Hythe, Dover, and Romney. winning garden on the Kent the Romney, Hythe and and Sussex border. From Dymchurch Railway. We We begin at the quintessential English garden of here, visit Hastings and continue to Pines Garden Pashley Manor and continue to Hastings to see William observe its ruined castle, and finally Dover Castle. the Conqueror’s castle. We visit the Salutation Garden built after William the Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. near Sandwich and explore the medieval town before Conqueror’s coronation. moving on to Walmer. Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Day 4 Our final visit is to Smallhythe Place, a half- A trip on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway Day 2 Today we depart for timbered house and formerly ticks off two more of our historic ports, and is shortly the Salutation Gardens, home to the Victorian followed by the fifth as we tour Dover Castle, one of designed in 1912 by Sir actress Ellen Terry. From the most impressive of all English fortresses. Edwin Lutyens. We also here, we return to our visit the nearby town of pick-up points. A visit to Smallhythe Place, actress Ellen Terry’s 16th Sandwich and then it’s on to Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. century cottage and rose garden, rounds off our Walmer Castle, where we journey. have a guided tour that will take us through its colourful history. What’s Included Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 3-star Clifton Hotel, Folkestone All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 9 June £595pp 15 September £595pp

Single Supplement £90 Grounds of Walmer Castle www.brightwaterholidays.com 96 Queen Victoria and the Isle of Wight Osborne House and Gardens scending to the throne at just 18, Queen Victoria Itinerary Areigned over an empire – the likes of which will never be seen again. The tour takes us to locations that Day 1 We depart from Day 3 We begin at romantic played an important part in her life as well as offering our pick-up points and Carisbrooke Castle and the opportunity to visit some of the outstanding travel the short distance to continue to the Rosemary attractions on the Isle of Wight. Windsor Castle, the scene Vineyard for a tour and of countless royal occasions, tasting. We move on to The centrepiece must be Osborne House, Queen most recently the wedding Godshill, which boasts some Victoria’s favourite home, with its beautiful gardens of the Duke and Duchess of of the oldest architecture and extravagant Wendy house where the royal children Sussex. We continue by ferry on the Isle of Wight, and played so happily. Elsewhere on the island we visit to the Isle of Wight. Shanklin, where we visit the Carisbrooke Castle, Godshill and Shanklin Old Village Inc. Meals: Dinner only. world famous gorge. with their picturesque thatched cottages, and the Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 2 We travel to Osborne Rosemary Vineyard, one of the biggest producers of House & Gardens, which Day 4 Returning by ferry to English wine. On the mainland, visits include Windsor was Queen Victoria’s the mainland we continue Castle and Frogmore House (subject to successful favourite home. We enjoy a to Windsor to explore Savill application). guided tour of the gardens, Garden, one of Britain’s and after lunch continue greatest ornamental with a tour of the house. gardens. Our final visit takes Later we visit the Swiss us to Frogmore House Cottage, in which Victoria’s before we return to our What’s Included nine children loved to play. original departure points. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 3-star & dinner. Best Western New Holmwood Hotel, Cowes One lunch All visits as outlined in the itinerary All coaching and ferry transfers Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 17 August £695pp

Single Supplement £175 Windsor Castle 97 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

Summer Gardens of the Peak District The Peak District he Peak District, with its impressive limestone- Itinerary Tscarred hills and its deep, wooded dales, has a special atmosphere of its own. We will enjoy an ever- Day 1 We depart by designed by Joseph Repton changing backdrop as we tour a sequence of gardens coach for our first visit – to and ‘Capability’ Brown. both large and small, at a time of year when the trees the gardens of Biddulph Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. and plants are at the peak of their growing season. Grange, a rare and exciting survival of a Victorian Day 3 We start the day We start at Biddulph Grange, a Victorian gem which garden with tunnels and at the private garden of takes the visitor on a botanical world tour. A lovely pathways leading the visitor Gamesley Fold, a charming, drive through the heart of the Peak District takes us on a miniature tour of the old-fashioned cottage to Haddon Hall, whose ancient walls are covered with world. We continue to our garden. From here we set out on a scenic tour of the climbing roses, before we visit nearby Chatsworth hotel in Cheshire. Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Peak District National House with its classical parkland and opulent interiors. Park, featuring natural After a visit to a delightfully old-fashioned cottage Day 2 Today we travel to rock formations and high garden we drive up into the high peaks of the National Haddon Hall, an intensely peaks, panoramic views and Park and, on our final day, we conclude with a visit to romantic and hugely historic picturesque villages. the tranquil woodland garden of Hare Hall. house set in hilly wooded Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. countryside. The gardens still have some of their Day 4 A short transfer takes 17th century character, us to our final visit, Hare Hall, particularly on the upper surrounded by parkland with level where there is a fine a delightful walled garden What’s Included knot garden. Later we at its heart. Thereafter we Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star visit nearby Chatsworth return to our original pick-up Best Western Plus Pinewood on Wilmslow Hotel, House, one of the finest points. Cheshire stately homes in England, Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. set in gardens and parkland All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 19 June £495pp 14 August £495pp

Single Supplement £120 Haddon Hall www.brightwaterholidays.com 98 No single supplement

Autumn Tints of the Lake District Sizergh Castle t’s easy to see why so many celebrated literary Itinerary Ifigures chose to call the Lake District home - this part of the country is simply spectacular. By far the Day 1 Our first visit is to Day 3 Tour the delightful UK’s most popular national park, the Lake District Sizergh Castle, near Kendal. 17th century farmhouse was given UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2017 Originally built in the Middle where Beatrix Potter lived and its spellbinding landscape of rolling mountains Ages by the Strickland and worked, complete with and sprawling lakes is sure to inspire even the most family, this imposing house the little garden that inspired uncreative soul! at the gateway to the ‘Peter Rabbit’ as well as the Lake District stands proud nearby gallery displaying Taking a golden leaf from the books of the area’s most in a rich and beautiful some of her original artwork. famous residents, we will embark upon a scenic tour, garden. We continue to Then we visit Brantwood, paying visits to Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse, William our comfortable hotel near John Ruskin’s ‘living Wordsworth’s idyllic Dove Cottage, and artist and critic Kendal. laboratory’ on the shores of John Ruskin’s Brantwood. Further highlights include Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Lake Coniston. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. the ‘Arts and Crafts’ house of Blackwell, the splendid Day 2 We visit two of gardens of Sizergh Castle and Levens Hall. William Wordsworth’s former Day 4 We call in at Levens homes, Dove Cottage, Hall, whose magnificent featuring the couch referred topiary was created in 1694 to in the poem ‘Daffodils’, by Monsieur Guillaume and his final home at Rydal Beaumont, who trained Mount, which contains many under Le Nôtre at Versailles, of his prized possessions. At before we return to our What’s Included the Arts & Crafts house of original departure points. Blackwell we will see many Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 3-star original decorative features. Crooklands Hotel, Kendal Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 5 October £595pp

No Single Supplement Dove Cottage 99 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

HiddenHidden GardensGardens ofof LincolnshireLincolnshire Grimsthorpe Castle he county of Lincolnshire is littered with wonderful Itinerary Tgardens, many of them built around historic halls, mansions and castles. From our comfortable base on Day 1 We depart by Day 3 We begin at the the outskirts of Lincoln, we tour the county and sample coach from London and gardens of Aubourn Hall, the delights of one fine garden after another. Peterborough for our visit which has a good selection to Easton Walled Gardens, of shrubs and vibrant mixed We begin at Lincolnshire’s ‘lost’ garden, the Easton near Grantham, known as borders, before continuing Walled Garden near Grantham, which was only ‘Lincolnshire’s Lost Garden’ to Doddington Hall, whose brought back to life in 2001 after 50 years of neglect as it was only brought back romantic gardens remain and now presents drifts of flowers in a stunning setting. to life in 2001 after 50 years faithful to the original More walled gardens feature at Doddington Hall and of neglect, before continuing Elizabethan layout. Baumber while at Gunby Hall we find an extensive to our hotel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. garden packed full of interesting features. At Goltho Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Day 4 We round off in style we find abundantly planted borders and a network of Day 2 Today we visit the with a visit to the impressive meandering pathways. We conclude at the impressive family-run Goltho Gardens Grimsthorpe Castle and Grimsthorpe Castle, where we enjoy a guided tour with its abundantly-planted Gardens, where we are before exploring the grand gardens. borders, we enjoy a guided treated to a guided tour of tour of the Walled Garden the sumptuously decorated at Baumber and we explore castle followed by free the extensive gardens at time to explore the historic Gunby Hall, at the foot of gardens before returning to the Lincolnshire Wolds. our original pick-up points. What’s Included Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star Best Western Plus Bentley Hotel & Spa, Lincoln All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 15 May £675pp 24 July £675pp

Single Supplement £75 Lincoln Cathedral www.brightwaterholidays.com 100 New for 2020

Downton Abbey and the Stately Homes of England Highclere Castle he hit TV drama “Downton Abbey” transferred to Itinerary Tthe big screen in September 2019 and proved to be hugely popular among fans of the ongoing saga, Day 1 Today we depart from Day 3 The picturesque featuring the lives and loves of Lord Grantham, his London and visit Bampton, village of Lacock awaits, family and their servants. The principal film location a village in Oxfordshire that setting for “Cranford”. We for “Downton Abbey” is Highclere Castle in Berkshire, was used for filming the also tour Lacock Abbey, which itself has become one of the most popular outdoor scenes in “Downton used as Hogwarts in “Harry destinations in the country. We are delighted to Abbey”. Later, we continue Potter”, as well as Iford to our hotel. Manor and the city of Bath. have secured exclusive access to the castle, where Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. we will see many of the state rooms and bedrooms that feature in the show, as well as the fascinating Day 2 Explore Basildon Day 4 Depart for Blenheim Egyptian Exhibition that tells the story of the Earl of Park near Reading, which Palace, the birthplace Carnarvon and Howard Carter’s thrilling archaeological featured in “Pride and of Sir Winston Churchill. discoveries. Prejudice”. We also visit Next, we visit Waddesdon Highclere Castle, instantly Manor, which was used to Complementing this are visits to some of the recognisable to all “Downton portray the fictional Haxby outstanding stately homes and picturesque villages in Abbey” fans, where we Park in the second series the surrounding area, many of which have themselves tour the house and see the of “Downton Abbey”. From featured as film and TV locations. Egyptian exhibition. here, we travel home. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. What’s Included Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star Oxford Witney Hotel, Witney All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 12 July £695pp 5 September £695pp 16 August £695pp

Single Supplement £195 River Avon in Bath 101 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

Gardens of Distinction Blenheim Palace t is on the Waddesdon Estate that we enjoy the Itinerary Iexclusive highlight of our holiday, a guided tour of the private Rothschild walled garden at Eythrope. After our Day 1 Depart London Day 3 After breakfast we private and highly informative tour we will transfer to for our first visit, which is depart for Blenheim Palace, Waddesdon Manor itself for lunch, after which you will to the Savill Garden in one of the great stately have the afternoon to tour the house and explore the Windsor, developed under homes of England and the gardens at leisure. the patronage of kings and birthplace of Sir Winston queens alike. Churchill. The park was Elsewhere we visit other gardens associated with Inc. Meals: Dinner only. landscaped by Capability distinguished politicians, such as Lord Heseltine’s Brown. Next, we cross into Thenford Garden and Arboretum, the late Lord Day 2 This morning we Northamptonshire for a visit Carrington’s garden at The Manor House and Blenheim visit the walled garden to Thenford Gardens and Palace, the seat of the Duke of Marlborough and the at Eythrope, part of the Arboretum. Waddesdon Estate. This birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. place is legendary in the garden world for employing Day 4 Today we visit the traditional techniques. After gardens at The Manor our tour here, we have lunch House, built in the 17th at the nearby Waddesdon century and purchased at Manor’s restaurant and then the end of the 18th by the tour its rooms and grounds. first Lord Carrington. What’s Included Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. & dinner. Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star Oxford Witney Hotel, Witney One lunch All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 4 May £695pp 18 August £695pp 9 June £695pp

Single Supplement £195 Savill Garden www.brightwaterholidays.com 102 New for 2020

HeritageHeritage ofof thethe IsleIsle ofof ManMan Castle Rushen ituated between the coastlines of England, Itinerary SScotland, Ireland and Wales, in the middle of the Irish Sea, the self-governing crown dependency of Day 1 We fly from London nearby Milntown, a former the Isle of Man is blessed with an extensive coastline, to the Isle of Man and family home that was left in stunning natural landscapes and unspoilt beaches. We transfer to our hotel trust to the public by the have brought together the outstanding attractions, in Douglas. last owner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. including castles, villages, museums, and grand houses Inc. Meals: Dinner only. to create a comprehensive tour of this fascinating little Day 2 We visit Castle Day 4 Our tour of the island island nation. Rushen, an impressive continues as we visit Peel Visits include Castle Rushen, former seat of the fortress; the Old House Castle, which was the fort of Magnus Barefoot; The Kings and Lords of Mann; the Old House of Keys, of Keys, which was House of Manannan, which which was once the centre of 19th century political once the centre of 19th century political life on the uses state of the art display life on the Island; the Grove Museum of Victorian Life island; the Old Grammar techniques; and Tynwald and the house and grounds of Milntown; the House School, which dates back Hill, which plays host to of Manannan, which uses state of the art display to around 1200 AD; and the island’s parliament techniques to take visitors on an exciting journey the picturesque village of once a year. through the Isle of Man’s colourful history; and, of Cregneash, one of the Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. course, the iconic Laxey Wheel. last strongholds of the traditional customs. Day 5 Our final visit is to the Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. iconic Laxey Wheel, built in 1854 to pump water to the Day 3 We enjoy a trip on Great Laxey Mines complex. What’s Included the Manx Electric Railway We then return to Douglas Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 3-star and visit the Grove Museum for some free time before we Ascot Hotel, Douglas of Victorian Life. In the transfer to the airport. afternoon we transfer to Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Return flights between London and the Isle of Man All visits as outlined in the itinerary Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 5 days from 2 May £895pp 5 August £925pp

Single Supplement £175 Laxey Wheel 103 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

Steam in the Lake District Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway he haunting, evocative sound of steam whistles still Itinerary Techo round the hills and dales of the English Lake District. The little trains of the Ravenglass and Day 1 Depart by coach to Ravenglass, the starting Railway provide perhaps the most scenic experience for Carnforth Station point for our journey on the as they chug up into the hills. Heritage Centre, used as narrow-gauge railway. In a location for the film “Brief the afternoon, we cruise Lake Windermere provides a whole day of steam- Encounter”. aboard the Victorian steam related activity with a visit to the steamboat museum, Inc. Meals: Dinner only. launch “Gondola” and visit followed by a cruise aboard one of the lake ‘steamers’ the house and gardens at and a ride on the standard gauge Lakeside and Day 2 Transfer to the Brantwood, home of the late Haverthwaite Railway. Windermere Jetty John Ruskin. Steamboat Museum and Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. At Coniston as we board the elegant steam-powered then take a cruise from yacht ‘Gondola’, which ferries us effortlessly across the Bowness to Lakeside, Day 4 We begin our water to historic Brantwood House. enjoying the views from homeward journey, stopping this, the largest lake in en route for one final visit to We also call in at Carnforth Station, used as the England. On arrival at the the magnificent Anderton location for the classic film “Brief Encounter”, and terminus, we board a train Boat Lift. We also take a visit the fascinating Anderton Boat Lift, a marvel of for a nostalgic ride on the boat trip on the Weaver Victorian engineering. Lakeside and Haverthwaite Navigation and experience Railway. an ascent before returning to Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. our pick-up points. What’s Included Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Day 3 Today we travel Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 3-star round the Cumbrian coast Crooklands Hotel, Kendal All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 4 days from 15 May £595pp 11 September £595pp 19 June £595pp

Single Supplement £90 Anderton Boat Lift www.brightwaterholidays.com 104 Overseas Gardens

Keukenhof, Netherlands IcelandIceland NorthernNorthern LightsLights The northern lights azing at the northern lights is a bucket-list item Itinerary Gfor many of us, but aurora borealis aside, Iceland offers a host of attractions quite unlike anywhere else Day 1 Upon arrival in Day 4 Discover Reykjavík, in the world. From geothermal dips to moonlit trips, this Keflavik, we visit the visiting its Hallgrimskirkja tour offers a host of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Raufarholsellir Lava church, Perlan and the Tunnel, Urriðafoss waterfall Aurora Reykjavík centre. On our tour of Reykjavík, the world’s most northerly and Eyrarbakki Village. Later, we bathe in the capital, it becomes clear that even Iceland’s man-made Inc. Meals: Dinner only. geothermal Laugarvatn efforts have that same air to them — the cavernous Fontana springs. and craggy Lutheran church of Hallgrímskirkja, Day 2 Our full-day tour Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. seemingly more suited to a spot in Middle Earth than of south Iceland includes the North Atlantic; and the parliamentary buildings Skogar Folk Museum, Day 5 We head for the of Alþingi, thought to be the oldest parliament in the Skogafoss waterfall and Reykjanes Peninsula today, a walk behind the great on the Mid Atlantic Ridge. world. Bucket list at the ready... Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Next, we make our way past Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Reykjanes Lighthouse towards Gunnuhver Hot Day 3 Þingvellir National Springs and on to the fishing Park and Skaholt church town of Grindavik. Before await, and then it’s on to we make our way home, we What’s Included see Gulfoss and the Geysir stop at Kleifarvatn Lake. Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: two nights area. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. at the Stracta Hotel, Hella and two nights at the Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch Grand Hotel Reykjavík & dinner. One lunch Return flights London to Reykjavík All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager Departures & Prices 5 days from 15 November £1995pp

Single Supplement £300 Reykjavík www.brightwaterholidays.com 106 The Faroe Islands Waterfall by the village of Gásadalur ust an hour’s flight away from Edinburgh, the Itinerary JFaroes tower out of the Atlantic half-way between Shetland and Iceland. In these romantic and dramatic Day 1 We depart from two optional excursions - a islands, home to just 50,000 people, the weather is Edinburgh and upon full-day tour to the Northern as unpredictable and changeable as the scenery. The arrival in Vágar, we enjoy Islands or a half-day tour landscape is green but rugged with steeply sloping a short sightseeing tour to Nólsoy. This evening we have dinner in Velbastað hills, long sea-lochs and some of the highest cliffs in all that includes the famous with local farmers for a true of Europe. waterfall Múlafossur as well as the villages of Bøur Faroese experience. Our tour will give ample opportunity to see the best and Gásadalur. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. of these colourful islands, including an authentic an Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Day 4 Today we enjoy a boat intimate dining experience, where we enjoy delicious trip to the Vestmanna Cliffs. homemade food and hear fascinating stories about life Day 2 Enjoy a guided walking tour of Tórshavn, We continue to the northern on a Faroese farm. a unique town from the part of Eysturoy, travelling Middle Ages. After lunch, we through the village of Gjógv visit the National Museum and Gøta to see the new What’s Included before driving to Kirkjubøur church. to see St Magnus Cathedral Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch Four nights’ bed & breakfast at the 4-star Hotel and St Olavs Church. Next, & dinner. Føroyar, Tórshavn we enjoy tea and cake at the Day 5 We check out of our Four dinners and two lunches 900-year-old Roykstovan, the oldest inhabited wooden hotel and visit the museum Return flights from Edinburgh to Vágar house in Europe. in Kálvalið and the church in Sandavágur. From here, we All visits as outlined in the itinerary Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. transfer to the airport for our Comfortable coach travel throughout flight home. Day 3 Today is free Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Services of a professional tour manager and local to explore Tórshavn. guides Alternatively, choose from Departures & Prices 5 days from 2 July £2195pp 10 September £2195pp 9 July £2195pp

Single Supplement £360 Optional excursions; Northern Islands £175pp, Nólsoy £125pp Tórshavn 107 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 DutchDutch BulbfieldsBulbfields Keukenhof Gardens njoy a symphony of colour with the MS Beethoven Itinerary Eand the beautiful bulbfields of Holland. For vibrancy, colour and serious charm nothing quite compares to Day 1 We depart from Day 3 This morning we have the sight of millions of flowering bulbs, carpeting the London by Eurostar to a leisurely cruise to Utrecht. fields in a radiant patchwork of colour. Brussels and continue by After lunch on board, we visit train to Amsterdam, where Keukenhof, one of the most The star of the show must be Keukenhof, one of the we join our ship. Prior famous gardens in the world. biggest and best flower gardens in the world, with to dinner there will be a Over seven million bulbs are seven million bulbs and 800 varieties of tulip creating a welcome cocktail reception planted annually, including kaleidoscope of colour. Here gardening is not merely with the crew. tulips and daffodils. a pastime – it’s an art, a spectacular series of natural Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch masterpieces. Further highlights include the windmills & dinner. at Zaanse Schans and the Museum Van Loon. Day 2 We begin with a visit to the Museum Van Loon, a Day 4 We have a leisurely magnificent canal-side day on board our ship, as private residence. This we cruise from Rotterdam to afternoon, we travel north Antwerp. What’s Included to Zaanse Schans to see Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch bulbfields and windmills and & dinner. Four nights’ full board (including three lunches tour the various museums. and wine or beer) on board the MS Beethoven in a The evening is free to Day 5 We disembark and main deck cabin. (Upgrades to middle and upper explore or alternatively join tour the historic centre deck cabins available at a supplement) our optional canal cruise to of Antwerp, with visits to Standard class rail travel from London to view this spectacular city at the Rubens House and Amsterdam and Antwerp to London night. the 200-year-old Botanic Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch Garden. Later, we take All visits as outlined in itinerary & dinner. the train from Antwerp to Services of a professional tour manager Brussels and continue via Eurostar to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Departures & Prices 5 days from 21 April £1195pp

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. Single Cabin Supplement £300 Optional excursion - Canal cruise by night £45pp MS Beethoven www.brightwaterholidays.com 108 GardensGardens ofof thethe FrenchFrench Riviera:Riviera: MentonMenton LemonLemon FestivalFestival && InternationalInternational RoseRose FestivalFestival

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild’s gardens enton’s zesty Lemon Festival brings a vibrant burst Itinerary Mof colour to our tour of the French Riviera. Exotic gardens, cacti collections and azure seas complete our Day 1 Fly from London Day 4 Our full day is spent sparkling itinerary. to Nice, where we visit at the Lemon Festival in the garden of Serre de la Menton and our ticket At the Clos de Peyronnet we have an exclusive tour Madone. Continue from here includes a grandstand seat with the owner, whose passion for exotic plants is to the hotel. for the parade. reflected in the colour and variety of this fascinating Inc. Meals: Lunch & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. garden. At St. Jean Cap Ferrat, we visit the exquisite gardens of the Fondation Ephrussi de Rothschild, Day 2 Visit the Fondation Day 5 We drive to Cap while a short hop over the border to Italy finds us at Ephrussi de Rothschild and d’Antibes for a visit to Villa the incomparable Hanbury Gardens – arguably the then Jardin Exotique d’Èze, Thuret and then it’s onto La greatest of all the Riviera gardens. on the site of a medieval Mouissone as well as the fortress. village of St. Paul de Vence, In May the International Rose Festival in Grasse will take Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch. which serves as a creative the place of the Lemon Festival. All the other garden visits haven even today. are included though in a different order – please ask for a full Day 3 We begin at the Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch itinerary or see our website for full details. private garden of Clos du & dinner. Peyronnet for a guided tour led by its owner. Next, we go Day 6 We finish on a high What’s Included from France to Italy and tour at the Exotic Gardens of the stunning gardens of Monte Carlo. Thereafter, we Five nights’ bed & breakfast at the 4-star Hotel Le La Mortola. transfer to the airport and Grimaldi in Nice Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch head home. Three dinners and four lunches & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 6 days from Menton Lemon Festival International Rose Festival 20 February £1395pp 7 May £1645pp 27 February £1395pp 8 May £1595pp

Single Supplement £295 Single Supplement £425 Menton Lemon Festival 109 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

Arts and Gardens of the French Riviera Menton ith its seas of cobalt and turquoise, and its skies Itinerary Wof azure and cerulean blue it is little wonder that the French Riviera has been the inspiration for Day 1 Fly from London Day 4 Explore the village of countless works of art and a magnet for artists. Set in to Nice and then visit the St. Paul de Vence, Grasse the lengthening shadows of a sun-soaked September, Musée des Beaux-Arts, with its Rubens-filled this new tour combines a spell-binding collection of art which houses works by cathedral and La Mouissone and architecture with a few of our favourite gardens, Monet and Sisley. gardens. and promises to be a treat for the senses and a tonic No meals included. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. for the soul. Day 2 In Nice, we see pieces Day 5 In Vallauris, we We visit museums celebrating the lives and works by Matisse and Chagall, pay a visit to the Picasso of Picasso, Matisse and Chagall, see paintings by and we also visit Fondation Museum and then we tour Rubens in a hill-top church and explore some luxuriant Ephrussi de Rothschild’s Nice’s Museum of Modern & gardens. Contemporary Art. gardens, while enjoying the special atmosphere of the Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Côte d’Azur. Day 3 We transfer to Day 6 Our final visit is to the Menton and visit Villa Masséna Museum, home E-1027. Next, we visit to Napoleon’s death mask. the garden of Serre From here, we return to the de la Madone and the airport in time for our flight What’s Included private garden of Clos du back to London. Peyronnet – a real highlight Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Five nights’ bed & breakfast at the 4-star Hotel Le of the tour. Grimaldi in Nice Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Return scheduled flights from London to Nice All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of horticulturalist Trevor Edwards as tour manager

Departures & Prices 6 days from 8 September £1495pp

Single Supplement £425 St. Paul de Vence www.brightwaterholidays.com 110 TheThe GeniusGenius ofof MonetMonet Monet’s Garden ust as the gardens at Giverny inspired Monet, who Itinerary Jspent half his life nurturing and enjoying them, they continue to enthral countless visitors more than Day 1 We depart from Day 3 The world-famous 90 years after this legendary artist’s death. London by Eurostar and house and gardens of upon arrival in Paris are met Claude Monet await today. Giverny’s lovingly restored gardens offer a vivid by our comfortable coach. Following our visit, we enjoy impression of Monet’s favourite subjects. Japanese We travel to the charming free time in Giverny and can bridges are festooned with wisteria and draped fronds town of Chantilly, in the visit the church where Monet of willow frame his iconic water lilies. A visit here is a heart of the Chantilly Forest is buried. surreal experience — art brought to life right before where our hotel is set in its Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. your eyes, beckoning you in to take a closer look. With own wooded grounds. Later, so much here to remind us of his breathtaking works, it join our party for a welcome Day 4 We travel to Paris is only right that we also visit Paris’ Orangerie Museum glass of kir before dinner. to visit the Musée de l’Orangerie des Tuileries. during our tour. The centrepiece here is Monet’s series Inc. Meals: Dinner only. The highlight of its of murals, Les Nymphéas — a moving testament to the Day 2 This morning, we collection is Monet’s genius of a painter at the height of his powers. Art and transfer to nearby Senlis, two‑metre high murals garden lovers rejoice! a market town typical of entitled Les Nymphéas. Picardy, where we can Thereafter, there is time to explore the shops or sightsee at leisure before we What’s Included enjoy some pâtisserie. We catch our Eurostar train back continue to the to London. Three nights’ dinner (with wine), bed & breakfast Château de Chantilly, one of the Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. at the Château de Montvillargenne, Chantilly jewels in the crown of Return standard class rail travel between London France’s cultural heritage, and Paris with Eurostar a magnificent edifice surrounded by water. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Our visit includes the Comfortable coach travel throughout sumptuously decorated Grands Appartements, Services of a professional tour manager dating from the 17th-19th centuries, along Departures & Prices with time to stroll around the extensive formal 4 days from gardens, designed in part 8 May £895pp 24 July £855pp by André le Nôtre. 22 May £895pp Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Single Supplement £210 Sunflowers, by Claude Monet 111 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 No single supplement

Alpine flowers of Wengen View from First to Grindelwald ying in the Bernese Oberland region at the heart Itinerary Lof Switzerland, Wengen, at a height of some 1,274 metres, is ringed by some of Europe’s highest and best Day 1 We fly from London Day 5 Walk from known mountains including the Eiger and Jungfrau. to Zürich and continue by Wengernalp to Slipper Valley, With breathtaking scenery, rich green alpine meadows train to the car-free resort of looking for the spectacular and spruce forests below, it is a superb destination for Wengen. Lady Slipper Orchid. a range of native flora as well as for bird and butterfly Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. spotting opportunities. Day 2 We take the train to Day 6 Travel by cable car Each day we will walk a different route of up to five Kleine Scheidegg and walk to the glacier village of miles, sometimes taking a mountain railway or cable to Wengernalp, which offers Grindelwald and a gentle car to the starting point. With over 300 species spectacular views. walk in this most scenic part growing here, we can expect to discover a profusion of Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. of the Bernese Oberland. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. wildflowers, with an expert guide on hand to help with Day 3 We take the cable car identification. from Wengen to Männlichen Day 7 Take the rack railway and walk to Kleine to Schynige Platte and visit Scheidegg, approching from the Alpine Botanic Garden the oppostie direction to set among a picture- yesterday. postcard panorama. What’s Included Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 4 An exciting cable Day 8 Return by train to Seven nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 3 star car ride takes us to the Zürich for our flight home. Hotel Bellevue, Wengen Schilthorn with a moderate Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Return flights from London to Zürich walk back down. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Return rail transfers between Zürich and Wengen and a 6-day Berner Oberland Rail Pass All visits as outlined in the itinerary Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 8 days from 23 June £2395pp

No Single Supplement Alpine flowers www.brightwaterholidays.com 112 DiscoverDiscover TheThe Durrells’Durrells’ CorfuCorfu withwith LeeLee DurrellDurrell Old City Corfu ome and explore the magical Mediterranean island Itinerary Cthat inspired ITV’s hit drama The Durrells. During this exclusive Corfu experience, we’ll get the chance to Day 1 We fly from London Day 3 Inspired by meeting meet the famous naturalist and writer Lee Durrell, who to Corfu and transfer to our Lee, today we will visit will give a private talk about her family’s love affair with hotel. In the afternoon, join some of the unforgettable the island and her late husband Gerald’s pioneering our optional guided walking locations that millions of role in wildlife conservation. Lee will also accompany tour of Corfu Town. viewers have fallen in love us on a visit to some of the Durrell family’s favourite Inc. Meals: Dinner only. with while reading Gerald Durrell’s books or watching places in Corfu. Day 2 We start today with a The Durrells, including For those who’d like to stay in Corfu a little longer (and many visit to one Corfu’s must-see Mouse Island and the White people do), we have arranged a great value, optional two‑night destinations, the Achilleion House, where we will have extension including airport transfers and breakfast. Museum. This evening we lunch. will meet naturalist and Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch writer Lee Durrell, who will & dinner. What’s Included give a fascinating talk about Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 5-star the Durrell family’s long love Day 4 Free to relax in Corfu Holiday Palace affair with Corfu and its the hotel or take a locally wildlife and tell the story of arranged excursion. One lunch her and Gerald’s pioneering Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Return flights from London to Corfu work for the Gerald Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. Day 5 Transfer to airport for Visit to the Achilleion Museum; lunch at the White Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. flight back to London. House restaurant Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Comfortable coach travel throughout Special Appearance by Lee Durrell, including a tour of locations and exclusive evening talk and Q&A session Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 5 days from 15 May £1395pp 9 October £1395pp

Single Supplement £200 Optional extension - £195pp (£395pp for singles) Lee Durrell 113 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 PalladianPalladian VillasVillas ofof VenetoVeneto Vicenza eneto is one of Italy’s wealthiest regions, reflected Itinerary Vin the extravagance of its grand villas and their stunning gardens. Many of the villas we visit were Day 1 We fly from London by a visit to Le Paradis designed by Andrea Palladio, one of the most influential to Venice and visit the des Papillons, a wonderful individuals in the history of western architecture. grand gardens of the Villa garden which is a haven for Pisani before we transfer butterflies and birds. Join us as we discover no fewer than six glorious to our hotel. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. villas on our tour. The first on our list is one of the Inc. Meals: Dinner only. most recognisable buildings of the Renaissance - the Day 4 After breakfast, we palladian masterpiece, Villa Rotonda. The UNESCO Day 2 We are joined by a explore the Villa Barbaro, World Heritage Site was designed for elegant local guide for a walking with its secret garden behind the villa. In the evening we entertainment and is definitely one for art lovers as it tour of Vicenza’s historic visit the lustrous Villa Godi is lavishly decorated with stucco and frescoes. A short city centre. We continue to Villa Rotonda, where we are Malinverni, where we have walk along a leafy lane takes us to an outstanding given a personal guided tour a gala dinner, hosted by the architectural and artistic site, the Villa Valmarana. With by the aristocratic owner. aristocratic owners. members of the aristocratic Valmarana family giving From here, we visit the Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. us personal tours and also hosting dinner, this is a truly Villa Valmarana and enjoy unique experience. a personally guided tour Day 5 We head for Padua followed by dinner in and visit the Orto Botanico a room adorned with (Botanic Garden) followed Tiepolo’s frescoes. by the Scrovegni Chapel, Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. with its exquisite frescoes What’s Included by Giotto, before returning Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast in the 4-star Day 3 We start at the Villa to the airport for our Hotel Meggiorato, Abano Terme (or similar) Barbarigo, surrounded by flight home. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Return flights London to Venice an exceptional example of Baroque gardens, followed All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager

Departures & Prices 5 days from 15 September £1395pp

Single Supplement £195 Villa Rotonda www.brightwaterholidays.com 114 Rome, Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo Ninfa pen by special arrangement, we are delighted Itinerary Oto offer this rare opportunity to visit the ancient and beautiful gardens of Ninfa. Equally rare is the Day 1 Depart from London Day 3 The gardens of Castel opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the Popes as Heathrow and fly to Rome, Gandolfo await discovery we visit the gardens of Castel Gandolfo. where we have a city this morning, the traditional tour upon arrival. See the papal residence outside of The romantic flower-covered ruins at Ninfa, just to the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Rome. In the afternoon, we south of Rome, are as close to gardening perfection as Square and Basilica, and visit Ninfa – named after a you can get. Scented roses, hydrangeas and jasmines the Spanish Steps. mythical nymph and home to curtain what remains of the walls of medieval buildings Inc. Meals: Dinner only. a very curious history. and paths meander beside a crystal-clear river. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Day 2 After breakfast we The location of our hotel in the centre of Rome allows depart for Viterbo, where Day 4 This morning we visit free time to explore the Eternal City and we shall we have a guided tour. Villa d’Este in Tivoli, the 16th also visit Viterbo, a medieval walled town which in its Nearby, we also visit the century gardens known for heyday rivalled Rome itself. gardens of Villa Lante, their use of water. Later, we described as “one of Italy’s transfer to the airport for our greatest Renaissance flight back to London. gardens.” Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. What’s Included Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Three nights’ bed & breakfast at a 4-star hotel in Rome Dinner and welcome drink on the first evening Return scheduled flights between London Heathrow and Rome All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager Departures & Prices 4 days from 12 May £1295pp 1 September £1295pp 9 June £1295pp

Single Supplement £390 Villa d’Este 115 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 VillasVillas andand GardensGardens ofof thethe ItalianItalian LakesLakes Borromeo Palace on Isola Bella

he fabulous scenery and warming climate of the northern Italian lakes have Tattracted 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 lakeland 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 villa’s 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, then, the impeccably maintained and manicured garden of Villa Balbianello completes our tour.

Bellagio What’s Included Departures & Prices Seven nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: Return flights from London to Milan 8 days from four nights at the 4-star Grand Majestic All visits as outlined in the itinerary Hotel on Lake Maggiore and three 11 May £1935pp nights at the 4-star Hotel Barchetta Comfortable coach travel throughout 24 June £1895pp Excelsior on Lake Como Services of Kate Williamson as tour 21 September £1895pp Two lunches manager Single Supplement £490 www.brightwaterholidays.com 116 Itinerary

Day 1 We fly from London to Milan before transferring to our hotel where lunch will be served. Built in 1870, on the elegant west Piedmont shores of Lake Maggiore, 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.

Villa Carlotta, Tremezzo

Day 6 Today is free to explore at leisure. 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 fee not included). Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 7 We spend an enchanting day 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, which sits in a sylvan setting of pine, soaring cypress and oak, with pollarded plane trees, manicured lawns and flowerbeds. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Villa Balbianello Day 8 After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and transfer to Milan in time for our return flight to London. Day 2 We start at a leisurely pace with a visit to the gardens Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. 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 that are available for mail order. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 3 Discover the Borromean 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. Our final visit is to Isola Madre, where citrus fruits, crape myrtle, hibiscus, and agaves all flourish. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & 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, and we enjoy lunch here. 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, where we will be privileged to have a guided tour with the owner. 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. Isola Madre 117 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 GardensGardens andand VillasVillas ofof SicilySicily Isola Bella, Taormina icily has become one of Europe’s best-loved Itinerary Sdestinations in recent years and it is truly an island of the senses. As soon as you step on to its warm and Day 1 Fly to Catania, where of herbs and spices await fertile shores you’ll understand why. we transfer to our hotel. our discovery. Free time in Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Ragusa follows. We begin on the slopes of Mount Etna, Europe’s Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch highest active volcano, as we visit an elegant garden, Day 2 Visit Villa Trinita on & dinner. and then, in Taormina we see a private garden which the slopes of Etna and then boasts spectacular views across the bay. Heading ascend this mighty volcano, Day 6 After lunch at south we gain an exclusive insight into Sicilian admiring the views as we go. a former Benedictine gardening with the head gardener at Villasmundo and Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch monastery, we visit Monreale with its amazing visit the private garden of a Sicilian aristocrat. We & dinner. gold leaf and glass interiors. conclude in Palermo, a melting-pot of architectural Day 3 In Taormina, tour Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch styles with both Norman and Arabic influences. the private garden of & dinner. Casa Cuseni. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 7 Explore the Botanical Gardens in Palermo, the What’s Included Day 4 Visit the Gardens garden of Villa Giulia and the impressive Norman Seven nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: three nights of Princess Maria Carla Palace. in Giardini Naxos; two nights in Ragusa; two nights Borghese and take a tour with the head gardener at Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. in Palermo Villasmundo. Three lunches Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 8 Transfer to Palermo for our return flight to Return flights London to Sicily Day 5 Tour Gli Aromi London. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Sicily, where a collection Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of horticulturalist Trevor Edwards in March and Colin Crosbie in April as tour manager and a local guide Departures & Prices 8 days from 24 March £1795pp 21 April £1795pp

Single Supplement £295 Greek Theatre, Taormina www.brightwaterholidays.com 118 Gardens and Architecture of Andalucia Plaza de España, Seville ndalucia is unrivalled in Europe for its wealth of Itinerary Ahistory, culture, Moorish architecture and gardens. Perhaps the most famous of all is the Alhambra Palace Day 1 Arrive in Málaga and Day 5 A full day discovering and the Generalife Gardens, with exceptional views transfer to our hotel for our Seville on a guided tour towards the old city, the Albaicin and the snow-capped evening meal. awaits. mountains of the Sierra Nevada. Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. In Córdoba, we visit the Great Mosque and the Alcázar Day 2 Visit the Alhambra Day 6 Today we enjoy some de los Reyes Cristianos, with its characteristic terraced Palace and Generalife free time to revisit Seville. pools. We discover Seville and all it has to offer, Gardens. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. including the Old Jewish Quarter, Plaza de España and Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch. the Gardens of Murillo. We conclude in the dramatically Day 7 We visit Ronda to Day 3 Head to the Alpujarra see its Alameda del Tajo situated town of Ronda. and Sierra Nevada region, Gardens and the Palacio de paying visits to small villages Mondragon. We return to and enjoying scenery along our hotel later. the way. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch What’s Included Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch. & dinner. Seven nights’ bed & breakfast: three nights in Day 4 In Córdoba, we pay a Day 8 After breakfast, we Granada; three nights in Seville; one night in Ronda visit to the Great Mosque. head home from Málaga Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. airport. Three dinners, three lunches and welcome drink Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. on the first evening Return flights from Luton or London Gatwick to Málaga All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager and local guides Departures & Prices 8 days from 11 May £1495pp 14 September £1495pp

Single Supplement £295 Seville 119 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 GardensGardens ofof MallorcaMallorca La Seu Cathedral and gardens way from the busy beach resorts, the Balearic Itinerary Aisland of Mallorca offers a timeless, verdant landscape of wooded hills and orange groves, Day 1 Fly to Palma from royal residence Palacio de sweeping bays and rocky mountains. Dotted around London. la Almudaina. We also see the island are a host of historic gardens whose origins Inc. Meals: Dinner only. the Hort del Rei, the 10th date back hundreds of years, as well as more modern century Arab Baths and Castell de Belver, a fortified creations, providing a rich range of horticultural Day 2 Visit the gardens of Raixa, once part of a Gothic castle. delights to be enjoyed in the warm spring sunshine. Moorish estate, and then Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & These include the gardens at Raixa and Alfaiba, both take a tour of the garden of dinner. with Moorish origins and later Christian influences; Son Son Marroig. Day 5 Explore the hilltop Marroig, a former residence of Archduke Luis Salvador Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. garden of Sa Torre Cega at with dramatic views; and the contemporary hilltop Cala Ratjada, on the eastern garden of Sa Torre Cega on the eastern tip of the Day 3 We visit the Jardínes tip of the island. We also island, designed by Russell Page. de Alfaibia, which date back visit the Albufera Nature to the 14th and 15th century. Reserve before dinner later After lunch, we visit the this evening. monastery of Real Cartuja Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & de Valldemosa with its dinner. green bell tower. What’s Included Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & Day 6 After breakfast, we transfer to Palma for our Five nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 3-star dinner. return flight to make our way Hotel Helios, Ca’n Pastilla Day 4 Tour of Palma, back to London. Four lunches visiting sites that include Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. the cathedral and former Return flights from London to Palma All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager Departures & Prices 6 days from 22 March £1395pp

Single Supplement £325 Cala Ratjada www.brightwaterholidays.com 120 No single supplement

GardensGardens ofof MadeiraMadeira Botanical Gardens et in a bright blue sea, some 400 miles off the Itinerary Scoast of Africa, lies the lush, volcanic Portuguese island of Madeira. Its delightful warm climate makes Day 1 Flight from London Day 4 Visit the Monte Madeira a sub-tropical paradise, where the vegetation Gatwick to Funchal (many Palace Gardens. is verdant and rich, and it would not be easy to find other regional airports Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. a more beautiful spot for a relaxing holiday. It is not available on request). surprising that Madeira has long been popular with the Transfer to our hotel for a Day 5 Afternoon Tea at the famous Reid’s Palace Hotel. British. Its climate of warm summers and winters is just welcome dinner. Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast and right and over the years it has become an ideal holiday afternoon tea. destination for those seeking peace and relaxation and, Day 2 Morning visit to as you would expect with a benevolent sub‑tropical the Quinta do Palheiro, Day 6 Free day with the climate, the island has a remarkable variety of formerly the Blandy option of a full day excursion vegetation, fruit and flowers. Gardens. The gardens around some of the scenic are most famous for their highlights of the island with camellias, though there is lunch included. something for everyone. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Day 7 All day free to explore Day 3 Gentle half-day walk Funchal at leisure. A farewell What’s Included on the levadas, the man- dinner is served in the made irrigation channels evening. Seven nights’ bed & breakfast at the 5-star that wind around the island. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Pestana Casino Park Hotel in Funchal This is one of the nicest Welcome and farewell dinners at the hotel and ways to explore the island. Day 8 Transfer to the airport Afternoon Tea at Reid’s Palace Hotel Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. for our flights home. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Return flights from London Gatwick to Funchal All visits as outlined in the itinerary Services of local expert Joao Camacho as guide

Departures & Prices 8 days from 2 November £1395pp

No Single Supplement Optional excursions; Madeira highlights including lunch £55pp Bird of paradise 121 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Archaeology Tours

Theatre at Messene ArchaeologyArchaeology ofof DenmarkDenmark andand SwedenSweden Frederiksborg Palace o on the trail of warriors, kings and commoners in Itinerary Gsouthern Scandinavia. These lands are home to a rich abundance of artefacts, from rune stones to ruined Day 1 Fly from London to Day 4 Explore the castles. Denmark and Sweden are unmistakably Viking Stockholm and visit Gamla of Ales Stenar today. country, but it’s not just about the Vikings on this tour. Uppsala before transferring Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Drive over the Øresund Bridge, visit impressive castles to our hotel for the night. and come face-to-face with an Iron Age man. Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Day 5 Visit Copenhagen’s historic sites and museums. This unique combination of capitals and castles, Day 2 Today we visit Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. standing stones and warships, and megaliths and the archaeological site mounds is truly the stuff that memories are made of. at Anundshög and then Day 6 Tour Frederiksborg Skokloster Castle near Slot and travel on to Aarhus. Sigtuna. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. What’s Included Day 7 See the ‘Bog Bodies Day 3 Stockholm’s at Silkeborg Museum and Seven nights’ bed & breakfast in 3 and 4-star museums await discovery the Viking site of Fyrkat. hotels: two nights Uppsala, one night Malmö, two and then we take an Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. nights Copenhagen and two nights Aarhus afternoon train to the city of Day 8 After a visit to Three dinners and one light meal on board the Malmö. UNESCO-listed Jelling, we train Inc. Meals: Breakfast & light meal on train. fly home. Return flights from London to Stockholm and Inc. Meals: Breakfast only Copenhagen to London Standard class rail journey from Stockholm to Malmö All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of an archaeological expert as tour manager Departures & Prices 8 days from 6 July £1895pp 2 September £1925pp

Single Supplement £490 Vasa Museum, Stockholm 123 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Romanian Archaeology Peles Castle iscover over 2,000 years of history on our tour Itinerary Dof Romania – a journey of Transylvanian tales, magnificent castles, medieval art and ancient Day 1 Depart London for Day 5 We visit Braşov civilisations. Bucharest and our hotel in and explore its historical Piteşti. attractions. As we start to unravel Romania’s timeline we discover Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. the medieval town of Sibiu and the later town of Sighișoara, famed for its Swiss clock tower. In Ulpia Day 2 Tour Sibiu, a Day 6 Spend time exploring Traiana, the former capital of Roman Dacia, are the medieval town founded Bran Castle, often referred ruins of what was once the political, administrative in the 12th century, and to as Dracula’s Castle, and and religious centre of Dacia Romana. Bram Stoker’s Sebeş, originally a Dacian tour Peleş Castle with its novel “Dracula” is synonymous with the region and settlement. 160 rooms. the magnificent Bran Castle is often thought of as Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Dracula’s lair. Day 3 We visit Ulpia Day 7 Today we head to Traiana and Hunyadi’s Constanţa on the Black Castle, considered Sea coast and pay a visit to Romania’s greatest Gothic Histira, Romania’s largest What’s Included style castle, today. excavation site. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Eight nights’ dinner (with wine), bed & breakfast in 3 and 4-star hotels: one night in Pitești, two Day 4 Sarmizegetusa Day 8 Visit to Adamclisi to nights in Sebes, one night in Sighișoara, one night Regia and Sighişoara await see the Tropaeum Traiani. in Brașov, two nights in Bucharest, one night in our visits. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Constanța Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 9 Transfer to the airport Return flights from London to Bucharest for our flight back to London. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of an archaeological expert as tour manager and local guides Departures & Prices 9 days from 28 April £1895pp 15 September £1895pp

Single Supplement £280 The famous ‘Dracula’ castle, Bran, in Transylvania www.brightwaterholidays.com 124 BulgarianBulgarian ArchaeologyArchaeology Rila Monastery ollowing a golden age of archaeology, is Itinerary Fnow one of the culturally richest countries in Europe. Hidden in the hills and forests are some of the oldest Day 1 Upon arrival in , Day 5 Tour Stara Zagora’s Neolithic settlements, Thracian tombs and exuberantly visit the National Museum interesting Neolithic painted medieval churches. On this tour, we visit a wide of History and Boyana Dwellings Museum. range of locations, four of which are UNESCO World Church, a UNESCO World Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Heritage Sites. Heritage Site. Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Day 6 Visit Thracian tombs, These are the famous Rila Monastery, set high in museums and explore an the mountains; with its outstanding Day 2 Explore the Arena ancient town. frescoes; the Horseman rock relief at Madara; and the di Serdica ruins, the Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. historic town of Nessebar, beautifully preserved with Underground Museum, Day 7 We explore Plovdiv over 80 churches. Nicopolis ad Istrum and the fortress of Tsarvets. today, Bulgaria’s second Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. largest city. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 3 See the Madara Horseman and the Mosaics Day 8 We devote our day to What’s Included Museum in Devnya. We then the famous Rila Monastery. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Eight nights’ bed & breakfast in 3 and 4-star take a walking tour of Varna. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. hotels: two nights in Sofia, one night in Veliko Day 9 Transfer to the airport Tarnovo, two nights in Varna, two nights in Day 4 Roman baths and for our return flight home. Kazanluk and one night in Plovdiv the Aladja Rock Monastery Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Seven dinners await discovery today. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Return flights from London to Sofia All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of an archaeological expert as tour manager and local guides Departures & Prices 9 days from 12 May £1595pp 6 October £1595pp

Single Supplement £200 Madara Horseman 125 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 AlbanianAlbanian ArchaeologyArchaeology Amphitheatre at Butrint n archaeological terms, Albania offers some of the Itinerary Ibest sites in Europe with a host of Classical cities that were once on a par with those in Greece and Day 1 Fly from London to Day 5 Explore Gjirokastër Italy. Having emerged from almost five decades of Tirana and transfer to our and its Castle Museum, the communism, it is slowly opening its doors to the hotel. Ethnographic Museum and world once again, and behind those doors are truly Inc. Meals: Dinner only. the Archaeological Park. fascinating wonders. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 2 Enjoy a walking tour These include Durrës on the Adriatic coast, one of of Tirana today. Later, we Day 6 The little-known ruins the largest amphitheatres in the Balkans; Apollonia, visit the town of Kruje along of Byllis await us today. the second largest Greek colony in Albania; the with Skanderbeg Castle. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. UNESCO World Heritage Site at Butrint, which dates Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 7 Spend the day in from the 7th century BC; and the remote mountain Day 3 Drive to the Bay of Berat. We visit the Onufri city of Byllis. We also visit the fascinating National Vlora, see Llamani beach, Icon Gallery, tour Byzantine Historical Museum, the triumphant Tirana Mosaic and the Panormi castle of Ali churches and pay a visit to Skanderberg Square in the capital Tirana. Pasha and the Springs of the Çobo winery. Borshi. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 8 Before heading Day 4 Spend the day at the home, we explore the What’s Included fascinating UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Seven nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: two nights site of Butrint. Apollonia. in Tirana, two nights in Saranda, one night in Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Gjirokastër and two nights in Berat Return flights from London to Tirana All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of an archaeological expert as tour manager and local guides Departures & Prices 8 days from 5 May £1395pp 13 October £1395pp

Single Supplement £175 Apollonia www.brightwaterholidays.com 126 New for 2020

ArchaeologyArchaeology ofof thethe PeloponnesePeloponnese Mystras he Peloponnese is a place of timeless beauty. From Itinerary Tthe 3,000-year-old relics at Mycenae and the Classical ruins of Epidaurus to the Byzantine churches Day 1 Today we arrive in Day 5 Discover the fort city of Monemvasia, the whole region reeks of history. The Athens and transfer to our of Monemvasia today. Greeks and the Spartans fought out the Peloponnesian hotel in Nafplion. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. war here, to be followed in turn by the Romans, Goths, Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Slavs, Franks, Turks, and Venetians. Day 6 Explore the Day 2 Wander Mycenae fascinating dead city of Highlights include the Lion’s Gate at Mycenae, the and its ancient ruins. Mystras. most ancient piece of monumental sculpture in Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Europe; the 4th century BC Temple of Apollo Maleatis and the theatre with its awe-inspiring acoustics at Day 3 Visit the Day 7 We visit the UNESCO- Archaeological Museum of listed archaeological site of Epidavros; the church of Agia Sophia in the Fort City Nafplion. We then explore Messene this morning. We of Monemvasia; and also the amazingly well-preserved Tiryns and Epidarus with its then explore Kalamata and site at Messene. famous theatre. the Archaeological Museum Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. of Messenia. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 4 Tour Argos and What’s Included Tripoli before arriving in Day 8 We make our way Sparta. back home today. Seven nights’ bed & breakfast in comfortable hotel Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. accommodation: three nights in Nafplion and four nights in Sparta Three dinners Return flights London to Athens All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of an archaeological expert as tour manager and local guide Departures & Prices 8 days from 27 April £1495pp 5 October £1495pp

Single Supplement £315 Monemvasia 127 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 CreteCrete ArchaeologyArchaeology Palace of Knossos rete was home to one of the earliest European Itinerary Ccivilisations, the Minoans, who roamed these hills some 4,000 years ago. Their legacy can be seen all Day 1 Fly from London to Day 5 Enjoy a walking tour over the island, in particular at the legendary Palace Heraklion and enjoy dinner of Rethymnon this morning. of Knossos, the centre of the Minoan civilisation in at our hotel upon arrival. Later, we travel to Chania Europe, with a level of technology and facilities that are Inc. Meals: Dinner only. and explore its old centre. quite staggering considering its antiquity. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Day 2 After breakfast, we From this distant starting point we journey through visit the Archaeological Day 6 We have free time time, from the Hellenic-Roman era to the periods of Museum. In the afternoon, to explore the local area, or Turkish and Venetian domination, as illustrated by we explore the mighty alternatively join our optional archaeological remains and buildings, which remain in Palace of Knossos. excursion to the Arkadi use to this day. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Monastery and Eleutherna Museum including lunch. Day 3 We board a boat and Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. visit Spinalonga, a former leper colony. Later, we enjoy Day 7 Today, we visit the What’s Included some free time in charming Minoan cemetery of Armeni Seven nights’ bed & breakfast: three nights at the Agios Nikolaos. and Byzantine monuments in 3-star Atrion Hotel, Heraklion and four nights at Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. the picturesque Amari valley. the 4-star Bio Hotel in Rethymnon Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 4 Gortyn, Phaistos and One dinner in the hotel and a farewell dinner (with Zaros are ours to explore Day 8 We catch our return wine) in a local taverna today. flights home to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Return flights from London to Heraklion All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of an archaeological expert as tour manager (Peter Yeoman in April) and local guides Departures & Prices 8 days from 28 April £1595pp 6 October £1595pp

Single Supplement £280 Optional excursion - Arkadi Monastery £95pp Basilica of Agios Titos www.brightwaterholidays.com 128 Malta’s Archaeological Heritage Cathedral of Saint John in Valletta alta’s diminutive archipelago is by no means an Itinerary Mindication of the vast riches it holds — from the Neolithic to the present day, they are many and varied. Day 1 Fly into Malta and We then take a boat trip to Arriving in Malta, with its golden limestone cliff coasts, transfer to our hotel. discover the Blue Grotto lucid seas and heart-stirring views, you may think Inc. Meals: Dinner only. and the Dingli Cliffs. that you’ve already seen all there is to see, but peek Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. beneath the surface and you’ll be sure to find more. Day 2 Explore Valletta, Malta’s capital city. We Day 5 Today is free to Venture inside the walled citadel of Mdina, explore explore the Upper Barakka spend at leisure or join our the warren of tomb-lined passages of St. Paul’s Gardens, the Grand optional excursion to the Catacombs, and take to the sea for a boat trip around Master’s Palace and the neighbouring island of Gozo, which has archaeological the spectacular Blue Grotto. Most startling of all are Archaeological Museum. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. wonders of its own. the mysterious sites left by civilisations with whom we Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. are just starting to get acquainted such as the ancient Day 3 Explore Mosta Temples and the megaliths of Ħaġar Qim. Church and the walled Day 6 Tour the fishing citadel of Mdina. Later, we village of Marsaxlokk, the visit the Skorba Temples, and the the Museum of Roman world-renowned Hal Saflieni What’s Included Antiquities and St. Paul’s Hypogeum. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Six nights’ dinner (with wine), bed & breakfast at Catacomb. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. the 4-star Dolmen Hotel, St. Paul’s Bay Day 7 Transfer to the Return flights from London to Malta Day 4 Visit Ħaġar Qim airport for our return flight to and the Mnajdra Temples. London. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of a professional tour manager and local guides

Departures & Prices 7 days from 10 March £1345pp 10 November £1345pp 12 May £1495pp

Single Supplement £175 Optional excursion - Gozo £85pp Ħaġar Qim 129 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 PompeiiPompeii andand thethe ClassicClassic WondersWonders ofof CampaniaCampania Ancient street in Pompeii he region of Campania in southwest Italy is blessed Itinerary Twith a dramatic coastline, a perfect Mediterranean climate and a host of ancient ruins. The most famous Day 1 Depart from London Day 4 Visit Herculaneum, of these is Pompeii, a once thriving seaside town to Naples. Upon arrival, in some ways even more whose existence came to an end due to the eruption of we transfer to our hotel in impressive than Pompeii, the Vesuvius in AD 79, but which today offers a fascinating this vibrant, coastal city. A National Archaeological insight to the lives and times of people from 2,000 welcome drink and dinner is Museum of Naples and the years ago. served this evening. Flavian Amphitheatre. Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Equally revealing are the nearby remains at Stabiae and Herculaneum, where even some of the rooftops Day 2 Today we explore Day 5 After breakfast, we have been preserved. Other highlights include the Paestum and Paestum travel to Stabiae to explore fascinating site of Paestum, which shines a light on the Museum, home to the Villa San Marco and Villa unique painted monument, Arianna. Later, we ascend to world of the ancient Greeks and the Archaeological ‘Tomb of the Diver’. the crater of Vesuvius. Museum in Naples, home to many of the most Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. significant and illuminating finds from Pompeii. Day 3 We spend a full Day 6 Transfer to the day exploring the site of airport for our return fight to Pompeii, which was hidden London. What’s Included for centuries under 23 feet Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. of ash. Five nights’ bed & breakfast at a 4-star hotel in Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Naples Welcome drink and dinner on the first evening Return flights from London to Naples All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of an archaeological expert as tour manager and local guides Departures & Prices 6 days from 5 November £1395pp

Single Supplement £395 Paestum Museum www.brightwaterholidays.com 130 New for 2020

PortuguesePortuguese ArchaeologyArchaeology Bom Jesus do Monte ith the roar of the Atlantic Ocean and the Itinerary Wtranquillity of the Iberian hillsides as our constant companions, we will travel through time stopping off Day 1 Fly to Lisbon and Day 5 See Mosteiro de at megalithic standing stones, Iron Age settlements, enjoy a tour of the city. Batalha and Conimbriga. Roman ruins and medieval plazas. We will also enjoy a Inc. Meals: Dinner only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. whole host of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Évora, Sintra and Guimarāes. Day 2 We travel to Évora to Day 6 Enjoy the Buçaco visit the Almendres Stone Forest and be treated to Other highlights include the Almendres Circle and the Anta wine-tasting in Porto. from the Megalithic Age, the Gothic masterpiece Grande do Zambujeiro. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. of Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, the Roman settlement Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. at Conimbriga, the Iron Age hilltown of Citânia de Day 7 A free day to explore Day 3 Visit the Museu Porto, or join our optional Briteiros, and Castelo de Pena, one of the seven Caloste Gulbenkian excursion – a boat trip on the wonders of Portugal. and the Mosteiro dos River Douro. Jerónimos, a Gothic Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Manueline monastery. What’s Included Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Day 8 Visit Bom Jesus Do Eight nights’ bed & breakfast: four nights at the Monte, Citania de Briterios Marriott Hotel, Lisbon; one night at the Tryp Hotel, Day 4 Palácio Nacional de and the UNESCO World Coimbra and three nights at the Holiday Inn Porto Sintra and Castelo de Pena Heritage Site of Guimarāes. Gaia (or similar) await discovery today. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Three dinners Day 9 We return home today. Flights from London to Lisbon and Porto to London Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout Services of an archaeological expert as tour manager and local guides Departures & Prices 9 days from 21 April £1895pp 6 October £1895pp

Single Supplement £480 Optional excursion - Douro River £125pp Buçaco Forest 131 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 FarFar FlungFlung AdventuresAdventures

Singapore Supertree light show WAFA 2020 in Jaipur Taj Mahal eld just once every three years, the World Itinerary HAssociation of Flower Arrangers’ (WAFA) showpiece event is known as the very best for anyone Days 1 & 2 Take an Day 5 Pay a visit to the interested in horticulture and floral art. In 2020, it will overnight flight from iconic Taj Mahal then travel be held in Jaipur, giving us the opportunity to explore Heathrow to Delhi. Upon onwards to Jaipur. some of the iconic sights of India’s ‘Golden Triangle’. arrival, we visit the beautiful Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & Lodi Gardens. dinner. These include the Mughal Gardens at Rahstrapati Inc. Meals: In-flight & Dinner. Bhavan in Delhi, which only open to the public in Day 6 Explore the Amber February; the ‘Moonlit Garden’ and the legendary Taj Day 3 In Old and New Fort, Maharajah’s City Mahal in Agra, surely one of the most recognisable Delhi, visit Jama Mosque, Palace and the gardens of buildings in the world; and Jaipur’s Amber Fort and Humayun’s Tomb and the Rambagh Palace, with its Rambagh Palace. fine Rashtrapati Bhavan exotic birds. Mughal Gardens. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. dinner. What’s Included Day 7 Today is entirely Day 4 Ride the Gatiman devoted to the WAFA 2020 Seven nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at 5-star Express to Agra and visit event. hotels: two nights at the Meridien Hotel, Delhi; one the Agra Fort as well as Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. night at the Trident Hotel, Agra; three nights at the the beautiful Mehtab Bagh Jaipur Marriott Hotel and one night at the Pride (‘Moonlit Garden’). Day 8 A free day to return to Plaza Aerocity, Delhi (all hotels subject to change). Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & WAFA or explore Jaipur. Upgrade to the 5-star Jaimahal Palace Jaipur dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. available at a supplement Day 9 After breakfast, we fly Four lunches back to London Heathrow. Return flights London Heathrow to Delhi Inc. Meals: Breakfast & in-flight. All local travel within India Services of a professional tour manager and local guides Departures & Prices 9 days from 21 February £1995pp

Single Supplement from £525 Endemic Indian flowers 133 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

Singapore Garden Festival Singapore Supertree light show

he Singapore Garden Festival takes place every two years and is among the top Tflower and garden shows on the international calendar. It was the first event to bring together top international award-winning landscape and garden designers, and florists and horticulturalists from around the world. Singapore’s geographic location makes the festival an ideal platform from which to showcase horticultural and gardening products as well as services from the northern and southern hemispheres, and from Asia and New World nations. A colourful and stimulating experience with a truly international flavour – the festival is a treat for the senses.

In addition a full day at the show, we take the opportunity to explore Singapore’s Cloud Forest many attractions, including the spectacular Gardens by the Bay, whose illuminated ‘Supertrees’ have gained iconic status. Other garden visits include Hort’s Park, the Chinese and Japanese gardens, Fort Canning’s Spice Garden, and the Botanic Gardens. Further highlights include a city sightseeing tour, a river cruise and afternoon tea at Raffles, the famous Singaporean institution.

What’s Included Singapore skyline at night Six nights’ bed & breakfast at the 4-star All visits as outlined in the itinerary Departures & Prices Orchard Rendezvous Hotel (or similar) 9 days from Services of a professional tour manager: Five dinners and one afternoon tea horticulturalist and broadcaster Trevor 15 July £2495pp Edwards will lead the 15 July departure Return flights from London to Singapore 20 July £2595pp while Colin Crosbie, the former curator 22 July £2595pp Comfortable coaching throughout of RHS Wisley, will lead the 20 July trip Single Supplement £540 www.brightwaterholidays.com 134 Itinerary

Day 1 We depart from London Heathrow late afternoon on our overnight flight to Singapore. Inc. Meals: In-flight only.

Day 2 On arrival in Singapore we will be met and taken to our 4-star city centre hotel. In the afternoon we depart on a city sightseeing tour of Singapore, which includes visits to Chinatown and Little India. Later, we return to our hotel to freshen up before we transfer to a local restaurant for our welcome dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast (in-flight) & dinner. Jurong Gardens

Day 3 This morning we visit Singapore Botanical Garden, Day 6 This morning we visit Singapore’s Chinese and which was founded in 1859 and showcases the best and Japanese Gardens, known as the Jurong Gardens, which most spectacular of tropical flora, set in a stunning verdant faithfully recreate traditional styles from both cultures. We landscape. Entrance to the national orchid garden is return to the hotel to freshen up and change into the requisite included. In the afternoon, we tour the Colonial District. smart-casual attire for this afternoon’s treat, Afternoon Tea Singapore was a British colony from 1824 until independence at Raffle’s Hotel, a Singapore institution. in 1959 and much of the colonial legacy remains intact. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & Afternoon Tea. We will see Padang, the Cricket Club, Parliament House, the Supreme Court and the City Hall. We then visit the Day 7 We begin today with a visit to Hort Park, a series Marina Bay Sands, a landmark hotel and leisure complex, of botanical and horticultural parks and gardens in the with a distinctive rooftop garden known as the Skypark, 57 southwestern corner of Singapore, connected by elevated stories above the ground. The views over the city are truly walkways and bridges. The afternoon is free to shop and spectacular. We continue with a visit to the Merlion Park, sightsee at leisure, or join our optional excursion to Sentosa home to the Merlion statue, half-fish and half-lion, which Island, the extensive theme park that lies just off the is another of Singapore’s iconic sights. Finally, today we main island. Access is by cable car, in itself a breathtaking enjoy a cruise along the Singapore River in a ‘bumboat’, the experience with panoramic views. Admission is included to traditional, brightly-painted water taxi. all the major attractions, including the Aquarium, Madame Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Tussauds, Images of Singapore, 4D Adventureland Ride, and the Wings of Time Show. Tonight we sit down and enjoy a gala farewell dinner together. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 8 After checking out of the hotel, we have time for one more visit – the Fort Canning Spice Garden. Here, we will discover the trees and plants that produce many familiar spices such as nutmeg and cloves, on a site that was originally Singapore’s first Botanical and Experimental Garden, started in 1822. Following our visit we transfer to the airport for our overnight flight back to London. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.

Day 9 We will arrive in London. Singapore River Inc. Meals: in-flight.

Day 4 After breakfast, we visit Singapore’s iconic horticultural attraction, Gardens by the Bay. Spanning 101 hectares, this award-winning venue houses over 250,000 rare plants in an innovative and imaginative way. After an opportunity for lunch here (not included), we will visit the Cloud Forest, a mysterious botanical world veiled in mist. Following dinner in a local restaurant, we return to the Gardens by the Bay for the evening performance of the Rhapsody light and sound show at the Supertree Grove Gardens. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 5 Today is given over to the Singapore Garden Festival, where we will enjoy viewing the garden displays and attending orchid extravaganza talks and demonstrations. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Singapore Botanical Gardens 135 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

Grenada - Gardens of the Spice Island St. George harbour

ying at the southern end of the Lesser Antilles, the little island of Grenada offers La typical slice of Caribbean life, flavoured with spice and full of colour. With a lush, mountainous interior and a coastline fringed with silky-smooth beaches, it is home to some wonderful privately-owned gardens, which we have threaded together like a richly-flavoured kebab of delicious horticultural morsels. Given that Grenada won its 15th gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019, it’s reasonable to assume people here know a thing or two about gardening, and we can expect some real treats as we visit a host of gardens, accompanied by our tour manager, Trevor Edwards. Highlights include breakfast with the owner at Smithy’s Garden, a gentle walk among the botanical wonders of an historic plantation, and a tour and tasting at a rum distillery. We are based at the Blue Horizon Garden Resort, set back 300 yards from Grand Anse Beach, which provides accommodation in self-contained one-bedroom units offering both comfort and privacy. The grounds are extensive and merit a guided tour in their own right, as well as a bird-watching tour.

Grenada’s prize-winning display at What’s Included Chelsea Flower Show 2019 Seven nights’ bed & breakfast at the All visits as outlined in the itinerary Departures & Prices Blue Horizon Garden Resort 9 days from Comfortable coach travel throughout Two dinners, one lunch, one afternoon 2 May £2945pp Services of horticulturalist Trevor tea, and welcome and farewell drinks Edwards as tour manager and local 3 October £2895pp Return flights from London to Grenada guides Single Supplement £455 Optional excursion - Cruise £115pp www.brightwaterholidays.com 136 Itinerary

Day 1 We take a flight from London to Grenada, where welcome drinks and dinner are waiting for us on arrival. Inc. Meals: In-flight and dinner.

Day 2 We ease ourselves into the tour with a gentle day at the hotel, beginning with an introductory tour of the 6¼-acre manicured gardens. In the afternoon, we explore the hotel grounds once again, this time on the lookout for some of the 27 species of birds that frequent the gardens, led by another enthusiastic member of staff. Binoculars are provided to us by the hotel. Waterfall Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Annandale Waterfall, where the rock walls are covered in soft ferns, and the Grand Etang Rainforest, where, if we are lucky, we may see the mona monkey, which was brought to Grenada from Africa during the Slave Trade era. We conclude today with a visit to the Balthazar Estate, where we will see giant heliconia, musa, ginger, and many more tropical plants, and where we can learn about the introduction of nutmeg to the island in 1843, a key moment in Grenadian history. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.

Day 6 After breakfast we depart for Sunny Side Garden, a breathtakingly beautiful garden, five acres in size, with koi ponds, an orchard and an excellent variety of palms, orchids, hibiscus, and bromeliads – many of which feature in Grenada’s award-winning RHS Chelsea displays. The afternoon finds us at Palm Tree Gardens, a botanical Trevor Edwards and local guide garden with two acres of flowering trees and plants of many varieties, not to mention some resident tortoises and turtles. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.

Day 3 We begin our exploration of the island with a visit Day 7 Today is free to lounge by the pool or explore to the private garden of Gemrose Eden, where we are independently. Alternatively, join our optional excursion – a welcomed and given a tour by the owner, whose enthusiasm full-day cruise aboard a traditionally-built wooden sloop for her plants is infectious. This small garden is steep, but of the type that used to trade up and down the Caribbean well landscaped with reasonably good paths and steps. We chain. In the evening, we enjoy drinks and a farewell dinner continue to the private garden of Hyde Park, again led round at our hotel. by the owner. The garden was laid out by the landscape Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. designer Chris Baksh to optimise the wonderful views. After our tour we will enjoy a cooling drink on the veranda and take Day 8 After breakfast we have free time for some last minute in those views. In the afternoon we visit the historic Tower shopping before we transfer to the airport in time for our Garden, a 100-year-old private home in well-established return flight to London. gardens nestled in the hills of St. Paul’s, in the south-east of Inc. Meals: Breakfast & in-flight. the island. Afternoon tea is included here. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & afternoon tea. Day 9 Today we arrive in London. Day 4 Following breakfast, a full-day island tour awaits, beginning at Mount Edgecombe, where we will follow a fascinating botanical trail through the grounds. A drive along roads that wind through the verdant hills of the interior takes us to Belmont Estate, where a delicious buffet lunch is served. In the afternoon, we visit the River Antoine Rum Distillery for a tour that explains the process of turning raw cane sugar into the iconic Caribbean spirit, followed by a tasting of the finished product. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch.

Day 5 Returning to the garden trail this morning, we begin with a relaxed and delicious Grenadian breakfast at Smithy’s Garden with the owner. We will then tour the gently sloping garden, which is noted for its wild and natural feel, and be entertained by the resident birds. We continue via the Shampoo Ginger 137 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Gardens of Costa Rica Arenal Volcano

osta Rica, Spanish for ‘rich coast’, is especially well-named if you consider the Cextraordinary 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 resplendently laid-back, happy people to the mix, and you have the makings of a life-affirming holiday experience. We visit a broad range of gardens both public and private, such as the Else Kientzler Botanical Gardens with its world-class collection of plants. Red-eyed tree frog 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. We also seek sub-tropical wildlife in the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge.

What’s Included Waterfall Gardens of La Paz 11 nights’ bed & breakfast: three nights Return flights from London to San José at the Bougainvillea Hotel, Heredia All visits as outlined in the itinerary Departures & Prices (or similar); two nights at La Quinta, 13 days from Sarapiqui (or similar), two nights in the Comfortable coach travel throughout 2 February £3895pp Arenal area, two nights in Monteverde, Services of Julia Corden (in 2020) of the two nights in Manuel Antonia Explorers’ Garden as tour manager and 7 February 2021 £3995pp Eight dinners and ten lunches a local guide Single Supplement £960 www.brightwaterholidays.com 138 Itinerary

Day 1 Depart from London and fly to 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 features hibiscus, helicons, succulents, and bromeliads. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 3 We make our way to 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 7 After breakfast we take a 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 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.

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. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch.

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.

Day 11 This morning we head to San José, stopping at the Orchid Garden in La Garita en route. Costa Rica has Suspended bridge over trees in Monteverde the richest orchid flora in central America, with over 1,400 identified species. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Day 4 We begin at the reserve of La Tirimbina, where we visit an organic cacao plantation with the chance to make Days 12 / 13 Today we transfer to the airport and catch our very own chocolate! We then learn about pineapple our return flight home. We arrive in London on Day 13. farming at the Organic Paradise Tour. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & in-flight. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 5 We head to the majestic Arenal 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. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 6 We depart on a full-day excursion to the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. During 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. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve 139 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 SeasonalSeasonal GardensGardens ofof JapanJapan Ginkaku-ji, also known as the Silver Pavilion

urround yourself with the splendours of the Far East with an itinerary of rare Sgardens, bamboo forests, ancient temples, golden Buddhas and, of course, the majestic Mount Fuji. 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 Omihachiman, 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, which evolved from simple, gravel- Cherry blossom at covered forest clearings, are situated in and around Kyoto, Japan’s former capital, Hamarikyu Gardens 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 The Bamboo Forest 11 nights’ bed & breakfast; six nights at Flight from London Heathrow to Osaka, Departures & Prices the ANA Hotel, Kyoto and five nights at returning from Tokyo 13 days from the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa, All visits as outlined in the itinerary Tokyo (or similar) 25 March £4995pp Comfortable coach travel throughout 11 November £4995pp Dinner and welcome drink on first evening, a dinner with a maiko, three Services of a horticulturalist as tour Single Supplement £1500 lunches and a farewell dinner manager (Colin Crosbie in March) and Optional excursion - Hiroshima local guides £385pp www.brightwaterholidays.com 140 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, and then 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 Senso-ji Temple 120,000 plants, and the Bamboo Forest Path, a strange and We take a coach to the seaside town of Kamakura atmospheric forest of dense bamboo. Day 9 to visit the Great Buddha. After lunch, we continue to the Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. simple and elegant Hase Kannon Temple. Our next stop is Day 4 We enjoy a to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, one of the biggest full-day excursion to attractions in Kamakura and dedicated to the God of War. the Prefecture of Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch. Shiga, beginning in Hakone and Mount Fuji are our tour stops for today. Otsu where we visit Day 10 We begin with a visit to Onshi Hakone Park, an area of the ancient temple forested mountains and deep ravines. After lunch, we take of Ishiyamadera. We a cruise on Lake Ashi, the principal attraction of Hakone. continue to the historic Views from here are amazing and on the way back, we can town of Omihachiman take photos of Mount Fuji. and the Hachimanbori Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch. Canal. In the old merchants’ area, we Day 11 After breakfast, we see the garden of Kyu Furukawa. explore Nishikawake A waterfall and large stone lanterns heighten the serene House, a former atmosphere in the garden. Later, we tour Mukojima residence of a wealthy Hyakkaen Garden and visit Shunkanen’s Bonsai Museum. merchant family before Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. we return to Kyoto. Shiga Prefecture Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Day 12 Today we begin at Hamarikyu Garden, a place of tranquillity in the heart of Tokyo. We then take a cruise on Day 5 Today we explore Kyoto at leisure. Alternatively, join the Sumida River, visit Senso-ji Temple, browse the stalls at our optional excursion by train to Hiroshima and the Peace Nakamise-dori and continue on to Rikugien Garden. We Memorial Park. see the Imperial Palace East Gardens before sitting down Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. to our farewell dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 6 We start at the Daisen-in Temple, before visiting two more dry landscape gardens, Zuiho-in and Ryogen-in. Next, Day 13 We transfer to the airport for our return flight we tour the stunning Kinkaku-ji Temple and end at to London. Ryoan-ji Temple. This evening we have a special dinner Inc. Meals: Breakfast & in-flight. with a maiko, and we learn all about the history of this practice and its customs. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

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, before travelling to Tokyo by bullet train. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Autumn colours 141 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

New Zealand Milford Sound

or us in the , visiting New Zealand is rather like entering a parallel Funiverse. On the surface, everything appears familiar, but look more closely and you notice subtle differences – an unusual plant, an outlandish insect or a brightly coloured bird – which tell you that you are in fact a long way from home. There are parts of New Zealand that could be anywhere in the British Isles, from a Hampshire country garden to a Highland glen, an illusion which is strengthened by the abundance of familiar place names and by the plants that were imported by the early settlers to make them feel more at home. Yet where in Britain can you find bubbling mud pools and gushing geysers, majestic fjords and glittering glaciers, huge tree ferns and penguin colonies? In addition to viewing some of these natural Hamilton Gardens wonders, we will be taking a closer look at the flora of the country, both in its natural habitat and in a cross-section of some of the many wonderful private and public gardens with which New Zealand is blessed. Our October tour, led by Trevor Edwards, is timed to coincide with the spring Garden Festivals in Tarananki and Marlborough. In January 2021, these are replaced with visits to private gardens in New Plymouth and Christchurch, and this departure will be led by Mike Nelhams - please ask for separate itinerary. What’s Included 16 nights’ bed & breakfast: one night Return flights from London to Auckland in Singapore; one night Auckland; (with stopover in Singapore on the Wither Hills Vineyards one night Rotorua; three nights New outbound flight) and an internal flight Plymouth; two nights Wellington; two from Queenstown to Auckland Departures & Prices nights Blenheim; one night Kaikoura; 20 days from Comfortable coach travel throughout two nights Christchurch; three nights 26 October £6995pp Queenstown Services of a professional tour manager 10 January 2021 £6995pp (Trevor Edwards in October and Mike 12 dinners and three lunches (2020); 11 Nelhams in January) and local guides Single Supplement £1600 dinners and two lunches (2021) www.brightwaterholidays.com 142 Itinerary

Days 1/2/3 Depart from London on our overnight flight to Singapore, where we enjoy a stopover, including a visit to the spectacular Gardens by the Bay. Fly from Singapore to Auckland in New Zealand on evening of Day 3. Inc. Meals: In-flight & breakfast.

Day 4 On arrival, we depart for our Auckland hotel with a stop en route at Eden Garden. Inc. Meals: in-flight & dinner.

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Day 13 We enjoy another festival garden tour – this time a half-day urban tour featuring clever and thoughtfully designed smaller gardens. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 14 Depart for Christchurch and enjoy the sights of the ‘Garden City’, including a visit to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 15 This morning, travel out to Governors Bay, to visit Ayrlies Garden Ohinetahi before travelling to Akaunui Historic House and Gardens. As we return to Christchurch, we stop on the way Day 5 Visit Ayrlies, one of the most celebrated gardens to visit Trott’s Gardens. in New Zealand. From Auckland we break our journey in Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch. Hamilton with a visit to the impressive Hamilton Gardens. We continue to the thermal wonderland of Rotorua, the Day 16 A day for spectacular sights. We travel through Sulphur City. This evening we visit Tamaki Maori Village for Geraldine and Fairlie, over Burke’s Pass into the vast a cultural experience and hangi dinner. Mackenzie Basin to the magnificent blue waters of Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Lake Tekapo. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 6 This morning, we head south through the small towns of Piopio and Mokau to the fertile Taranaki region and visit Day 17 This morning we visit Chantecler Garden and Tikorangi, The Jury Garden. Gibbston Valley Winery. This evening we take a Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the steamer TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station, where we enjoy a delicious dinner at Days 7/8 Over the next two days, we take in some of the the Colonel’s Homestead. gardens featured in this year’s Taranaki Garden Festival. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Day 18 We enjoy one of the undoubted highlights of our tour Day 9 Leaving New Plymouth after breakfast, we will travel as we depart for Milford Sound. to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. En route we visit Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. the outstanding Paloma Gardens at Wanganui. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Day 19 Sadly, our tour of New Zealand comes to an end today as we transfer to Queenstown Airport for our flight to Day 10 Start this morning with an informative sightseeing Auckland and onward connection to London. tour of Wellington and then visit Otari Native Botanic Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Garden and Wilton’s Bush Reserve, Zealandia and the Karori Sanctuary. On our return to the city, we visit the Day 20 Arrive back in London. Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa). Inc. Meals: In-flight only. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.

Day 11 This morning we board the Interislander Ferry and cross Cook Strait to Picton in the South Island. Later, we visit the sumptuous tasting room and cellar at Wither Hills Vineyards for a hosted wine-tasting. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 12 Today we enjoy a full day at the Marlborough Garden festival including some private gardens. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. TSS Earnslaw 143 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 FloraFlora andand FaunaFauna ofof MadagascarMadagascar Sunbathing Sifaka

adagascar, the world’s fourth-largest island, is like a gigantic ark sailing ever so Mslowly 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 Ring-tailed lemur 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 indri with their unique, haunting call. Other creatures that may cross our path include geckos, chameleons and a wonderful selection of rare birds. What’s Included 12 nights’ full board: four nights at the Return flights from London Heathrow to Hotel du Louvre, Antananarivo; two Antananarivo and four internal flights nights at the Hotel de la Poste, Diego All visits as outlined in the itinerary Golden mantella Suarez; two nights at the Gîte de Berenty; one night at the Hotel La Croix All land transfers in appropriate vehicles Departures & Prices for the road conditions du Sud, Fort Dauphin; three nights at 15 days from the Vakona Lodge (all hotels subject Services of a professional tour manager 3 November £5295pp to change). Please note that picnic and local guides lunches are provided on days when we Single Supplement £780 are away from the lodge or hotel www.brightwaterholidays.com 144 Itinerary

Days 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 pay a visit to the village of Ramena. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Traditional Madagascan fishing boat Day 4 An excursion to Montagne d’Ambre National Park awaits, where rivers, lakes and waterfalls can be admired. Day 11 Trek through the forest reserve of Analamazaotra. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Tonight, we enjoy a nocturnal visit to see the smallest frog and chameleon species of the rainforest, along with the Day 5 Today, we visit Montagne des Français to see smallest lemur species. dry-country flora and baobab trees. Near the top, on Pic des Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Orchidées, the comet orchid should be in flower. Later, we fly back to Tana. Day 12 After breakfast, we spend the day exploring the lush Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. rainforest of the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. Wildlife includes lemurs, rainforest birds and reptiles such as the giant, emerald green Parson’s chameleon. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 13 En route to Antananarivo, we visit the local association which works to protect lemurs by encouraging reforestation, with the opportunity to help plant native trees. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Days 14 / 15 This morning we visit the nursery of the Antananarivo late Alfred Razafindratsira, a major supplier of seeds. Day 6 Fly to Fort Dauphin and travel to Berenty Private After lunch in Tana, shop Reserve, a private gallery forest that protects ‘spiny desert’ for souvenirs at the market Sugarloaf in Antsiranana Bay habitat. Here, we can see the strange triangulated palm. and then catch a flight to Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. London. We arrive in London on Day 15. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & in-flight. 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, with stops en route to see localised and rare flora. If luck is on our side, we will see endemic pitcher-plants. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 9 We fly to Tana and transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 10 We depart for Andasibe today to visit the Madagascar Exotic Park, with its butterflies and insects, and the Vakona Reserve on road No.2, travelling through the forests of Angavo. Inc. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Crowned lemur, Montagne d’Ambre 145 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 New for 2020

South Africa’s Garden Route Babylonstoren Garden

aking a long-overdue return to our programme, South Africa’s Garden Route Mwinds its way for some 200km between richly forested mountains and a crinkle-cut coastline dotted with beautiful beaches and empty bays. Vividly coloured wildflowers delight the eye at every turn and progress tends to be leisurely, as one stunning photo opportunity after another presents itself. Visits include the Wilderness National Park, the sea cliffs at Knysna and the famous suspension bridge at Tsitsikamma. Also returning from the wilderness to grace our tour are the Drakensberg Mountains, where we do some gentle botanising and offer the chance to visit neighbouring Lesotho. We also visit Pietermaritzburg, known as the City of Flowers, and delightful Durban, home to some splendid gardens. Of course, we could not visit South Africa without spending some time in the Cape, where we enjoy crisp white wines, discover rare botanical treasures at the gardens of Kirstenbosch and Stellenbosch and potter among the proteas on Table Mountain.

What’s Included 13 nights’ accommodation on a bed Four dinners and one lunch & breakfast basis: three nights at the Flights from London Heathrow to Cape Knysna Premier Hotel, Cape Town; two nights Town; Port Elizabeth to Durban and at the Windsor Hotel, Hermanus; Durban to London Heathrow Departures & Prices two nights at the Wilderness Hotel, 15 days from Wilderness; one night at the Kelway All visits as outlined in the itinerary Hotel, Port Elizabeth; three nights at Comfortable coach travel throughout 22 September £3995pp the Drakensberg Gardens Hotel and Single Supplement £650 two nights at the Garden Court Marine Services of a professional tour manager Parade, Durban (all hotels subject and local guides Optional excursion - Whale Watching £75pp | Lesotho £95pp to change) www.brightwaterholidays.com 146 Itinerary

Days 1 / 2 We fly overnight from London to Cape Town, arriving on Day 2. We visit the Old Company Garden before transferring to our hotel. Inc. Meals: In-flight & 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 only.

Day 4 We depart for a visit to Babylonstoren, one of Table Mountain the best preserved werfs (farm yards) in the Cape Dutch tradition. In the afternoon we visit Stellenbosch Botanical Day 9 We continue along the Garden Route via Knysna, Garden, the oldest university garden in South Africa, where we will see the cliffs either side of a notoriously featuring an enormous variety of plants from across the globe dangerous sea channel, and the harbour town of Plettenberg – this is a real highlight for any plant-lover. Bay to the Tsitsikamma National Park, home to a Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. stomach-churning but spectacular suspension bridge. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.

Day 10 Transfer to Port Elizabeth for our morning flight to Durban and onward journey to the Southern Drakensberg, where we stay for the next three nights. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 11 Following breakfast we will have a leisurely botanical walk within the immediate vicinity of the hotel, giving us an introduction to the native flora. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 12 Today is free to relax or there’s a chance to join our optional excursion to the nearby kingdom of Lesotho. Inc. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

Day 13 We leave Drakensberg today and begin our journey A protea in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens back to Durban, which we will break with a visit to the Kwa-Zulu Natal Botanical Garden in Pietermaritzburg. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Day 5 After breakfast we check out of the hotel and visit the Helderberg Nature Reserve, where we will have the chance Day 14 Visit three gardens in Durban: the Japanese to have a final look at some of South Africa’s diverse flora in Gardens, Makaranga Garden Lodge and the the mountain fynbos. We then visit the Vergelegen Wine Botanical Gardens. Estate. We continue to the our hotel in Hermanus, a lovely Inc. Meals: Breakfast & lunch. little town which forms the centre of the Whale Route. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only. Day 15 We transfer to Durban airport for our return flight back to London. Day 6 We offer the option of a boat trip to spot whales and Inc. Meals: Breakfast & in-flight. other marine life. After lunch we head inland to the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, which covers 1,800 hectares. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.

Day 7 After breakfast we check out of the hotel and set out on the Garden Route, driving over Shaw’s Pass to Caledon and on to Swellendam, Riverdale and finally Mossel Bay, where we visit the Dias Complex Museum. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.

Day 8 Today we set out for a full-day walking tour with a local guide in the Wilderness National Park. The wildlife is varied, and includes the Knysna seahorse, pansy shell, pied kingfisher, Knysna lourie, grey heron, and little egret. Inc. Meals: Breakfast only.

Tsitsikamma National Park 147 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Dates for your diary

f you’ve enjoyed browsing these pages and letting our exciting range of 2020 trips inspire your travel plans, you’ll be glad to Isee that we have put all of our departure dates into a handy calendar below. So, take a look at the month-by-month listing of holidays we have to offer and when you’re ready to book, simply get in touch with our friendly team or just venture online to book via our website!

January March

Southern Costa Rica 25 Jan Malta’s Archaeological Heritage 10 Mar Up Helly Aa - 5 days 26 Jan Gardens of Mallorca 22 Mar Gardens and Villas of Sicily 24 Mar Seasonal Gardens of Japan 25 Mar February Tresco’s Abbey Gardens 27 Mar The V&A Museum, Dundee 29 Mar Gardens of Costa Rica 2 Feb A Grand Tour of the Outer Hebrides - 5 days 31 Mar Gardens of the French Riviera (Menton) 20 Feb WAFA and Palaces & Gardens of India’s Golden Triangle 21 Feb Gardens of the French Riviera (Menton) 27 Feb April A Grand Tour of the Outer Hebrides - 5 days 7 Apr Cornwall and Tresco 10 Apr Lord of the Glens - Highlands and Islands 17 Apr Highgrove and the Cotswolds 17 Apr Tresco’s Abbey Gardens 17 Apr Islay and Jura 20 Apr Highlights of Orkney and Shetland 20 Apr Dutch Bulbfields 21 Apr Gardens and Villas of Sicily 21 Apr Portuguese Archaeology 21 Apr Lord of the Glens - Highlands and Islands 22 Apr An Archaeologist’s View of Orkney and Shetland 27 Apr Lord of the Glens - Heart of the Highlands 27 Apr Archaeology of the Peloponnese 27 Apr Crete Archaeology 28 Apr Romanian Archaeology 28 Apr

Aerial view of Nice, Cote d’Azur, French Riviera Abbey Garden, Tresco www.brightwaterholidays.com 148 Lake Como

May June

Heritage of the Isle of Man 2 May Gardens and Wildfowers of the Burren 2 Jun Grenada - Gardens of the Spice Island 2 May Grand Tour of the Inner Hebrides 3 Jun Highlights of Orkney and Shetland 4 May Scotland’s Northern Edge 4 Jun Lord of the Glens - Heart of the Highlands 4 May Highland and Island Gardens 5 Jun Gardens of Distinction 4 May Gardens of North Wales 5 Jun Albanian Archaeology 5 May In the Footsteps of Gertrude Jekyll 6 Jun Gardens of French Riviera with Rose Festival 7 May The V&A Museum, Dundee 7 Jun Gardens of French Riviera with Rose Festival 8 May Grand Tour of the Outer Hebrides (S-B) 7 Jun Scenic Scottish Railways 8 May Islay and Jura 8 Jun A Taste of Argyll 8 May Highlights of Orkney and Shetland 8 Jun RHS Workshop - Hyde Hall 8 May Gardens of Distinction 9 Jun The Genius of Monet 8 May Rome, Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo 9 Jun Grand Tour of the Inner Hebrides 9 May Walmer Castle and the Cinque Ports 9 Jun Grand Tour of the Outer Hebrides (S-B) 10 May Aberdeenshire: Scotland’s Larder 10 Jun Gardens and Architecture of Andalucia 11 May The RHS Chatsworth Flower Show and Gardens of 11 Jun Villas and Gardens of the Italian Lakes 11 May Derbyshire Malta’s Archaeological Heritage 12 May Gardens of Dumfries and Galloway 12 Jun Bulgarian Archaeology 12 May Mull, Staffa & Iona 12 Jun Rome, Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo 12 May Highgrove and the Cotswolds 12 Jun Oberammergau and the Austrian Tyrol 13 May Cornwall and Tresco 12 Jun Highgrove and the Cotswolds 14 May Gardens of Northumberland 14 Jun Private Gardens of Herefordshire 14 May Shetland and its Outer Isles 15 Jun Irish Rover 14 May Undiscovered Orkney 15 Jun Highland and Island Gardens 15 May Gardens of Devon 16 Jun Mull, Staffa & Iona 15 May Scotland’s Northern Edge 17 Jun Steam in the Lake District 15 May Gardens of Jersey 18 Jun Hidden Gardens of Lincolnshire 15 May Gardens of Somerset & Dorset 18 Jun Discover The Durrells’ Corfu with Lee Durrell 15 May In the Footsteps of the Picts 19 Jun A Grand Tour of Scotland 17 May Summer Gardens of Peak District 19 Jun Lord of the Glens - Heart of the Highlands 18 May Steam in the Lake District 19 Jun Private Gardens of East Anglia 18 May Grand Tour of the Inner Hebrides 20 Jun Tresco’s Abbey Gardens 18 May Picardy Gardens Cruise 21 Jun RHS Chelsea Flower show and Classic English Gardens 21 May Arran: ‘Scotland in Miniature’ 22 Jun Mull Wildlife Experience 21 May Coll and Tiree 23 Jun The Genius of Monet 22 May Grand Tour of the Outer Hebrides (B-S) 23 Jun Gardens of the Firth of Clyde 25 May Alpine flowers of Wengen 23 Jun Arran, Scotland in Miniature 25 May Villas and Gardens of the Italian Lakes 24 Jun Historic Houses of the Scottish Borders 26 May Gardens of Kent & Sussex 25 Jun Gardens of Kent and Sussex 28 May A Classic Scottish Steam Break 26 Jun Highland Wildlife Safari 26 Jun Shetland and its Outer Isles 26 Jun Gardens of the Far North 28 Jun Islay and Jura 29 Jun

149 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 July August

The Faroe Islands 2 Jul Grand Tour of the Inner Hebrides 1 Aug

Whisky Tasting on Islay and Jura 3 Jul Shetland and its Outer Isles 1 Aug An Archaeologist’s View of Orkney & Shetland 6 Jul Private Gardens of Herefordshire 2 Aug Archaeology of Denmark & Sweden 6 Jul Heritage of the Isle of Man 5 Aug Private Gardens of Caithness & Sutherland 6 Jul In the Footsteps of the Picts 7 Aug Coll and Tiree 7 Jul Highgrove and the Cotswolds 7 Aug A Classic Scottish Steam Break 9 Jul Oberammergau and the Austrian Tyrol 10 Aug Stornoway, Skye & the Summer Isles 9 Jul Oberammergau and the Austrian Tyrol 12 Aug The Faroe Islands 9 Jul A Classic Scottish Steam Break 13 Aug Gardens of the Far North 10 Jul Irish Rover 13 Aug Scotland’s Northern Edge 11 Jul Mull, Staffa & Iona 14 Aug Gardens of Dumfries and Galloway 12 Jul Summer Gardens of the Peak District 14 Aug Downton Abbey and the Stately Homes of England 12 Jul Gardens of Dumfries and Galloway 16 Aug Arran, Scotland in Miniature 13 Jul Downton Abbey and the Stately Homes of England 16 Aug Islay and Jura 13 Jul Highlights of Orkney and Shetland 17 Aug Grand Tour of the Outer Hebrides (B-S) 14 Jul Queen Victoria and the Isle of Wight 17 Aug Singapore Garden Festival 15 Jul Private Gardens of East Anglia 17 Aug In the Footsteps of the Picts 17 Jul Gardens of Devon 18 Aug Gardens of North Wales 17 Jul Gardens of Distinction 18 Aug Private Gardens of Caithness & Sutherland 20 Jul Gardens of Kent and Sussex 20 Aug Singapore Garden Festival 20 Jul Gardens of Somerset & Dorset 20 Aug Grand Tour of the Outer Hebrides (B-S) 21 Jul A Grand Tour of Scotland 22 Aug Gardens of Cheshire and RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 22 Jul Arran, Scotland in Miniature 24 Aug Singapore Garden Festival 22 Jul Undiscovered Orkney 24 Aug A Classic Scottish Steam Break 23 Jul Coll & Tiree 25 Aug Highland Wildlife Safari 24 Jul Grand Tour of the Outer Hebrides (B-S) 25 Aug Hidden Gardens of Lincolnshire 24 Jul Oberammergau and Lake Constance 25 Aug The Genius of Monet 24 Jul Scotland’s Northern Edge 27 Aug Summer Gardens Cruise of Holland and Belgium 24 Jul A Classic Scottish Steam Break 27 Aug Gardens of Northumberland 26 Jul An Archaeologist’s View of Orkney 31 Aug Highlights of Orkney & Shetland 27 Jul and Shetland

The Devorgilla Bridge and Dumfries www.brightwaterholidays.com 150 September October Gardens of Jersey 1 Sep RHS Workshop - Rosemoor 2 Oct

Rome, Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo 1 Sep A Taste of Argyll 3 Oct

Private Gardens of Herefordshire 2 Sep Lord of the Glens - Highlands and Islands 3 Oct Grenada - Gardens of the Spice Island 3 Oct Archaeology of Denmark & Sweden 2 Sep The V&A Museum, Dundee 4 Oct Seine River Cruise 3 Sep Tresco’s Abbey Gardens 5 Oct Scotland’s Northern Edge 4 Sep Autumn Tints of the Lake District 5 Oct Gardens of Dumfries and Galloway 4 Sep Archaeology of the Peloponnese 5 Oct

In the Footsteps of the Picts 4 Sep A Grand Tour of the Outer Hebrides - 5 days 6 Oct Crete Archaeology 6 Oct Highgrove and the Cotswolds 4 Sep Bulgarian Archaeology 6 Oct RHS Garden Bridgewater 4 Sep Portuguese Archaeology 6 Oct A Grand Tour of the Outer Hebrides - 5 day 4 Sep Lord of the Glens - Highlands and Islands 8 Oct Grand Tour of the Inner Hebrides 5 Sep A Classic Scottish Steam Break 9 Oct Downton Abbey and the Stately Homes of England 5 Sep Discover The Durrells’ Corfu with Lee Durrell 9 Oct

Gardens of the Firth of Clyde 7 Sep Historic Houses of the Scottish Borders 11 Oct Autumn Tints of Perthshire 11 Oct Arts and Gardens of the French Riviera 8 Sep Lord of the Glens - Highlands and Islands 13 Oct The Faroe Islands 10 Sep Albanian Archaeology 13 Oct Mull, Staffa & Iona 11 Sep Autumn Tints of Arran 19 Oct RHS Garden Bridgewater 11 Sep New Zealand 26 Oct Steam in the Lake District 11 Sep Rhine and Moselle River Cruise 26 Oct

Islay and Jura 14 Sep

Highlights of Orkney & Shetland 14 Sep

Lord of the Glens - Heart of the Highlands 14 Sep November Gardens of Madeira 2 Nov Tresco’s Abbey Gardens 14 Sep Flora and Fauna of Madagascar 3 Nov Gardens and Architecture of Andalucia 14 Sep Pompeii 5 Nov Grand Tour of the Outer Hebrides (B-S) 15 Sep Malta’s Archaeological Heritage 10 Nov Walmer Castle and the Cinque Ports 15 Sep Seasonal Gardens of Japan 11 Nov Palladian Villas of Veneto 15 Sep Iceland Northern Lights 15 Nov

Romanian Archaeology 15 Sep

Stornoway, Skye & the Summer Isles 17 Sep

Aberdeenshire: Scotland’s Larder 18 Sep December

Whisky Tasting on Islay and Jura 18 Sep Christmas in the Scottish Borders 24 Dec Christmas in Kent 24 Dec RHS Garden Bridgewater 18 Sep

Arran, Scotland in Miniature 21 Sep

Villas and Gardens of the Italian Lakes 21 Sep

South Africa’s Garden Route 22 Sep January 2021

Knitting in the Shetland Isles 24 Sep New Zealand 10 Jan

Scenic Scottish Railways 25 Sep Up Helly Aa - 6 days 27 Jan

Highgrove and the Cotswolds 25 Sep

Lord of the Glens - Highlands and Islands 28 Sep

Lord of the Highlands - Highlands and Islands 30 Sep February 2021 Gardens of Costa Rica 7 Feb

To book your Brightwater holiday, call our travel experts today: 01334 208082 BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

Your package holiday booking is with BRIGHTWATER HOLIDAYS, Eden Park House, Cupar, Fife, Scotland KY15 4HS. Telephone: 01334 657155. These Booking Conditions set out the terms on which you contract with us and this contract is made on the terms of these booking conditions, which are governed by Scottish Law, and the jurisdiction of the Scottish Courts. If you reside in England or Northern Ireland you may choose the applicable law and jurisdiction if you wish to do so. In these booking conditions, “you” and “your” includes all persons named on the booking (including anyone who is added or substituted at a later date). “We”, “us” and “our” means Brightwater Holidays. Brightwater Holidays is a subsidiary of Specialist Tours Limited (company number 08395250). Except where otherwise stated, these booking conditions only apply to holiday arrangements which you book with us and which we agree to make, provide or perform (as applicable) as part of our contract with you. All references in these booking conditions to “holiday”, “booking”, “contract” or “arrangements” mean such holiday arrangements unless otherwise stated. KEY POINTS You enter into a booking with us when we issue our booking confirmation/invoice. If you then cancel, there will be cancellation charges. Initially as a minimum this may only be a deposit, but can go up to 100%. In certain circumstances you may be able to make changes to your booking however charges will apply. We can change and cancel your booking. We’ll pay you compensation in certain circumstances. We are responsible to you for providing your holiday but there are legal limits. BRIGHTWATER HOLIDAYS is a member of AITO and holds ATOL number 4498 issued by the Civil Aviation Authority. For all other packages, The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. 1. BOOKING All information provided in the brochure/website is, to the best of our knowledge or belief, correct at the time of publication. We will advise you of any changes that are fundamental to the contract, or which we believe will affect your enjoyment of the holiday. Please advise us if there is any requirement, which you believe is fundamental to your holiday so that we can give you the latest information at time of booking. When you ask us to proceed with a booking you will be required to make a (minimum) deposit payment which will vary dependent on the specific holiday you are booking. This will be advised at the time of booking and confirmed in your booking confirmation. It may also be necessary to collect payment at the time of booking for other (non-refundable) costs e.g. flight tickets, transfers etc. In the case of bookings made after the balance due date, we will require full payment for the holiday. You must be at least 18 years old to make a booking and you guarantee that you have the authority to accept, and do accept, these terms and conditions for all members of the party (including anyone who is added or substituted at a later date), and in particular payment for all the persons on the booking. We reserve the right in our absolute discretion to refuse to accept any booking without necessarily specifying a reason. A contract is made when we accept your booking and issue our written booking confirmation/invoice. If we cannot accept or confirm the booking, any money paid will be promptly refunded. On receipt of the booking confirmation/invoice it is important to check the details and if there is any inaccuracy this must be notified to us immediately. It may not be possible to make changes or corrections later, or additional costs may be incurred which we will have to pass on to you. Many of our holidays are based on specially negotiated airfares booked in a specific airline booking class. At the time of booking if these fares are not available, we will endeavour to secure an alternative air fare and advise you of any additional cost. Please note that most special air fares are non-refundable and non- changeable. 2. PAYMENT We hold your deposit (and any additional payment required at the time of booking) towards the full cost of the holiday. The balance must be received by us no later than the final payment due date shown on your booking confirmation/invoice, as appropriate to your holiday. If you do not pay the full cost within the time specified we may treat your holiday as cancelled by you in which case the cancellation charges shown in point 4 - Cancellation by You, will apply. You must pay the balance in full twelve weeks prior to departure (seventeen weeks for cruises) unless otherwise stipulated. Ways to Pay - we accept payment by Visa, MasterCard, cheque or bank transfer for which no levy is charged by us. Your bank or credit card provider may charge an additional financial processing charge and we cannot be responsible for any such charges. (Please note: if you are paying from an overseas bank account you have to accept all bank charges). A surcharge of 2.5% will be applied for card payments made with cards registered in countries outside the EEA and the USA. 3. YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE a) Prior to booking you will receive a verbal quote based on your specific holiday requirements and travel dates.

b) We reserve the right to notify you of any alteration in the advertised or quoted price and any changes in holiday arrangements before accepting your booking. NB: We make every effort to ensure that the most up to date and correct prices are shown on our website. We operate a pricing policy which means that the earlier you book the cheaper the holiday will be. Our very best prices are reserved for those who book early. We also commit that we will not offer the same holiday at a lower price to anyone that has booked after you (or we will refund you the difference between your price and the price they pay). If you do not wish to accept the corrected and actual price of the holiday, we will cancel the booking and provide a full refund of any monies you have already paid. Alternatively, you may amend your booking or select an alternative holiday at the applicable and correct price. c) Subject to these conditions, once we have confirmed your booking, the price is fully guaranteed and will not be subject to any additional ‘surcharges’, which means any increase due to changes in the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from changes to the cost of fuel or other power sources, the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties, including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at port and airports or exchange rates.

d) Prices in our brochures and/or on our website are calculated on rates of exchange linked to those available to us; either based on rates previously secured or our view of currency exchange rates applicable at the time payments are due.

Single, Double, Twin Bedded Rooms Single supplements are payable for sole occupancy of a room. A single room does not guarantee the provision of a double or twin room, and in some instances may be smaller. A ‘double’ bed is often two single beds pushed together, sometimes with double bed base linen (although it is not unusual for single duvets to be provided in some hotels for doubles).

www.brightwaterholidays.com 152 4. CANCELLATION & VARIATION BY YOU Cancellation by You If you or any member of your party wish to cancel your holiday, or if you fail to pay the full cost of the holiday within the specified time, you will be liable as a minimum, to pay the charges detailed below up to the point of cancellation, in addition to any non-refundable items*. Or in the case of failure to pay, at the date that we deem your booking to have been cancelled. Written notification from the person who made the booking must be received at our offices. The cancellation charge will be calculated according to the date this is received, or the date upon which your cancellation is treated as occurring because of non-payment. *Non-refundable holiday costs charged for at the time of booking, including upgraded air tickets, hotel upgrades, extensions, extra nights, transfers etc., will be charged at 100% and the charges shown below will then apply to the remainder of the holiday cost and any amendment charges are not refundable. Additional accommodation costs for reduced occupancy or other components, may be payable in the event that one or more passengers cancels but where remaining passengers still wish to travel. Group Bookings - cancellation charges will apply to any guests of group who may wish to cancel in the unlikely event of cancellation by the lead passenger. Note: If your cancellation falls within the provisions of your travel insurance policy you may be able to make a claim which must be made direct to your insurance company. IF YOU CANCEL YOUR HOLIDAY In the event of a member of your party wishing to cancel their holiday we must be advised in writing by the person who made the booking. In order to compensate our expenditure we charge a cancellation fee according to the following scale: Days notice prior to Departure Date Cancellation charge % of holiday price More than 84 days Deposit only* 41 - 83 35%* 29 - 40 55%* 8 - 28 75%* 0 - 7 100% Lord of the Glens More than 84 days Deposit only* 0 - 83 100%

*plus any invoiced flight or hotel costs The cancellation charges will apply from the day we receive written confirmation. You may make a claim on your Holiday Insurance if the reason for the cancellation falls within the terms of the insurance policy. We will observe travel advice provided by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Should circumstances dictate, we may have to cancel your booking if the performance of your holiday, or the carriage of passengers to your destination is significantly affected by unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances. In such circumstances, we will arrange for your booking to be cancelled and for you to receive a full refund. Variation by You Booking alterations: If, after our booking confirmation/invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, for example your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do our utmost to make these changes (subject to agreement by our suppliers) but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be made in writing from the person who made the booking. You will be asked to pay an administration charge starting from £50 per person in addition to any additional booking costs as a result of the changes made, including any changed occupancy or flight costs following a cancellation (see point 4 - Cancellation by You). You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible. Additional fees may be charged, depending on the cost and work caused to us by the requested change. Booking transfer: You can transfer your existing booking to another person suggested by you (subject to agreement by our suppliers)*, by giving us notice in writing at least 15 days before departure. The replacement traveller must satisfy and fulfil any conditions that apply to the holiday, and all costs of the original booking, and both you and the new traveller are responsible for paying all costs we incur before the transfer can be made by us. The cost of the transfer will consist of both an administration charge of £50 and any costs which our suppliers impose. Note: Certain travel arrangements may not be transferrable after a reservation has been made, for example, some airlines may require payment of 100% cancellation charges and the cost of a new ticket for ANY variation that is made, and changes to other arrangements may incur a cancellation charge of up to 100%. * If you are unable to travel, you may wish to check whether cover is provided for your cancellation within the terms of your travel insurance policy as this may incur less cost to you. While on holiday: If you decide to cut short your holiday for your own reasons, or not stay at accommodation that has been booked for you, take any pre-booked meals, excursions or other holiday components, then we are unable to offer you any refund or cover any costs. Depending on the circumstances, your travel insurance may offer cover for such curtailment, so we suggest that you check the conditions and requirements of your policy. 5. CANCELLATION & VARIATION BY US We start planning the holidays we offer many months in advance. Occasionally, we have to make changes to and correct errors and other details both before and after bookings have been confirmed or cancel confirmed bookings, events or activities. Holidays to remote and in some cases, underdeveloped parts of the world carry the risk that parts of the holiday may be subject to alterations beyond our control, sometimes at short notice. Whilst we always endeavour to avoid changes and cancellations, we must reserve the right to do so. Cancellation by Us: We reserve the right to cancel your booking. We will not cancel your confirmed booking after the final ‘balance due’ payment date, except for unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances (see point 6) or failure by you to pay the final balance of your holiday. Minimum Numbers - some of our holidays require a minimum number of participants to enable us to operate them. If the minimum number of bookings required for a particular holiday or flight have not been received, we are entitled to cancel it and will notify you prior to the final ‘balance due’ payment date. Please note that in such cases we are not able to accept responsibility for any costs you may have incurred, including costs of other travel arrangements made in association with the cancelled holiday, unless booked through BRIGHTWATER HOLIDAYS. We are happy to give you an indication at any time of the current number of passengers booked on a trip, but this should not be taken as any guarantee whether the tour will or will not go ahead as booking numbers can fluctuate. There may be certain circumstances when a tour may operate with less than the minimum number than the advertised group size.

153 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 If your holiday is cancelled you can either have a refund of all monies paid or accept an alternative holiday of comparable standard from us if we offer one (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). In the event a refund is paid to you, we will pay compensation as detailed below, as a minimum, except where the significant change is due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, which means a situation beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Variation by Us: It is a term of your booking that we are able to make changes to any aspect of your booking. If the change is insignificant, we will ensure that you are notified about it. Examples of insignificant changes include a change of airline or aircraft type, alteration of your outward/return flights by less than 12 hours, change of airports and/or local connecting transport and changes to supplementary arrangements such as site visit, or change of accommodation to another of the same or higher standard. Occasionally, we may have to make a significant change. If we are constrained by circumstances beyond our control to alter significantly any of the main characteristics of the travel services that make up your package, you will have rights set out below.

• We will contact you and you will have the choice of accepting the change or having a refund of all monies paid. You can also accept an alternative holiday, where we offer one (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of lower value) or purchase an alternative holiday subject to availability and applicable cost. We will tell you the procedure for making your choice. Please read any notification of changes carefully and respond promptly as if you do not respond to us within the timescale given, your booking may be cancelled.

• If you choose to accept a refund, we will:

a) pay compensation as detailed below, as a minimum, except where the significant change is due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, which means a situation beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Period before departure when a significant change or cancellation is notified to you (compensation per person): For holidays other than those to destinations specified below: More than 84 days before departure: Nil

84-22 days: £20

21-15 days: £30

14-8 days: £40

7-0 days: £50 Very rarely, we may be forced by ‘circumstances beyond our control’ (see point 6) to change or terminate your holiday after departure but before the scheduled end of your time away. This is extremely unlikely but if this situation does occur, we regret we will be unable to make any refunds (unless we obtain these from our suppliers), pay you any compensation or meet any costs or expenses you incur as a result. We do not control the day to day management of your accommodation, and in exceptional cases it is possible that we may be advised that the reserved accommodation has been overbooked. If this happens before your departure or on arrival in a location, we will endeavour to provide accommodation of at least the same standard in the same area. If only accommodation of a lower standard is available we will refund the difference of the holiday price between the accommodation booked and that available, and will pay up to £50 per person for any inconvenience. 6. CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, we regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation, reimburse expenses, or cover losses where the performance of our obligations under our contract with you is prevented or affected by, or you otherwise suffer any damage, loss or expense of any nature as a result of ‘circumstances beyond our control’. In these booking conditions, ‘circumstances beyond our control’ means any event which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include actual or threatened war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity and its consequences (including suspected terrorist activity and all action taken during any “terror alert”), industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, epidemics and pandemics, unavoidable technical problems with transport, airport or airspace closures, as well as other air traffic management decisions (that may result in long or overnight delays or cancellations), fire, concert/event changes or cancellation and all similar events outside our control. This list is not exhaustive. BREXIT – at this current time and until negotiations are completed and full details known, it is not possible to foresee any impact, changes or restrictions there may be on flight operations between the EU and the UK or the effect this may have on booked holiday arrangements. Group based holidays and activities - Worldwide weather patterns are becoming ever more erratic and unpredictable. If it is not possible to operate certain excursions for this reason, we will endeavour to offer alternatives if this is possible. Such circumstances are totally beyond our control and you therefore should proceed with your booking on this basis. Public Holidays, Sporting & Local Events - in addition to public holidays, many countries host other national or international events or there may be local festivals, which may impact on local/tourist services or travel arrangements, including the reduction or closure of facilities, route diversions etc. during your visit. We have no control over these events, and as dates and details of arrangements are often changeable year on year, it is not possible for us to guarantee to forewarn you of specific details that may be relevant to your holiday, or accept any responsibility for disruption that may be caused. During public holidays, shops, restaurants and tourist attractions may also be closed. Third-Party Information & Websites - your booking is based on the information supplied to you by BRIGHTWATER HOLIDAYS. We understand you may conduct additional research into your holiday through other third parties and associated websites, but as we have no control over such information this does not form any basis of our contract with you. WiFi - where the provision of Wi-Fi may be indicated in a property description, no guarantee is given or implied that it will be operative during your holiday and its availability is outside our control. Some properties may charge for this service and the areas where it is available may be limited and not necessarily available in guest rooms. In all cases, no compensation or refund will be paid in the event that it is not available for whatever reason. Dietary Requests & Allergies - even nowadays, in some destinations, basic well-known dietary requirements (such as vegetarian, gluten free etc.) are often misunderstood and seldom catered for adequately, despite the best intentions and assurances from hoteliers and restaurateurs. While we are happy to pass on any such requests, we cannot guarantee choice or availability - especially with any airline meal options. NOTE: Whilst on tour it is your responsibility to double check and reconfirm any allergy or dietary requirements directly with the various holiday suppliers. Other Hotel Guests - it is not unusual for hotels or other accommodation to receive group bookings (sometimes with large numbers) from guests participating in conventions and conferences or other gatherings. At certain times of the year, there may be an influx of groups such as students on organised educational visits (popular during school holidays), associations or clubs. This may result in hotel facilities being much busier than usual or additional demands on hotel staff and services, but we are unable to accept any responsibility for any inconvenience caused by such groups or their activities. Guides - we reserve the right to substitute any named guide, guest lecturer or other escort with an alternative qualified person and this will not be deemed as any significant change to your arrangements.

www.brightwaterholidays.com 154 7. FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH TRAVEL ADVICE, HEALTH, VISAS & DOCUMENTS a) Your specific passport and visa requirements, and other immigration requirements including, inoculations and health certificates are your responsibility and you should confirm these for all countries to, or through which you are intending to travel and cover all costs for this. Requirements should be checked well in advance of travel and we do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel because you have not complied with any passport, visa or immigration requirements.

b) Essential information for British citizens (only), including health, passport and visa requirements along with up-to-date Foreign Office travel, safety and security advice can be obtained from https://www.gov.uk/travelaware. We also strongly recommend that you sign up for the latest email updates as travel and safety information can change at any point without notice.

c) If you or any member of your party is not a British citizen or holds a non-British passport, you must check passport and visa requirements with the Embassy or Consulate of the country or countries to, or through which, you are intending to travel and consult the relevant authority for the latest travel and safety advice for the destinations you are visiting.

d) We recommend that you consult your doctor well in advance of travel for the latest advice on inoculations and health certificates. You can also obtain the latest health information ahead of travel by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNac) website https://www.travelhealthpro.org.uk.

8. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES Our tours are not designed for party members to undertake special projects or research whether in connection with study, employment or otherwise. We cannot accept any liability for any losses or damages arising out of such use or planned use nor for any loss or damage which has special financial consequences. Please note if you do intend to use one of our tours for such purposes you should obtain adequate insurance in respect of it and any special equipment you decide to bring with you on such tours. 9. HOLIDAY PARTICIPATION It is a condition of participation in one of our holidays that you agree to accept the authority and decisions of our employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on holiday with us. If in the opinion of such a person your health or conduct at any time, before or after departure, appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a holiday, you may be excluded from all or part of the tour and/or we may terminate your holiday, and any additional costs incurred by you as a result of such exclusion will be your responsibility. In the case of ill health, we may make such arrangements as we see fit and recover any resulting costs from you. NB: While there are no age limits or health requirements on our holidays, please note that for certain destinations, for example the smaller Scottish islands or some botanical tours, a degree of mobility is required to get the most out of the holiday, for example getting in and out of boats, ascending steps and standing for a degree of time. 10. OUR LIABILITY TO YOU We make every effort to ensure that the holiday arrangements we have agreed to provide as part of our contract with you are delivered with reasonable skill and care. It is the laws and regulations of the country in which the services are actually provided which apply to your holiday arrangements and not those of the UK or your home country and any resulting complaint or claim will be judged on this basis. If the particular services which gave rise to the claim or complaint complied with local laws and regulations applicable to those services at the time, the services will be treated as being properly provided. Please note, it is your responsibility to show that reasonable skill and care have not been used if you wish to make a claim against us. In addition, we will only be responsible for what our employees, agents and suppliers do or do not do if they were at the time acting within the course of their employment (for employees) or carrying out work we had asked them to do (for agents and suppliers). Also bear in mind that standards of, for example, safety, hygiene, and quality may vary and services and transport your tour involves may differ to the stringent standards we are accustomed to in the UK or your home country. Including for example, the absence of seatbelts on coaches contracted outside the UK as this is not always a legal requirement elsewhere. Certain holidays involve risks and hazards of travel to and in remote and/or uninhabited areas where injury, illness, death, delay, or unanticipated events may occur as a result of forces of nature, wildlife and adverse weather conditions. Medical services or facilities may not be readily available or accessible in some parts, and the medical facilities that do exist could be of inferior quality compared to what is available at home. In remote regions risks may include but are not limited to: mechanical breakdown of expedition vehicle(s); becoming stranded in remote and/or uninhabited areas; being subjected to rugged terrain and a harsh climate; encounters with wild animals, insects and pests, and the possibility of illness, injury or death therefrom; the uncontrollable and unpredictable behaviour of wild animals in their natural habitat; the possibility of not seeing certain animals; and dangerous weather and climate conditions. You must inform us without undue delay of any failure to perform or improper performance of the travel services included in this package. If any of the travel services included in your package are not performed in accordance with the contract, or improperly performed, by us or the travel service suppliers, and this has affected the enjoyment of your travel arrangements, you may be entitled to an appropriate price reduction or compensation or both. We will not be liable where any failure to perform or improper performance of the travel services is due to: you or another member of your party; or a third party unconnected with the provision of the travel services in the package and is unforeseeable or unavoidable. Our liability, except in cases involving death, injury or illness, shall be limited to a maximum of three times the cost of your travel arrangements (excluding amendment charges). Our liability (if we are found liable to you on any basis) will also be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to: a) The contractual terms of the companies that provide the travel services that made up your package.

These terms are incorporated into this booking contract; and

b) Any relevant international convention, for example the Montreal Convention in respect of travel by air, the Athens Convention in respect of travel by sea, the Berne Convention in respect of travel by rail and the Paris Convention in respect of the provision of accommodation, which limit the amount of and conditions under which compensation can be claimed for death, injury, delay to passengers and loss, damage and delay to luggage (there are strict Conditions of Carriage obligations for making claims for missing or damaged baggage that must be followed). We are regarded as having all benefit of any limitation of the extent of or the conditions under which compensation is to be paid under these or any conventions. You can ask for copies of the travel service contractual terms, or the international conventions, from BRIGHTWATER HOLIDAYS. Where a carrier or hotelier would not be obliged to make any payment to you under the applicable international convention or regulation in respect of a claim or part of a claim, we similarly are not obliged to make a payment to you for that claim or part of the claim. Under EU law (Regulation 261/2004) you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from your airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights – see point 11 below. If it is impossible to ensure your return as scheduled due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, we will bear the cost of necessary accommodation, if possible, of equivalent category, for a maximum of three nights if this is not provided by your airline, in accordance with Regulation 261/2004. The limit doesn’t apply to persons with reduced mobility and any person accompanying them, pregnant women and unaccompanied minors, or persons in need of specific medical assistance, provided that you notified us of these needs at least 48 hours before the start of your holiday. NB: this entire clause does not apply to any services which do not form part of your contract with us ie. ‘OWN ARRANGEMENTS’. This includes for example, any additional services, including excursions, that you organise independently, or services which your hotel or any other supplier agrees to provide for you where these are not organised by us as part of our contract with you. We recommend that sufficient and appropriate insurance is taken out. In addition, we cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any description (1) which on the basis of the information given to us by you concerning your booking prior to our accepting it, we could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if we breached our contract with you or (2) which did not result from any breach of contract or other fault by ourselves or our employees, or where we are responsible for them, our suppliers or (3) arises out of use of our services for special projects or research whether in connection with study, employment or otherwise or (4) is connected with any business. We further advise you, and you agree that in the event of any claim against us, that such claim shall be governed by Scottish Law and Jurisdiction shall lie in any Court of Competent Jurisdiction in the United Kingdom and you further acknowledge these requirements and waive any objection(s) thereto. 155 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 11. TRAVEL DELAYS & CARRIAGE BY AIR Should delays due to weather conditions disrupt your itinerary, additional costs may be incurred and these would be the responsibility of you, the client. You will be assisted by the airlines in accordance with the airlines’ policy on delay. We cannot accept liability for any delay which is due to any of the reasons set out in point 6 of these booking conditions (which includes the behaviour of any passenger(s) on the flight who, for example, fails to check in or board a flight on time). Under EU law (Regulation 261/2004) you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from your airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full details of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also be available from airlines. However reimbursement in such cases will not automatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday cost from us. Your right to a refund and/or compensation from us is set out in these booking conditions. If any payments to you are due from us, any payment made to you by the airline will be deducted from this amount. You are required to make any claim under this regulation directly with the airline, but if your airline does not comply with these rules you should complain to the Civil Aviation Authority on 0207 453 6424 https://www.caa.co.uk. Where long flight delays result in lost holiday time, we are unable to offer any refunds for unused accommodation or other services as reimbursement will not be made by our suppliers in these circumstances, and hotel rooms are held for delayed arrivals and not re-let. We strongly recommend you have adequate insurance provisions in place to fully cover such eventualities. We are unable to guarantee that all parties will be seated together. With some airlines it is possible to request, or in some cases, reserve certain preferred seats on the aircraft (most airlines will make an additional charge for this). We are happy to assist with this but this is an additional service over and above your contractual arrangement for ‘carriage by air’ with the airline. Airlines reserve the right to make changes to any specific seat numbers for operational or safety reasons either before, or on the day of departure and you will be notified of any such change upon check-in. Where applicable, any additional charge made for pre-booking specific seats, will be refunded. In accordance with EU Directive (EC) No 2111/2005 Article 9, we are required to bring to your attention the existence of a “Community list” which contains details of air carriers who are subject to an operating ban within the EU. The Community list is available for inspection at https://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/air/safety/ air- ban_en In accordance with EU Regulations we are required to advise you of the actual carrier(s) (or, if the actual carrier(s) is not known, the likely carrier(s)) that will operate your flight(s) at the time of booking. Where we are only able to inform you of the likely carrier(s) at the time of booking, we shall inform you of the identity of the actual carrier(s) as soon as we become aware of this. Any change to the operating carrier(s) after your booking has been confirmed will be notified to you as soon as possible. If the carrier with whom you have a confirmed reservation becomes subject to an operating ban as above as a result of which we/the carrier are unable to offer you a suitable alternative, the provisions of point 5, “Cancellation and Variation by us” will apply.

We are not always in a position at the time of booking to confirm the flight timings, which will be used in connection with your flight. The flight timings shown in our brochure, on our website and/or detailed on your booking confirmation/invoice are for guidance only and are subject to alteration and confirmation. Flight timings are outside our control. They are set by airlines and are subject to various factors including air traffic control restrictions, weather conditions, potential technical problems and the ability of passengers to check in on time. Specific instructions relating to departure and travel arrangements will be sent with your air or other travel tickets approximately 2 weeks before departure. You must check your tickets very carefully immediately on receipt to ensure you have the correct and up to date flight times. It is possible that flight times may be changed even after tickets have been despatched - we will contact you as soon as possible if this occurs. Any change in the identity of the carrier, flight timings, and/or aircraft type (if advised) will not entitle you to cancel or change to other arrangements without paying our normal charges except where specified in these conditions. In accordance with EU legislation, we are required to draw your attention to restrictions concerning the import of food items which cannot be brought into the EU (including the UK), from outside the EU. For details please see http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/food-farm/food/personal-imports/ or contact this office. 12. INSURANCE It is a condition of booking with us that you and all members of your party obtain travel insurance for all overseas holidays and we strongly recommend insurance cover for all other holidays and that you do not travel against medical advice. The cost of repatriation, medical and other treatment overseas can be high and we are unable to assist in meeting those costs. You should organise it immediately 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 four weeks before departure at the latest. Brightwater Holidays are authorised to provide travel insurance and we are happy to discuss this when you book. 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. • We also need to mention - If you choose to take our insurance we ask that you read all sections of the policy document fully. There is a 14 day cooling off period in which you can return the policy for a full refund if it does not meet with your requirements.

13. SPECIAL REQUESTS & MEDICAL CONDITIONS / DISABILITIES If you or any member of your party have any special requests, you must advise us at the time of booking. Although we will endeavour to pass any reasonable requests on to the relevant supplier, we regret we cannot guarantee any request will be met. Failure to meet any special request will not be a breach of contract on our part. Confirmation that a special request has been noted or passed on to the supplier or the inclusion of the special request on your booking confirmation/invoice or any other documentation is not confirmation that the request will be met. Unless and until specifically confirmed, all special requests are subject to availability. For your own protection, you should obtain confirmation in writing that a special request will be provided (where it is possible to give this) where it is important to you. We regret we cannot accept any conditional bookings, i.e. any booking which is specified to be conditional on the fulfilment of a particular request. All such bookings will be treated as “standard” bookings subject to the above provisions on special requests. If you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements as a result of any medical condition or disability (including any which affect the booking process), you must tell us before you confirm your booking so that we can assist you in considering the suitability of the arrangements and/or making the booking. In any event, you must give us full details in writing at the time of booking and whenever any change in the condition or disability occurs. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops or worsens after your booking has been confirmed. 14. CLIENT BEHAVIOUR When you book a holiday with BRIGHTWATER HOLIDAYS you accept responsibility for the proper conduct of your party. BRIGHTWATER HOLIDAYS reserves the right in its reasonable discretion to terminate the holiday of any member of your party whose conduct is disruptive or detrimental to the enjoyment of other clients, or whose conduct may prejudice the reputation of BRIGHTWATER HOLIDAYS with our suppliers or hotel owners. In that situation BRIGHTWATER HOLIDAYS shall have no further responsibility or liability to you. The departure of a coach, ship or train will be not be delayed for passengers who are not on board by the stated departure time. 15. COMPLAINTS & ASSISTANCE ON HOLIDAY If you have any reason to be unhappy with any element of your holiday, we would ask you first to bring this to the attention of the person in charge of the relevant service, on the spot. If this is not possible please either contact our local representative or our UK office, using the number provided with your travel documents. It is essential that you do this to enable us to try and put matters right where possible. If a problem remains unresolved during your holiday you should make a complaint in writing to BRIGHTWATER HOLIDAYS within 28 days of the completion of your holiday giving your booking reference and all other relevant information. We will reply to you within 28 days of receipt of your letter. Please keep your letter concise and to the point. If you fail to follow the requirement to report your complaint while on holiday we will have been deprived of the opportunity to investigate and rectify it and this may affect your rights under this booking. www.brightwaterholidays.com 156 If you’re in difficulty whilst on holiday and ask us to help, we will provide appropriate assistance, in particular by providing information on health services, local authorities and consular assistance; and helping you to find alternative arrangements and any necessary phone calls/emails. You must pay any costs we incur, if the difficulty is your fault. The terms of this contract are exclusively governed by Scottish Law and the jurisdiction of the Scottish Courts. 16. PROTECTING YOUR MONEY We provide full financial protection for our package holidays. 1. Flight inclusive tours: we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence issued by the CAA (ATOL No. 4498) which provides for your protection in the event of Brightwater Holidays Ltd insolvency. The price of your air holiday packages includes the ATOL Protection Contribution (APC) we pay to the CAA. This charge is included in our advertised prices. 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. Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be protected by the ATOL scheme as explained below.

2. Tours without flights arranged by us: 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:

a) non-flight packages and

b) flight inclusive packages that commence outside of the EU, which are sold to customers outside of the EU.

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 17. 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 our website to find out more about the Association or call 020 8744 9280. 18. DATA PROTECTION To process your booking and to ensure that your travel arrangements run smoothly and meet your requirements we need to use the information you provide (such as name, address, passport information, email address, mobile number any special needs/dietary requirements, etc.). Any such 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. We take full responsibility for ensuring that proper security measures are in place to protect your information. We must pass the information on to the relevant suppliers of your travel arrangements such as airlines, hotels, transport companies, etc. We will not however, pass any information on to any person not responsible for part of your travel arrangements. This applies to any sensitive information that you give to us such as details of any disabilities, or dietary/religious requirements. In making a booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons only. We may need to disclose personal data to a third party within countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) for the purpose of providing your holiday. Controls on data protection in your destination may not be as stringent as in the UK. 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. We will only send you information about special offers, brochures, new holidays and competitions if you have ‘opted in’ to receive news from Brightwater Holidays Ltd. If you do not wish to receive this information, you can use the ‘unsubscribe’ function at the bottom of any email communication or just let us know. For full details of how we may use your personal information and your rights in relation to your personal information, please see our Privacy Policy on our website: https://www.brightwaterholidays.com/cookies-privacy-policy 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: https://www. brightwaterholidays.com/cookies-privacy-policy Company Registration No: SC137295. Registered Office: Eden Park House, Cupar, Fife KY15 4HS.

Eden Park House, Eden Park, Cupar, Fife, KY15 4HS Tel: 01334 208082 | Email: [email protected] 5020 www.brightwaterholidays.com 157 Call our travel experts on 01334 208082 Introducing European Food Holidays in partnership with Gregg Wallace

HIGHLIGHTS

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archaeological tours Jan 20 BWH-126 PS Tel: 01334 208082 | Email: [email protected] www.brightwaterholidays.com | Brightwater Holidays Ltd,

Eden Park House, Cupar, Fife KY15 4HS 5020