SPECIAL OFFERS LOW DEPOSIT BOOK EARLY AND SAVE UP TO

£From 25 £200

GARDENS AND ARCHAEOLOGY TOURS 2021 HOLIDAYS 1st Edition Prices from £595pp

Welcome

Well, where to start. What a year it has been so far. We all know that life can be unexpected, often changing at the drop of a hat, but 2020 until now really has been unprecedented. For us here at Brightwater Holidays, getting out there and travelling to new places – along with returning to our beloved favourite destinations – is what drives us. Having to put travel plans on hold has been a challenge, as we’re sure it has been for many of you, but it has given us ample time to think about where to visit next, what kind of journeys we might like to offer you, and – more importantly – how we are going to do that in what will undoubtedly be a completely new era of travel. In this brand new brochure, you’ll find that our best-sellers along with tried and trusted favourites will be returning for 2021, but we have also crafted a new series of trips that will showcase new parts Thomas Hardy’s Cottage of the world along with the glorious gardens to be found there. There are new steam train holidays, walking holidays and new New tours, looking ahead historic houses to explore. You’ll also find detailed the outstanding list of actions that we are introducing to minimise the risk of Wondering what’s new for 2021? Well, there’s quite a lot! If you’re contracting COVID-19 on your travels. These include face masks an avid reader, we have two exciting new literary tours on offer, for every day of your holiday, social distancing measures, which explore the lives of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens enhanced hygiene protocols and even insurance options and Agatha Christie, among other prolific writers. that offer COVID-19 cover. SAME Prefer a more leisurely approach? How about a Additionally, for your peace of mind, we have PRICE AS steam train holiday. We have five on offer in total: reduced the time frame for paying holiday balances three in Scotland, one in Wales and another one from 84 days to 70 days prior to departure, and in . Additionally, we have a selection of this can be reduced even further if we feel that 2020 there is any chance that the holiday will not go ahead as a result of either COVID-19 presence or ON OVER restrictions in your chosen destination. And, if you 75% OF are forced to cancel as a result of COVID-19 symptoms and cannot make an insurance claim, we pledge to be as TOURS understanding as possible in our cancellation fees and charge only what we cannot recover ourselves. What’s more, you can secure your place on holiday for only £25! So, please enjoy this tempting range of holidays and book with confidence, safe in the knowledge that no tour operator is doing more to mitigate the risks of COVID-19. We look forward to the pleasure of your company again in 2021. Best wishes, Alison Wilson Welsh Highland Railway

Managing Director walking holidays that will take you on foot around beautiful coastal trails and gentle hills – perfect for anyone looking to stay active while enjoying a break. How to book Full financial protection Once you’ve finished browsing these pages at your leisure and All our holidays are fully bonded and protected. The air holiday packages in when you’re ready to treat yourself to a place on one of our this brochure are ATOL Protected, since we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s holidays, just get in touch and we’ll do the rest! Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 4498. ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services Give our friendly sales team a call, Monday to Friday between 9am in this brochure. Holidays without flights are protected by ABTOT. This and 8pm, on 01334 766 034. Alternatively, send us an email at means that in the unlikely event of our insolvency, your holiday would be [email protected] completed or refunded.

For further details on any of the trips mentioned, including information on our day-by-day itineraries or full booking conditions, please visit our website: www.brightwaterholidays.com 5020 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!

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 3 TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR FANTASTIC OFFERS LOW DEPOSIT Holidays without flights = £25 Holidays with flights = £75 £From 25 Long-haul = £300

EARLY BIRD OFFER Book before 31 August 2020 and receive up to £200 off £200 selected tours

Terms and conditions apply (see website for details). Low deposits are available on all Brightwater tours up to 24 weeks (168 days) prior to departure, when the difference between the low deposit and the standard deposit must be paid. The full balance becomes payable 10 weeks (70 days) prior to departure.

4 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology INDEPENDENT AND SELF-DRIVE HOLIDAYS If you’re looking for more flexibility, independence and the chance to maintain social distancing as part of your holidays from now on, we are delighted to share that all our tours can be run as Independent or Self-Drive Holidays, to help get you on your way.

There are three options for guests who choose this holiday type, which we hope will help you travel with confidence. Firstly, you can opt to join a set departure and drive behind the coach yourself, re-joining the rest of the group at the visits and then again at the overnight accommodation. Alternatively, select any of our UK itineraries to enjoy at your own pace in your own transport, choosing a departure date that suits you outside of the usual group setting. We can also provide car-hire quotes for this option if required. Finally, if you would prefer a touch of exclusivity, we can offer you a driver or tour guide –­ or both – as part of a fully inclusive package, so that you can indulge in a truly personal service on any of the itineraries featured.

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 5 34

54 76 CONTENTS UK and Irish gardens Cruise 28 PRIVATE GARDENS OF CORNWALL 48 GARDENS OF WEST WALES 72 CASTLES AND GARDENS OF THE LOIRE 29 TRESCO’S ABBEY GARDEN 50 GARDENS OF NORTH WALES LEGENDS OF THE RHÔNE 30 IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GERTRUDE 51 AUTUMN TINTS OF THE LAKE 73 JEKYLL DISTRICT 74 PICARDY GARDENS CRUISE 31 GARDENS OF NORTHUMBERLAND 52 LITERARY TRAILS OF THE SOUTH 75 DOURO DISCOVERY COAST 32 WALMER CASTLE & THE CINQUE PORTS 54 LITERARY TRAILS OF THE WEST COUNTRY Europe 33 QUEEN VICTORIA & THE ISLE OF 76 DUTCH BULBFIELDS WIGHT 56 STEAM TRAINS OF YORKSHIRE 77 GARDENS OF MADEIRA 34 THE IRISH ROVER 58 SCENIC RAILWAYS OF NORTH WALES 78 GARDENS & ARCHITECTURE OF 36 HIGHGROVE AND THE ANDALUCIA COTSWOLDS 60 HISTORIC HOUSES OF & CORNWALL 79 GARDENS OF MALLORCA 38 THE GARDENS OF KENT & SUSSEX 61 HISTORIC HOUSES OF 80 ARTS AND GARDENS OF 39 GARDENS OF & THE FRENCH RIVIERA DORSET 62 HISTORIC HOUSES OF NORTH WALES 81 GARDENS OF THE FRENCH 40 THE RHS CHELSEA FLOWER RIVIERA - LEMON/ROSE FESTIVAL SHOW AND CLASSIC ENGLISH 63 HISTORIC HOUSES OF GARDENS ABERDEENSHIRE 82 THE GENIUS OF MONET GARDENS AND VILLAS OF SICILY 42 RHS BRIDGEWATER AND THE 64 CASTLES AND HOUSES OF 83 GARDENS OF THE NORTH WEST LINCOLNSHIRE 84 VILLAS AND GARDENS OF THE ITALIAN LAKES 44 GARDENS OF 66 CASTLES & HOUSES OF NORTHUMBERLAND , NINFA AND CASTEL GARDENS OF CHESHIRE & RHS 85 45 GANDOLFO 68 WALKING IN THE OUTER HEBRIDES SPRING FLOWERS OF CRETE 46 PRIVATE GARDENS OF EAST 86 ANGLIA 70 WALKING IN THE 87 GARDENS AND ARCHAEOLOGY OF TURKEY 47 GARDENS OF HEREFORDSHIRE 71 WALKING IN CORNWALL 88 GARDENS OF MARRAKECH 6 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology 116 106

96

89 ALPINE FLOWERS OF WENGEN 90 ICELAND NORTHERN LIGHTS Looking Long Haul THE FAROE ISLANDS 91 104 FLORA AND FAUNA OF Ahead MADAGASCAR Archaeology 100 FLORIADE 2022 106 SOUTH AFRICA’S GARDEN ROUTE 92 AN ARCHAEOLOGIST’S VIEW OF 102 OBERAMMERGAU 2022 108 BHUTAN AND NEPAL ORKNEY AND SHETLAND 103 GARDEN FESTIVAL SEASONAL GARDENS OF JAPAN 2021 110 93 ARCHAEOLOGY OF DENMARK AND 112 GRENADA - GARDENS OF THE SWEDEN SPICE ISLAND 94 ALBANIA ARCHAEOLOGY 114 GARDENS OF COSTA RICA 95 ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE 115 SOUTHERN COSTA RICA PELOPONNESE 116 NEW ZEALAND 96 BULGARIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 118 FLOWERS AND FLAVOURS OF 97 CRETE ARCHAEOLOGY COLOMBIA 98 MALTA’S ARCHAEOLOGICAL 120 LANDSCAPES AND FLORA OF HERITAGE PATAGONIA 99 PORTUGUESE ARCHAEOLOGY 100

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 7 KEEPING YOU SAFE A NEW WORLD OF TRAVEL IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

he past six months have been difficult for us all, and also disappointing for those with travel plans disrupted as a result Tof the COVID-19 pandemic. Our guests have a passion for travel and a desire to appreciate the historic treasures of the world, and they are reluctant to postpone holiday plans indefinitely. But, naturally, many are concerned about travelling in the time of COVID-19, and we share these concerns. Whilst the risk of contracting COVID-19 on your travels cannot be eliminated entirely, here at Brightwater Holidays we are introducing an industry-leading series of actions designed to minimise that as far as possible for your peace of mind.

FREE ‘Travel Safe’ kits for every Enhanced Health and Safety traveller audits Other measures detailed on these pages try We have always, in partnership with two to allow for a measure of social distancing, globally renowned organisations, applied but there will be moments on every tour rigorous health and safety checks to our where it is impossible to hotels, airlines, cruise ships, coaches, Distanced seating on coaches maintain the required excursion transport and any other The overwhelming majority of Brightwater distance from other significant aspect of a Brightwater holiday. holidays do not exceed 25 guests, but we people, including Now though, we are going even further, by will be securing full-size coaches wherever your fellow requiring that these services pass COVID-19 possible, so everyone has the option of two travellers. hygiene and cleanliness tests as part of our seats to themselves. That preserves the In those health and safety protocols. required distance across the coach, but as circumstances, there may be guests in front and behind the wearing COVID-19 insurance you, we recommend that masks from your of face masks Perhaps unsurprisingly, many travel ‘Travel Safe’ kit are worn throughout coach and regular insurance providers are excluding COVID-19 journeys. sanitisation from their cover. However, we have sourced of hands a provider offering coverage in the event Self-drive options and surfaces that you fall ill on your holiday as a result We are in the process of arranging reduces the of COVID-19 and need to return home, in self-drive options on UK and selected risk of transmission addition to standard coverage. More details European itineraries for those who wish considerably. Our kits, packed may be found on our website. If you have to maintain complete social distancing in a fully sanitised environment, comprise independently arranged insurance, please during travel. Simply follow the coach or a a face mask for every day of your tour, check its COVID-19 terms. including travel days, flight-friendly bottles pre-supplied map in your own car or a hire of hand sanitiser and packs of anti-bacterial vehicle and join the rest of the group at wipes. Every one of our guests will receive a attractions and hotels. ‘Travel Safe’ kit prior to departure.

8 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology ‘Get me home’ service and us know if you would like to opt out of meals Testing and medical training at the time of booking and, if applicable, a private airport transfers deduction will be applied when your holiday for tour staff In the unlikely event that you are denied balance becomes payable. When reliable ‘on demand’ testing becomes entry to your destination as a result of available, it is our intention to test tour airport temperature checks, or you are Flexible balance payment date managers, guides and any other tour staff forced to curtail your holiday as a result of within 72 hours of departure. We are also COVID-19 symptoms, you may wish to avoid and COVID-friendly refund enhancing the medical training that our public transport on your journey home. We conditions tour managers receive to include COVID-19 can arrange a private transfer service to If there are signs of COVID-19 in the area specific knowledge and actions. take you to your front door. This private you are due to visit, we will contact you home transfer service is also available to with a change to your balance due date. To Constant monitoring and post book if you simply wish to ensure social give us more time to assess whether it is distancing on your way to and from the tour tracing possible to run your tour, we can postpone airport. There will be an additional cost for the payment of your balance from 10 weeks Dedicated Brightwater Holidays staff this service, but our option is competitively before departure to six weeks. Furthermore, produce daily reports on the COVID-19 priced. if you are forced to cancel your holiday situation in every one of our destinations, close to departure as a result of COVID-19 along with any regulations or restrictions Packed lunches and flexible symptoms and you are not able to claim specific to airlines, attractions and local through your insurance provider, we authorities. We can therefore provide you dining options with the most useful and up-to-date advice Where possible and relevant, we will be pledge to be as flexible as possible in our cancellation costs – instead of the and plan contingencies in the event of providing packed lunches (prepared in an staff or guest symptoms and the closing enhanced hygiene environment) in place industry-standard 100% cancellation fee, we would negotiate with our suppliers and of a hotel, restaurant or other venue. In of communal dining. We are also looking to the event of a localised outbreak, we offer opportunities to opt out of communal charge only those costs which we could not recover ourselves. will be able to change our itinerary and dining on selected itineraries, so you can arrangements swiftly to avoid possible better control your social distancing at exposure. We will also be in touch with meal times by dining independently, if you you upon your return – if you show any prefer. There may be a reduction in price for symptoms and need to self-isolate, we can choosing to do this, but it will depend on the let all your fellow travellers know, so that arrangements we have with our suppliers they can do the same. and the number of people opting out – let

COVID-19 protocols at our hotels, and aboard our cruise ships

We are working with every single one of our hotel and cruise suppliers to ensure minimal COVID-19 transmission risks. We expect the very highest standards of food hygiene, gloved and masked staff and lower floor rooms where possible to minimise lift usage. To give a few examples on the cruise side, our river cruise partners have already implemented numerous measures including the following (full details may be found at brightwaterholidays.com):

A-ROSA CRUISES CROISI-EUROPE CRUISES BACKWATERS CRUISES

• Infrared temperature screening upon • Infrared temperature screening upon • Pre-cruise screening and daily boarding boarding temperature checks for guests • Adhering to relevant distances on • Adhering to relevant distances on • Adhering to relevant distances on board through ‘one-way streets’, floor board indicated by floor markings board in guest seating and food and markings, increased seating space etc and directions, with furniture in public bar service • All crew and guests required to wear areas arranged accordingly • All food preparation staff to wear face face masks in interior public areas • Reserved seating, two sittings for masks at all times • New air refreshment and filtration meals and lunch and dinner buffets • Anti-viral fumigation pre and post system for guest rooms replaced by table service cruise. Regular inspections and • Mandatory hand sanitising on • Hand sanitisers available at every increased cleaning of all lounge, galley embarkation/disembarkation and at all entrance/exit and bathroom areas entrances/exits • Daily spraying of disinfectant and • Face masks for guests in public areas, • No self-service food – two set sittings multiple daily cleaning of ‘high touch’ on coaches etc for meals and all food and beverage to areas • Cruise curtailment contingency plans be brought by staff • High temperature laundry of bedding, in the event of a positive test • Guest luggage disinfection and uniforms and tableware enhanced hygiene measures for guest • Social distancing on excursions and room cleaning provision of masks, gloves and gel

If you would like to discuss any of this information further, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on: 01334 208224

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 9 WHY CHOOSE BRIGHTWATER?

Having been based in picturesque Cupar – Fife’s small county town – for over 25 years, we’ve seen our fair share of gardens and What makes our tours special? ancient sites. The team here at Brightwater really understands the restorative power of nature and feelings of awe that wandering » We have over 25 years of experience and around an archaeological treasure trove or a stunning garden can knowledge 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 » Unique and innovative holidays relationships with the gardeners and staff allow us to treat guests to special access. » Exclusive access to private gardens and visits » No hidden extras Best tour guide I’ve ever had on » Well-planned itineraries that are also perfectly any holiday - his knowledge of paced places, wildlife and history was » Friendly and authoritative tour managers very extensive. Guest 2019, Grand Tour of the Outer Hebrides » Professionally recognised partnerships » Welcoming and friendly service from first From start to finish you’ll be looked after on holiday with contact Brightwater. Travelling aboard our comfortable coaches in the company of people who share your interest - whether it’s for » You can enjoy peace of mind with financial gardens, the glorious Scottish islands or archaeology - we will take protection you to fabulous sites in all corners of the world. Our friendly tour managers are on hand to ensure your every need is catered for, our itineraries have been designed by a team with huge experience and at all times we put you, the guest, first.

10 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology Departure points UK garden tours generally depart from , with additional pick-ups depending on the route of the coach. Tours in Scotland depart from , Edinburgh, Dunfermline, Kinross and Perth, with Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen sometimes added. All Eurostar tours depart from London St. Pancras. Flight-inclusive tours depart from one or more of the main London airports, with regional flights often available at a supplement. Personalise your holiday Here at Brightwater Holidays, it is important to us that you enjoy every second of your trip. This is why we offer ways in which you can tailor your holiday to best fit your needs, and there are always things we can do to help:

Room and cabin upgrades Rail/air connections

Connecting travel Whether you want to treat yourself to Rail or air travel connections to get you a sea view, a junior suite or an upper to one of our pick-up points can be UK regional airports offer a wide range of deck cabin, just let us know and we’ll arranged along with airport parking, if domestic flights with low‑cost airlines to the do the rest. required, for a supplement. main airports, while the national rail network offers frequent nationwide services, so do ask us to quote for connecting travel. Why not treat yourself to a first-class upgrade or enjoy the comfort of an airport lounge? We can also organise airport parking, fast-track security clearance or priority boarding Extra nights either side Extend pre- or post-tour where available. Overnight accommodation in or near If you want to explore more of what our pick-up points including airports your destination has to offer, why not are available at a supplement. extend your trip with an extra week and later flights, for example.

What we include Our programme includes a host of tried and tested favourites, a handful of holidays making a welcome return and a British Travel Awards Winners 2018 and 2019 peppering of brand new tours to capture In November 2019, we were absolutely delighted to learn that Brightwater Holidays had won the imagination. As always we try and two prizes at the prestigious British Travel Awards. We brought home a gold prize for Best give our guests a wealth of experiences. Coach Holiday Company and we also won silver for Best Special Interest Holiday Company. Whether it’s special access to gardens, behind the scenes tours, private tours of This is the second year running we’ve enjoyed success at the BTAs, as in 2018 we historic houses, you can do it all with us. brought home prizes in the very same categories. We’d like to extend a huge thank you to All our tours now include porterage (where everybody who took the time to vote for us, and we can’t wait to make more of your holiday available), taking the weight off your mind. dreams come true in 2021.

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 11 tailor-made group travel

ince its inception over 25 years ago, On most occasions, we also provide ur friendly and highly experienced S Brightwater Holidays has provided an experienced Tour Manager, who O tailor-made Private Groups tailor-made travel arrangements for will ensure the smooth running of the Manager, Jenni Duncan, has been with many private groups and societies, with holiday, leaving the group organisers Brightwater for over 20 years. a dedicated Group Travel department free to relax and enjoy themselves. During that time she has worked in providing a highly personal service. The We aim to understand fully the every department of the company so itineraries and packages have been requirements of your group, so if you knows the business inside out, and as varied as the groups themselves, are a group travel organiser or a group having travelled extensively has a wide ranging from a short city break to an of friends and would like some advice ranging knowledge of destinations and extended tour of South Africa. or a quotation for a tour, please contact tour ideas. Typically, tours include all our Private Groups Manager, Jenni No challenge is too daunting for Jenni transportation, accommodation Duncan, who would be delighted to and with a host of contacts to call on and entry costs, visiting gardens, help tailor a package for you. she will always produce fully costed stately homes, art galleries and other Remember it’s your tour, and we will and attractively presented proposals. specialist attractions depending on try and supply the perfect holiday to With her pleasant manner and patient the group’s individual requirements. match your requirements and budget. approach she is very easy to work with and the large number of repeat customers we have is testament to that.

The gardens were beautiful and our guide was absolutely excellent.

Hardwick Hall Senso-ji Temple

I found the Brightwater office service excellent as usual.

Valletta Bantry House

12 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology Popular group itineraries What Brightwater can do for you

Floriade Cardiff’s Bute Park

»Group size Floriade 2022 South Wales On a purpose-built site close to The valleys of South Wales offer a host A small group of friends, a club of 50, or , Floriade will be one of the of interesting visits from gardens and anything in between — no matter the horticultural high points of 2022 and, if the historic houses to outdoor museums number, we’ll find the visits and hotels previous event in 2012 is anything to go and scenic coastlines. As such it is the that offer the perfect fit. by, a very popular destination for private ideal destination for private groups of all groups. interests. »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 North York Moors National Park Coastal Scotland 5* luxury accommodation and pre dinner drinks or comfortable hotels and Yorkshire Orkney and Shetland independent meals? You decide on the Yorkshire lies within easy reach of both Best experienced in the long days of particulars, and we’ll factor it all into Scotland and the south of England and the summer months, the archipelagos your total price. also offers a wide range of attractions. of Orkney and Shetland offer a unique Take a nostalgic train ride across the North experience unlike anywhere else in the Yorkshire Moors, enjoy the splendours of British Isles. The archaeology is world class »Tour destination Castle Howard or explore historic York. and the views are breathtaking. Let us know where you’d like to go, and for how many days, and we’ll do the rest. Multi-centre trip around Scotland or three-week break to New Zealand – whatever you have in mind, we can make it happen.

»All inclusive Lanhydrock Blarney Castle All site and garden visits included, or a pick-and-mix of optional excursions — Devon and Cornwall Irish Rover just how much you’d like to cover in the Whether it’s for gardens or historic houses, Our north to south tour of the island of cost of your tour is up to you. literary connections or delicious cream Ireland’s beguiling gardens and lush, green teas, the adjoining counties of Devon and pastures has been very successful over Cornwall are hard to beat. Spring comes the years. With ferry travel as an option to earlier and summer lasts longer here, flying, we have also arranged tours to other providing plenty of travel opportunities. popular areas such as Kerry and Donegal. Get in touch and get started ur friendly and highly experienced tailor-made Private Groups Manager, Jenni Duncan, would be delighted to hear from O you. Give her a call on 01334 208164, 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.

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 13 NEW FOR 2021 Literary trails

If you love nothing more than curling up with a good book, you might be interested in our new literary tours. No, they aren’t spent under a blanket flipping pages, but they will take you to the heart of writers’ own stories in the very places they have called home.

Our two itineraries cover both the West Country and the South Coast, and both cover Jane Austen due to her obvious ties with these areas. Other authors featured on these holidays range from John Keats to Rudyard Kipling, and from Charles Dickens to Thomas Hardy. Dame Agatha Christie also makes an appearance during a day trip into Devon and there’s a chance to visit Austen’s resting place at Winchester’s magnificent cathedral. Cathedral Close, Winchester

South Coast The West Country

Beginning at Jane Austen’s house in Chawton, this new tour takes Another tour that will delight lovers of Austen, our West Country on the giants of English literature along England’s picturesque literary tale begins in the village of Lacock, which was used as south coast. Explore Gilbert White’s home in Selborne, where he the location for Pride and Prejudice. From here, we explore Bath wrote Natural History and Antiquities, and then move on to visit and its connection to the great writer, enjoying a guided tour of the Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum in Portsmouth, Virginia ‘Jane Austen’s Bath’ along with a visit to the Jane Austen Centre, Woolf’s former Monk’s House residence and Rudyard Kipling’s old complete with guides dressed in period costume. We also hop den at Bateman’s. Later, we spend time at Jane Austen’s grave at across into Devon, hot on the trail of celebrated crime writer, Dame Winchester Cathedral and take a walk in the footsteps of Romantic Agatha Christie. poet John Keats.

Jane Austen’s House Royal Crescent, Bath

14 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology NEW FOR 2021

Picton Castle Gardens of West Wales

Making a welcome return to the fold is our Gardens of West Elsewhere, we will be visiting the historic gardens of Upton Castle, Wales holiday. This trip aims to showcase the beauty on offer in the superb 16th-17th century Aberglasney and Dyffryn Botanic Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, with a highlight being our Gardens in the Vale of Glamorgan, in addition to some interesting visit to the National Botanic Garden of Wales. This garden is truly private gardens along the way. spectacular – a great reinterpretation of the original property that combines the careful restoration of the historic, double walled garden with Norman Foster’s Great Greenhouse – the largest single-span glasshouse in the world.

Castles & Houses of Northumberland

The low-lying coast and wide open spaces of Northumberland await on this scenic holiday that takes in visits to grand castles and historic houses. We will explore Alnwick Castle and its surrounding gardens, the impressive fortress that is Bamburgh Castle and also the 16th century . Other visits include Belsay Hall, a classical brownstone mansion built in Greek revival style; Cragside House at Rothbury, designed by Norman Shaw for the industrialist and inventor Lord Armstrong (he who later purchased Bamburgh Castle) and built in 1870; and Benedictine Priory, built during the late 11th century and one of the most important centres of early Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England. Bamburgh Castle

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 15 NEW FOR 2021 Walking Tours

Many of us are seeking more from our travels nowadays than a chance to relax and merely observe. One of the most popular activities that travellers want to do on their holidays is to walk. Not only does walking help to keep us fit, it also promotes good mental well-being. That’s right, the benefits of walking are broad – from helping to improve sleep quality and overall mood, to reducing stress and supporting heart health! What better way to make the most of a holiday?

It goes without saying that you need a good degree of mobility to get the most out of these walking holidays. In the following pages they, and other tours where more than the usual amount of walking is involved, are marked with this logo.

16 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology Harris Outer Hebrides If you love getting out and about by foot, we have a brand new Scottish walking tour on offer that will not only be invigorating and rewarding, but beautiful and wild, too. Join us in the Outer Hebrides for three enjoyable days of walking, with daily distances covered ranging from two to 11.5 miles. Admire stunning views from Luskentyre Beach, take a circular walk to pass by the Dun Carloway Broch (dating back to around 100 AD) and come face to face with the 5,ooo-year-old Standing Stones of Callanish. Monsal Trail Peak District With its limestone-scarred landscape of rolling hills and wooded dales, the Peak District is an ideal location for a walking holiday. It’s scenic, open and the terrain is fantastic, making it perfect for both relaxing strolls and bracing walks. Covering up to 10 miles per day, this stimulating holiday combines walking through the glorious countryside with visits to places that include , and the Cavern. Cornwall One of the UK’s treasures, Cornwall is a county unlike any other. Home to the 28-mile Saint’s Way, which runs coast to coast from Padstow to Fowey, we cover the distance mostly on foot stopping at a selection of amazing gardens along the way. Included in the itinerary are the 50-acre country house of Pencarrow and its garden, the lovely Marsh Villa and also the house and gardens of Lanhydrock. Saint’s Way

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 17 NEW FOR 2021 Steam Travel There’s nothing quite like gliding through stunning countryside from the comfort of a steam train, and it will come as no surprise that this mode of transport is often associated with the golden age of travel. What’s even better is that we can still do this today! In our modern era of immediacy and convenience, where we need to get to places as quickly as possible and must have everything now, the notion of steam travel doesn’t quite seem to fit in. However, this is the appeal. Slowing down is one of life’s joys, and what better way to do it? Making the journey the focus of a holiday, rather than the final destination, we give ourselves much needed time – time to observe, to relax, to think and to just simply enjoy the experience. If the sound of this is making you want to pack your bags and hop aboard a steam train, we have a selection of holidays for you that include the chance to do just that.

Why not grab the opportunity to explore England by rail as part of our memorable Steam Trains of Yorkshire tour? Or, enjoy a steam holiday in Wales, where narrow gauge railways wind their way through the stunning scenery of Snowdonia. You can also embrace the beauty of Scotland and opt for one of our northern steam train offerings. Choose between our evergreen Classic Scottish Steam Break, our Scenic Scottish Railways trip or our new Caledonian Days holiday. Steam Trains of Yorkshire Take a ride on one of the most popular heritage railways in the country – the North Yorkshire Moors Railway – on this wonderful four-day holiday. We take the train as far as Grosmont and continue on to Whitby. We also take trips on the Wensleydale Railway and the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, stopping to explore the Brontë Parsonage Museum, the National Railway Museum and the replica of Captain James Cook’s bark HMS Endeavour.

Scenic Railways of North Wales If you’ve always wanted to take the mountain railway to the scenic summit of Mount Snowdon, you’re in luck! This holiday spends a morning aboard this famous train, climbing through the dramatic landscape of Snowdon at a stately five miles per hour. In addition to this bucket-list experience, our North Wales tour also travels on the metals of the Welsh Highland Railway, the Llangollen Railway and the Ffestiniog Railway, known for being the oldest independent Ffestiniog Railway railway company in the world.

18 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology Scenic Scottish Railways Another wonderful way to explore the sights of Scotland is as part of our Scenic Scottish Railways holiday. At just four days in duration, this short break manages to pack in quite a lot, from an iconic rail route – the Fort William to Mallaig line – to the dramatically positioned Eilean Donan Castle. Imagine crossing moorland blanketed by heather, gazing out at the Cairngorm Mountains in the distance from the comfort of a classic steam train. What’s more, there’s a stop at Boat of Garten, which doubled as ‘Glenbogle’ in the popular BBC TV series, Monarch of the Glen.

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway PS Waverley A Classic Scottish Steam Break Our Classic Scottish Steam Break has been running for years and is among our most popular trips, thanks to its unbeatable combination of four stimulating excursions. Travelling aboard the Jacobite steam trail, along the Fort William to Mallaig route, this holiday offers an 84-mile round trip through some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland. Puff slowly across the legendary Glenfinnan Viaduct, immortalised on screen in the Harry Potter film franchise, and take a spin on the innovative Falkirk Wheel, the world’s first rotating boat lift. We sail on the Firth of Clyde, where countless steam ships made their maiden voyage, aboard the Waverley, the world’s last ocean- going paddle steamer, and enjoy a cruise on the tranquil waters of Loch Katrine in the heart of the Trossachs. New for 2021 is an upgraded version of this best-selling holiday, based at the 4-star Stirling Highland Hotel, which has full spa and leisure facilities Falkirk Wheel as well as luxurious bedrooms in traditional Scottish style and is located in the heart of historic Stirling. Caledonian Days

Indulge in a heady dose of nostalgia on this new short holiday. Starting at the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway, home to the largest collection of preserved steam locomotives in Scotland, a short yet authentic steam-hauled train journey helps us to recall the glory days of the Caledonian and North British railways. We take a train to Wemyss Bay and then a modern day ‘steamer’ across the Firth of Clyde to the traditional resort of Rothesay. We then enjoy a full day excursion on the West Highland railway line, a superbly scenic route that takes in lochs, glens, moors and mountains, to the bustling town of Oban on the west coast. Finally we explore the Clyde-built paddle steamer Maid of the Loch at her berth on the bonny, bonny Jacobite banks of Loch Lomond.

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 19 NEW FOR 2021 Historic Houses and Luxury Coach Travel Do you love sneaking a peek at the interiors of other people’s homes? Are you enchanted by buildings with magnificent architecture? Do stories of the past capture your imagination? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we think you might enjoy our exciting collection of Historic Houses holidays. Some of our 2021 range of Historic Houses holidays also include travel aboard our exciting new luxury coaches. Departing from London or within Scotland for Aberdeenshire, these VIP coaches include luxury leather seats with three-point seatbelts and arm rests, air-conditioning and heating throughout, a kitchen area and refrigerator, curtains, privacy glass and air suspension, all of which will make your journey that much more comfortable.

Holidays with this added luxury included are marked with this logo.

Castles and Houses Historic houses of of Lincolnshire Dorset Historic halls, mansions and castles await in Lincolnshire and we With a special tour of Minterne House led by none other than the take time to explore a stunning array of them. We visit Gunby Hall, owner himself – Lord Digby – and with visits to Kingston Lacy, a homely country house with a fine garden; Grimsthorpe Castle, Thomas Hardy’s Max Gate house and Forde Abbey, this charming where we enjoy a private tour of the castle; and Belton Hall, often new holiday shines a spotlight on beautiful Dorset along with the cited as the perfect example of an estate. many unforgettable tales that it has to tell.

Grimsthorpe Castle Athelhampton House

20 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology Historic Houses of the Scottish Borders Often overlooked in comparison with the Highlands and Islands, the Scottish Borders have their own understated appeal. Visit Manderston House, described as “the swansong of the stately home”; Traquair House, the oldest continuously inhabited house in Scotland; and Abbotsford, home to Sir Walter Scott.

Lanhydrock Abbotsford House Historic Historic Houses of Houses of Devon Aberdeenshire From Drum Castle with its 700-year-old history to the elaborate Z-plan Fraser & Cornwall Castle, and from the ghost stories and folklore of Fyvie Castle to Craigievar Castle and the famous royal residence of Balmoral, this tour shines a spotlight The neighbouring counties of Devon and Cornwall on the stories behind the walls. Impressive architecture, ancient tales and truly have a broad expanse of history, which is reflected awe inspiring landscapes await discovery. in the houses dotted around, from the Georgian Killerton House, with its amazing collection of 18th-19th century costumes, to the Elizabethan Prideaux Place, which has been lived in by the same family since 1592.

Historic Houses of North Wales Encompassing a broad sweep of Welsh history, the houses we visit on this tour range from the Jacobean Plas Teg to one of the oldest datable medieval properties in the country – Aberconwy House. Other visits include Erddig Hall and Bodhryddan Hall, one of the few remaining family owned stately homes in Wales. Balmoral

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 21 NEW FOR 2021 Adventures of a Lifetime Flowers & Flavours of Colombia Offering a dazzling array of colourful cities, natural wonders and lush landscapes, Colombia is filled with culture and history that is ready and waiting to be explored. Spend a full day in the Chicaque National Park, enjoy an optional canoe trip through the mangroves and pay a visit to a ‘silletera’, where extravagant wreaths of flowers are created and displayed. This is a memorable holiday and one with a strong focus on nature, plantlife and landscapes.

Silleteros Parade Bhutan & Nepal

A country that remains unspoilt by commercial tourism, Bhutan is a truly exciting destination to visit. This holiday is centred around the colourful Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival, visiting sites that range from the dramatically positioned Tiger’s Nest monastery to fortresses located in and around Paro. Enjoy magnificent views over the Himalayas, explore Kathmandu in neighbouring Nepal and grab a chance to visit Thimphu – perhaps one of the world’s most unusual capital cities.

Thimphu Landscapes & Flora of Patagonia Here, we find massive mountains that rise from plains – jagged, snow-flecked peaks that pierce the sky – alongside azure lakes and glittering glaciers. Patagonia is an awe-inspiring destination and one that demands attention from any traveller who visits it. Take a tour of El Calafate Mountain Park, named after the endemic shrub boasting yellow leaves and purple berries; gaze upon the staggering Moreno glacier, considered the world’s third-largest glacial area; and discover the interesting array of plant species in the Torres del Paine National Park. If you’re looking for unique botanising opportunities, landscapes unlike any other and a chance to walk on the wild side – choose Patagonia. Perhaps the ultimate destination for lovers of the great outdoors, this is an adventure to remember. Lake Grey

22 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology NEW FOR 2021 Botanical Tours

Karaca Arboretum Spring Gardens & Flowers of Archaeology of Crete Turkey A place of great natural beauty and is a magnificent destination to staggering history, Crete is an ideal explore if you want to gaze upon vibrant destination for a holiday – especially for collections of tulips, and on this new holiday a plant lover because many of its 1,500 we will explore a selection of the parks flowering plants are endemic. Led by plant and gardens that host its Tulip Festival. expert Julia Corden, this tour also explores Elsewhere, discover the Kazdagi National the Samaria Gorge, which offers stunning Park, visit the ancient city of Assos and views along with magnificent wildflowers. enjoy time botanising on the slopes of Spil We will also visit the legendary Palace of Mountain. During our time in Turkey, we Knossos (a real highlight for the archaeology will also explore some rich archaeological fans among us!) and we will gather on the sites, such as Ephesus, the largest classical slopes of Mount Ida to discover plants in city ever to have been excavated. Former the surrounding areas. There will be time to RHS Wisley Curator Colin Crosbie leads this enjoy the sights of the Akrotiri peninsula as Anatolian adventure. well as Rethymnon and Chania. Venetian Fort

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 23 MS Loire Princesse ©CroisiEurope NEW FOR 2021 Cruises If you’re looking for a new way to explore and you fancy taking a holiday with a more leisurely pace, why not treat yourself to a river cruise? See historic towns from new perspectives, hop ashore to explore local flavours and sites, and relax in comfort as you sail between destinations. Whether you want to cruise the Rhône, navigate the Loire, explore the Somme or discover the Douro, we are sure to have a cruise to suit you.

Castles & Gardens of the Loire Famous for fairy-tale architecture and formal splendour, the Loire Valley’s magnificent châteaux and gardens simply have to be seen to be believed. Board the MS Loire Princesse for a six-day cruise that travels from Nantes to St. Nazaire, Bouchemaine, Ancenis and then back to Nantes. There are wonderful optional excursions on offer, ranging from a wine-lovers’ tour of the Muscadet region to a tour of Château Clisson d’Angers.

24 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology Gardens of Picardy

As part of this tour we enjoy three half-day cruises, which meander gently through the countryside of Picardy in north east France as we savour a leisurely lunch and a glass or two of wine. When we aren’t cruising, the rest of our time will be spent exploring our host city of Amiens and visiting some of the 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 Amiens voted the best garden in Picardy by French TV viewers.

Legends of the Rhône

Hop aboard the MS Rhône Princess for a whirlwind cruise along south-east France’s glorious Rhône. Beginning in historic Lyon, we will pass through Mâcon, Vienne, Viviers and Tournon, stepping ashore for optional excursions that include the abbey ruins in Cluny, a wine-tasting experience and ancient Roman remains in the pleasant setting of Arles. Lyon

Douro Discovery

Starting at the river’s mouth in Porto, we cruise upstream aboard the A-ROSA ALVA to Régua and the picturesque town of Pinhão. From here, it’s on to Barca d’Alva and Vega Terron before returning downstream to Porto. There are some fantastic optional excursions available on this cruise, including a visit to the Castelo Rodrigo, a chance to experience a traditional grape harvest and a city tour of Porto. Douro River

Dutch Bulbfields

Board the charming MS La Bohème, where attentive service, good food and a convivial atmosphere awaits, for a memorable cruise that pays a visit to the legendary Keukenhof. Outside of admiring rows of vibrant tulips, we will also see the windmills at Zaanse Schans and tour the Museum Van Loon, which is set in MS La Bohème a grand canal-side residence in Amsterdam.

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 25 Best Sellers 4 DAYS FROM Highgrove & The Cotswolds £595 The joy of an English country garden awaits on this holiday, which centres around an exclusive visit to Highgrove House, the country home of HRH The Prince of Wales. This is a rare opportunity to see these fascinating gardens, which, of course, are cultivated using wholly organic methods, and are opened to the public by appointment. In addition to our Highgrove exploration, we also make stops at the Arts and Crafts house of Rodmarton Manor; Hidcote Manor’s contrasting garden rooms; Kiftsgate, with its splendid views over the Vale of Evesham; the private garden of Misarden Park and finally Westonbirt, the wonderful National Arboretum. See pages 36-37.

Highgrove

13 DAYS FROM Seasonal Gardens of Japan £4995 At 13 days long, this tour is a magnificent introduction to Japan and everything it has to offer, from its architecture and tradition, to its ancient history and flora. 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 – the included visits on this trip are extensive, and there is also an optional excursion to Hiroshima and its Peace Memorial Park. Sit down to a special dinner with a maiko – an apprentice geisha – and learn all about the history of this practice and its customs. Walk along the Bamboo Forest Path, a strange and atmospheric forest filled with dense bamboo. Tour a selection of amazing temples, including the Todai-ji temple, which is home to the world’s largest bronze statue of Buddha. See pages 110-111.

Ginkaku-ji, also known as the Silver Pavilion

7 DAYS FROM & £1295 Classic English Gardens Enjoy the colour, prestige and excitement of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show alongside visits to a selection of the south of England’s finest gardens. Horticultural excellence awaits on this extended, two-centre holiday and we think any lover of gardens, plants and flowers would agree. In addition to experiencing the thrill of Chelsea, we will stop at RHS Garden Wisley, Sissinghurst in Kent, Great Dixter, the beautiful gardens of Wilton House, near Salisbury, and ‘Capability’ Brown’s famous landscape garden of Stourhead. If that wasn’t enough, we also visit Bishop’s Palace in Wells, the Harold Peto designed garden at Iford Manor, Hestercombe, the city of Bath, and finally Tyntesfield, a fine National Trust Victorian country house with a glorious walled garden. See pages 40-41.

Terry lilac tulips

26 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology Our Tour Managers

ur Tour Managers are on hand to sprinkle their on your holiday and are a vital part of the service we provide. They O 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, advice and patience, and they 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 – having a horticultural background, archaeological expertise or due to their knowledge of a particular destination.

Colin Crosbie Trevor Edwards Michael Gill

Colin Crosbie was the Head Gardener to Award-winning garden designer, writer Michael Gill is one of Brightwater’s longest Her Majesty The Queen Mother in Windsor and broadcaster Trevor Edwards is one of serving tour managers, with a loyal following prior to taking up the position of Curator our busiest and most popular garden Tour among regular guests. A proud Cornishman, at RHS Garden Wisley. His extensive Managers, and has led many garden tours Michael has led tours all over the UK and horticultural knowledge and experience around the world. Trevor’s deep knowledge Europe and lists Andalucia, Normandy, coupled with his good humour have and love of horticulture along with the Wales and of course Cornwall, among his established him as one of Brightwater’s planning he does before any new tour favourite destinations. He is noted for his most highly rated tour managers. speaks volumes for the positive feedback knowledge, enthusiasm and consideration we get from satisfied guests. for guests at all times.

Tony Russell Kate Williamson Clive Warsop

A former Head Forester at Westonbirt Kate Williamson, an officially accredited Clive Warsop is an environmental Arboretum, Tony Russell is widely regarded Italian cultural tour guide, is one of our most archaeologist who has lectured and tutored as one of Britain’s leading authorities on engaging tour managers, largely on account in the Department of Archaeology at the trees and shrubs, having written 18 books of her obvious passion for Italy, her adopted University of Edinburgh, and has excavated and presented many programmes for both country. She loves to share this passion at sites in both Scotland and France. He is TV and radio. His travels have taken him to with guests and watching her sort things also known as a caring and considerate tour Japan, Costa Rica, China and New Zealand out in her rapid Italian is a sight to behold! manager, who will ‘go the extra mile’ to look and he has built up a loyal following among after all of his guests. Brightwater guests.

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 27 Lanhydrock Gardens PRIVATE GARDENS OF 4 DAYS FROM CORNWALL £675

ornwall’s gardens are justly famous for their colour and variety, and there are Csome truly outstanding examples here. Choose between spring when the rhododendrons burst into life or high summer when the hydrangeas run riot. Bosvigo Hot Garden

We start at Lanhydrock, rich in flowering shrubs and trees, before transferring to our base at the nearby Lanhydrock Hotel and Golf Club. We tour Bosvigo, with its bold and imaginative planting and Trewithen, a garden whose reputation amongst connoisseurs has always been of the highest. At Trelissick we find a modern garden which is constantly evolving, with new planting and fresh ideas while at Lamorran House we will discover both Japanese and Italian influences, though the views over Falmouth Bay are typically Cornish. We round off at Marsh Villa, a lovely three-acre garden which is the result of sheer hard work by its owner, and Trebartha, on the edge of Bodmin Moor, where a major landscaping project was undertaken with stunning results. Trewithen

Your Itinerary Day 1 We depart from our designated pick Day 3 First up today is Trelissick, a modern up points and head down into Cornwall, garden set within a much older estate, Your Tour Includes where our first visit is to Lanhydrock with many innovative features and fresh » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at Gardens. The parkland remains one of ideas. Over at Lamorran House we find an the Lanhydrock Hotel and Golf Club the finest examples in Cornwall and there intriguing garden with both Japanese and is also a formal courtyard garden, beds of Italian influences and many water features. » All visits as outlined in the itinerary (B & D) modern roses and a woodland garden. We » Comfortable coach travel throughout continue to our nearby hotel. (D) Day 4 Our tour concludes with visits to the » Services of a professional tour manager Day 2 Today we visit the privately private gardens of Marsh Villa, the result of owned garden of Bosvigo, which years of hard work with a magnificent pond features beautifully planted enclosures at its heart, and Trebartha, which was Departures & Prices and fastidious colour harmonies, and imaginatively re-landscaped and features a 29 April from £675pp Trewithen, filled with flowering trees and pool and cascades, wooded terraces and a shrubs including camellia and magnolia. walled garden. (B) 22 July from £695pp (B & D) Single Supplement £150 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

28 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology G A R D E N

Abbey Garden S TRESCO’S 4 DAYS FROM ABBEY GARDEN £995

ruly a sub-tropical paradise, this tiny corner of England has remained T unpolluted, unspoilt and unchanged for decades. Tresco lies just 28 miles from the Cornish coast yet basks in a balmy climate where spring comes early, autumn stays late and winter hardly exists at all. The wonderful Abbey Garden is home to more than 3,000 species as well as magnificent vistas, colours and scents. There is certainly no other garden like this in the world. In the spring you will see flowers here that are weeks ahead of those on the mainland, summer is a riot of colour while in the autumn the golds, reds and ambers of the seasonal foliage is a sight to behold. Even in winter there are 300 plants in flower in the Abbey Garden and as each day lengthens, more and more exotic flowers appear. We now offer Tresco as an all-year-round, go-as-you please package, where the content and duration can be adjusted to suit your needs. See below for a sample itinerary.

Lulu, Abbey Garden Your Itinerary Day 1 Taking the strain out of the long Regular boat trips are available to see the Your Tour Includes drive to Penzance, we have arranged train sea birds and seals of the western rocks. » Dinner, bed & breakfast at the New Inn, transportation from London Paddington. Time spent here is sure to leave you feeling Tresco Upon arrival, you transfer to Land’s End in renewed and revitalised. (B & D) » Return flight from Land’s End to St time for your flight to the Scillies. On Day 4 A morning boat will take you to Mary’s (Exeter or Newquay flights St. Mary’s, you take a short boat transfer St. Mary’s for your flight to Land’s End. You available at a supplement) to Tresco. You will enjoy dinner at the hotel will be transferred to Penzance for your this evening. (D) » Return train fare London Paddington/ afternoon train back to London. (B) Penzance (regional connections Day 2 & 3 Enjoy a walk around the available on request; £100 reduction magnificent Abbey Garden. You are for no rail travel) and boat transfers then free to explore Tresco at leisure between St Mary’s and Tresco and explore its ancient castles, beautiful » Entry to Tresco’s Abbey Garden beaches and headland walks, or simply relax in the residents’ lounge. Visiting other islands can easily be arranged - Bryher, St Departures & Prices Martin’s, St Agnes and St Mary’s are nearby, all of which easily connect with each other. Available from March to October, four days from £995pp Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 29 Hestercombe IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GERTRUDE JEKYLL

5 DAYS FROM ertrude Jekyll was a painter, writer and plantswoman G extraordinaire, however she is perhaps best remembered for her £975 association with the architect Sir . Over the last hundred Upton Grey years, few would doubt the great influence Gertrude Jekyll had on garden design — during her lifetime she created well over 400 gardens and inspired countless others. Our tour stretches across the south of England, from the Home Counties of Kent, Sussex and Surrey – where she lived for most of her life — to the southern counties of England and into the scenic West Country. Perhaps the true highlight of this holiday will be the rare chance to visit Munstead Wood. This was where Gertrude Jekyll lived and was the scene of many of her highly influential garden experiments and ideas. today is mainly woodland with many oaks, Scots pines, silver birches and chestnuts. Munstead Wood

Your Itinerary Your Tour Includes Day 1 We begin with a visit to the garden of to the gardens of East Lambrook, near Vann, which incorporates Gertrude Jekyll’s South Petherton in Somerset, recognised » Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: 1911 water garden, and continue to Loseley throughout the world as the ‘Home of two nights at the 4-star Frensham Pond Hotel (or similar) and two nights at the Park, a highlight of which is the Walled English Cottage Gardening’. (B & D) 3-star Shrubbery Hotel, Illminster (or Garden. (D) Day 4 We visit Nynehead Court, whose similar) Day 2 Today we visit Upton Grey Manor formal gardens feature a wide variety » All visits as outlined in the itinerary House, believed to be the most authentic of trees, a walled vegetable garden and Jekyll garden in existence. We continue a parterre. Then we proceed to Cothay » Comfortable coach travel throughout with a visit to the excellent Godalming Manor, a magical, romantic garden that » Services of a professional tour manager Museum before visiting the nearby garden surrounds a perfect example of a small at Munstead Wood, which is where Jekyll medieval manor. (B & D) lived until her death in 1932. (B & D) Day 5 Our final visit is to Hestercombe, Departures & Prices Day 3 We head southwest, for our visit one of Jekyll and Lutyens’ greatest to the private garden of Bramdean, near masterpieces, before we return to our 5 June from £975pp Alresford in Hampshire, before continuing original departure points. (B) Single Supplement £200 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

30 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology SUPPLEMENTNO SINGLE

G A R D E N

Alnwick Garden Tree House S GARDENS OF NORTHUMBERLAND

4 DAYS FROM he largely rural county of Northumberland is home to a range of T individual and imaginative gardens, with each one giving an unusual £795 insight into the pleasure of gardening in this most beautiful and tranquil Belsay Hall Garden corner of England. Our tour begins at the gardens of Belsay Hall, which are uniquely set in the quarry that provided the stone to build the house itself. We continue with Mindrum, which was created by a natural artist who then set about creating a new garden at Kirky Cottage, filled with her favourite plants. In Whalton, one of Northumberland’s prettiest villages, we find Manor House, a charming English country house garden that features a contribution by Jekyll and Lutyens. Newbiggin House offers us delightful old fashioned herbaceous borders, while, in contrast, the Alnwick Garden gives us a truly innovative garden for the 21st century. Alnwick Garden

Your Tour Includes » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star Marriott Royal County Hotel, Your Itinerary Durham and one lunch Day 1 We travel from London’s Kings Cross Day 3 Today, we visit Alnwick Garden, one » Return standard class rail travel from to Newcastle and transfer to Belsay Hall, a of the world’s most ambitious new gardens. London Kings Cross to Newcastle Grade I listed medieval Manor House with a The Duchess of Northumberland’s vision (first class upgrades and regional banqueting hall that dates back to at least for a forgotten plot is now a 21st century connections available; £100 reduction the 13th century. (D) experience full of imagination, inspiration for no rail travel) and comfortable and fun. Our second visit today will be to coaching in Northumberland Day 2 Today we travel through the wild and the garden at the Manor House. (B & D) » All visits as outlined in the itinerary rugged landscape of north Northumberland to Mindrum. The garden was created with Day 4 Before heading home, we travel to » Services of a professional tour manager great skill and verve by the owner and is the Northumberland/Durham border to now looked after by her son. We transfer Newbiggin House, a five-acre landscaped Departures & Prices to her new garden, created a few years ago garden at 1,000ft started in 1996, which has at Kirky Cottage, where lunch is included. matured beautifully. We then catch a train 13 June from £795pp (B, L & D) from Newcastle back to London. (B) 23 July from £795pp 22 August from £795pp No Single Supplement Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 31 Walmer Castle Gardens WALMER CASTLE

AND THE CINQUE PORTS 4 DAYS FROM £595 he historic pleasure gardens at Walmer Castle in Kent have been T dramatically brought back to life thanks to a £2.3m restoration project funded by English Heritage, and they form the centrepiece of this new tour, which Grounds of Walmer Castle also visits the ‘Cinque Ports’ of Hastings, Sandwich, Hythe, Dover and Romney. We begin at the quintessential English garden of Pashley Manor and continue to Hastings to see William the Conqueror’s castle. We visit the Salutation Gardens, near Sandwich, and explore the medieval town before moving on to Walmer. A trip on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway ticks off two more of our historic ports, and is shortly followed by the fifth as we tour Dover Castle, one of the most impressive of all English fortresses. A visit to Smallhythe Place, actress Ellen Terry’s 16th century cottage and rose garden, rounds off our journey. Pashley Manor

Your Itinerary Day 1 Depart from our pick-up points and Day 3 We begin at Dungeness, the head to Pashley Manor, an award-winning starting point for a ride aboard the Your Tour Includes garden on the Kent and Sussex border. Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at From here, we visit Hastings and explore hauled by a beautiful 15-inch gauge steam the 3-star Clifton Hotel, Folkestone its ruined castle, built after William the engine. We continue to Pines Garden with Conqueror’s coronation. (D) its many fine features and finally the hugely » All visits as outlined in the itinerary impressive, 800-year-old Dover Castle. » Comfortable coach travel throughout Day 2 Today we depart for the Salutation (B & D) Gardens, designed in 1912 by Sir Edwin » Services of a professional tour manager Lutyens. We also visit the nearby town Day 4 Our final visit is to Smallhythe of Sandwich and then it’s on to Walmer Place, a half-timbered house and formerly Castle, where we have a guided tour that home to the Victorian actress Ellen Terry. Departures & Prices will take us through its colourful history. From here, the trip ends and we return to 10 June from £595pp (B & D) our original pick-up points. (B) 9 September from £595pp Single Supplement £90 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

32 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology G A R D E N

Osborne House and Gardens S QUEEN VICTORIA AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT

4 DAYS FROM scending to the throne at just 18, Queen Victoria reigned over an A empire, the likes of which will never be seen again. Our tour takes us £695 to locations that played an important part in her life as well as offering the Carisbrooke Castle opportunity to visit some of the outstanding attractions on the Isle of Wight. The centrepiece must be Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s favourite home, with its beautiful gardens and extravagant Wendy house where the royal children played so happily. Elsewhere on the island we visit Carisbrooke Castle, Godshill and Shanklin Old Village with their picturesque thatched cottages, and the Adgestone Vineyard, one of the biggest producers of English wine. On the mainland, visits include Windsor Castle and Frogmore House (subject to successful application).

Windsor Castle

Your Itinerary Your Tour Includes Day 1 We depart from our pick-up points Day 3 We begin at romantic Carisbrooke and travel the short distance to Windsor Castle and continue to the Adgestone » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at Castle, the scene of countless royal Vineyard for a tour and wine tasting. We the 3-star Best Western New Holmwood Hotel, Cowes occasions, most recently the wedding move on to Godshill, which boasts some of of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. We the oldest architecture on the Isle of Wight, » One lunch continue by ferry to the Isle of Wight. (D) and Shanklin, where we visit the world » All visits as outlined in the itinerary famous gorge. (B & D) Day 2 We travel to Osborne House & » All coaching and ferry transfers Gardens, which was Queen Victoria’s Day 4 Returning by ferry to the mainland, favourite home. We enjoy a guided tour of we continue to Windsor to explore » Services of a professional tour manager the gardens, and after lunch continue with Savill Garden, one of Britain’s greatest a tour of the house. Later we visit the Swiss ornamental gardens. Our final visit takes Cottage, in which Victoria’s nine children us to Frogmore House before we return to Departures & Prices loved to play. (B, L & D) our original departure points. (B) 14 August from £695pp 22 August from £695pp Single Supplement £195 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 33 THE IRISH ROVER

8 DAYS FROM £1495

Mount Stewart

ust like the song by Van Morrison, this Irish Rover is wrapped in glory – the glory of Ireland’s finest gardens. We begin at J Mount Stewart with its dazzling garden and then move on to romantic Rowallane, as well as to the atmospheric Castle Ward. In , we meet Helen Dillon for an exclusive look at her new private garden; June Blake, who grows a unique mix of bamboos and ornamental grasses; and Carmel Duignan at her Italianate villa. En route to the cultured city of , we call in at the wild and informal garden of Mount Usher and we also spend time at magical Ilnacullin and Blarney Castle and Gardens, home to the famous stone that bestows eloquence on all who kiss it. Our tour manager is popular garden designer, writer & broadcaster Trevor Edwards, who has clearly kissed the Blarney Stone more than once…

34 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology G A R D E N

Blarney Castle Malahide Castle S Your Itinerary

Day 1 Fly from Gatwick to Belfast and pay Day 4 First we explore the private garden Day 6 Continuing our journey south we a visit to Mount Stewart, the dazzling of Carmel Duignan, a gardening writer and discover the informal garden of Mount and idiosyncratic gardens that bask in the former television producer who has created Usher today, a lovely informal garden micro-climate of low rainfall and humid a beautiful garden. which dates back to 1850. (B & D) coastal air that exists here. The Italian We are privileged to have special access to Day 7 We take the ferry to Garinish Garden south of the house is in the form the private garden of Helen Dillon, a world Island and the garden of Ilnacullin, one of a giant parterre, filled with plantings of renowned plantswoman broadcaster who of Ireland’s most famous gardens with its carmine, yellow and scarlet on one side, created a garden that was considered to be unique intermingling of the formal and the with cooler blue, lavender and grey on one of the gems of the horticultural world. wild, and visit Blarney Castle, perhaps the other. Elsewhere, there is a Spanish best known for its legendary stone but also garden with huge eucalyptuses looming in We conclude at the Italianate villa of home to a notable garden. (B & D) the woods behind, and an exuberant and Corke Lodge. The ancient garden of box formal sunken garden surrounded by a fine parterres is punctuated by melancholy Day 8 After breakfast, we fly home from pergola planted with clematis, honeysuckle gothic follies and emerges eerily from the Cork’s airport. (B) and roses. We continue to our comfortable dense boskage of evergreen oaks, myrtles Co Antrim hotel. (D) and a writhing cork oak tree with deeply Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner corrugated bark. (B) Day 2 Today we begin at Rowallane Garden. The first impression is one of Day 5 Hunting Brook is our first visit, mystery as you approach the house the home of Jimi Blake, the former head through a dark tunnel of conifers and gardener of Airfield Gardens in Dundrum. rhododendrons, but this is quickly dispelled The garden is a plantsman’s paradise by the flower-filled spectacle that opens up with contemporary borders, creating a before you. The liveliest gardening is to be fusion of prairie and tropical planting in a Your Tour Includes found in the walled garden, where mixed natural setting. Then it’s on to June Blake’s borders are stuffed with big old shrubs and Garden and Nursery, where Jimi’s sister » Seven nights’ bed & breakfast: two the occasional rare rhododendron animates exhibits a shared passion for plants. Finally nights at the Dunadry Hotel, Co Antrim; three nights at the Clayton Hotel, Dublin the scene. today we travel to Powerscourt, perhaps (or similar); and two nights in Co Cork the most famous garden in Ireland, with We continue to Castle Ward, overlooking striking terraces and a charming walled » Five dinners Strangford Lough. Apart from some traces garden. (B) of 18th century woodland, the garden is » Flights from London Gatwick to Belfast, chiefly Victorian in character. Close to the returning from Cork house is a walled terraced garden, filled » All visits as outlined in the itinerary with exotic planting. (B & D) » Comfortable coach travel throughout Day 3 We travel into the Republic of » Services of horticulturalist Trevor Ireland, calling at Malahide Castle, one of Edwards as tour manager Ireland’s oldest. The ornamental gardens adjoining the castle cover an area of about 22 acres and feature over 5,000 Departures & Prices species, largely created by Lord Talbot, an enthusiastic plant collector who brought 4 May from £1545pp specimens from around the world to create 22 August from £1495pp the gardens here. Later, we transfer to Single Supplement £495 Dublin. (B & D) Mount Usher

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 35 HIGHGROVE AND THE COTSWOLDS

4 DAYS FROM £595

Local residents, Chipping Camden

ur tour of the Cotswolds features an exclusive visit to Highgrove House, the country home of HRH The Prince of Wales. O This will be a rare opportunity to see these fascinating gardens, which, of course, are cultivated using wholly organic methods. Some of the finest gardens in England are to be found nestled among the green and rolling hills of . Our tour begins at the Arts and Crafts house of Rodmarton Manor, whose fine garden comprises a series of ‘outdoor rooms’. Hidcote Manor’s contrasting garden rooms and Kiftsgate’s splendid views are justly famous. We shall also visit the small, private garden of Misarden Park and then Westonbirt, the National Arboretum. Please note, by the very nature of this holiday we are dependent on a successful application for admittance to Highgrove, which will be confirmed in February 2021.

36 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology G A R D E N

Highgrove Kiftsgate Court S Your Itinerary

Day 1 We depart from our designated Day 3 This morning, we transfer to Day 4 En route home, we pay a visit to pick-up points and head for the garden Highgrove, the country home of HRH the Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, of Rodmarton Manor. The grey gabled Prince of Wales (subject to successful which is perhaps the most important and ‘Arts and Crafts’ house has an intricate application). This is a rare opportunity to widely known arboretum in the United garden of lively atmosphere, formal in spirit see these fascinating gardens, which are Kingdom. It is managed by the Forestry but with a cottage-garden feel to it. The cultivated using wholly organic methods. Commission and was established in 1829 eight-acre Cotswold garden was originally Since buying the property in 1980 His Royal by Robert Stayner Holford. It comprises designed as a series of outdoor rooms and Highness and his friend Lady Salisbury some 18,000 trees and shrubs, over an area is still the same today, with each part of the have laid out parts of the garden with of approximately 600 acres. We will see garden having different characters ranging scented plants: wisteria, honeysuckle, numerous ‘champion’ trees including rare from alpines in troughs, bigger plants in jasmine, holboellia, lillies and thyme were magnolias, tree rhododendrons and maples the rockery, lawns, a large kitchen garden chosen to surround the house. On the as well as a wide variety of smaller trees and white borders, to the magnificent advice of Miriam Rothschild, another and shrubs. (B) herbaceous borders that are constantly gardening expert, the Prince created an being re-planted and improved. There are experimental wild flower meadow which superb vistas throughout and plenty of already boasts around 32 different varieties Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner places to sit and admire the surroundings. of endangered native plants including We continue to our hotel in the Cotswolds. ox-eye daisies, yellow rattle, common (D) spotted orchid, meadow crane’s bill and Day 2 This morning, we visit the gardens ragged robin. Vegetable varieties loved by of Hidcote Manor, near Chipping Camden. the Prince are grown such as Charlotte Your Tour Includes Although among the best known gardens potatoes and Happil strawberries, leeks, spring cabbage, sprouts and in Britain, Hidcote Manor still has the power » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at to startle. It was begun before World War I carrots. a comfortable hotel in the Cotswolds by an American, Major Lawrence Johnston, In the afternoon, we enjoy a visit to » All visits as outlined in the itinerary who devised a type of garden that many Misarden Park, near Stroud. Originally think of as quintessentially English. It is a designed in the 17th century, the gardens » Comfortable coach travel throughout garden built up of separate rooms, each were redeveloped in the 20th century by » Services of a professional tour manager connected to the rest but often with Sir Edwin Lutyens in his famous Edwardian blazing contrasts, laid out in a disciplined style. (B & D) setting. Everywhere something enticing is Departures & Prices glimpsed through an opening, across a pool or framed by a gate. 23 April from £595pp We then visit Kiftsgate Court, which 21 May from £595pp offers an admirable selection of plants 4 June from £625pp and flowers, not least of which is the well 25 June from £625pp known rambling rose R. filipes ‘Kiftsgate’. The house, in a splendid setting with views 8 August from £595pp to the Vale of Evesham, is surrounded by a 22 August from £595pp series of enclosed gardens, whose formality 3 September from £595pp is blurred by generous planting. (B & D) 24 September from £595pp Single Supplement £175 Hidcote Manor

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 37 Sissinghurst Castle Garden THE GARDENS OF 4 DAYS FROM KENT & SUSSEX £795

f there’s one tour that epitomises the joy of strolling around a perfect English I country garden, it is this one – with one shining example after another to be savoured and enjoyed. Visitors will be bowled over by the quality and pedigree of Great Dixter these gardens, which capture the essence of the English country garden. We start at Great Comp, filled with rare and beautiful shrubs, followed by Lullingstone Castle. Nymans Garden offers outstanding plants in a theatrical setting and is twinned with Sussex Prairie Garden, reminiscent of the work of the great Dutch garden designer, Piet Oudolf. We also visit Sissinghurst, surely the most-copied flower garden in the world, and Great Dixter. A stroll around the gardens of Wakehurst Place and a special tour at Perch Hill, a garden that belongs to a well-known writer and broadcaster, round off a distinguished tour.

Nymans Garden

Your Itinerary Your Tour Includes Day 1 We depart from our pick-up points Day 3 This morning, we are privileged to » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast and head towards Kent for our first visit, have an ‘early bird’ visit to the manicured at the 4-star Donnington Manor Hotel, Great Comp Garden, a fine garden with gardens of Sissinghurst, before they open Sevenoaks many rare shrubs, perennials and hardy to the general public. We continue to » One lunch plants. We continue to Lullingstone another classic English Country Garden, Castle, with its unique World of Plants, namely Great Dixter. No gardener could » All visits as outlined in the itinerary inspired by Tom Hart-Dyke’s experience as come here without making discoveries and » Comfortable coach travel throughout a captive of Colombian guerillas. (D) rekindling a zest for gardening. (B & D) » Services of a professional tour manager Day 2 Today, we set off for Sussex Prairie Day 4 Our first visit today is to Wakehurst Garden at Henfield, an eight-acre garden Place Gardens, set in 100 acres. boasting large borders in a naturalistic Thereafter, we continue to Perch Hill, the Departures & Prices style and drifts of herbaceous perennials. garden of writer and broadcaster Sarah 23 April from £795pp We continue to Nymans Garden, Raven. After lunch here, we enjoy a special 28 May from £795pp an outstanding plant collection in an guided tour in the company of the Head inspirational setting. There are many rare Gardener, before returning to our original 25 June from £795pp and exotic plants combined with a pinetum, pick-up points. (B & L) 20 August from £825pp walled garden and Italian garden. (B & D) Single Supplement £195 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

38 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology G A R D E N

Stourhead Garden S GARDENS OF SOMERSET AND DORSET

5 DAYS FROM he neighbouring counties of Dorset and Somerset epitomise the T timeless and restrained beauty of rural England, and are home to £695 a fine selection of classic gardens in a variety of different styles. Both counties offer grand vistas, both natural and man-made, as well as small and intimate treasures, again, both natural and man-made. From our base in Taunton, our tour heads out each day to all four compass points, visiting historic National Trust properties such as Barrington Court, Tintinhull and the wonderful landscape of Stourhead, as well as outstanding gardens such as Kilver Court, Forde Abbey and East Lambrook, recognised throughout the world as the ‘Home of English Cottage Gardening’. On our final day, we visit the enchanting Lytes Cary Manor.

Forde Abbey

Your Itinerary Day 1 We depart from our pick-up points Day 4 We visit Tintinhull Gardens, set and head for the famous landscape garden around an attractive 17th century manor at Stourhead, with its temples, urns and house, and one of the most harmonious grotto. (D) small gardens in Britain. In the afternoon we call in at East Lambrook Manor, Your Tour Includes Day 2 Today we visit the gardens at Kilver created by gardening icon Margery Fish Court, which feature an unusual and highly » Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at and recognised throughout the world as impressive backdrop – a vast railway the 3-star Holiday Inn, Taunton the ‘Home of English Cottage Gardening’. viaduct. Later we visit the Yeo Valley (B & D) » All visits as outlined in the itinerary Organic Garden, a constantly evolving Comfortable coach travel throughout patchwork of ornamental and edible plants. Day 5 We depart for the gardens of » (B & D) Barrington Court, enchanting formal » Services of a professional tour manager gardens inspired by the designs of Day 3 We travel to the gardens at Gertrude Jekyll. Our final visit is to Lytes Minterne, an 18th century serpentine park Cary Manor, which is surrounded by an Departures & Prices with lakes, a stream and a fine woodland enchanting garden before returning to our garden. We continue to Forde Abbey, 1 July from £695pp original departure points. (B) whose towering fountain is a highlight 19 August from £695pp for many in 30 acres of award-winning Single Supplement £160 gardens. (B & D) Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 39 THE RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW AND CLASSIC ENGLISH GARDENS

7 DAYS FROM £1295

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019

his tour combines the colour, prestige and excitement of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show with some of the south of T 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 at both 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 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.

40 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology G A R D E N

RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey Barbados Horticulture Society RHS Chelsea 2019 S Your Itinerary

Day 1 We depart from our pick-up points garden. It is, above all, a garden to walk We continue to another classic English in London and travel to Tyntesfield, a fine in, following the serpentine path that garden – this time, Great Dixter. The Victorian country house. Spiralling turrets borders the lake which forms the serene distinguished garden writer Christopher and pinnacles adorn the roof, and ornate centrepiece. In the afternoon we visit the Lloyd was the genius behind the elegant stone carvings and church-like windows gardens of Wilton House, near Salisbury. gardens of a timbered 15th century house. complete the Gothic look. Terraced lawns This impressive Palladian mansion has been (B & D) give way to spacious parkland filled with the country seat for the Earls of Pembroke Day 7 This morning we transfer to the hundreds of trees collected by the family, for over 400 years and its gardens are showpiece RHS Garden Wisley, where we and a glorious walled kitchen garden simply gorgeous. (B & D) enjoy a guided tour. This outdoor space is beyond. We then continue to our hotel in Day 5 Our entire day is spent at the RHS home to glasshouses, an arboretum and Somerset. (D) Chelsea Flower Show, a great British many glorious gardens. (B) Day 2 Today, we visit Iford Manor, where tradition and exciting source of inspiration we have an exclusive private visit. Its and advice. One of the highlights of the Italianate garden is Grade I listed and was show is the collection of over 20 full-sized created by the architect and landscape show gardens. Inside the Great Marquee, Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner gardener, Harold Peto. In the afternoon visitors are dazzled by hundreds of floral we head to Bath for some free time in this displays, many of them incorporating new, historic city, noted for its fine Georgian rare and unusual plants. Other popular architecture and its Roman Baths. (B & D) features here include flower-arranging, floristry and garden design marquees, Day 3 We start our day at The Bishop’s courtyard gardens, window boxes and Palace in Wells, Somerset. This is a hanging baskets. stunning medieval building and we enjoy (B & D) a special ‘Horticulture at the Palace’ tour upon arrival. There are 14 acres of gardens Day 6 Today begins at the manicured to explore, including the beautiful well gardens of Sissinghurst, where we are Your Tour Includes pools from which the city takes its name. treated to an exclusive guided tour before » Six nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: three We will also be given some free time here the gardens open to the public. The history nights at the 3-star Walnut Tree Hotel, to experience the city’s architecture, view to be explored here is fascinating, and the North Petherton, Somerset (or similar) its breathtaking cathedral and have free gardens themselves are simply stunning. and three nights at the 3-star Holiday Inn time for lunch. In the afternoon, we visit Farnborough (or similar) Hestercombe, one of Gertrude Jekyll and » Full-day ticket for the RHS Chelsea Sir Edwin Lutyens’ greatest masterpieces. Flower Show The garden is home to a round pool in a » All visits as outlined in the itinerary round walled garden filled with wintersweet and roses, a Dutch garden of lamb’s ears, » Comfortable coach travel throughout lavender and the most beautiful orangery » Services of a professional tour manager of the 20th century. (B & D) Day 4 We make our way to the gardens at Stourhead, first opened in the 1740s. Departures & Prices Temples, urns, a grotto and a wealth 16 May from £1295pp of trees all contribute to the special atmosphere of this celebrated landscape Single Supplement £330 Sissinghurst

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 41 NEW FOR 2021 RHS GARDEN BRIDGEWATER AND GARDENS OF THE NORTH WEST

4 DAYS FROM £595

Italian Gardens, Trentham Estate

urrently the largest gardening project in Europe, RHS Garden Bridgewater opens to the public in 2021 and we are C delighted to be able to offer the opportunity to be among the first to visit it. Based on an overall design by leading landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, this once in a generation project will include one of the largest walled gardens in the UK, beautifully landscaped grounds, living plant collections and horticultural trails. We will also take the opportunity to visit some of the best gardens in the North West, including Trentham Estate in Staffordshire, where the contemporary revival of the famous Italian Gardens was also led by Tom Stuart-Smith; Dunham Massey, a great plantsman’s garden; and Arley Hall, whose pair of herbaceous borders is one of the great garden sights of England.

42 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology G A R D E N

Tatton Park Arley Hall S Your Itinerary

Day 1 We depart from our pick-up points Day 3 This morning we visit the gardens Day 4 We depart for a visit to Arley Hall. and head for the gardens of Trentham at Dunham Massey. Previously a garden A pair of herbaceous borders was laid Estate in Staffordshire. The contemporary of straight lines and regimented planting out here in 1846 and they survive to this revival of the famous Italian Gardens the garden became the family’s pleasure day, beautifully maintained - one of the was led by renowned designer and ground under the 5th Earl of Stamford great garden sights of England. There are multiple-Chelsea gold medal winner Tom and Warrington, when sweeping lawns also old walled gardens with good mixed Stuart-Smith. To the east of the Italian and meandering paths were introduced. borders and a simple terraced walk above Gardens are the Rivers of Grass and the Dunham Massey was taken over by the a ha-ha. Still in private hands, Arley Hall adjacent Floral Labyrinth. Both these National Trust in 1976 and work began to preserves the atmosphere of a garden kept schemes were designed by eminent Dutch transform the garden to its former glory. It for its own delight. plantsman, and Chelsea gold medal winner, was decided that the garden would have Following our visit we return to our original Piet Oudolf. At the centre of Trentham an Edwardian feel with the freedom to departure points. (B) Gardens is the mile long, Capability Brown choose from a range of planting options, designed, Trentham Lake. Take the circular with native favourites alongside exotic lakeside walk all the way round as it takes treasures. The garden continues to evolve you beside the River Trent, by the bird hide, today - modern additions include the Rose Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner through Capability Brown’s cascading weir Garden and the Winter Garden. and along atmospheric woodland trails. The Later we visit Tatton Park, whose gardens show gardens offer further inspiration to have developed over 200 years yet retain gardeners on a more domestic scale. (D) much of their Edwardian character. Day 2 We depart for the brand new RHS Lewis William Wyatt and Joseph Paxton Garden Bridgewater at Worsley. This once designed various elements including the in a generation project will see the Royal Conservatory. Other features include Horticultural Society take inspiration from a vegetable garden used for growing the heritage of the site and transform it into varieties typical of the Edwardian era and a world-class garden. Based on an overall a fine representation of a Japanese garden, Your Tour Includes design by leading landscape architect Tom thought to be the result of Alan de Tatton’s » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at Stuart-Smith, highlights will include one visit to the Anglo-Japanese Exhibition at the 4-star Best Western Plus Pinewood of the largest walled gardens in the UK, the White City in London in 1910. (B & D) on Wilmslow Hotel, Cheshire (or similar) beautifully landscaped grounds, living plant collections and horticultural trials. » All visits as outlined in the itinerary Comfortable coach travel throughout In the afternoon, we visit a nearby private » garden, which, in contrast to Bridgewater, » Services of a professional tour manager is much smaller but no less intriguing. As featured on BBC TV’s Gardeners’ World, this is a two-acre water garden with ponds, Departures & Prices streams, waterfalls, islands and a lake. There is a good variety of trees, plants and 18 June from £595pp climbers and the garden is a haven for local 16 July from £595pp waterfowl. (B & D) 6 August from £595pp 1 September from £595pp Single Supplement £120 RHS Bridgewater Kitchen Garden ©Harris Bugg Studio

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 43 NEW FOR 2021

Hardwick Hall GARDENS OF DERBYSHIRE

et against the classic landscape shaped by Capability Brown and 4 DAYS FROM S Joseph Paxton, Chatsworth House is the crown jewel among the many attractions of Derbyshire’s Peak District. After a tour of the house £695 with its sumptuous interiors and furnishings we will explore the extensive grounds before enjoying a specially arranged private lunch. We also visit some of the region’s classic gardens including Felley Priory, with its beautiful herbaceous borders, old fashioned roses and white garden; Hardwick Hall, known for its woodland, an orchard and romantic rambling roses; and Haddon Hall, which although an ancient residence, has had areas of the garden redesigned in the past few years. We will also venture into neighbouring Yorkshire for a visit to the splendid RHS Garden Harlow Carr and afternoon tea at Betty’s Tearoom.

RHS Harlow Carr Garden Your Itinerary Day 1 We depart from our pick-up points Day 3 We depart for a visit to one of Your Tour Includes and travel to Felley Priory. The tranquil England’s most famous stately homes, grounds house many rare and unusual Chatsworth House, home to the Duke » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast plants, and the herbaceous borders are and Duchess of Devonshire, with a special at the 4-star Hotel Mercure Sheffield a true sight to behold. We continue to private lunch included. In the afternoon we Kenwood Hall & Spa Hardwick Hall, which dominates the travel to nearby Haddon Hall, an intensely » One lunch and an afternoon tea surrounding area. (D) romantic and hugely historic house, whose » All visits as outlined in the itinerary gardens still have much of their 17th Day 2 Our day starts at RHS Harlow century character. (B, L & D) » Comfortable coach travel throughout Carr. Within this handsome and well‑wooded site, there are sections Day 4 We journey to Hare Hill, where » Services of a professional tour manager devoted to particular groups of plants. we find a tranquil woodland garden, After refreshments at Betty’s Tearoom, we surrounded by parkland, with a delightful have some free time in , whose walled garden at its heart. Following our Departures & Prices attractions include the Mercer Art Gallery visit we return to our original departure 10 June from £695pp and the Royal Pump Room (entrances not points. (B) included). (B, Afternoon Tea & D) Single Supplement £90 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

44 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology G A R D E N

Arley Hall S THE RHS FLOWER SHOW TATTON PARK AND GARDENS OF CHESHIRE

4 DAYS FROM he Royal Horticultural Society will once again bring a spectacular T celebration of flowers and gardening to the north-west of England £595 with the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. Set against the splendour of Tatton Park’s 1,000-acre deer park, the show will be full of attractions, imaginative and colourful displays and exciting show gardens. This classic English flower show has everything you need – and didn’t know you needed – for your garden to flourish. The herbaceous borders at Arley Hall are one of the great garden sights in England, while Mount Pleasant is a traditional mixed garden complemented by impressive views. Ness Botanic Gardens has a host of features including herbaceous borders, climbing plants and lush water gardens, and finally we visit Stonyford Cottage, an informal natural garden and specialist plant nursery.

Arley Hall Your Itinerary Day 1 We depart from our pick-up points Day 3 We start with a visit to the gardens and head for Cheshire where we visit of Arley Hall. A pair of herbaceous borders Your Tour Includes Ness Botanic Gardens, which feature was laid out here in 1846 and they survive herbaceous borders, terraces with climbing to this day, beautifully maintained. In the » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star Queens Hotel, Chester plants, native plants and water gardens. afternoon we visit Mount Pleasant, ten Later, we transfer to our hotel. (D) acres of landscaped garden and woodland » One lunch with impressive views over the Cheshire Day 2 We depart for the RHS Flower » All visits as outlined in the itinerary countryside. (B & D) Show Tatton Park. The show is full » Comfortable coach travel throughout of attractions, from spectacular floral Day 4 We visit the hidden treasure of marquees ablaze with colourful displays Stonyford Cottage. This informal natural » Services of a professional tour manager from over 80 nurseries to a series of back space has been developed around a pool to back gardens, proving that even the with bridges leading to an island, which smallest space can become a treasured evokes Monet’s iconic gardens at Giverny. Departures & Prices retreat. (B & D) After lunch we return home. (B & L) 21 July from £595pp Single Supplement £135 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 45 Beth Chatto Garden PRIVATE GARDENS OF 4 DAYS FROM EAST ANGLIA £595

he adjoining counties of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk feature on this tour of T some of the finest gardens that East Anglia has to offer. We begin in Essex, with visits to RHS Garden Hyde Hall and the late Beth Chatto’s famous garden and nursery, which was transformed from overgrown wasteland into an informal garden harmonising with the surrounding countryside. Helmingham Hall Gardens We continue to Helmingham Hall where the house, parkland and gardens together create an exceptional work of art, and to Wyken Hall vineyards and gardens. We have the privilege of visiting Raveningham Hall, the garden of RHS President Sir Nicholas Bacon Bt, along with East Ruston Old Vicarage, an inspirational exotic garden that lies less than two miles from the North Sea. Our final day takes us to The Place for Plants at East Bergholt and Marks Hall Garden and Arboretum.

RHS Hyde Hall Your Itinerary Day 1 We depart from London and visit Day 3 We visit the gardens of RHS Hyde Hall at Rettendon, south of Raveningham Hall, protected by shelter Your Tour Includes Chelmsford. We continue to Beth Chatto belts of woodland, herbaceous and mixed » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast Gardens, near Colchester, which was borders, wildflower meadows and rolling at the 3-star Best Western Brook Hotel, transformed from overgrown wasteland lawns. A highlight of our visit is the Time Norwich (or similar) with poor gravel soil to a garden that has Garden – designed around Francis Bacon’s become justly famous. (D) essays based on the passage of time. We » All visits as outlined in the itinerary continue with a visit to the breathtaking Day 2 This morning, we travel to Wyken » Comfortable coach travel throughout 20-acre East Ruston Old Vicarage Hall and Vineyards where the beautiful Services of a professional tour manager Garden, which for many will be the » formal gardens should be bursting with highlight of our visit to Norfolk. (B & D) topiary, herbs, roses and fruit trees. Next, we head to Helmingham Hall, which Day 4 We visit the incomparable Place for Departures & Prices overlooks a deer park with a double avenue Plants at East Bergholt and then continue 28 May from £595pp of oaks. To one side, a walled kitchen to our final visit – the gardens at Marks garden has been put to ornamental use. Hall – before we head for home. (B) 20 August from £595pp (B & D) Single Supplement £90 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

46 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology G A R D E N

Hampton Court Castle S PRIVATE GARDENS OF HEREFORDSHIRE

4 DAYS FROM ural Herefordshire boasts some of Britain’s finest gardens, offering a R great variety of styles – from water gardens to plantsman’s gardens, £695 and from a garden of sentiment and memories to a garden of history and Hampton Court Garden refinement. Highlights include The Laskett, in the parish of Much Birch, the ‘uniquely autobiographical’ garden of sentiments and memories created by Sir Roy Strong. Westonbury Mill Water Gardens is home to a wide range of water features and a number of delightful follies, all hand-built by the owner, including a unique water powered giant cuckoo clock! At Stockton Bury, a four-acre plantsman’s garden full of unusual plants, we are privileged to have a workshop, tour and talk with the gardener.

The Laskett

Your Itinerary Your Tour Includes Day 1 We depart from our pick-up points We explore Stockton Bury Gardens at and stop en route at Pengethley Garden Kimbolton and enjoy lunch, a garden tour, » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at Centre. We continue to Sir Roy Strong’s workshop and talk with the head gardener. a 3-star hotel in Herefordshire former garden, The Laskett, before Many of the unusual plants here are for sale » One lunch transferring to our hotel. (D) – the perfect souvenir. (B, L & D) » All visits as outlined in the itinerary Day 2 We visit the private garden of the Day 4 Our final day culminates with a visit » Comfortable coach travel throughout Old Rectory at Thruxton, which is stocked to Misarden Park, near Stroud. Originally with unusual perennials and roses. Later, designed in the 17th century, the gardens » Services of a professional tour manager we visit Westonbury Mill Water Garden, were redeveloped in the 20th century by which is home to a bog garden and a Sir Edwin Lutyens in his famous Edwardian Departures & Prices ‘Monet’ bridge. (B & D) style. We return to our original departure points. (B) 7 June from £695pp Day 3 We begin by travelling to the 16 August from £695pp gardens at Hampton Court Castle, a 15th century structure surrounded by 1,000 1 September from £695pp acres of parkland, pasture and woodland. Single Supplement £120 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 47 NEW FOR 2021 GARDENS OF WEST WALES

5 DAYS FROM £695

National Botanic Garden of Wales

ucked away in the rolling countryside of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire are some fine parks and gardens, both T large and small; ancient and modern. The centrepiece of our tour is the National Botanic Garden of Wales, a spectacular re-interpretation of the original garden which blends the careful restoration of the historic, double-walled garden with Norman Foster’s Great Greenhouse, the largest single span glasshouse in the world, where mere panes of glass separate the familiar green hills of Wales from a panoramic sweep of warm, Mediterranean scenery. Other visits include Aberglasney, which was discovered after 50 years of neglect and has been restored to produce a garden with immense appeal; Dyffryn Botanic Gardens also recently restored to Thomas Mawson’s original 1904 design and two superb woodland gardens, at Picton Castle and Upton Castle along with Cae Hir, which has established itself as one of Wales’ best loved gardens. A selection of interesting private gardens rounds off a captivating Cambrian campaign.

48 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology G A R D E N

Aberglasney Picton Castle S Your Itinerary

Day 1 Departing from our designated pick Day 3 Our morning visit takes us to the We continue to Aberglasney, a superb up points we head for Wales and our first plantsman’s garden of Dyffryn Fernant. 16th/17th century garden, which was visit, Dyffryn Botanic Gardens in the Vale The owners created a number of ‘rooms’ rediscovered after 50 years of neglect and of Glamorgan, a classic Edwardian garden including an azalea bank, a bog garden and has been restored to produce a garden designed by Thomas Mawson, displaying a fernery and camellia walk. These rooms with immense appeal by a young and a series of ‘rooms’ enclosed within clipped are punctuated by attractive sculptures energetic team of gardeners. (B & D) Yew hedges. Features include a Roman plus mouthwatering displays of herbaceous Day 5 We begin today by paying homage garden, a Japanese garden, fountains and shrubs. to the celebrated Welsh poet Dylan pools and an arboretum containing trees In the afternoon we cross into neighbouring Thomas at his birthplace of Laugharne. from all around the world including the Ceredigion for a visit to the garden of We then hope to visit the private garden original acer griseum collected by ‘Chinese Cae Hir, which since it first opened to the of The Cors. There is a large bog garden Wilson’. public in 1989 has become one of Wales’ with ponds, Gunnera, bamboos and tree We continue to the private garden of The best loved gardens. Owned, managed ferns, as well as an exceptional, elegant Old Rectory at Narberth in Pembrokeshire, and maintained by two generations of the plantsman’s garden boasting unusual a historic two-acre garden with many Akkermans family who first moved over architecture and exotic planting. Lunch is unique trees, some over 300 years old from Holland in 1983, Cae Hir has become included here. Following our visit we will along with more recently planted formal synonymous with blending the wild and the return to our original pick-up points. (B & L) beds and terraces. We continue to our cultivated, of using ordinary materials in hotel in Pembrokeshire. (D) extraordinary ways and of thinking ‘outside Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner the box’ in its approach to garden design. Day 2 Today we visit a pair of woodland (B & D) gardens, both based around historic houses. The gardens at Picton Castle Day 4 Carmarthenshire is our destination comprise 40 acres of some of the most today as we explore the National Botanic beautiful woodland in West Wales. There Garden of Wales. Among the innovative is also a walled garden with an elegant and informative features here are the Great fountain, rose strewn arches and a door Greenhouses, focusing on temperature that leads to a fernery. species, many of them endangered; the Your Tour Includes oval walled garden; the water discovery In the afternoon we visit the gardens of centre and the herbaceous boardwalk. » Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at Upton Castle, which consist of 35 acres the Beggars Reach Hotel, Pembrokeshire of listed historic gardens, surrounded by ancient woodlands. Within the gardens » One lunch there are spectacular herbaceous borders, » All visits as outlined in the itinerary a delightful formal rose garden and a » Comfortable coach travel throughout fascinating, traditional 19th century walled garden, now restored to its former use as a » Services of a professional tour manager kitchen garden. Unusual specimens in the fine arboretum include a large handkerchief tree, Davidia involucrata, Drymis winteri, Departures & Prices Cunninghamia and the fern leafed beech 1 June from £695pp Fagus heterophylla. (B & D) 6 September from £695pp Single Supplement £195 Laugharne

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 49 Portmeirion GARDENS OF 4 DAYS FROM NORTH WALES £595

et amongst glorious scenery that includes the mountains of Snowdonia, S dramatic seascapes and ancient castles, North Wales is home to some outstanding gardens. One of the best is Plas Cadnant, which over 20 years ago Bodnant Gardens was an overgrown, abandoned wilderness of ivy and decrepit fruit trees. Its new owner has brought it back to life and, rather like Heligan in Cornwall, Plas Cadnant has emerged as a gem of a garden, full of interest. Further highlights include Plas yn Rhiw, a delightful manor house with an ornamental garden; Bodnant Garden, with a range of beautiful plants from all over the world; and Portmeirion, the eccentric and rather surreal Italianate village that has been enhanced in recent years with improvements made to the gardens.

Plas Cadnant

Your Itinerary Your Tour Includes We depart by coach and head for Today we visit , an Day 1 Day 3 Mynydd Heulog » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast Wales, where we visit the gardens of Powis 18th century stone cottage set in a sloping at the 3-star Celtic Royal Hotel, Castle, influenced by French and Italian garden with amazing views over the bay. Caernarfon styles. We continue to our hotel. (D) We then visit Plas yn Rhiw, a delightful manor house with an ornamental garden. » All visits as outlined in the itinerary Day 2 Today we travel to the privately (B & D) » Comfortable coach travel throughout owned garden of Maenan Hall, a beautiful property set among mature hardwoods Day 4 We visit the gardens at Plas » Services of Tony Russell as tour on the slopes of the Conwy Valley, with Brondanw, followed by the famous manager dramatic views of Snowdonia. In the village of Portmeirion – both created in afternoon, we travel to Colwyn Bay to a unique Italianate style by Sir Clough Departures & Prices visit Bodnant Garden and then we tour Williams-Ellis. Much work has been Plas Cadnant, a historic hidden garden carried out in recent years to improve the 4 June from £645pp which, much like Cornwall’s Lost Gardens gardens here, enhancing the beauty of the 16 July from £595pp architecture. Following our visit here we of Heligan, is slowly being uncovered and 13 August from £595pp restored to its former glory. (B & D) return to our original departure points. (B) Single Supplement £195 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

50 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology SUPPLEMENTNO SINGLE

G A R D E N

Sizergh Castle S AUTUMN TINTS OF THE 4 DAYS FROM LAKE DISTRICT £695

t’s easy to see why so many celebrated literary figures chose to call the Lake I District home - 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 Dove Cottage Status in 2017 and its spellbinding landscape of rolling mountains and sprawling lakes is sure to inspire even the most uncreative soul! Taking a golden leaf from the books of the area’s most famous residents, we will embark upon a scenic tour, paying visits to Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse, William Wordsworth’s idyllic Dove Cottage, and artist and critic John Ruskin’s Brantwood. Further highlights include the ‘Arts and Crafts’ house of Blackwell, the splendid gardens of Sizergh Castle and Levens Hall.

Grasmere

Your Itinerary Day 1 Our first visit is to Sizergh Castle, Day 3 Tour the delightful 17th century near Kendal. Originally built in the Middle farmhouse where Beatrix Potter lived and Ages by the Strickland family, this imposing worked, complete with the little garden that house at the gateway to the Lake District inspired ‘Peter Rabbit’ as well as the nearby Your Tour Includes stands proud in a rich and beautiful garden. gallery displaying some of her original » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at We continue to our comfortable hotel. (D) artwork. Then we visit Brantwood, John the Skiddaw Hotel, Keswick Ruskin’s ‘living laboratory’ on the shores of Day 2 We visit two of William Wordsworth’s » All visits as outlined in the itinerary Lake Coniston. (B & D) former homes, Dove Cottage, featuring the » Comfortable coach travel throughout couch referred to in the poem ‘Daffodils’, Day 4 We call in at Levens Hall, whose and his final home at Rydal Mount, which magnificent topiary was created in 1694 » Services of a professional tour manager contains many of his prized possessions. At by Monsieur Guillaume Beaumont, who the Arts & Crafts house of Blackwell we trained under Le Nôtre at Versailles. We will see many original decorative features. then return to our original departure points. Departures & Prices (B & D) (B) 31 October from £695pp No Single Supplement Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 51 NEW FOR 2021 LITERARY TRAILS OF THE SOUTH COAST

3 DAYS FROM £395

Jane Austen’s House

t is a truth universally acknowledged that many of the giants of English literature, including the author of ‘Pride and I Prejudice’ herself, have associations and connections with the south and south west of England. We have therefore strung together a sequence of visits that unites some of our best loved and most celebrated authors in these corners of the country. This South Coast tour begins at Jane Austen’s house in Chawton, regarded as the most treasured Austen site in the world, and nearby Chawton House, the ‘great house’ referred to in Jane’s letters. The next day we call at Gilbert White’s house in Selborne, where this pioneering ‘parson naturalist’ wrote his celebrated ‘Natural History and Antiquities’. We also visit the Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum in Portsmouth and Jane Austen’s grave and memorials in Winchester Cathedral and take a brief walk in the footsteps of that old romantic John Keats. Our tour concludes with a prowl around Virginia Woolf’s former residence Monk’s House and a visit to Rudyard Kipling’s old den at Bateman’s, a Jacobean house with an elegant garden.

52 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology S P E C I A L Cathedral Close, Winchester Dickens’ House I Your Itinerary N T Day 1 We depart from London and travel We continue south to Portsmouth, for a 1902-1936. ‘That’s She! The Only She! E down into Hampshire, where we visit visit to the Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Make an honest woman of her - quick!’ was two properties associated with one of Museum, whose rooms take us on a how Rudyard Kipling and his wife, Carrie, R England’s most popular authors. Jane journey not just into the birth, life and felt the first time they saw Bateman’s. E Austen’s House at Chawton is where her death of the great author, but through Surrounded by the wooded landscape of S genius flourished and where she wrote, lifestyles and preferences of people at the the Sussex Weald, this 17th-century house, revised and published all her novels. The time. A great deal of hard work, effort and with its mullioned windows and oak beams, T museum holds an important collection of insight went into decorating the house to provided a much needed sanctuary to this objects associated with Jane, including the Regency style favoured by the middle world-famous writer and inspired his work. letters written by her and personal effects classes of the time. The rooms include the The rooms, described by him as ‘untouched belonging to her and her family. Particular parlour, the dining room and the bedroom, and unfaked’, remain much as he left them, highlights include her jewellery, first in which Dickens was born in 1812. There is with oriental rugs and artefacts reflecting editions of her books, furniture, textiles also an extensive collection of memorabilia his strong association with the East. Kipling and the table at which she wrote her much associated with the author, including the wrote Puck of Pook’s Hill and Rewards loved novels. couch on which Dickens took his last and Fairies, which includes the poem ‘If,’ breath at Gad’s Hill in 1870. at Bateman’s. He also designed many of Nearby Chawton House complements the existing features of the elegant garden this treasure trove perfectly, with features Later in the afternoon we call in at himself, with a collection of roses, wild such as the reading alcove where Jane Winchester for a tour of the magnificent flowers, herbs and a watermill. The place used to sit and many items of Austen family Cathedral, where we will see the grave has the air of a quintessential English memorabilia. There is also a pleasant of Jane Austen, who was buried here in garden, as might have been dreamt of by garden with open views across the estate. 1817. We will also take a walk through homesick men in India. (B) We continue to our hotel. (D) the Cathedral Close and follow briefly in the footsteps of the celebrated English Day 2 Today we resume our literary trail, Romantic poet, John Keats, who stayed Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner heading first to Gilbert White’s House in Winchester during the late summer and in Selborne, Hampshire. It was here that early autumn of 1819 and passed through the pioneering ‘parson-naturalist’ wrote here on his daily walk. We return to the the celebrated ‘Natural History and hotel. (B & D) Antiquities’, which was first published in 1789 and has been continuously in print Day 3 We check out of the hotel and travel Your Tour Includes ever since. The rooms have been restored into Sussex on the trail of our final two following descriptions in White’s own literary greats. Monk’s House is a tranquil » Two nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at correspondence and include a chair he 16th-century weatherboarded cottage the Holiday Inn, Farnborough used at Oriel College, Oxford (loaned inhabited by Leonard and the novelist » All visits as outlined in the itinerary from the College), items of contemporary Virginia Woolf from 1919 until Leonard’s » Comfortable coach travel throughout furniture, family portraits and bed hangings death in 1969. Full of their favourite things, embroidered for him by his aunts, as well the house appears as if they just stepped » Services of a professional tour manager as the original manuscript of the book. out for a walk and shines a light not just Historic features of the garden that can still on the life and work of Virginia but on the Departures & Prices be seen include the original Haha, Sundial wider ‘Bloomsbury Group’ and the many and Fruit Wall as well as the Great Oak artists, writers and thinkers who visited. 21 May from £395pp planted in 1730. Much of the garden has We continue to Bateman’s in Burwash, 17 September from £395pp been recreated using the notes Gilbert East Sussex, the Jacobean house which White kept in his ‘Garden Kalendar’. Single Supplement £60 was the home of Rudyard Kipling from 01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 53 NEW FOR 2021 LITERARY TRAILS OF THE WEST COUNTRY

3 DAYS FROM £395

Royal Crescent, Bath

his tour takes us on the trail of further literary greats but also features Jane Austen. The two tours have been arranged so T that one follows the other, allowing anyone with a particular interest in Austen to do both. We begin in the village of Lacock, which has been used as the location for countless dramas, notably Pride and Prejudice, and continue to Bath, where we have a guided tour of ‘Jane Austen’s Bath’ as well as a visit to the Jane Austen Centre, where guides in period costume will provide an informative account of the author’s fascination with Bath. From our base in Somerset, we travel into Devon for a day on the trail of the most celebrated crime writer of them all, Dame Agatha Christie, with visits to the Torquay Museum with its dedicated Christie gallery and Greenway, Agatha’s holiday home, which she referred to as ‘the loveliest place in the world’. On our final day, our attention turns to Thomas Hardy as we head for Dorchester and visit the cottage in which he was born and the house he designed himself and lived in until his death in 1928.

54 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology S P E C I A L Thomas Hardy’s Cottage Lacock I Your Itinerary N T Day 1 We depart from London for Lacock This relaxed and atmospheric house is set with roses around the door and the E in , which will be instantly in the 1950s, when Agatha and her family accompanying sound of birdsong. Once recognisable having been used as the would spend summers and Christmases inside, we discover that 19th-century rural R location for countless TV and film period here with friends, relaxing by the river, life, with its open hearths, small windows E costume dramas, from Cranford and playing croquet and clock golf, and reading and stone floors, was not always idyllic. S Wolf Hall to Harry Potter. It also featured her latest mystery to their guests. The In the afternoon we visit Max Gate, the prominently in the BBC’s acclaimed family were great collectors, and the house T house that Thomas Hardy designed adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and is filled with archaeology, Tunbridgeware, and lived in from 1885 until his death in Prejudice with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. silver, botanical china and books. 1928. This is where he wrote Tess of the We continue to Bath, which has also In the garden, a large and romantic d’Urbervilles, Jude the Obscure and The seen its fair share of film crews and is woodland drifts down the hillside Mayor of Casterbridge, as well as much of also associated with Jane Austen, who towards the sparkling Dart estuary. his poetry. The National Trust has recently lived here for some years before moving The walled gardens are home to a opened up the small dressing room where to Chawton in Hampshire and used the restored peach house and vinery, as Hardy used to take his morning bath, city as the backdrop to Northanger Abbey well as an allotment cared for by local and we will also learn about his faithful and Persuasion. We will be joined by a school children. A visit to Greenway isn’t but rather grumpy fox terrier, Wessex. local guide for a walking tour of ‘Jane complete without seeing the Boathouse, Following our visit, we return to our original Austen’s Bath’, featuring some of the scene of the crime in Dead Man’s Folly, departure points. (B) finest examples of Georgian architecture and the battery complete with cannon. in the country. We conclude with a visit to (B & D) the Jane Austen Centre, set in a classically Day 3 After breakfast we depart decorated Georgian townhouse, where Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner for Dorchester, which has become guides in period costume will provide an synonymous with the novelist Thomas exciting and informative account of the Hardy. We first visit Hardy’s Cottage, author’s fascination with Bath. where the author was born in 1840. Built of We continue our journey to our cob and thatch by his great-grandfather, comfortable accommodation in Somerset. the house has been altered little since (D) the family left. The garden reflects most people’s idea of a typical cottage garden, Your Tour Includes Day 2 Today we head down into Devon for a day on the trail of the most celebrated » Two nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at crime writer of them all, Dame Agatha the Holiday Inn, Taunton Christie. On arrival in Torquay we will view » All visits as outlined in the itinerary the sights on the ‘Agatha Christie Mile’, » Comfortable coach travel throughout including the Grand Hotel, where Agatha spent her honeymoon night on Christmas » Services of a professional tour manager Eve 1914; Torre Abbey, Princess Gardens and the Princess Pier, before visiting the Torquay Museum, which has the UK’s only Departures & Prices dedicated Agatha Christie gallery. 18 May from £395pp Later we continue to Greenway, Agatha’s 14 September from £395pp holiday home that she referred to as ‘the Single Supplement £90 loveliest place in the world’. Agatha Christie, Torquay

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 55 NEW FOR 2021 STEAM TRAINS OF YORKSHIRE

4 DAYS FROM £695

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

he star of Channel 5’s ‘The Yorkshire Steam Railway’, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, is one of the most popular T heritage railways in the country and also one of the longest, travelling through some glorious scenery in a truly authentic recreation of the golden age of steam. We take the train as far as Grosmont and continue to Whitby, where we visit the town’s newest attraction, a full-size replica of Captain James Cook’s bark Endeavour. Our other two steam train experiences are on the Wensleydale Railway, which takes us from Leeming Bar to the terminus at Redmire and back, a round trip of about two and a half hours, full of the evocative sights and sounds of the steam age, and on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, which packs a lot into its relatively short length and is in constant demand as a film and TV location thanks to its wealth of period detail. We conclude with a pilgrimage to the National Railway Museum in York, a mecca for all rail enthusiasts with its unrivalled collection of locomotives, coaches and countless other railway memorabilia.

56 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology S P E C I A L Keighley and Worth Valley Railway HMS Endeavour, Whitby I Your Itinerary N T Day 1 We depart by train on a morning Day 3 We depart for Keighley, the starting Day 4 We return to York and visit the E service from London Kings Cross to York. point for our journey on the Keighley & National Railway Museum, home to On arrival we join our coach and continue Worth Valley Railway, one of Britain’s the world’s largest collection of railway R north to Leeming Bar, the starting point for premier heritage railways, which packs memorabilia from tickets and posters to E our nostalgic journey on the Wensleydale a lot into its relatively short five-mile giant locomotives. Among these are the S Railway. One of the more recently founded length. It is a very popular location for world’s fastest steam engine Mallard, heritage railways, the Wensleydale began period dramas with scores of TV and film the exquisitely streamlined Duchess of T operating in 1996 in conjunction with the credits, most notably the 1970 classic Hamilton, a replica of George Stephenson’s Ministry of Defence, who still run military The Railway Children and more recently pioneering Rocket, Queen Victoria’s royal transport trains over this former branch the BBC’s Peaky Blinders. The sound of a carriage and the only bullet train to be line. Our train of vintage carriages, normally steam locomotive tackling the climb out found outside Japan. hauled by a steam engine, will take us from of Keighley echoes from the steep sides of Following our visit we will have some free Leeming Bar to the terminus at Redmire the valley, while great clouds of steam add time to shop and sightsee in historic York and back, a round trip of about two and a drama to the scene. before assembling at an agreed time for half hours, full of the evocative sights and We travel the length of the branch to the our train journey back to London Kings sounds of the steam age. terminus at Oxenhope then return as far as Cross. (B) We continue by coach to our comfortable Haworth, where we will alight and transfer Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner hotel in Harrogate. (D) to the Brontë Paronage Museum. Set in the modest parsonage where the Brontës Day 2 Following breakfast we will transfer lived in the mid-nineteenth century, the to Pickering where we will enjoy a one museum tells the story of how sisters way trip on the North Yorkshire Moors Charlotte, Emily and Anne came to write Railway, as featured on Channel 5’s TV some of the most powerful and dramatic series The Yorkshire Steam Railway. The novels in the English language. NYMR was opened in 1836, closed in 1965 and reopened in 1973 by the North Following our visit we will complete the Your Tour Includes York Moors Historical Railway Trust. It train journey back to Keighley and return to » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at travels through glorious countryside and a Harrogate where the rest of the afternoon Crowne Plaza Hotel, Harrogate sequence of beautifully preserved stations, will be free to explore this genteel spa providing an accurate and evocative town. (B & D) » Return standard class rail travel from London to York (first class up grades recreation of the glory days of rail travel. and regional connections available; We will leave the train at Grosmont and £80 reduction for no rail travel) and comfortable coach travel continue by coach to the pretty harbour town of Whitby, famous for its association » All visits as outlined in the itinerary with Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula. We will » Services of a professional tour manager enjoy some free time here for lunch (not included) before visiting Whitby’s newest attraction, a full-size replica of Captain Departures & Prices James Cook’s bark Endeavour. Exhibits on board include the Captain’s Cabin, 20 June from £695pp the Capstan and Ship’s Wheel, Nautical 3 October from £695pp Knots, Looking into the Stars and Botanical Bounty. (B & D) Single Supplement £195 Wensleydale Railway

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 57 NEW FOR 2021 SCENIC RAILWAYS OF NORTH WALES

4 DAYS FROM £795

Snowdon Mountain Railway

hen the extension of the Welsh Highland Railway from Rhyd-Ddu to Porthmadog was completed it became possible to W travel by narrow-gauge railway all the way from Caernarfon to Blaenau-Ffestiniog, a journey of some 40 miles, hauled by the most powerful 2-foot gauge steam locomotives in the world. We start under the walls of an ancient castle, run past streams, lakes and woodland, swing around tight curves and hug the side of the magnificent Aberglaslyn Pass on the way to Porthmadog. There we join up with the historic Ffestiniog Railway and its famously scenic route up to the dramatic slate quarries of Blaenau Ffestiniog. There are two more wonderfully scenic train journeys to enjoy in this steam-filled tour, a leisurely puff to the top of Mount Snowdon to the newly rebuilt summit restaurant with its breathtaking views and a short but atmospheric run along the Dee Valley from Llangollen. Rail travel from London to North Wales is included, making for a relaxing start and end to our tour.

58 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology S P E C I A L Caernarfon Castle Ffestiniog Railway I Your Itinerary N T Day 1 We depart by train from London Day 3 We return to the heart of Day 4 Following breakfast we check out of E Euston to Crewe, where we change trains Snowdownia and a unique railway journey the hotel and begin our homeward journey. and continue on the scenic North Wales up the slopes of Snowdon itself, the We will travel along the A5 to Carrog, the R line as far as Bangor. We continue by coach highest mountain in England and Wales terminus of the Llangollen Railway, where E to our comfortable accommodation in (1,085m). As the train climbs through the we take a heritage train ride (normally S Caernarfon. (D) atmospheric landscape of Snowdon (at steam-hauled) along the scenic Dee Valley a stately 5 mile per hour) we will absorb which runs along a re-laid stretch of the T Day 2 Following breakfast we transfer ourselves in the rich myth, legend and former Ruabon to Barmouth main line. to the station in Caernarfon, the starting history Snowdonia has to offer. Based on Alighting at Llangollen, we continue by point for our journey on the Welsh Victorian engineering, Snowdon Mountain coach to Crewe in time for our train back Highland Railway. The most powerful Railway is the only public rack and pinion to London. (B) 2’ gauge steam locomotives in the world railway in the United Kingdom and a true take us through the fabulous scenery of majestic mountain adventure. Arriving at the Snowdonia National Park, snaking the summit there will be an opportunity for around seemingly impossible bends, up refreshments in the critically-acclaimed hard gradients and around the foothills Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner café and visitor centre which in 2009 of Snowdon to arrive at Rhyd Ddu, about replaced the building previously described 12 miles from Caernarfon and high up in by Prince Charles as the ‘highest slum in the Snowdonian mountains. As the line Wales’. zig-zags down the steep hillside, new and unexpected vistas of the surrounding After an opportunity for lunch in mountains are revealed at every turn. Llanberis (not included), we will return to Caernarfon, where the remainder of the After a break in Porthmadog we continue afternoon is free to explore our host town. on the Ffestiniog Railway, the oldest Recommended is a visit to the impressive independent railway company in the world, Caernarfon Castle (entrance not included), founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832. Your Tour Includes where in 1969 HRH Prince Charles was The railway was built as a gravity and invested as Prince of Wales on a specially » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at horse-drawn line to transport slate from the created dais of Welsh slate which remains the Celtic Royal Hotel, Caernarfon quarries in the mountains around Blaenau there today. (B & D) Ffestiniog. Following a decline in the slate » Standard class rail travel from London to industry the railway closed for a time but Bangor and Crewe to London (first class up grades and regional connections fortunately was taken over by a group of available; £85 reduction for no rail enthusiasts and is now one of Wales’ top travel) tourist attractions. The little narrow-gauge steam engines have great character and » All visits and comfortable coach travel are perfectly suited to the task of hauling » Services of a professional tour manager their trains of colourfully liveried carriages through the peaceful Welsh countryside. Departures & Prices We alight at the terminus in Blaenau Ffestiniog and return to our hotel by coach, 21 May from £795pp travelling via the Snowdonia National 1 September from £795pp Park. (B & D) Single Supplement £195 Llangollen Railway

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 59 NEW FOR 2021

Lanhydrock HISTORIC HOUSES OF DEVON & CORNWALL

4 DAYS FROM he neighbouring counties of Devon and Cornwall offer a rich T selection of historic houses across a broad expanse of English £795 history, from medieval times through the Tudor, Georgian and Victorian Cotehele eras and into the twentieth century. Buckland Abbey is the oldest property in our selection and was once home to one of England’s greatest adventurers. Prideaux Place has its origins in the Norman Conquest though the house we see today dates from the reign of Elizabeth I, and we see another fine Tudor house at Cothele in Devon. Lanhydrock dates back to the 17th century, while the Georgian era is represented by the grand house at Killerton. Castle Drogo has the appearance of a medieval fortress, however it was actually built in the early 20th century by renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Buckland Abbey

Your Itinerary Day 1 We depart from our pick-up points Day 3 We cross back into Devon as we Your Tour Includes and head down into Devon, where we visit two outstanding historic properties » Three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast begin with a visit to Castle Drogo, which - Cotehele, a Tudor house with many at the Lanhydrock Hotel and Golf Club has undergone extensive renovation. We stories and legends and Buckland Abbey, » All visits as outlined in the itinerary continue to our hotel in Cornwall. (D) which started life as a peaceful Cistercian monastery in 1278 and was later home to » Luxury coach travel throughout Day 2 We visit nearby Lanhydrock, a magnificent seventeenth century house Sir Francis Drake. (B & D) » Services of a professional tour manager surrounded by nineteenth century formal Day 4 We tour the Georgian house of terraced gardens. In the afternoon we Killerton, with its magnificent collection of Departures & Prices explore Prideaux Place, a charming eighteenth to twentieth century costumes Elizabethan manor which has been lived in in period rooms, followed by time to wander 6 May from £795pp by the same family since its completion in among the extensive gardens. Following 15 July from £795pp 1592. (B & D) our visit we return to our original departure Single Supplement £150 points. (B) Supplement for non-NT/NTS members £65pp Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

60 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology NEW FOR 2021

S P E C I A L Athelhampton House I N T HISTORIC HOUSES OF E R DORSET E S 4 DAYS FROM he county of Dorset is a rich repository of historic houses, with T T many properties recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Each £795 one has a multitude of stories to tell, some having changed hands many Forde Abbey times, others having been home to the same family for centuries. Exquisite furnishings, fine art and a range of architectural styles will be discovered as we tour the houses. Our guide at Minterne House will be none other than the owner himself, Lord Digby, who will give us a personal insight into the 1,000 year history of the influential families who have lived here, including connections to the Duke of Marlborough and the Churchill dynasty. Other visits include Kingston Lacy, with its fine collection of paintings, and Mapperton, described as “The nation’s finest manor house”.

Kingston Lacy

Your Itinerary Your Tour Includes Day 1 Our first visit is to the elegant Day 3 A trio of historic properties » Three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at Hotel Royale, Bournemouth country mansion of Kingston Lacy. The awaits today, all close to Dorchester. house features grand, beautifully detailed Athelhampton House dates from Tudor » One lunch carvings, intimate family souvenirs and times and we visit both Thomas Hardy’s » All visits as outlined in the itinerary strange curiosities such as an ‘I owe you’ Birthplace and his later home at Max note from a king. We continue to our hotel Gate. (B & D) » Luxury coach travel throughout in Bournemouth. (D) Day 4 Our tour concludes with a real » Services of a professional tour manager Day 2 We visit Mapperton, which was treat as we are welcomed at Minterne described by Country Life magazine as House by owner Lord Digby, who will give Departures & Prices “The nation’s finest manor house” and us a personal guided tour of the house, is home to some wonderful paintings. providing a fascinating insight into the 23 April from £795pp In the afternoon we continue to Forde 1,000 year history of the illustrious families 3 September from £795pp Abbey, which has a rich and varied history who have lived here. After lunch here he Single Supplement £175 spanning 900 years. (B & D) will guide us round the gardens, adorned with Himalayan shrubs. (B & L) Supplement for non-NT/NTS members £40pp Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 208164 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 61 NEW FOR 2021

Penrhyn Castle HISTORIC HOUSES OF 4 DAYS FROM NORTH WALES £795

orth Wales is home to a tempting range of historic houses, encompassing N a broad sweep of Welsh history, from the Medieval and Jacobean eras to Victorian times. All have tales to tell, from the life of luxury upstairs to the Plas Newydd unending toil of downstairs, from Napoleonic war heroes to things that go bump in the night… We start at Erddig Hall, one of the most fascinating houses in Britain due to the unusually close relationship that existed between the family and their servants. On Anglesey we find Plas Newydd, famous for its Whistler mural as well as relics from the Battle of Waterloo, and across the Menai Strait lies Penryhn Castle, typical of the type of house built by wealthy Victorian merchants. Bodhryddan Hall, Aberconwy House and Plas Teg complete a diverse itinerary.

Conwy

Your Itinerary Your Tour Includes Day 1 We head for Wales, where our Day 3 We begin today at Bodhryddan » Three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast first visit will be to Erddig Hall, one of the Hall, one of the few remaining family at the Dunoon Hotel, Llandudno (or most fascinating houses in Britain, with owned stately homes in Wales. Later we similar) some stunning state rooms. We continue visit Aberconwy House, one of the oldest » All visits as outlined in the itinerary to our comfortable hotel in the beautifully datable medieval merchant houses in » Luxury coach travel throughout preserved Victorian seaside town of Wales, and explore the town of Conwy with Llandudno. (D) its famous suspension bridge. (B & D) » Services of a professional tour manager Day 2 On either side of the Menai Strait Day 4 Our final visit is to Plas Teg, one of we visit Plas Newydd, an elegant house the most important Jacobean houses in Departures & Prices famous for its connections with the Battle Wales, dating from 1610. A private guided of Waterloo and the artist Rex Whistler, tour is included here, during which we will 29 May from £795pp and Penrhyn Castle, a classic example of a also learn about some of the paranormal 25 September from £795pp wealthy Victorian merchant’s house. activity that has been observed here… (B) (B & D) Single Supplement £90 Supplement for non-NT/NTS members £55pp Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

62 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology NEW FOR 2021

S P E C I A L Balmoral I N T HISTORIC HOUSES OF E R ABERDEENSHIRE E 4 DAYS FROM S berdeenshire is dotted with historic houses and castles, many of T A them outstanding examples of Scots Baronial architecture. Each £595 one has a fascinating story to tell with countless legends and several royal Fyvie Castle connections. Our tour starts with a bang at Drum Castle, where 700 years of history is woven into its battlements. Haddo House showcases the crisp neo-classical style of William Adam, while Fyvie Castle presents a prime example of the more extravagant Scots Baronial form. Castle Fraser is the most elaborate Z-plan castle in Scotland, while Craigievar seems simply to have grown naturally out of the rolling hills. The Queen’s late summer residence of Balmoral Castle is the most modern property we visit, though no less fascinating, and we conclude at glorious Crathes Castle. Craigievar Castle

Your Tour Includes Your Itinerary » Three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the 4-star Ardoe Country House Day 1 We begin at Drum Castle and Day 3 We start at Castle Fraser, one of Hotel, Aberdeen Gardens. The sweep of 700 years of the grandest of the Scottish baronial tower history is stamped into Drum’s stalwart houses, with a strikingly simple Great Hall. » All visits as outlined in the itinerary battlements, medieval square tower and Next is Craigievar Castle, whose great » Luxury coach travel throughout sprawling extensions. (D) tower stands just as it did when completed » Services of a professional tour manager in 1626, and we round off the day at Day 2 Our first visit of the day is to Haddo Balmoral, which needs little introduction as House. Unusual for Aberdeenshire in a favourite royal residence. (B & D) that it is not a castle, the house elegantly Departures & Prices blends crisp Georgian architecture with Day 4 We conclude at Crathes Castle, set 28 April from £595pp sumptuous late Victorian interiors. Later against a backdrop of rolling hills and within we visit the magnificent fortress of Fyvie its own glorious gardens. Crathes is every 6 June from £595pp Castle, with ghosts, legends and folklore inch the classic Scottish tower house, with 18 July from £595pp woven into its 800 year history. (B & D) a labyrinth of cultural and family history. (B) Single Supplement £150 Supplement for non-NT/NTS members £100pp Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 208164 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 63 NEW FOR 2021 CASTLES & HOUSES OF LINCOLNSHIRE

4 DAYS FROM £695

Grimsthorpe Castle

he county of Lincolnshire is littered with historic halls, mansions and castles. From our comfortable base on the outskirts T of the cathedral city of Lincoln we tour the county and sample the delights of one fine property after another. Our first port of call is Belton Hall, often cited as the perfect example of an English country house estate with a fine collection of porcelain and silver. Rising from the flat Lincolnshire fens is Tattershall House, built to be a statement of power and wealth and one of the finest examples of medieval brickwork, while at the foot of the wolds lies Gunby Hall, a homely country house with a fine garden. Doddington Hall also boasts notable gardens as well as a fascinating collection of furniture and other items accumulated over 400 years. Following our visit here, we spend the afternoon in Lincoln itself, visiting both the castle and the cathedral, both oozing with history. We round off in style with a visit to the impressive Grimsthorpe Castle, where we enjoy a private tour of the castle followed by time to explore the intricate gardens, thought to date back to at least 1500.

64 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology S P E C I A L Tattershall Castle Doddington Hall I Your Itinerary N T Day 1 Our first visit is to Belton Hall, often Completed in 1600, it has never been sold of the castle. An unexpected marriage of E cited as the perfect example of an English or cleared out since and remains a much architectural styles, the quirkiness of the country house estate. Although built on loved family home, alive with history and Tudor south façade is contrasted by the R a modest scale, it has a fine collection of interest. Over 400 years of unbroken family Baroque splendour of the principal north E porcelain and silver, a world-renowned occupation has resulted in fascinating front, the final masterpiece of Sir John S library and architectural finesse that collections of furniture, weaponry, Vanbrugh, architect of Blenheim Palace reflects the continued wealth and cultured paintings, ceramics, textiles, household and Castle Howard. Inside, our tour takes T tastes of its former owners, the Brownlow objects, porcelain and a wealth of amusing us from one sumptuously decorated room family. We then continue to Lincoln and stories. The romantic gardens remain to another. Following our tour we are our comfortable accommodation. (D) faithful to the original Elizabethan layout, free to explore the gardens, which are with mellow walls providing the framework. thought to have been in existence since at Day 2 We head for Tattershall Castle, least 1500. Later we return to our original a magnificent 15th century red brick In the afternoon we return to Lincoln departure points. (B) castle, built to be a statement of power where we will visit the Castle and the and wealth, with huge Gothic fireplaces Cathedral. Built by William the Conqueror and windows. The Great Tower is one of in 1068, Lincoln Castle has stood for the earliest and finest surviving examples hundreds of years as a symbol of power of English medieval brickwork and was and seat of justice. It is also home to one saved from exportation to America by Lord of just four remaining copies of the iconic Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner Curzon of Kedleston in 1911. We can take Magna Carta produced in 1215. Nearby the winding staircase, wander through vast is Lincoln Cathedral, arguably the finest echoing chambers and walk out onto the Gothic building in Europe. It was reputedly battlements revealing the beauty of the the tallest building in the world for over surrounding countryside. 200 years and features spectacular vaults, rose windows and a unique stone carving In the afternoon we visit Gunby Hall, a known as the ‘Lincoln Imp’. (B & D) homely country house from 1700, set in

Victorian walled gardens at the foot of the Day 4 We check out of the hotel and visit Lincolnshire Wolds. Modest sized rooms the impressive Grimsthorpe Castle. Here full of charm and character make it easy to Your Tour Includes we are welcomed with morning coffee imagine one’s self living here. With links to and biscuits before enjoying a private tour » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at Tennyson, Darwin and Vaughan-Williams the 4-star Bentley Hotel, Lincoln there is much to discover as we explore the three floors of the hall, packed full » All visits as outlined in the itinerary of interesting collection pieces amassed » Comfortable coach travel throughout over generations from 1700 until 1967. We will also have time to enjoy Gunby’s fine » Services of a professional tour manager garden, with features including an ancient cedar of Lebanon, a cutting border, a rose garden, a yellow border and a herb garden. Departures & Prices (B & D) 26 June from £695pp Day 3 We begin with a visit to Doddington 1 October from £695pp Hall, which was begun in 1595 and is a fine Single Supplement £90 example of a late Elizabethan mansion. Lincoln

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 65 NEW FOR 2021 CASTLES & HOUSES OF NORTHUMBERLAND

4 DAYS FROM £795

Bamburgh Castle

visit to the low lying coast and wide open spaces of Northumberland is always a treat but when it includes a host of A historic houses and castles the pleasure is magnified greatly. Perhaps the most impressive of these is Bamburgh Castle, which sprawls over a rocky plateau on the coast, close to the Farne Islands. Late in its long life it was bought by the visionary inventor and philanthropist Lord Armstrong, whose innovative house at Cragside we will also visit. Further highlights include a trip to the holy island of Lindisfarne and visits to both the castle and priory; a visit to Belsay Hall, built in 19th century Greek revival style from stone carved from its own quarry which was later transformed into a unique garden; and Wallington House, which dates back to 1688 and also boasts a fine garden. Then there is Alnwick Castle, which has been described as the ‘Windsor of the North’ and is the second largest inhabited castle in England. For once we will spend more time in the castle than in the neighbouring garden, but it would be remiss not to visit this most inspiring of projects.

66 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology S P E C I A L Lindisfarne Alnwick Castle I Your Itinerary N T Day 1 We let the train take the strain as Day 3 We depart for Alnwick Castle, Day 4 We travel into the Northumbrian E we depart from London Kings Cross for the historic home of the Duke of countryside for the last time as we visit Newcastle, with a journey time of just Northumberland, which has been described Wallington House, which dates back to R three hours - alternatively you can join the as the ‘Windsor of the North’ and is the 1688 and was home to many generations E tour in Newcastle. We then continue by second-largest inhabited castle in England. of the Blackett and Trevelyn families, all of S coach to Belsay Hall, a classical brown It has been in the possession of the Percy whom have left their legacy behind. The stone mansion built in Greek revival style. family since 1309 and the castle houses house is set in magnificent grounds with T Enjoying spectacular views of the magnolia an exquisite collection of art treasures, lawns, lakes and woodlands, and a stroll terrace, the family bedrooms retain including the finest examples of Italian here will be the perfect finale to our short their original fireplace grates and floral paintings in the north of England. Lunch break. We then return to Newcastle for our wallpaper from the 1800s. The hall was built (not included) is available in the adjoining afternoon train journey back to London from rock carved from Belsay’s very own Alnwick Garden, accessed by a pleasant Kings Cross. (B) quarry, which was later transformed into an walk through the grounds. exciting and dramatic garden. We continue In the afternoon we visit Cragside House by coach to our hotel in Newcastle. (D) at Rothbury. Cragside was designed by Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner Day 2 Today we travel north along the Norman Shaw for the industrialist and dramatic Northumberland coast to inventor Lord Armstrong (he who later Bamburgh Castle, an impressive fortress purchased Bamburgh Castle) and was built that has stood guard here for over 1,400 in 1870. The very name makes one think years. The 150 feet high escarpment of a Grimm fairy tale and the appearance and natural harbour made Bamburgh of the house rising high above a rocky the obvious choice for the sixth century bluff overlooking the Debdon Valley has Kings of Northumbria to build their royal more than a touch of Wagner. This was capital, Din Guaydri. Lord William George the first house in the world to be lit by Armstrong bought Bamburgh Castle in hydroelectricity and it is crammed full of Your Tour Includes 1894 and set about transforming it into his ingenious gadgets – most of them still vision of the archetypal castle. The castle working. Below the house a precipitous » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at houses his unique collection of artwork, rock garden cascades down the slopes to a the 4-star Maldron Hotel, Newcastle ceramics and objets d’art. formal garden. (B & D) » Return standard class rail travel from London to Newcastle (first class A few miles along the coast lies the upgrades and regional connections Holy Island of Lindisfarne, accessed by available; £100pp discount for no rail) causeway. Perched atop a rocky crag, the All visits as outlined in the itinerary 16th century Lindisfarne Castle presents » an exciting and alluring aspect. Originally a » Comfortable coach travel Tudor fort, it was converted into a private » Services of a professional tour manager house in 1903 by the young Edwin Lutyens. The nearby Benedictine Priory, built during the late 11th century, was one of the Departures & Prices most important centres of early Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England. (B & D) 2 June from £795pp 15 September from £795pp Single Supplement £120 Cragside

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 67 NEW FOR 2021 WALKING IN THE OUTER HEBRIDES

5 DAYS FROM £995

Luskentyre, Harris

here can be few finer experiences for the keen walker than to set out on a bright and breezy morning with a spring in T your step and the prospect of enjoying some of the most spectacular scenery to be seen anywhere in the British Isles. But that is exactly what you can expect on this new opportunity to walk in Hebridean heaven on the island of Harris. A highly scenic drive through the Highlands and a pleasant sail from Skye takes us to our comfortable hotel in Tarbert, Harris. Over the following three days, we will set out on a series of stimulating walks featuring some of the finest vistas and most fascinating ancient monuments that the Western Isles have to offer. There is a circular walk round the island of Scalpay and its picturesque lighthouse, followed by a stroll along the much-photographed but usually deserted Luskentyre Beach; rambles among the ruins of Carloway Broch and the mesmerising Standing Stones of Callanish, and a challenging but highly rewarding walk from Tarbert with stunning coastal views. So pack your boots, poles and cagoules (just in case) and let’s walk!

68 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology S P E C I A L Callanish Standing Stones Harris I Your Itinerary N T Day 1 We depart from our designated Day 4 Our walk today begins and E pick-up points in Scotland and head ends in Tarbert as we follow the Urgha north, crossing by the bridge to the and Maraig Circuit. This circular walk R Isle of Skye. As we drive across the takes in the superbly engineered old E island keep an eye out for the dramatic footpath from Urgha to Rhenigidale, S Cuillin Hills, often wreathed in mist. We with stunning coastal views, before then take the early evening ferry from following a quiet minor road to the T Uig to Tarbert on the Isle of Harris. east of Todun. The return is then along On arrival, we travel the very short the old path over Braigh an Ruisg distance to our hotel, where dinner will and past Lochanan Lascadail. At be served. (D) 11.5 miles this is the longest and most challenging of our walks but very Today we undertake the first Day 2 rewarding. Should anyone wish to of our walks as we transfer by coach make a shorter walk transfers can be to the island of Scalpay, connected arranged. (B, L & D) by a bridge, and make the circular walk (6.25 miles) that takes in the Day 5 After a leisurely breakfast and lighthouse, woodland and lochans of time for a stroll around Tarbert we take the island. After enjoying our packed the late morning ferry back to Uig and lunch our coach will transfer us to drive across Skye. We return to the Luskentyre Beach, claimed to be one mainland by the bridge and return to of the best beaches in the UK. We our original departure points, a little have some free time here for a leisurely foot-sore and weary perhaps, but with Dun Carloway Broch walk (up to 2.75 miles) or to capture wonderful memories and a good few an idyllic photograph with views to the photos of the fabulous Outer Hebrides. island of Taransay, as featured on the (B) TV reality show ‘Castaway’. (B, L & D) Your Tour Includes Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner Day 3 We travel to the island of Lewis » Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at today as we transfer to Dun Carloway the Harris Hotel, Tarbert Broch, an Iron Age structure that » Three packed lunches is one of the best examples of its » All walks and visits as outlined in the type. Here we take a circular walk itinerary (3.25 miles) from the broch, over moorland and along a stretch of the » Comfortable coach travel and all ferry crossings west coast with sweeping views across the Atlantic Ocean. In the afternoon » Services of a professional tour manager we travel even further back in time as we visit the 5,000-year-old Standing Stones of Callanish, the most Departures & Prices remarkable antiquity in the Hebrides. The walk (2.25 miles) also takes in the 6 April from £995pp two smaller sets of stones, Callanish II 23 July from £1035pp and III. (B, L & D) Single Supplement £160 Scalpay

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 69 NEW FOR 2021

Monsal Trail WALKING IN THE 5 DAYS FROM PEAK DISTRICT £795

he Peak District of Derbyshire offers some of the finest walking in England, T with its distinctive limestone-scarred landscape of rolling hills and wooded dales. Bracing walks in the morning are complemented by stimulating visits in the Haddon Hall afternoon featuring the historic houses and natural wonders of the region. The first of our walks takes us from Bakewell to Chatsworth House, Derbyshire’s jewel in the crown, through wonderful woodland and peaceful pastures with far reaching views to the peaks beyond. The next day we can expect gentle gradients as we walk along the trackbed of a former railway line to Bakewell and beside the River Derwent to Haddon Hall, a romantic and historic property with a lovely rose garden. Our final walk takes us from the village of Eyam, which famously ‘self isolated’ during the plague years of the 16th century over heather-covered moors into the deep and sheltered valley of Bretton Clough and an idyllic country pub. In the afternoon we venture underground at the Blue John Cavern where beautiful blue semi-precious gemstones were once mined. Chatsworth House

Your Itinerary Your Tour Includes Day 1 Coach pick-ups are provided at East Day 3 Transfer by coach to Blackwell » Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast Midlands Airport and Sheffield Railway Mill, starting point of the Monsal Trail to at the Mercure Hotel Kenwood Hall, Station, or travel independently to our Bakewell, which follows the trackbed of the Sheffield hotel. (D) former Midland Railway line (8.5 miles). We » All walks and visits as outlined in the then walk by the River Derwent for a visit to itinerary Day 2 We transfer by coach to Bakewell Haddon Hall. (B & D) then walk from here to Chatsworth House. » Comfortable coach travel From the Wye valley the walk passes Day 4 Transfer by coach to the village of » Services of a professional tour manager through woods then emerges onto Carlton Eyam which is famous for its history in the Pasture with far reaching views toward days of the great plague in the 17th century. the ‘Edges’ for which the Peak District is From here we walk over the moors to a pub famed. We then descend a track to see in an idyllic setting. We walk back to Eyam Chatsworth suddenly appear – a golden with far reaching views in every direction palace nestling beside the Derwent. After a then visit the Blue John Cavern. (B & D) Departures & Prices visit to the house we walk back to Bakewell Day 5 Depart independently or transfer by along ancient tracks and country roads 12 September from £795pp coach to the station and airport. (B) (6.5-10 miles depending on route). (B & D) Single Supplement £200 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

70 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology NEW FOR 2021

S P E C I A L Saint’s Way I N T WALKING IN E R CORNWALL E 5 DAYS FROM S ur Cornish springtime walking experience is based around the T O 28-mile Saint’s Way that runs coast to coast from Padstow to £995 Fowey, continuing along the probable route of early Christian travellers Pencarrow making their way from Ireland to the Continent, which unlocks the atmosphere of the fascinating Celtic past and traditions of the region. After walking the first section from Padstow to Withiel, we have a relaxing afternoon in the country house garden of Pencarrow before returning to our hotel in Lanhydrock. Next day, we walk the section from Withiel to Lanivery and in the afternoon explore the National Trust property that lies close to our hotel, Lanhydrock House and Gardens. After walking the final section of the trail from Lanivery to Fowey and enjoying some free time in this picturesque harbour village we transfer to Marsh Villa, situated in a former tidal creek made famous by Daphne du Maurier’s book, The House on the Strand. Lanhydrock

Your Itinerary Your Tour Includes » Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at Day 1 Travel independently to our hotel Day 3 We transfer by coach to Withiel and the Lanhydrock Hotel and Golf Club near Lostwithiel. (D) walk the section to Lanivery, enjoying the peaceful Cornish countryside (10 miles). » All walks and visits as outlined in the Day 2 We transfer by coach to Padstow Our afternoon visit is to the house and itinerary on the Atlantic coast, the starting point of gardens of Lanhydrock, the perfect spot » Comfortable coach travel in Cornwall the Saint’s Way to Fowey. We will walk the for a relaxing afternoon. (B & D) first section to Withiel (10 miles), following » Services of a professional tour manager well-signposted paths and the ‘green lanes’ Day 4 Our final walk (8 miles) takes us so typical of Cornwall. Our coach will meet from Lanivery along the banks of the River us at Withiel and transfer us to nearby Fowey to Fowey itself, a picturesque little Pencarrow, a 50-acre country house harbour village. After some free time here garden that has such diverse features as we transfer to the nearby gardens of Marsh Departures & Prices a Victorian rockery, Italian gardens, an ice Villa, the result of years of hard work by the house and an Iron Age fort. We then return enthusiastic owner. (B & D) 19 April from £995pp by coach to the hotel. (B & D) Day 5 Depart independently for home. (B) 30 August from £995pp Single Supplement £195 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 208164 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 71 NEW FOR 2021

MS Loire Princesse ©CroisiEurope CASTLES AND GARDENS OF THE LOIRE

6 DAYS FROM he châteaux and gardens of the Loire Valley in France are justly T famous for their fairy-tale architecture and formal splendour. For £1995 the first time we are delighted to offer the unique opportunity to tour Clisson these iconic sites while enjoying all the pleasures of river cruising. On board the MS Loire Princesse, especially designed for the wide but shallow River Loire and propelled by paddle wheels, we can expect refined French cuisine, with drinks included, along with a personal welcome from Captain and crew. On shore, choose from a range of excursions that will take you to some of the outstanding sites of the Loire. These include the châteaux of Ussé, the inspiration behind ‘Sleeping Beauty’; Villandry, with its superb formal gardens and Angers, where a tiny garden and vineyard are concealed within the massive walls. Wine lovers can also enjoy a tour of the Muscadet region.

Azay-le-Rideau

Your Itinerary Day 1 We depart by train from London Day 4 Cruise to Bouchemaine. Choose Your Tour Includes St Pancras for Nantes via . In the from optional excursions to the Château » Five nights’ full board in a main deck evening there is the option of a boat cruise d’Angers with its massive walls, tiny cabin on the MS Loire Princesse (cabin of the River Erdre. (D) vineyard and Apocalypse tapestry or a upgrades available at a supplement) wine-tasting at Brissac. (B, L & D) Day 2 Cruise from Nantes to St Nazaire. » Standard class rail travel from London Optional excursion in Nantes and to the Day 5 Cruise to Ancenis. Included is a to Nantes (first class upgrades available at a supplement) excellent Ocean Liner Museum, which full-day excursion to the Loire Châteaux tells the story of French transatlantic of iconic Azay-le-Rideau; Villandry, with » Full programme of both included and liners and the huge St Nazaire Shipyard. its legendary formal gardens and Ussé, optional excursions (at a supplement) (B, L & D) inspiration behind the fairy tale Sleeping » Services of a professional tour manager Day 3 Cruise from St Nazaire this morning. Beauty. (B, L & D) Wine lovers will enjoy the opportunity of Day 6 Disembark in Nantes and return by an optional excursion along the Muscadet train to London via Paris. (B) Departures & Prices Wine Route to Clisson, a charming 2 July from £1995pp medieval town. (B, L & D) Single Supplement £600 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

72 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology NEW FOR 2021

c r u i s

Lyon e LEGENDS OF THE RHÔNE

8 DAYS FROM o cruise the River Rhône in the south-east of France is to follow T in the wake of countless travellers over thousands of years, from £2095 Romans and Christians to popes and painters. Once again, expect all the Avignon refinements of a French river cruiser with a taste of the cuisine for which Lyon and this part of France is so famous and a friendly, welcoming crew. A wide range of shore excursions will take us in to the countryside and to the great towns and cities of the region. Start in Lyon and discover the narrow passageways so typical of the city or visit the once-great abbey at Cluny. Encounter impressive Roman remains in Vienne and Arles, the latter indelibly linked with Vincent Van Gogh, or marvel at the magnificent Pope’s Palace in Avignon. Finally, see the white horses and pink flamingos of the Camargue salt-marshes or enjoy a tasting of wine and other local delicacies in Tournon.

Flamingos in the Camargue

Your Itinerary Day 1 We depart from London St Pancras Day 5 Optional excursions to Arles, Your Tour Includes by train via Paris to Lyon. (D) famous for its Roman remains and Van » Seven nights’ full board in a main deck Gogh connections, and the Camargue, Day 2 Join our optional excursion, a guided cabin on the MS Rhône Princess (cabin where we can expect to see white horses tour of Lyon, where we will discover its upgrades available at a supplement) and pink flamingos. (B, L & D) famous “traboules”, the passageways that » Standard class rail travel from London are typical of the city. Cruise to Mâcon. Day 6 Optional guided tour of Avignon, to Lyon (first class upgrades available (B, L & D) including the magnificent Pope’s Palace at a supplement). Full range of both and the famous truncated bridge. Cruise to included and optional excursions (at a Day 3 We have included an excursion to supplement) the abbey ruins in Cluny, once the largest Viviers with a guided tour included here. (B, L & D) church in Christendom. An afternoon cruise » Services of a professional tour manager to Vienne follows. (B, L & D) Day 7 Cruise to Tournon with the option of a guided tour here, including a wine Day 4 Optional guided tour of Vienne, tasting. (B, L & D) Departures & Prices home to some notable Roman monuments 11 August from £2095pp and Romanesque churches. (B, L & D) Day 8 Return by train to London. (B) Single Supplement £595 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 208164 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 73 NEW FOR 2021

Amiens PICARDY 7 DAYS FROM GARDENS CRUISE £1495

he River Somme, which meanders gently through the countryside of T Picardy in north-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 Somme waterway 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 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 outstanding gardens of the region. These include the Moulin Ventin, with its host of water Amiens features, the unique floating gardens of Les Hortillonnages, and Maizicourt, which was recently voted the best garden in Picardy by French TV viewers. Your Tour Includes Your Itinerary » Six nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 3-star Campanile Hotel Centre Day 1 Depart by coach and take a morning Day 4 We transfer to Abbeville and cruise Cathédrale, Amiens (or similar) ferry from Dover to Calais. We continue to upstream to Long. In the afternoon visit the our hotel in Amiens. (D) Jardins de Maizicourt. (B, L & D) » Return ferry crossing from Dover to Calais Day 2 Depart for Picquigny where we Day 5 We tour the remarkable floating » Comfortable coaching throughout board our barge and cruise silently along gardens of Les Hortillonages in Amiens, the tranquil waterway that runs alongside with the afternoon free to explore the city, » Three half-day cruises on the Somme the River Somme. In the afternoon we visit which is home to the tallest cathedral in waterway with lunch and wine included the Château de Long and its rose gardens. France. (B & D) » All visits as outlined in the itinerary (B, L & D) Day 6 Transfer to Picquigny then cruise » Services of a professional tour manager Day 3 Visit the garden of Moulin Ventin upstream to Amiens. The afternoon is which has numerous water features, and free or join our optional excursion to the Departures & Prices the picturesque and colourful gardens fascinating underground city of Naours. of the painter André van Beek, who (B, L & D) 20 May from £1495pp discovered his second passion in gardening. 17 June from £1495pp (B & D) Day 7 Return to London, via the Calais to Dover ferry. (B) Single Supplement £360 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

74 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology NEW FOR 2021

c r u i s

Douro River e DOURO DISCOVERY

8 DAYS FROM he River Douro rises in Spain and runs into Portugal, through the T heart of the wine growing region, the steep hillsides lined with £2395 countless terraces of vines ripening in the sun. Our cruise begins at the Porto river mouth in Porto, forever linked with the sweet fortified wine that has been shipped by the barrel-load to England for centuries. Cruising upstream we call at Régua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the picturesque town of Pinhão. We continue to Barca d’Alva, surrounded by steep hillsides, and Vega Terron before turning round and cruising gently downstream to Porto. On board the spacious and well-appointed river cruiser A-ROSA ALVA, 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 a flat screen TV, air-conditioning, en-suite shower and WC.

Pinhão

Your Itinerary Day 1 Flight from London to Porto and Day 5 Cruise from Barca d’Alva to Pocinho transfer to our ship. (D) and Pinhão. An optional excursion to Your Tour Includes the Castelo Rodrigo is available today. » Seven nights’ full board with drinks Day 2 Cruise from Porto to Régua, where (B, L & D) in a main deck cabin on the A-ROSA we visit the Mateus Palace which has ALVA (cabin upgrades available at a spectacular Baroque interiors and beautiful Day 6 Cruise from Pinhão to Régua and supplement) gardens. Later we cruise to Pinhão. Bitetos. Included today is a visit to the (B, L & D) ‘Stairway to Heaven’, one of Portugal’s » Return flights from London to Porto most important pilgrimage sites. (B, L & D) Full programme of included and optional Day 3 We cruise from Pinhão to Vega » excursions (at a supplement) Terron. An optional excursion is available Day 7 Cruise from Bitetos to Cais da to the Spanish city of Salamanca, which Laxa and Porto, where an optional city » Services of a professional tour manager also sits on the Douro and is home to some tour featuring a wine tasting is available. (B, L & D) exceptional architecture. (B, L & D) Departures & Prices Day 4 Cruise from Vega Terron to Barca Day 8 We disembark in Porto and transfer d’Alva. (B, L & D) to the airport for our flight to London. (B) 13 October from £2395pp Single Supplement £995 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 208164 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 75 Keukenhof Gardens DUTCH 5 DAYS FROM BULBFIELDS £1195

njoy a riot of colour among the beautiful bulbfields of Holland. For vibrancy, E colour and serious charm nothing quite compares to the sight of millions of flowering bulbs, carpeting the fields in a radiant patchwork of colour. The star of the show must be Keukenhof, one of the biggest and best flower gardens in the world, with seven million bulbs and 800 varieties of tulip creating a kaleidoscope of colour. Here gardening is not merely a pastime – it’s an art, a spectacular series of natural masterpieces. Further highlights include the windmills at Zaanse Schans and the Museum Van Loon, set in a grand canal-side residence in Amsterdam. On board the MS La Bohème, we will enjoy attentive service, good food and a convivial atmosphere. MS La Bohème

Your Tour Includes » Four nights’ full board (including three lunches and wine or beer) on board the Your Itinerary MS La Bohème in a main deck cabin (upgrades available at a supplement) Day 1 We depart from London by Eurostar Day 3 This morning we have a leisurely » Standard class rail travel from London to Amsterdam, where we join our ship. Prior cruise to Utrecht. After lunch on board, we to Amsterdam and Antwerp to London to dinner there will be a welcome cocktail visit Keukenhof, one of the most famous (first class upgrades at a supplement) reception with the crew. (D) gardens in the world. Over seven million » All visits as outlined in itinerary bulbs are planted annually, including tulips Day 2 We begin with a visit to the Museum and daffodils. (B, L & D) » Services of a professional tour manager Van Loon, a magnificent canal-side private residence. This afternoon, we travel north Day 4 We have a leisurely day on board to Zaanse Schans to see bulbfields our ship, as we cruise from Rotterdam to Departures & Prices and windmills and tour the various Antwerp. (B, L & D) museums. The evening is free to explore or 16 April from £1195pp Day 5 We disembark and tour the historic alternatively join our optional canal cruise centre of Antwerp, with visits to the Single Cabin Supplement £300 to view this spectacular city at night. and the 200-year-old (B, L & D) Rubens House This tour is also available at the Botanic Garden. Later, we take the train same price including air travel from Antwerp to Brussels and continue via between London and Amsterdam. Eurostar to London. (B) Flights are also available from regional airports at a supplement. Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

76 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology SUPPLEMENTNO SINGLE

G A R D E N

Botanical Gardens S GARDENS OF 8 DAYS FROM MADEIRA £1395

et in a bright blue sea, some 400 miles off the coast of Africa, lies the lush, S volcanic Portuguese island of Madeira. Its delightful warm climate makes Madeira a sub-tropical paradise, where the vegetation is verdant and rich, and it would not be easy to find a more beautiful spot for a relaxing holiday. It is not surprising that Madeira has long been popular with the British. Its climate of warm summers and winters is just right, and over the years it has become an ideal holiday destination for those seeking peace and relaxation and, as you would expect with a benevolent sub‑tropical climate, the island has a remarkable variety of vegetation, fruit and flowers.

Bird of paradise

Your Tour Includes » Seven nights’ bed & breakfast at the 5-star Pestana Casino Park Hotel in Your Itinerary Funchal Day 1 Flight from London Gatwick to Day 5 Afternoon Tea at the famous Reid’s » Welcome and farewell dinners at the Funchal (many other regional airports Palace Hotel. (B & Afternoon Tea) hotel and Afternoon Tea at Reid’s available on request). Transfer to our hotel Palace Hotel Day 6 Free day with the option of a full for a welcome dinner. (D) day excursion around some of the scenic » Return flights from London Gatwick to Day 2 Morning visit to the Quinta do highlights of the island with lunch included. Funchal Palheiro, formerly the Blandy Gardens. (B) » All visits as outlined in the itinerary The gardens are most famous for their Day 7 All day free to explore Funchal at » Services of local expert Joao Camacho camellias, though there is something here leisure. A farewell dinner is served in the as guide for everyone. (B) evening. (B & D) Day 3 Gentle half-day walk on the levadas, Day 8 Transfer to the airport for our flights Departures & Prices the man-made irrigation channels that wind home. (B) around the island. This is one of the nicest 1 November from £1395pp ways to explore the island. (B) No Single Supplement Visit the . Day 4 Monte Palace Gardens (B) Optional excursion; Madeira highlights including lunch £55pp Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 77 Tajo Gorge, Ronda GARDENS AND ARCHITECTURE OF ANDALUCIA

8 DAYS FROM ndalucia is unrivalled in Europe for its wealth of history, culture, A Moorish architecture and gardens. Perhaps the most famous of all is £1495 the Alhambra Palace and the Generalife Gardens, with exceptional views Generalife Gardens towards the old city, the Albaicin and the snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada. In Córdoba, we visit the Great Mosque and the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, with its characteristic terraced pools. We discover Seville and all it has to offer, including the Old Jewish Quarter, Plaza de España and the Gardens of Murillo. We conclude in the dramatically situated town of Ronda.

Seville

Your Tour Includes » Seven nights’ bed & breakfast: three nights in Granada; three nights in Your Itinerary Seville; one night in Ronda Day 1 Arrive in Málaga and transfer to our Day 4 In Córdoba, we pay a visit to the » Three dinners hotel for our evening meal. (D) Great Mosque. (B & D) » Return flights from London to Málaga Day 2 Visit the Alhambra Palace Day 5 Enjoy a guided tour of Seville » All visits as outlined in the itinerary and Generalife Gardens, Granada’s including the Cathedral, the Royal Palaces outstanding attraction with a spectacular of the Alcazar and the Gardens of Murillo. » Comfortable coach travel throughout setting above the city. Later we take a (B) » Services of a professional tour manager wander through the medieval streets of Day 6 Free day in Seville. (B) and local guides the Albaicín, catching glimpses of patio gardens. (B) Day 7 We visit Ronda to see its Alameda del Tajo Gardens and the Palacio de Departures & Prices Day 3 Head to the Alpujarra and Sierra Mondragon. We return to our hotel later. Nevada region, paying visits to small (B & D) 22 March from £1495pp villages and enjoying scenery along the 10 May from £1495pp way. (B) Day 8 After breakfast, we head home from Málaga airport. (B) 13 September from £1495pp Single Supplement £295 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

78 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology G A R D E N

La Seu Cathedral and gardens S GARDENS OF 6 DAYS FROM MALLORCA £1395

way from the busy beach resorts, the Balearic island of Mallorca offers a A timeless, verdant landscape of wooded hills, orange groves, sweeping bays and rocky mountains. Dotted around the island is a host of historic gardens whose Garden at Son Marroig origins date back hundreds of years, as well as more modern creations, providing a rich range of horticultural delights to be enjoyed in the warm spring sunshine. These include the gardens at Raixa and Alfaiba, both with Moorish origins and later Christian influences, and Son Marroig, a former residence of Archduke Luis Salvador with dramatic views. Elsewhere, we visit the monastery of Real Cartuja de Valldemosa, with its peerless location high in the mountains; tour the island’s principal city of Palma with its Gothic cathedral and Arab baths; observe the flora and fauna of the Albufera Nature Reserve, and take an exhilarating ride on the Tren de Soller, a heritage train that runs through spectacular mountain scenery.

Train at Soller

Your Itinerary Day 1 Fly to Palma from London. (D) We also see the Hort del Rei, the 10th Your Tour Includes century Arab Baths and Castell de Belver, Day 2 Visit the gardens of Raixa, once » Five nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at a fortified Gothic castle that is now the part of a Moorish estate, and then take a the 4-star Hotel THB Maria Isabel, Playa city’s museum. (B, L & D) de Palma, plus four lunches tour of the garden of Son Marroig. In the afternoon we take a ride on the vintage Day 5 We explore the Albufera Nature » Return flights from London to Palma narrow gauge that runs along a highly and after enjoying lunch in Alcúdia train Reserve » All visits as outlined in the itinerary scenic route from Soller to Palma. (B, L & D) we visit the Museo Sa Bassa Blanca, which showcases a collection of modern » Comfortable coach travel throughout Day 3 We visit the Jardínes de Alfabia, art exhibitions, set in gardens that include a which date back to the 14th and 15th » Services of a professional tour manager medieval walled garden with more than 100 century. After lunch, we visit the monastery varieties of old English roses. (B, L & D) of Real Cartuja de Valldemosa with its green bell tower. (B, L & D) Day 6 After breakfast, we transfer to Palma Departures & Prices for our return flight back to London. (B) Day 4 Tour of Palma, visiting sites that 23 March from £1395pp include the Gothic Cathedral and former 13 April from £1395pp royal residence Palacio de la Almudaina. Single Supplement £325 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 79 NEW FOR 2021

Menton ARTS AND GARDENS OF THE FRENCH RIVIERA

6 DAYS FROM ith its seas of cobalt and turquoise, and its skies of azure and W cerulean blue it is little wonder that the French Riviera has been £1395 the inspiration for countless works of art and a magnet for artists. Set Claude Monet in the warm spring sunshine of April or among the lengthening shadows of sun-kissed September, this new tour combines a spell-binding collection of art and architecture with a few of our favourite gardens, and promises to be a treat for the senses as well as a tonic for the soul. We visit museums that celebrate the lives and works of Picasso, Matisse and Chagall, see paintings by Rubens in a hill-top church and explore some luxuriant gardens, all while enjoying the special atmosphere of the Côte d’Azur.

St Paul de Vence

Your Itinerary Your Tour Includes Day 1 Fly from London to Nice and then Day 4 Explore the village of St Paul de » Five nights’ bed & breakfast at the visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which Vence, Grasse with its Rubens-filled 4-star Hotel Le Grimaldi in Nice houses works by Monet and Sisley. cathedral and La Mouissone gardens. (B) » Return scheduled flights from London Day 2 In Nice, we visit museums dedicated Day 5 In Vallauris, we pay a visit to the to Nice to the work of Matisse and Chagall, both Picasso Museum and then we tour Nice’s » All visits as outlined in the itinerary set in serene gardens and we also visit Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art. » Comfortable coach travel throughout the Fondation Ephrussi de Rothschild’s (B) » Services of horticulturalist Trevor gardens. (B) Day 6 Our final visit is to the Masséna Edwards as tour manager Day 3 We transfer to Menton and visit Museum, home to Napoleon’s death mask. Villa E-1027 a remarkable modernist villa From here, we return to the airport in time designed by an Irish architect. Next, we visit for our flight back to London. (B) Departures & Prices the garden of Serre de la Madone and the 20 April from £1395pp private garden of Clos du Peyronnet – a real highlight of the tour. (B) 2 September from £1465pp Single Supplement £450 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

80 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology G A R D E N

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild S GARDENS OF THE FRENCH RIVIERA

6 DAYS FROM Menton Lemon Festival & International Rose Festival £1395 enton’s zesty Lemon Festival brings a vibrant burst of colour to our M tour of the French Riviera. Exotic gardens, cacti collections and azure seas complete our sparkling itinerary. At the Clos du Peyronnet we have an exclusive tour, where a passion for exotic plants is reflected in the colour and variety of this fascinating garden. At St. Jean Cap Ferrat, we visit the exquisite gardens of the Fondation Ephrussi de Rothschild, while a short hop over the border to Italy finds us at the incomparable Hanbury Gardens – arguably the greatest of all the Riviera gardens. In May the International Rose Festival in Grasse will take the place of the Lemon Festival. All the other garden visits are included though, but in a different order – please ask for a full itinerary or see our website for full details. Menton Lemon Festival

Your Tour Includes Your Itinerary » Five nights’ bed & breakfast at the Day 1 Fly from London to Nice, where we Day 4 Our full day is spent at the Lemon 4-star Hotel Le Grimaldi in Nice visit the garden of Serre de la Madone. Festival in Menton and our ticket includes » Three dinners and four lunches Continue from here to the hotel. (L & D) a grandstand seat for the parade. (B) » Return flights from London to Nice Day 2 Visit the Fondation Ephrussi de Day 5 We drive to Cap d’Antibes for a » All visits as outlined and coach travel Rothschild and then Jardin Exotique visit to Villa Thuret and then it’s on to La d’Èze, on the site of a medieval fortress. Mouissone as well as the village of St Paul » Services of a professional tour manager (B & L) de Vence, which serves as a creative haven Day 3 We begin at the private garden of even today. (B, L & D) Departures & Prices Clos du Peyronnet for a guided tour. Next, Day 6 We finish on a high at the Exotic Menton Lemon Festival we go from France to Italy and tour the Gardens of Monte Carlo. Thereafter, we stunning gardens of La Mortola. La Mortola transfer to the airport and head home. (B) 18 February from £1395pp is perhaps the greatest of the Riviera Single Supplement £295 Gardens, in the richness of its collections, International Rose Festival the power of its presence and not least in the impact it has had all over the French 6 May from £1595pp Riviera. (B, L & D) Single Supplement £450 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 81 Monet’s Garden THE GENIUS OF 4 DAYS FROM MONET £855

ust as the gardens at Giverny inspired Monet, who spent half his life nurturing J and enjoying them, they continue to enthral countless visitors more than 90 years after this legendary artist’s death. Giverny’s lovingly restored gardens offer a vivid impression of Monet’s favourite subjects. Japanese bridges are festooned with wisteria and draped fronds of willow frame his iconic water lilies. A visit here is a surreal experience — art brought to life right before your eyes, beckoning you in to take a closer look. With so much here to remind us of his breathtaking works, it is only right that we also visit Paris’ Orangerie Museum during our tour. The centrepiece here is Monet’s series of murals, Les Nymphéas — a moving testament to the genius of a painter at the height of his powers. Art and garden lovers rejoice!

Sunflowers, by Claude Monet

Your Itinerary Day 1 We depart from London by Eurostar time to stroll around the extensive formal and upon arrival in Paris we are met by gardens, designed in part by André le Your Tour Includes our comfortable coach. We travel to the Nôtre. (B & D) » Three nights’ dinner (with wine), charming town of Chantilly, in the heart Day 3 The world-famous house and bed & breakfast at the Château de of the Chantilly Forest, where our hotel is gardens of Claude Monet await today. Montvillargenne, Chantilly set in its own wooded grounds. Later, join Following our visit, we enjoy free time in Return standard class rail travel our party for a welcome glass of kir before » Giverny and can even visit the church between London and Paris with sitting down to dinner. (D) where Monet is buried. (B & D) Eurostar (first class upgrades available Day 2 This morning, we transfer to nearby at a supplement) Day 4 We travel to Paris today and visit Senlis, a market town typical of Picardy, Comfortable coach travel and all visits the Musée de l’Orangerie des Tuileries. » where we can explore the shops or enjoy The highlights of its collection are Monet’s » Services of a professional tour manager some pâtisserie. We continue to the two‑metre high murals, entitled Les Château de Chantilly, one of the jewels Nymphéas. Thereafter, there is time to in the crown of France’s cultural heritage, sightsee at leisure before we catch our a magnificent edifice surrounded by Departures & Prices Eurostar train back to London. (B) water. Our visit includes the sumptuously 7 May from £895pp decorated Grands Appartements, dating 23 July from £855pp from the 17th-19th centuries, along with Single Supplement £210 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

82 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology G A R D E N

Isola Bella, Taormina S GARDENS AND VILLAS OF 8 DAYS FROM SICILY £1795

icily has become one of Europe’s best-loved destinations in recent years and S it is truly an island of the senses. As soon as you step on to its warm and fertile shores you’ll understand why. Villa Giulia Garden We begin on the slopes of Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano, as we visit an elegant garden, and then, in Taormina we see a private garden that boasts spectacular views across the bay. Heading south we gain an exclusive insight into Sicilian gardening with the head gardener at San Giuliano and visit the private garden of a Sicilian aristocrat. We conclude in Palermo, a melting-pot of architectural styles with both Norman and Arabic influences.

Greek Theatre, Taormina

Your Tour Includes Your Itinerary » Seven nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: Day 1 Fly to Catania, where we transfer to Day 6 After lunch at a former Benedictine three nights in Giardini Naxos; two our hotel. (D) monastery, we transfer to the village of nights in Ragusa; two nights in Palermo Monreale and visit the Cathedral and Day 2 Visit Villa Trinità on the slopes of » Three lunches Abbey, with its 70,000 square feet of Etna and then ascend this mighty volcano, mosaics, amazing gold leaf and glass » Return flights London to Sicily admiring the views as we go. (B, L & D) interiors. » All visits as outlined in the itinerary In , tour the private garden (B, L & D) Day 3 Taormina » Comfortable coach travel throughout of Casa Cuseni. (B & D) Day 7 Explore the Botanical Gardens in » Services of a professional tour manager Day 4 Visit the Gardens of Princess Maria Palermo, the garden of Villa Giulia and the and a local guide Carla Borghese and take a tour with the impressive Norman Palace. (B & D) head gardener at San Giuliano. (B & D) Day 8 Transfer to Palermo for our return Day 5 Tour Gli Aromi Sicily, where a flight to London. (B) Departures & Prices collection of herbs and spices await our 23 March from £1795pp discovery. Free time in Ragusa follows. (B, L & D) 20 April from £1795pp Single Supplement from £295 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 83 Borromeo Palace on Isola Bella VILLAS AND GARDENS OF THE 8 DAYS FROM ITALIAN LAKES £1895

he fabulous scenery and warming climate of the northern Italian lakes have T attracted eager aristocrats and the wealthy for years. The beguiling beauty of this Mediterranean landscape of colour shows no signs of waning with its scarlet camellias, pink oleanders and cerulean waters. Elegant villas and lush gardens complement the natural landscape of the northern Italian Lakes. We begin with a treat – visiting the private garden of the President of the Italian Camellia Society, home to a collection of over 500 plants. Nowhere captures the extravagant spirit of the 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 Carlotta, Tremezzo villa’s own zoo roam the grounds. Azaleas and rhododendrons put on a dazzling display at Villa Carlotta and the impeccably maintained and manicured garden of Villa Balbianello completes our memorable tour. Your Tour Includes » Seven nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: four nights at the 4-star Grand Majestic Your Itinerary Hotel on Lake Maggiore and three nights at the 4-star Hotel Barchetta Day 1 Depart on a flight to Milan and Day 5 We depart for Como, with a visit en Excelsior on Lake Como transfer to our hotel. (L & D) route to the Villa Cicogna Mozzoni, the » Two lunches perfect example of a formal Italian garden. Day 2 We start with a visit to the gardens We are privileged to enjoy a guided tour » Return flights from London to Milan of Villa Taranto, flourishing with rare with the owner here. (B & D) botanical examples, then visit the » All visits as outlined in the itinerary remarkable nursery, Compagnia Del Lago. Day 6 A free day to shop and sightsee » Comfortable coach travel throughout (B & D) at leisure or take a boat trip on the lake » Services of Kate Williamson as tour Day 3 We spend the day exploring the - a visit to the Villa Melzi d’Eril is highly manager famous Borromean Islands, Isola Bella, recommended. (B & D) with its Baroque palace, Isola Pescatori Day 7 An enchanting day on and around Departures & Prices and unspoilt, romantic Isola Madre. (B & D) Lake Como, with visits to the dazzling Villa 5 May from £1895pp Day 4 We have a rare treat this morning Carlotta and the Arcadian delights of Villa 23 June from £1895pp with a visit to the private garden of the Balbianello. (B & D) President of the Italian Camellia Society, Day 8 We return to Milan for our flight. (B) 3 September from £1895pp followed by Villa Pallavicino. (B, L & D) Single Supplement £495 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

84 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology G A R D E N

Ninfa S ROME, NINFA 4 DAYS FROM AND CASTEL GANDOLFO £1295

pen by special arrangement, we are delighted to offer this rare opportunity O to visit the ancient and beautiful gardens of Ninfa. Equally rare is the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the Popes as we visit the gardens of Castel Gandolfo. The romantic flower-covered ruins at Ninfa, just to the south of Rome, are as close to gardening perfection as you can get. Scented roses, hydrangeas and jasmines curtain what remains of the walls of medieval buildings and paths meander beside a crystal-clear river. The location of our hotel in the centre of Rome allows free time to explore the Eternal City and we shall also visit Viterbo, a medieval walled town which in its heyday rivalled Rome itself.

Villa d’Este

Your Tour Includes Your Itinerary » Three nights’ bed & breakfast at a Day 1 Depart from London and fly to Rome, Day 3 The gardens of Castel Gandolfo 4-star hotel in Rome where we have a city tour upon arrival. See await discovery this morning, the traditional » Dinner and welcome drink on the first the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Square and papal residence outside of Rome. In the evening Basilica, and the Spanish Steps. (D) afternoon, we visit Ninfa – named after a » Return scheduled flights between mythical nymph and with a curious history. Day 2 After breakfast we depart for London and Rome The garden is now deemed by many to Viterbo, where we have a guided tour be the most beautiful garden in Europe, » All visits as outlined in the itinerary of this historic town. Nearby, we find the though for hundreds of years the site lay » Comfortable coach travel throughout gardens of Villa Lante, described as “one deserted due to malaria. After the mosquito of Italy’s greatest Renaissance gardens.” » Services of a professional tour manager hazard was removed in 1922, the Duchess This study in geometry and symmetry dates of Sermoneta and her son Prince Caetani back to 1568 when it was designed for began to lay out a romantic garden among Cardinal Gianfrancesco Gambara by the the village ruins. (B) Departures & Prices architect Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola. The dominant theme is water, and in front of the Day 4 This morning we visit Villa d’Este in 11 May from £1295pp palazzine is a central water parterre which Tivoli, the 16th century gardens known for 8 June from £1295pp is a classic example of late-Renaissance their use of water. Later, we transfer to the 7 September from £1295pp style. (B) airport for our flight back to London. (B) Single Supplement £400 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 85 NEW FOR 2021

Samaria Gorge SPRING FLOWERS OF 8 DAYS FROM CRETE £1495

verywhere you look on the high mountain plains and along the country E roads that wind among them are bright splashes of colour – countless floral treasures just waiting to be discovered. One of the largest islands in the Geropotamos River Mediterranean, Crete is a place of great, unspoilt natural beauty, offering the plant lover an absolute treat in terms of the variety of flora to be found, thanks to the island’s climate, position, altitude and terrain. Many of the 1,500 flowering plants here are endemic. From our chosen two centres, we have the opportunity to explore a good deal of the island. Limestone mountains ascend to over 2,462m and stretch for some 240km forming the island’s backbone. Our daily excursions feature a wide range of botanical habitats along with some very interesting archaeological sites. Among the highlights are the Samaria Gorge with breathtaking views and a magnificent assortment of wildflowers; and Mount Ida, birthplace of Zeus, upon whose slopes we will happily botanise in the warm spring sunshine. Venetian Fort

Your Itinerary Your Tour Includes Day 1 We fly from London to Chania Day 5 Botanise along the » Seven nights’ bed & breakfast: and transfer to our hotel. (D) Geropotamos River, looking for three nights Chania and four nights Rethymnon; two dinners ranunculus, gladioli and orchids. (B) Day 2 Tour the Akrotiri peninsula with » Flights from London to Chania and its profusion of flora, followed by time Day 6 A visit to Crete would not return from Heraklion; coach travel and to explore the historic town of Chania. be complete without a tour of the all visits as outlined in the itinerary (B) magnificent Palace of Knossos, one » Services of plant expert Julia Corden as Day 3 Explore the Samaria Gorge with of the most remarkable archaeological tour manager its stunning views and magnificent wild sites in Europe. (B) flowers, including orchids, anenomes Day 7 Travel to the slopes of Mount Ida and tulips. (B) and discover plants in the surrounding Day 4 Transfer to Rethymnon, one of area. (B & D) Departures & Prices Crete’s most attractive and unspoilt Day 8 Transfer to Heraklion for our 12 April from £1495pp cities, and visit the Venetian fort. (B) homeward flight. (B) Single Supplement £200 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

86 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology NEW FOR 2021

G A R D E N

Karaca Arboretum S GARDENS AND ARCHAEOLOGY OF TURKEY

8 DAYS FROM ulip mania swept through Holland in the early 17th century when T Manisa tulips were exported from Turkey to Europe. The price of £1895 tulip bulbs rose to extraordinary levels before crashing dramatically. A Ephesus form of tulip mania continues in Turkey today, but only in terms of the vast numbers of tulips in the parks and gardens of the vibrant city of Istanbul. After enjoying this spectacle we tour the Anatolian countryside on our way to the coast, visiting an excellent arboretum, a National Park, which is home to scores of rare plants, and the slopes of Spil Mountain, the origin of those Manisa tulips. We will also explore some of the peerless archaeological sites found here in Anatolia, such as Assos, with its impressive theatre, and Ephesus, the largest classical city to have been excavated. Our tour will be led by Colin Crosbie, former curator of RHS Wisley, who has a wide knowledge of the native Turkish plants, along with a local guide specialising in the history and archaeology of the region. The Bosphorus

Your Itinerary Your Tour Includes Day 1 Depart from London on a direct flight Day 5 We break our journey to Izmir with to Istanbul and transfer to our hotel. (D) some time spent botanising on the slopes » Seven nights’ bed and breakfast and of Spil Mountain. (B & D) four dinners: two nights Istanbul, two Day 2 A full day in Istanbul, on either side nights Assos and three nights Izmir of the Bosphorus, visiting some of the parks We travel to and visit a Day 6 Urla » Flight from London to Istanbul and Izmir and gardens that host the Tulip Festival. secluded plantation with a host of unusual to London (B) plants followed by a tasting of the local wine. (B) » Comfortable coach travel and all visits Day 3 Depart for Assos, visiting the as outlined excellent Karaca Arboretum on the way. Day 7 Today we visit the hugely impressive (B & D) » Services of Colin Crosbie as tour archaeological site of Ephesus and later we manager plus a local guide Day 4 We spend the morning exploring explore the tranquil Greek hillside village of the Kazdagi National Park, home to some Şirince. (B) 900 plant species, before touring the site of Day 8 Fly from Izmir to London. (B) Departures & Prices ancient Assos. (B & D) 20 April from £1895pp Single Supplement £495 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 208164 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 87 NEW FOR 2021

La Majorelle Garden GARDENS OF 5 DAYS FROM MARRAKECH £1395

he timeless city of Marrakech, which gave its name to Morocco, has an T enduring appeal, with its low rise pink and red buildings set against the magnificent backdrop of the snow-capped Atlas mountains. Its beating heart is Saadian pavilion, Menara gardens the square of Jemaa El Fna, where musicians, story-tellers and snake-charmers act out compelling scenes which have changed little over the centuries. Other attractions in this most alluring of North African cities include El Bahia Palace, with its sunlit courtyards, planted with cypress, orange trees and jasmine, and El Badi Palace, a vast, ruinous site with a lingering sense of grandeur. We also visit the Agdal and Menara gardens and the fabulous, brightly coloured gardens of La Majorelle. Escaping the bustle of the city we drive to the Ourika Valley in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.

Jemma El Fna

Your Itinerary Day 1 We depart from London on a direct Day 3 We visit the tranquil Menara Your Tour Includes flight to Marrakech and on arrival transfer Gardens, whose origins lie in the » Four nights’ bed and breakfast, plus to our hotel, located close to the Medina in 12th century; the sumptuous palace of three dinners and one lunch, at the the heart of the city. (D) Dar el Basha; Le Jardin Secret, designed 5-star El Saadi Hotel, Marrakech by Chelsea Gold Medal winner Tom Day 2 We begin with visits to the palaces » Return flights from London to Stuart-Smith; and the Artisan Quarter. We of El Bahia and El Badi, followed by the Marrakech round off today in the teeming square of famous garden of La Majorelle, which was Jemaa El Fna. (B & D) » Comfortable coach travel and all visits made in the 1920s by the French painter as outlined Jacques Majorelle and gave its name to a We head into the Atlas Mountains Day 4 » Services of a professional tour manager rich shade of blue. After years of neglect, today and the lush green Ourika Valley, it was taken over by the fashion designer where we visit a saffron plantation, the Yves St Laurent and today presents aromatic garden Nectarome, where Departures & Prices an extraordinary and at times surreal we enjoy a succulent lunch, and the 17 April from £1395pp combination of colour, form and light. We contemporary gardens of Anima. (B & L) also visit the gardens of perfumier Ben 5 October from £1395pp Day 5 Today we fly back to London. (B) Chaabane. (B & D) Single Supplement £400 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

88 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology SUPPLEMENTNO SINGLE

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Wengen S ALPINE FLOWERS OF 8 DAYS FROM WENGEN £2395

ying in the Bernese Oberland region in the heart of Switzerland, Wengen, at L a height of some 1,274 metres, is ringed by some of Europe’s highest and best known mountains including the Eiger and Jungfrau. With breathtaking scenery, Lady Slipper orchid rich green alpine meadows and spruce forests below, it is a superb destination for a range of native flora as well as for bird and butterfly spotting opportunities. Each day we will walk a different route of up to five miles, sometimes taking a mountain railway or cable car to the starting point. With over 300 species growing here, we can expect to discover a profusion of wildflowers, with an expert guide on hand to help with identification.

Alpine flowers

Your Tour Includes Your Itinerary » Seven nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 3-star Hotel Bellevue, Wengen We fly from London to Zürich and Walk from Wengernalp to Slipper Day 1 Day 5 » Return flights from London to Zürich continue by train to the car-free resort of Valley, looking for the spectacular Lady Wengen. (D) Slipper orchid. (B & D) » Return rail transfers between Zürich and Wengen and a 6-day Berner Oberland Day 2 We take the train to Kleine Day 6 Travel by cable car to the glacier Rail Pass Scheidegg and walk to Wengernalp, village of Grindelwald and enjoy a gentle » All visits as outlined in the itinerary which offers spectacular views. (B & D) walk in this most scenic part of the Bernese Oberland. (B & D) » Services of a professional tour manager Day 3 We take the cable car from Wengen to Männlichen and walk to Kleine Day 7 Take the rack railway to Schynige Scheidegg, approaching from the opposite Platte and visit the Alpine Botanic Garden, direction to yesterday. (B & D) set among a picture-postcard panorama. (B & D) Day 4 An exciting cable car ride takes us to the Schilthorn with a moderate walk back Day 8 Return by train to Zürich for our Departures & Prices flight home to London. (B) down. (B & D) 22 June from £2395pp No Single Supplement Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 89 The Northern Lights ICELAND NORTHERN LIGHTS

5 DAYS FROM azing at the northern lights is a bucket-list item for many of us, G but aurora borealis aside, Iceland offers a host of attractions quite £1995 unlike anywhere else in the world. From geothermal dips to moonlit trips, Gullfoss Waterfall this tour offers a host of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. On our tour of Reykjavík, the world’s most northerly capital, it becomes clear that even Iceland’s man-made efforts have that same air to them — the cavernous and craggy Lutheran church of Hallgrímskirkja, seemingly more suited to a spot in Middle Earth than the North Atlantic; and the parliamentary buildings of Alþingi, thought to be the oldest parliament in the world. Bucket list at the ready...

Reykjavík

Your Itinerary Your Tour Includes Day 1 Upon arrival in Keflavik, we visit the Day 4 Discover Reykjavík, visiting its iconic Raufarholsellir Lava Tunnel, a unique Hallgrìmskirkja church, the panoramic » Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: two nights at the Stracta Hotel, Hella experience exploring the inner workings of viewing platform Perlan and the Aurora and two nights at the Grand Hotel a volcanic eruption; Urriðafoss waterfall Reykjavík centre. Later, we bathe in the Reykjavík and Eyrarbakki Village. (D) geothermal Laugarvatn Fontana springs and after dinner in a local restaurant we go » One lunch Day 2 Our full-day tour of south Iceland in search of the Northern Lights. (B & D) includes Skogar Folk Museum, Skogafoss » Return flights London to Reykjavík waterfall and a walk behind the great Day 5 We head for the Reykjanes » Comfortable coach travel and all visits Seljalandsfoss waterfall. (B & D) Peninsula today, which lies on one of the » Services of a professional tour manager world’s major tectonic plate boundaries, Day 3 Þingvellir National Park and the and local guides the Mid Atlantic Ridge. Next, we make our remote Skalholt church await, and then it’s way past Reykjanes Lighthouse towards on to see the mighty waterfall Gullfoss and Gunnuhver Hot Springs and on to the the Geysir Geothermal Area where the fishing town of Grindavik. Before we return Departures & Prices geyser Strokkur erupts at regular intervals. to the airport and make our way home, we (B, L & D) 14 November from £1995pp stop at Kleifarvatn Lake. (B) Single Supplement £300 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

90 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology S P E C I A L Waterfall by the village of Gásadalur I N THE T 5 DAYS FROM E R FAROE ISLANDS £2195 E S ust an hour’s flight away from Edinburgh, the Faroes tower out of the T J Atlantic half-way between Shetland and Iceland. In these romantic and dramatic islands, home to just 50,000 people, the weather is as unpredictable and changeable as the scenery. The landscape is green but rugged with steeply sloping hills, long sea-lochs and some of the highest cliffs in all of Europe. Our tour will give ample opportunity to see the best of these colourful islands, including an authentic and intimate dining experience, where we enjoy delicious homemade food and hear fascinating stories about life on a Faroese farm.

Tórshavn

Your Tour Includes » Four nights’ bed & breakfast at the Your Itinerary 4-star Hotel Føroyar, Tórshavn » Four dinners and two lunches Day 1 We depart from Edinburgh and excursions - a full-day tour to the Northern upon arrival in Vágar, we enjoy a short Islands or a half-day tour to Nólsoy. This » Return flights from Edinburgh to Vágar sightseeing tour that includes the famous evening we have dinner in Velbastað with » All visits as outlined in the itinerary waterfall Múlafossur as well as the villages local farmers for a true Faroese experience. Comfortable coach travel throughout of Bøur and Gásadalur. (D) (B & D) » Day 4 Today we enjoy a boat trip to the » Services of a professional tour manager Day 2 Enjoy a guided walking tour of and local guides Tórshavn, a unique town from the Middle Vestmanna Cliffs. We continue to the Ages. After lunch, we visit the National northern part of Eysturoy, travelling Museum before driving to Kirkjubøur to through the village of Gjógv and Gøta to see St Magnus Cathedral and St Olavs see the new church. (B, L & D) Departures & Prices 8 July from £2195pp Church. Next, we enjoy tea and cake at Day 5 We check out of our hotel and visit the 900-year-old Roykstovan, the oldest the museum in Kálvalið and the church in 2 September from £2195pp inhabited wooden house in Europe. Sandavágur. From here, we transfer to the (B, L & D) Single Supplement £360 airport for our flight home. (B) Optional excursions; Day 3 Today is free to explore Tórshavn. Alternatively, choose from two optional Northern Islands £175pp Nólsoy £125pp Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 91 Jarlshof AN ARCHAEOLOGIST’S VIEW OF ORKNEY AND SHETLAND

6 DAYS FROM he islands of Orkney and Shetland are littered with archaeological T remains. People first came here over 5,000 years ago and many £1195 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 Mousa Broch 2,000-year-old full size broch, the Prehistoric and Norse Settlement of Jarlshof, St. Ninian’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 Tomb of the Your Tour Includes Eagles, which offers a unique ‘hands-on’ experience - an opportunity to handle 5,000‑year old artefacts excavated from an extensive cliff-top site; Maeshowe, » One night’s dinner, bed & breakfast at the Brae/Busta House Hotel, Shetland the finest chambered tomb in Western Europe; and Skara Brae as well as Skaill and three nights’ bed & breakfast (plus House. En route to Aberdeen, we will stop for a photo opportunity at Dunnottar two dinners) at the Kirkwall Hotel, Castle, a cliff-top fortress dating back to the 3rd century. Orkney » All ferry crossings, including one night’s accommodation in two-berth inside cabins on Serco Northlink Ferries Your Itinerary MV Hrossey/Hjaltland on the outward sailing (outside cabins available at a Day 1 We depart for Aberdeen, with a Day 4 We tour the southern end of Orkney supplement of £40pp) photo stop en route at Dunnottar Castle, Mainland with visits to the Churchill » One breakfast and two dinners on board and take the overnight ferry to Lerwick. (D) Barriers and the Italian Chapel from World War II before moving much further back » All visits as outlined in the itinerary Day 2 We begin our exploration of in time at the Tomb of the Eagles, dating Shetland with a visit to the Iron Age broch » Comfortable coach travel throughout back to 3,000 BC, and the nearby Liddle on the little island of Mousa. Later we tour » Services of an archaeological expert as Burnt Mound. (B & D) the outstanding Prehistoric and Norse tour manager Settlement of Jarlshof, spanning 3,000 Day 5 Today we head west into the Heart years of human habitation. Note: we stay of Neolithic Orkney, where we find some Departures & Prices at the Brae in May and August and at the of the most impressive and important 26 April from £1295pp Busta in April and July. (B & D) archaeological sites in Europe, including 31 May from £1195pp Day 3 Visit the 6th century church at Maeshowe and Skara Brae. (B & D) St Ninian’s Isle, Scalloway Castle and 12 July from £1445pp Tingwall Valley, before taking the evening Day 6 We depart for home, via the short 23 August from £1395pp sailing to Kirkwall. (B & D) sea crossing from South Ronaldsay. (B) Single Supplement £375 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

92 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology A R C H A E O L O G

Frederiksborg Palace Y ARCHAEOLOGY OF DENMARK AND SWEDEN

he neighbouring Nordic nations of Sweden and Denmark offer a host 8 DAYS FROM T of archaeological and historical sites, from Neolithic megaliths to Viking forts, from fairytale castles to a magnificent royal warship. £1895 We begin in Uppsala in Sweden, with visits to the archaeological sites at Gamla Uppsala and Anundshög and baroque Skokloster Castle, and in we visit the excellent Historical Museum and impressive Vasa Museum. A relaxing rail journey takes us to Malmö in the south of Sweden, where we tour the Osterlen region before crossing the Öresund Bridge to . We have a day touring in the Danish capital, including Rosenborg Castle, then transfer to in mainland Denmark, where we visit the Moesgård Viking Museum and the Viking Vasa Museum, Stockholm Castle at Fyrkat, learning about the real story behind those notorious Norsemen. We also meet some former inhabitants of the region, the amazingly well preserved remains of a man and woman who died here around 350BC. Your Tour Includes » Seven nights’ bed & breakfast in 3 and 4-star hotels: two nights Uppsala, one night Malmö, two nights Copenhagen and two nights Aarhus » Three dinners and one light meal on Your Itinerary board the train Day 1 Fly from London to Stockholm and Day 5 Visit Copenhagen’s historic sites » Return flights from London to visit Gamla Uppsala before transferring to and museums, including Rosenborg Slot, Stockholm and Copenhagen to London our hotel for the night. (D) the National Museum of Denmark and the Standard class rail journey from Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. (B) » Day 2 Today we visit the archaeological Stockholm to Malmö site at Anundshög and then Skokloster Day 6 Tour Frederiksborg Slot and travel » All visits as outlined in the itinerary Castle, near Sigtuna. (B) on to Aarhus. (B & D) » Comfortable coach travel throughout Day 3 Today we explore Stockholm’s Day 7 See the astonishingly well-preserved Museums and then we take an afternoon Iron Age ‘Bog Bodies’ at Silkeborg » Services of archaeological expert Clive Warsop as tour manager train to the city of Malmö. (B & LM) Museum and the Viking site of Fyrkat. (B) Day 4 Explore the megaliths of Ales Day 8 After a visit to Jelling, UNESCO Stenar today. The site dates back around listed as an outstanding example of the Departures & Prices 1,400 years and according to Scanian Nordic Pagan culture, we transfer to 5 July from £1895pp folklore, a legendary king called King Ale Copenhagen Airport and fly home. (B) 6 September from £1925pp lies buried there. (B & D) Single Supplement £495 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, LM: Light Meal, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 93 Amphitheatre at Butrint ALBANIAN 8 DAYS FROM ARCHAEOLOGY £1395

n archaeological terms, Albania offers some of the best sites in Europe with a I host of Classical cities that were once on a par with those in Greece and Italy. Having emerged from almost five decades of communism, it is slowly opening Berat its doors to the world once again, and behind those doors are truly fascinating wonders. These include Durrës on the Adriatic coast, one of the largest amphitheatres in the Balkans; Apollonia, the second largest Greek colony in Albania; the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Butrint, which dates from the 7th century BC; and the remote mountain city of Byllis. We also visit the fascinating National Historical Museum, the triumphant Tirana Mosaic and Skanderbeg Square in the vibrant capital of Tirana.

Temple ruins in ancient Apollonia

Your Tour Includes Your Itinerary » Seven nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: Day 1 Fly from London to Tirana and Day 5 We travel to the town of Gjirokastër two nights in Tirana, two nights in transfer to our hotel. (D) and explore its Castle Museum. Later we Saranda, one night in Gjirokastër and two nights in Berat tour the Archaeological Park and the Day 2 Enjoy a walking tour of Tirana today, Ethnographic Museum. (B & D) » Return flights from London to Tirana which includes visits to the Mosque of Et’hem Bej, Skanderbeg Castle and the Day 6 We visit the 4th century AD ruins of » All visits as outlined in the itinerary National Historical Museum. (B & D) Byllis, tour the Cobo Winery and continue » Comfortable coach travel throughout to the mountain town of Berat. (B & D) Day 3 Drive to the Bay of Vlora, see » Services of an archaeological expert as Llamani beach and the Springs of Borshi Day 7 We spend the day in Berat. The tour manager and local guides before moving on to Saranda. (B & D) lower city was once the exclusive preserve of the Muslims while the Christians held the Day 4 Spend the day at the fascinating citadel and we will see both mosques and UNESCO-listed site of Butrint, which in Departures & Prices Byzantine churches. (B & D) its long history has been both a Greek and 4 May from £1395pp a Roman colony. We also visit Lekuresi Day 8 We explore the sites of Apollonia 12 October from £1395pp Castle before dinner. (B & D) and Durrës before flying home. (B) Single Supplement £195 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

94 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology A R C H A E O L O G

Mystras Y ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE 8 DAYS FROM PELOPONNESE £1495

he Peloponnese is a place of timeless beauty. From the 3,000-year-old relics T at Mycenae and the Classical ruins of Epidaurus to the Byzantine churches of Monemvasia, the whole region reeks of history. The Greeks and the Spartans Nafplion fought out the Peloponnesian war here, to be followed in turn by the Romans, Goths, Slavs, Franks, Turks and Venetians. Highlights include the Lion’s Gate at Mycenae, the most ancient piece of monumental sculpture in Europe; the 4th century BC Temple of Apollo Maleatis and the theatre with its awe-inspiring acoustics at Epidaurus; the church of Agia Sophia in the Fort City of Monemvasia; the fascinating dead city of Mystras, a beautiful but somewhat melancholic place and also the amazingly well-preserved site at Messene.

Monemvasia

Your Tour Includes » Seven nights’ bed & breakfast: three Your Itinerary nights in Nafplion and four nights in Sparta Day 1 Today we arrive in Athens and Day 5 Discover the Byzantine fort city of » Three dinners transfer to our hotel in Nafplion. (D) Monemvasia, a wonderful time capsule where history unfolds before you. (B) » Return flights London to Athens Day 2 Visit Mycenae, one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. Day 6 Explore the fascinating dead city of » All visits as outlined in the itinerary (B) Mystras. (B) » Comfortable coach travel throughout Day 3 We visit the Archaeological Day 7 We visit the UNESCO-listed and » Services of an archaeological expert as Museum in Nafplion and explore Tiryns impressively well-preserved archaeological tour manager with its Cycoplean wall and Epidaurus site of Messene and its attendant museum. where we visit the famous theatre. (B) (B & D) Day 4 Travel south through Arcadia via Day 8 We make our way back home today, Departures & Prices Argos and Tripoli to Sparta. (B & D) returning to the airport in Athens for our 26 April from £1495pp flight. (B) 4 October from £1495pp Single Supplement £295 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 95 Rila Monastery BULGARIAN 9 DAYS FROM ARCHAEOLOGY £1595

ollowing a golden age of archaeology, Bulgaria is now one of the culturally F richest countries in Europe. Hidden in the hills and forests are some of the oldest Neolithic settlements, Thracian tombs and exuberantly painted medieval Fresco of Jesus in the Rila Monastery churches. On this tour, we visit a wide range of locations, four of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are the famous Rila Monastery, set high in the mountains; Boyana Church with its outstanding frescoes; the Horseman rock relief at Madara; and the historic town of Nessebar, beautifully preserved with over 80 churches.

Madara Horseman

Your Tour Includes » Eight nights’ bed & breakfast in 3 and Your Itinerary 4-star hotels: two nights in Sofia, one night in Veliko Tarnovo, two nights in Day 1 Upon arrival in Sofia, visit the Day 6 A busy day of sightseeing as we Varna, one night in Kazanluk and two National Museum of History and Boyana visit Stara Zagora’s Goliama Kosmatka nights in Plovdiv Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thracian tomb and Roman Forum. (B & D) (D) » Seven dinners Day 7 We explore Plovdiv today, Bulgaria’s » Return flights from London to Sofia Day 2 Explore the Arena di Serdica ruins, second largest city. Thracians and Greeks the Underground Museum, Nicopolis ad settled here but it is the Roman legacy » All visits as outlined in the itinerary Istrum and the fortress of Tsarvets. (B & D) which dominates, as we will see when we » Comfortable coach travel throughout Day 3 See the Madara Horseman and the visit the Amphitheatre, Stadium and the exhibition of Roman Mosaics. (B & D) » Services of an archaeological expert as Mosaics Museum in Devnya. We then take tour manager and local guides a walking tour of Varna. (B & D) Day 8 We devote our day to the famous Day 4 Roman baths and the Aladja Rock Rila Monastery, another UNESCO World Departures & Prices Heritage Site. (B) Monastery await discovery today. (B & D) 11 May from £1595pp Day 9 Transfer to the airport for our return Day 5 Tour Nessabar’s interesting 5 October from £1595pp Neolithic Dwellings Museum. (B & D) flight home. (B) Single Supplement £225 Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

96 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology A R C H A E O L O G

Palace of Knossos Y CRETE 8 DAYS FROM ARCHAEOLOGY £1595

rete was home to one of the earliest European civilisations, the Minoans, C who roamed these hills some 4,000 years ago. Their legacy can be seen all over the island, in particular at the legendary Palace of Knossos, the centre of the Minoan civilisation in Europe, with a level of technology and facilities that are quite staggering considering its antiquity. From this distant starting point we journey through time, from the Hellenic‑Roman era to the periods of Turkish and Venetian domination, as illustrated by archaeological remains and buildings, which remain in use to this day.

Basilica of Agios Titos

Your Tour Includes » Seven nights’ bed & breakfast: three nights at the 3-star Atrion Hotel, Heraklion and four nights at the 4-star Your Itinerary Bio Hotel in Rethymnon Day 1 Fly from London to Heraklion and Day 5 Enjoy a walking tour of Rethymnon, » One dinner in the hotel and a farewell dinner (with wine) in a local taverna enjoy dinner at our hotel upon arrival. (D) which is a mixture of Venetian and Turkish influences. Later, we travel to Chania, a city » Return flights from London to Heraklion Day 2 After breakfast, we visit the of exceptional beauty with a rich cultural Archaeological Museum. In the afternoon, » All visits as outlined in the itinerary heritage, and explore its historic centre and we explore the mighty Palace of Knossos, Venetian harbour. (B) » Comfortable coach travel throughout the centre of the Bronze Age Minoan civilization, which leaves the visitor Day 6 We have free time to explore the » Services of an archaeological expert as tour manager (Peter Yeoman in April) breathless with wonder at the technology local area, or alternatively join our optional and facilities of that period. (B) excursion to the Arkadi Monastery and Eleutherna Museum including lunch. (B) Day 3 We board a boat and visit Departures & Prices Spinalonga, a former leper colony. Later, Day 7 Today, we visit the Minoan cemetery 20 April from £1595pp we enjoy some free time in charming Agios of Armeni and Byzantine monuments in the Nikolaos. (B) picturesque Amari valley. (B & D) 14 October from £1595pp Single Supplement £280 Day 4 Gortyn, Phaistos and Zaros are Day 8 We catch our return flight home to ours to explore today. (B) London. (B) Optional excursion - Arkadi Monastery £95pp Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 97 Cathedral of Saint John in Valletta MALTA’S 7 DAYS FROM ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE £1345

alta’s diminutive archipelago is by no means an indication of the vast riches M it holds — from the Neolithic to the present day, they are many and varied. Arriving in Malta, with its golden limestone cliff coasts, lucid seas and heart stirring views, you may think that you’ve already seen all there is to see, but peek beneath the surface and you’ll be sure to find more. Venture inside the walled citadel of Mdina, explore the warren of tomb-lined passages of St. Paul’s Catacombs, and take to the sea for a boat trip around the spectacular Blue Grotto. Most startling of all are the mysterious sites left by civilisations with whom we are just starting to get acquainted such as the ancient Mnajdra Temples and the megaliths of Ħaġar Qim.

Ħaġar Qim

Your Tour Includes » Six nights’ dinner (with wine), bed & Your Itinerary breakfast at the 4-star Dolmen Hotel, St. Paul’s Bay Day 1 Fly into Malta and transfer to our Day 5 Today is free to spend at leisure hotel. (D) or there is an optional excursion to the » Return flights from London to Malta neighbouring island of Gozo, which has Day 2 Explore Valletta, Malta’s capital city. » All visits as outlined in the itinerary archaeological wonders of its own. (B & D) We explore the Upper Barakka Gardens, » Comfortable coach travel throughout the Grand Master’s Palace and the Day 6 Tour the fishing village of Archaeological Museum. (B & D) Marsaxlokk, the Tarxien Temples and the » Services of a professional tour manager and local guides world-renowned Hal Saflieni Hypogeum. Day 3 Explore Mosta Church and the This truly unique site enjoys an individual walled citadel of Mdina. Later, we visit the listing on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Departures & Prices Skorba Temples, the Museum of Roman (B & D) Antiquities and St. Paul’s Catacombs. 9 March from £1345pp (B & D) Day 7 Transfer to the airport for our return flight to London. (B) 4 May from £1495pp Day 4 Visit Ħaġar Qim and the Mnajdra 9 November from £1345pp Temples. We then take a boat trip to the stunning Blue Grotto and the Dingli Cliffs. Single Supplement from £175 (B & D) Optional excursion - Gozo £85pp Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

98 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology A R C H A E O L O G

Bom Jesus do Monte Y PORTUGUESE 9 DAYS FROM ARCHAEOLOGY £1895

ith the roar of the Atlantic Ocean and the tranquillity of the Iberian hillsides W as our constant companions, we will travel through time stopping off at megalithic standing stones, Iron Age settlements, Roman ruins and medieval plazas. We will also enjoy a whole host of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Évora, Sintra and Guimarāes. Other highlights include the Almendres Stone Circle from the Megalithic age, the Gothic masterpiece of Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, the Roman settlement at Conimbriga, the Iron Age hilltown of Citânia de Briteiros, and Castelo de Pena, one of the seven wonders of Portugal.

Buçaco Forest

Your Tour Includes » Eight nights’ bed & breakfast: four nights at the Marriott Hotel, Lisbon; one night at the Tryp Hotel, Coimbra and three nights at the Holiday Inn Porto Gaia Your Itinerary » Three dinners Day 1 Fly to Lisbon and enjoy a tour of the Day 5 We tour the Mosteiro de Batalha » Flights from London to Lisbon and Porto city. (D) and the Roman city of Conimbriga. (B & D) to London Day 2 We travel to Évora to visit the Day 6 Enjoy the Buçaco Forest and be » All visits as outlined in the itinerary Almendres Stone Circle Menhir and the treated to a wine-tasting in Porto. (B & D) » Comfortable coach travel throughout Anta Grande do Zambujeiro. (B) Day 7 A free day to explore Porto, or join » Services of an archaeological expert as Day 3 Visit the Museu Caloste our optional excursion – a boat trip on the tour manager Gulbenkian and the Mosteiro dos River Douro. (B) Jerónimos, a Manueline monastery. (B) Day 8 Visit Bom Jesus Do Monte, Citania Departures & Prices Day 4 We visit the Palácio Nacional de de Briteirios and the UNESCO World Sintra, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site of Guimarāes. (B) 20 April from £1895pp Heritage Site and the best preserved 14 October from £1895pp Day 9 We transfer to the airport for our medieval royal palace in Portugal, and the return flight to London. (B) Single Supplement £495 Castelo de Pena. (B) Optional excursion - Douro River £125pp Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 99 COMING SOON

Green Living

eld every ten years at a different venue in The Netherlands, Floriade is one of the premier events of the horticultural H world. In 2022 the spotlight falls on Almere, near Amsterdam, where a purpose built site has been created to provide a ‘living laboratory’ with inspirational and innovative exhibitions by countries, cities and businesses. There will also be a host of impressive attractions, heaps of art and culture and a unique collection of trees, shrubs and flowers. The theme of this, the seventh iteration of the event, is ‘Growing Green Cities’. With the world’s urban population expanding to 70%, cities will have to find creative, green and sustainable solutions to remain safe, healthy and attractive and these proposed solutions will be central to the exhibits at the 2022 Expo. In addition to our full day here we will visit some of the many outstanding gardens that Holland has to offer - see facing page for just two possible examples of the itineraries we will be offering.

100 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology G A R D E N

De Wiersse Van Loon Museum S Your Itinerary

Four Day Itinerary Six Day Itinerary Day 4 This morning we drive to the country house and garden of De Wiersse, Day 1 We depart from London St Pancras Day 1 We depart from London St described by a leading Dutch newspaper by Eurostar direct to Amsterdam and Pancras by Eurostar direct to Amsterdam as “the most beautiful garden in the continue to our comfortable hotel. and continue to our comfortable Netherlands”. In the afternoon, we visit Het accommodation. Day 2 Today, we have a full day at Floriade Loo Palace, recognised as one of Europe’s 2022 in Almere. With its focus on ‘Green Day 2 Today, we have a full day at Floriade finest formal gardens. Cities of the Future’ there are four main 2022 in Almere. Day 5 We travel into Amsterdam today themes, Green, Food, Energy and Health. and visit the Rijksmuseum. The remainder Exhibits will demonstrate how cities can Day 3 We visit two of Holland’s finest of the day is free to spend at leisure. be made more attractive and resilient by gardens today. The first is that of Mien creating more parks and vertical gardens; Ruys, who dominates the story of 20th Day 6 We visit the outdoor museum the latest ideas for sufficient, healthy and century gardening in the Netherlands. The complex at Zaanse Schans before taking affordable food; solutions and inventions garden contains some 25 different areas, the Eurostar train back to London. in the field of sustainable energy; and each with a distinct character. Some are how good food, exercise, flowers, plants dedicated to habitats, the Water Garden and trees can help with life in the city. In and the Sun Border for example; some addition there will of course be extensive to specific types of plants like the Mixed displays of horticultural excellence and we Border and Herb Garden and some to can expect a riot of colour and inventive special effects. planting. We move on to Loozen Gramsbergen, Day 3 We travel into Amsterdam today where we visit the dazzling garden created and visit the Museum Van Loon, a by Ada Hofman. This is the largest, magnificent canal-side private residence most complex series of water gardens in from the Dutch ‘Golden Age’, with a large Holland, with no fewer than 30 gardens, 50 collection of paintings, fine porcelain ponds and 3,000 different types of plants, and silver. The formal gardens perfectly developed with great vigour and creativity complement the Classical style of the since 1987. The ponds are of differing sizes house. The remainder of the day is free to and reflect both the surrounding plantings Ada Hofman Garden explore this vibrant city at leisure, perhaps and the sky to great effect. taking a boat trip on the canals or visiting the Rijksmuseum. Please note: these are two sample Day 4 This morning we visit the outdoor itineraries. We will also be offering museum complex at Zaanse Schans, holidays of different durations and set against an iconic backdrop of historic content, by air and ferry as well as windmills. Later we transfer to Amsterdam by train. Floriade has always been Centraal Station for our Eurostar train back very popular with private groups to London. and we can tailor itineraries to any specification. A full programme with dates and prices will be announced in due course but if you would like to register your interest please call 01334 766 034. Zaanse Schans windmills

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 101 ONCE10 EVERYYEARS

©Passion Play Oberammergau 2020 OBERAMMERGAU COMING AND THE AUSTRIAN TYROL - 2022 SOON

berammergau is a once-per-decade opportunity to witness one of the most O powerful, dramatic spectacles in Europe – an epic portrayal of the Passion of Christ as performed by a cast of over 2,000 local residents. It is sadly ironic Salzburg that an event that first took place after the village was spared the ravages of the Plague should have been cancelled due to a modern pandemic, but the good news is that it has been rescheduled for 2022. We will be offering a range of packages, the following being just one example. Before the play, we enjoy some of the delights of the neighbouring Austrian Tyrol, beginning with a trip on the Zillertal Steam Railway and lunch in a mountain-top restaurant. On our visit to Salzburg, choose from a Mozart or Sound of Music themed excursion, while in Innsbruck we enjoy a guided tour of the beautiful old town and a stroll down the famous Maria-Theresien-Strasse, before we pay a visit to the vaulted halls of Tratzberg Castle. ©Passion Play Oberammergau 2020

Your Itinerary Your Tour Includes Day 1 Fly from London to and Day 4 Visit Innsbruck, with a guided » Five nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: four transfer to Zillertal. (D) tour of the beautiful old town, stopping at at a 4-star hotel in the Tyrol; one at a hotel in the Oberammergau area Emperor Maximillian I’s ‘Golden Roof’. We Day 2 Our first day sees us ride aboard continue with a visit to Tratzberg Castle, » One lunch the historic Zillertal Steam Railway to the which has connections with the once chic ski resort of Mayrhofen, where we » Return flights London to Munich mighty Habsburg dynasty. (B & D) are served with a chilled glass of schnapps. » All visits as outlined in the itinerary For lunch, we’re treated to another jaw Day 5 Bid farewell to Austria today and droppingly scenic journey, this time by travel to Bavaria, where we have lunch in » Comfortable coach travel throughout cable car, to our mountainside restaurant. the village of Garmisch Partenkirchen. » Ticket for the Passion Play (includes (B, L & D) Later on, we will sit down to experience dinner in the intermission) Day 3 Today we explore vibrant Salzburg, the phenomenal Passion Play. The » Services of a professional tour manager but there are two ways to do so. Choose performance includes a three-hour break between a Mozart-themed excursion or during which dinner is served at our hotel. Full details of packages, dates (B & D) one based around The Sound of Music. Both and prices will be announced in options include visits to the city’s fantastic Day 6 After breakfast, we make our way due course but if you would like to castle and cathedral. (B & D) back to Munich and fly home. (B) register your interest please call 01334 766 034. Inc. meals: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

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Gardens by the Bay S SINGAPORE COMING GARDEN FESTIVAL - 2021 SOON

he Singapore Garden Festival takes place every two years and while it was T sadly but inevitably cancelled in 2020, thankfully it is scheduled to return early in 2021. It was the first event to bring together top international award Singapore Botanical Gardens 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 to a full day at the show, we explore Singapore’s many attractions, including the spectacular , 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 Gardens at Raffles, the famous Singaporean institution.

Your Itinerary Day 1 We depart from London Heathrow on Day 5 A full day at the Singapore Garden Your Tour Includes our overnight flight to Singapore. (IF) Festival, where we will enjoy the garden displays, talks and demonstrations. (B & D) » Six nights’ bed & breakfast at the 4-star Day 2 On arrival we depart on a city Orchard Rendezvous Hotel (or similar) sightseeing tour of Singapore. (IF & D) Day 6 Visit the Jurong Gardens, which » Five dinners and one afternoon tea includes both Japanese and Chinese Day 3 We explore Singapore today, with gardens, and sit down to afternoon tea at » Return flights from London to Singapore visits to Singapore Botanical Garden, the Raffle’s Hotel. (B & Afternoon Tea) Colonial District, the » Comfortable coaching throughout and Park. (B & D) Day 7 Explore Hort Park with the » All visits as outlined in the itinerary afternoon free or an optional trip to Day 4 Visit Singapore’s iconic horticultural Island. (B & D) » Services of a professional tour manager attraction, Gardens by the Bay; the Cloud Forest, a mysterious botanical world Day 8 Visit Fort Canning Spice Garden Full details of dates and prices will veiled in mist; and, in the evening, enjoy a before transferring to the airport for our spectacular sound and light show at the overnight flight. (B & IF) be announced in due course but Supertree Grove Gardens. (B & D) if you would like to register your Day 9 Arrival in London. (IF) interest please call 01334 766 034. Inc. meals: IF: In-flight, B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 103 FLORA AND FAUNA OF MADAGASCAR

15 DAYS FROM £5295

Sunbathing????? sifaka

adagascar, the world’s fourth-largest island, is like a gigantic ark sailing ever so slowly across the Indian Ocean, having M broken free from the African continent some 160 million years ago. The national parks and private reserves that feature on this tour are among the finest in the world. On the botanical side, we can expect to see a huge range of fascinating trees and plants, none more curious than the baobab, which look like giant tubers that have been pulled from the earth and thrust back in with the roots uppermost, hence the name ‘Upside Down Tree’. Among the other highlights are spiny bush plants including the unique cactus-like didiereaceae; strange triangulated palms, bloated pachypodiums and carnivorous pitcher plants; tree ferns, aloes and euphorbias. We will also see a host of orchids, including the famous comet orchid. Think of Madagascar and you think of lemurs – and, for many, these endearing primates will top a star-studded cast list of wildlife. As well as the familiar ring-tailed lemur, we hope to see Sanford’s brown lemur, nocturnal mouse lemur and indri indri with their unique, haunting call. Other creatures that may cross our path include geckos, chameleons and a wonderful selection of rare birds.

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Ring-tailed lemur Golden mantella S Your Itinerary

Day 1 & 2 Fly to Antananarivo (usually Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. known as Tana) from London, arriving on Wildlife includes lemurs, rainforest birds Day 2. Our local guide meets us at the and reptiles such as the giant, emerald airport and we transfer to our hotel. (IF & D) green Parson’s chameleon. In the afternoon Day 3 Catch a flight to Diego Suarez/ we visit the Vakona Reserve, including Antsiranana. Upon arrival, stroll along the a canoe trip that will bring us into close Three Bays, see the lighthouse and the contact with different species of lemurs. (B, L & D) French military installations. We also pay a visit to the village of Ramena. (B, L & D) Day 12 Trek through the forest reserve of Analamazaotra and visit the local Day 4 An excursion to Montagne d’Ambre association which works to protect lemurs National Park awaits, where rivers, lakes by encouraging reforestation, with the and waterfalls can be admired. (B, L & D) opportunity to help plant native trees. Day 5 Today, we visit Montagne des Tonight, we enjoy a nocturnal visit to see Français to see dry-country flora and the smallest frog, lemur and chameleon baobab trees. Near the top, on Pic des species of the rainforest. (B, L & D) Traditional Madagascan fishing boat Orchidées, the comet orchid should be in Day 13 We return to Tana. (B, L & D) flower. Later, we fly back to Tana. (B, L & D) Day 14 & 15 We visit the nursery of the Day 6 Fly to Fort Dauphin and travel to Your Tour Includes late Alfred Razafindratsira before our Berenty Private Reserve, a private gallery flight to London, where we arrive on Day 15. » 12 nights’ full board: four nights at the forest that protects ‘spiny desert’ habitat. (B, L, D & IF) Hotel du Louvre, Antananarivo; two Here we can see the strange triangulated Inc. meals: IF: In-flight, B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, nights at the Mantasaly Resort, Diego palm. (B, L & D) D: Dinner Suarez; two nights at the Berenty Lodge; one night at the Hotel La Croix du Sud, Day 7 Berenty Reserve, with its lemurs, Fort Dauphin; three nights at the Lemurs fruit bats and vast bird species, awaits Lodge (all hotels subject to change). again today. See pachypodiums, moringas Please note that picnic lunches are and tamarind trees. (B, L & D) provided on days when we are away from the lodge or hotel Day 8 After lunch, we travel back to Fort Dauphin, with stops en route to see » Return flights from London Heathrow to Antananarivo and four internal flights localised and rare flora. If luck is on our side, we will see endemic pitcher-plants. » All visits as outlined in the itinerary (B, L & D) » All land transfers in appropriate vehicles Day 9 We fly to Tana and transfer to our for the road conditions hotel for an overnight stay. (B, L & D) » Services of a professional tour manager Day 10 We depart for Andasibe on road and local guides No.2, travelling through the forests of Angavo, with a stop en route at a unique farm which is home to a wide variety of Departures & Prices chameleons and other reptiles. (B, L & D) 3 November from £5295pp Day 11 After breakfast, we spend the Single Supplement £780 day exploring the lush rainforest of the Antananarivo

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 105 SOUTH AFRICA’S GARDEN ROUTE

15 DAYS FROM £3995

Babylonstoren????? Garden

aking a long-overdue return to our programme, South Africa’s Garden Route winds its way for some 200km between M 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.

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Knysna A protea in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens S Your Itinerary

Day 1 & 2 We fly overnight from London to pansy shell, pied kingfisher, Knysna lourie, Cape Town, arriving on Day 2. We visit the grey heron and little egret. (B) Old Company Garden before transferring Day 9 We continue along the Garden to our hotel. (IF & D) Route via Knysna, where we will see Day 3 Explore the many trails on top of the cliffs either side of a notoriously Table Mountain, which we ascend by cable dangerous sea channel, and the car, before touring the great Kirstenbosch harbour town of Plettenberg Bay to the National Botanical Garden. (B) Tsitsikamma National Park, home to a stomach‑churning but spectacular Day 4 We depart for a visit to suspension bridge. (B) Babylonstoren, one of the best preserved werfs (farm yards) in the Cape Dutch Day 10 Transfer to Port Elizabeth for our Table Mountain tradition. In the afternoon we visit morning flight to Durban and onward Stellenbosch Botanical Garden, the journey to the Southern Drakensberg, oldest university garden in South Africa, where we stay for the next three nights. featuring an enormous variety of plants (B & D) Your Tour Includes from across the globe – this is a real Day 11 Following breakfast we will have » 13 nights’ accommodation on a bed highlight for any plant-lover. (B) a leisurely botanical walk within the & breakfast basis: three nights at the immediate vicinity of the hotel, giving us an Premier Hotel, Cape Town; two nights at Day 5 After breakfast we check out of the Windsor Hotel, Hermanus; two nights introduction to the native flora. (B & D) the hotel and visit the Helderberg Nature at the Wilderness Hotel, Wilderness; one Reserve, where we will have the chance to Day 12 Today is free to relax or there’s a night at the Kelway Hotel, Port Elizabeth; have a final look at some of South Africa’s chance to join our optional excursion to the three nights at the Drakensberg Gardens Hotel and two nights at the Garden diverse flora in the mountain fynbos. We nearby kingdom of Lesotho. (B & D) then visit the Vergelegen Wine Estate. We Court Marine Parade, Durban (all hotels continue to the our hotel in Hermanus, a Day 13 We leave Drakensberg today and subject to change) lovely little town which forms the centre of begin our journey back to Durban, which » Four dinners and one lunch the Whale Route. (B) we will break with a visit to the » Flights from London Heathrow to Cape in Kwa-Zulu Natal Botanical Garden Town; Port Elizabeth to Durban and Day 6 We offer the option of a boat trip Pietermaritzburg. (B) to spot whales and other marine life. After Durban to London Heathrow lunch we head inland to the Fernkloof Day 14 Visit three gardens in Durban: the » All visits as outlined in the itinerary , which covers 1,800 Japanese Gardens, Makaranga Garden Nature Reserve » Comfortable coach travel throughout hectares. (B) Lodge and the Botanical Gardens. (B & L) » Services of Colin Crosbie as tour Day 7 After breakfast we check out of the Day 15 We transfer to Durban airport for manager and local guides hotel and set out on the Garden Route, our return flight back to London. (B & IF) driving over Shaw’s Pass to Caledon and on to Swellendam, Riverdale and finally Inc. meals: IF: In-flight, B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner Mossel Bay, where we visit the Dias Departures & Prices Complex Museum. (B) 21 September from £3995pp Day 8 Today we set out for a full day Single Supplement £650 walking tour with a local guide in the Optional excursion - Whale Wilderness National Park. The wildlife is Watching £85p | Lesotho £90pp varied, and includes the Knysna seahorse,

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 107 NEW FOR 2021 BHUTAN AND NEPAL

14 DAYS FROM £5395

Tiger’s Nest

radled in the folds of the Himalayas, Bhutan is an isolated kingdom with a unique cultural heritage which dates directly C back to the mid-17th century, closely bound with the Buddhist religion. It is only in the last few decades that foreigners have been allowed to visit and the country remains unspoilt by commercial tourism. The scenery is spell-binding, with deep, wooded valleys rising to towering snow-capped peaks and villages and monasteries that cling precariously to the hillsides. Our tour is centred around the Jambay Lhakhang Festival, a remarkable event with colourful ritual dances. In addition to this our itinerary includes excursions and gentle hikes which take us to the most scenic areas and the best of the attractions, including the remarkable Tiger’s Nest Monastery. We also take the opportunity to spend a couple of days in Kathmandu in Nepal on the outward journey, a chance to become acclimatized to the altitude here in the Himalayas. The tour will be led by Julia Corden, President of the Scottish Rock Garden Club, who has visited Bhutan several times.

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Thimphu Durbar Square S Your Itinerary

Day 1 Depart from London on an overnight Day 9 Drive down to Punakha, a former Day 13 Transfer to the airport in Paro flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. (IF) capital of Bhutan. Blessed with a temperate for our flight back to Kathamandu as we climate and owing to its natural drainage bid farewell to the legendary ‘Dragon Day 2 On arrival in Kathmandu, we transfer from the Pho Chhu (male) and Mo Chhu Kingdom’. Overnight in Kathmandu. (B & D) to our hotel. (IF & D) (female) rivers, the fertile valley produces Day 14 Transfer to the airport in Day 3 Depart on a guided tour of some abundant crops and fruit. (B, L & D) Kathmandu for our flight back to London, of the principal sights of Kathmandu, Day 10 We spend the day exploring arriving later the same day. (B & IF) including Durbar Square, the house of the Punakha, including a visit to the Dzong, living goddess Kumari and the ‘Monkey which has a hallowed place in Bhutanese Temple’, one of the holiest and largest history. We conclude at Chimi Lhakhang, ancient stupa in the Buddhist world. (B & D) situated on a hillock in the centre of the Day 4 We fly from Kathmandu to Paro valley. It is widely believed that if couples in Bhutan, which if the weather is clear wanting to have children pray at this will offer some spectacular sights of the temple, they are usually blessed with a Himalayas. Transfer to Thimphu, a most child very soon. (B, L & D) Inc. meals: IF: In-flight, B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, unusual capital city. (B, L & D) D: Dinner Day 11 Transfer to Paro, with visits to three Day 5 We spend today exploring the impressive dzongs on the way. Due to their Please note a good level of sights of Thimphu, including a scenic walk strategic position as watchtowers they walking ability is required to get to the Tango Monastery, a picturesque offer splendid views of the surrounding the most out of this holiday. three-storey tower from the 12th century. mountains. (B, L & D) (B, L & D) Day 12 Walking boots are donned today Day 6 Drive to the pass at Dochu La with as we hike from Paro to the famous cliff spectacular views of the Himalayas and hermitage Taktsang, the ‘Tiger’s Nest’. visit the Royal Botanical Park. (B, L & D) After visiting the temple we will climb higher still to enjoy the incomparable Day 7 Drive to Bumthang, stopping on the Your Tour Includes peacefulness of this unique place of way for a visit to Tongsa Dzong, typical of contemplation and meditation. We will » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast in the distinctive type of Bhutanese fortress descend through pristine forests of oaks Kathmandu and nine nights’ full board or watchtower, which is a masterpiece of and rhododendrons. (B, L & D) in Bhutan architecture with a maze of courtyards, passageways and 23 temples. » Return flights from London to Kathmandu and Kathmandu to Paro We continue to Bumthang which is a » Comfortable coaching and all visits as combination of four valleys – Chumey, outlined Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600m to 4,000m. (B, L & D) » Services of Julia Corden as tour manager and local guides Day 8 We will spend the day at the Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival, watching the many ritual dances and enjoying the Departures & Prices elaborate costumes of not only the dancers but the locals who flock to the festival from 15 October from £5395pp far and wide. (B, L & D) Single Supplement £495 Jambay Lhakhang Temple

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 109 SEASONAL GARDENS OF JAPAN

13 DAYS FROM £4995

Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)?????

urround yourself with the splendours of the Far East with an itinerary of rare gardens, bamboo forests, ancient temples, S 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-covered forest clearings, are situated in and around Kyoto, Japan’s former capital, and we enjoy three full days exploring both public and private gardens in this area. We have included a variety of different natural styles in order to bring this tour to life, from landscape gardens and stroll gardens, to pond-and-island spaces. A recent and popular addition to this tour is dinner with a maiko, an apprentice geisha, in traditional costume. Tradition, stories and natural beauty await.

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The Bamboo Forest Cherry blossom at Hamarikyu Gardens S Your Itinerary Day 1 Depart from London on an overnight Next, we enjoy Nara Park where thousands flight to Kansai International Airport, of tame deer run free. Later, we enjoy an Osaka. (IF) evening visit at the Kodai-ji Temple. (B & L) Day 2 Upon arrival in Osaka, we transfer to Day 8 This morning we visit the Heian Kyoto to visit the gardens of the Imperial Shrine, a rare example of a pond garden in Palace, which feature broad gravel paths the grounds of a Shinto shrine. We move and attractive weeping cherry trees, and onto the Nanzen-ji Temple Complex, a then we transfer to our hotel. (D) quintessential Zen temple, before travelling to Tokyo by bullet train. (B) Day 3 After breakfast we discover the dry landscape garden at Ginkaku-ji and Day 9 We take a coach to the seaside town the private garden of Hakusasonsou. We of Kamakura to visit the Great Buddha. continue to Kyoto Botanical Garden, After lunch, we continue to the simple and home to over 120,000 plants, and the elegant Hase Kannon Temple. Our next Bamboo Forest Path, a strange and stop is to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu atmospheric forest of dense bamboo. (B) Shrine, one of the biggest attractions in Senso-ji Temple Kamakura and dedicated to the God of Day 4 We enjoy a full-day excursion to War. (B & L) the Prefecture of Shiga, beginning in Otsu where we visit the ancient temple Day 10 Hakone and Mount Fuji are our Your Tour Includes of Ishiyamadera. We continue to the tour stops for today. We begin with a historic town of Omihachiman and the visit to Onshi Hakone Park, an area of » 11 nights’ bed & breakfast; six nights at the ANA Hotel, Kyoto and five nights at Hachimanbori Canal. In the old merchants’ forested mountains and deep ravines. After the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa, area, we explore Nishikawake House, a lunch, we take a cruise on Lake Ashi, the Tokyo (or similar) former residence of a wealthy merchant principal attraction of Hakone. Views from family before we return to Kyoto. (B) here are amazing and on the way back, we » Dinner and welcome drink on first evening, a dinner with a maiko, three can take photos of Mount Fuji. (B & L) Day 5 Today we explore Kyoto at leisure. lunches and a farewell dinner Alternatively, join our optional excursion Day 11 After breakfast, we see the garden » Flight from London Heathrow to Osaka, by train to Hiroshima and the Peace of Kyu-Furukawa. A waterfall and large returning from Tokyo Memorial Park. (B) stone lanterns heighten the serene All visits as outlined in the itinerary atmosphere in the garden. Later, we tour » Day 6 We start at the Daisen-in Temple, Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden and visit » Comfortable coach travel throughout before visiting two more dry landscape Shunkanen’s Bonsai Museum. (B) gardens, Zuiho-in and Ryogen-in. Next, we » Services of a horticulturalist as tour tour the stunning Kinkaku-ji Temple and Day 12 Today we begin at Hamarikyu manager (Colin Crosbie in March, Trevor Edwards in November) plus local guides end at Ryoan-ji Temple. This evening we Garden, a place of tranquillity in the have a special dinner with a maiko, and we heart of Tokyo. We then take a cruise on learn all about the history of this practice the Sumida River, visit Senso-ji Temple, Departures & Prices and its customs. (B & D) browse the stalls at Nakamise-dori and continue on to Rikugien Garden. We see 30 March from £4995pp Day 7 We head to Nara and explore the the Imperial Palace East Gardens before Kasuga Grand Shrine, one of Japan’s 10 November from £4995pp sitting down to our farewell dinner. (B & D) most important Shinto shrines. Afterwards, Single Supplement £1500 we tour the Todai-ji Temple, home to the Day 13 We transfer to the airport for our world’s largest bronze statue of Buddha. return flight to London. (B & IF) Optional excursion - Hiroshima £395pp Inc. meals: IF: In-flight, B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 111 GRENADA GARDENS OF THE SPICE ISLAND

9 DAYS FROM £2895

St. George ?????harbour

ying at the southern end of the Lesser Antilles, the little island of Grenada offers a typical slice of Caribbean life, L 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.

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Grenada’s prize-winning display at Chelsea Flower Show 2019 Trevor Edwards and local guide S Your Itinerary

Day 1 We take a flight from London to process of turning raw cane sugar into Day 8 After breakfast, we have free time Grenada, where welcome drinks and dinner the iconic Caribbean spirit, followed by a for some last-minute shopping before we are waiting for us on arrival. (IF & D) tasting of the finished product. (B & L) transfer to the airport in time for our return Day 2 We ease ourselves into the tour Day 5 Returning to the garden trail this flight to London. (B & IF) with a gentle day at the hotel, beginning morning, we begin with a relaxed and Day 9 Today we arrive in London. (IF) with an introductory tour of the 6¼-acre delicious Grenadian breakfast at Smithy’s Inc. meals: IF: In-flight, B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, manicured gardens. In the afternoon, we Garden with the owner. We will then AT: Afternoon Tea, D: Dinner explore the hotel grounds once again, this tour the gently sloping garden, which is time on the lookout for some of the 27 noted for its wild and natural feel, and species of birds that frequent the gardens, be entertained by the resident birds. We led by another enthusiastic member of continue via the Annandale Waterfall, staff. Binoculars are provided to us by the where the rock walls are covered in soft hotel. (B) ferns, and the Grand Etang Rainforest, where, if we are lucky, we may see the Day 3 We begin our exploration of the mona monkey, which was brought to island with a visit to the private garden of Grenada from Africa during the Slave Trade Gemrose Eden, where we are welcomed era. We conclude today with a visit to the and given a tour by the owner, whose Balthazar Estate, where we will see giant enthusiasm for her plants is infectious. heliconia, musa, ginger, and many more This small garden is steep, but well Annandale Waterfall tropical plants, and where we can learn landscaped with reasonably good paths about the introduction of nutmeg to the and steps. We continue to the private island in 1843, a key moment in Grenadian garden of Hyde Park, again led round history. (B) Your Tour Includes by the owner. The garden was laid out by the landscape designer Chris Baksh Day 6 After breakfast we depart for Sunny » Seven nights’ bed & breakfast at the to optimise the wonderful views. After Side Garden, a breathtakingly beautiful Blue Horizon Garden Resort our tour we will enjoy a cooling drink on garden, five acres in size, with koi ponds, an » Two dinners, one lunch, one afternoon the veranda and take in those views. In orchard and an excellent variety of palms, tea, and welcome and farewell drinks the afternoon we visit the historic Tower orchids, hibiscus and bromeliads – many of » Return flights from London to Grenada Garden, a 100-year-old private home in which feature in Grenada’s award-winning well-established gardens nestled in the hills RHS Chelsea displays. The afternoon finds » All visits as outlined in the itinerary of St. Paul’s, in the south-east of the island. us at Palm Tree Gardens, a botanical » Comfortable coach travel throughout Afternoon tea is included here. (B & AT) garden with two acres of flowering trees » Services of horticulturalist Trevor and plants of many varieties, not to mention Day 4 Following breakfast, a full day Edwards as tour manager and local some resident tortoises and turtles. (B) island tour awaits, beginning at Mount guides Edgecombe, where we will follow a Day 7 Today is free to lounge by the pool fascinating botanical trail through the or explore independently. Alternatively, join Departures & Prices grounds. A drive along roads that wind our optional excursion – a full-day cruise through the verdant hills of the interior aboard a traditionally-built wooden sloop 15 May from £2895pp takes us to Belmont Estate, where a of the type that used to trade up and down 2 October from £2895pp delicious buffet lunch is served. In the the Caribbean chain. In the evening, we Single Supplement £455 afternoon, we visit the River Antoine enjoy drinks and a farewell dinner Rum Distillery for a tour that explains the at our hotel. (B & D) Optional excursion - Cruise £120pp

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 113 Arenal Volcano GARDENS OF 13 DAYS FROM COSTA RICA £3895

he term biodiversity may have been coined with Costa Rica in mind, such T is the range of different species within its pristine, tropical forests. Throw in some spectacular scenery and resplendently laid-back citizens, and you have all Waterfall Gardens of La Paz the makings of a life-affirming holiday experience. From sub-tropical wildlife to amazing endemic plants, we explore it all. Visit a broad range of gardens both public and private, such as the Else Kientzler Botanical Gardens with its world-class collection of plants. In such a beautiful setting, we also spend ample time admiring 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 hydroelectric dam was built here. At the Monteverde Cloud Reserve we will see some of the 100 mammals, 400 bird species and more than 2,500 varieties of plants that thrive here, including, if we are lucky, the famously elusive Resplendent Quetzal. Suspended bridge over trees in Monteverde Your Itinerary Day 1 We fly from London to San José, Day 7 After a boat trip on Lake Arenal, Your Tour Includes arriving in time for dinner. (IF & D) Costa Rica’s largest body of fresh water, we » 11 nights’ bed & breakfast: three nights head to Monteverde. (B, L & D) at the Bougainvillea Hotel, Heredia Day 2 After breakfast, we visit the stunning (or similar); two nights at La Quinta, Else Kientzler Botanical Garden as well Day 8 Wander around orchid and Sarapiqui (or similar), two nights in the as a private garden. (B & L) butterfly gardens today. This evening, Arenal area, two nights in Monteverde, there is the opportunity to dine at the Tree two nights in Manuel Antonia Day 3 Today we visit La Paz Waterfall House restaurant (not included). (B & L) Gardens. Later, it’s on to the world’s largest » Six dinners and ten lunches butterfly garden. (B, L & D) Day 9 Tour the Monteverde Cloud » Return flights from London to San José Reserve, with its complex ecosystem and Day 4 Visit La Tirimbina organic cacao vast array of flora and fauna. (B & L) » All visits as outlined in the itinerary plantation and learn about pineapple » Comfortable coach travel throughout farming at the Organic Paradise Tour. Day 10 Explore the Manuel Antonio (B, L & D) National Park before touring the » Services of a professional tour manager and a local guide Day 5 Explore a medicinal garden at the Rainforest Spices Plantation. (B & L) majestic Arenal Volcano. (B, L & D) Day 11 Today we tour La Garita’s Orchid Departures & Prices Garden en route to San José. (B, L & D) Day 6 A full day awaits at the Caño Negro 3 February from £3895pp Wildlife Refuge, where we can expect to Day 12/13 We catch our return flight, see a diverse range of flora. Later we enjoy arriving in London on Day 13. (B & IF) 28 January 2022 from £3995pp Arenal’s hot springs. (B & L) Single Supplement £995 Inc. meals: If: In-flight, B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

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Lankester botanical garden S SOUTHERN COSTA RICA

10 DAYS FROM ntroduced by popular demand, this holiday complements our I successful tour of the country’s northern parts. It explores the £3195 southern regions, an unexplored rugged wilderness, where the amenities Treefrog are more basic, but the where one can experience an alternative to the hustle and bustle of the more popular tourist destinations. We start at the Lankester Garden, which has a world class collection of nearly a thousand varieties of orchids. We continue to a mountain lodge in the cloud forest where we enjoy a fascinating wildlife walk, then move on to the Wilson Botanical Garden. We conclude with a visit to the Central Pacific region, where we enjoy a unique farm-to-table tour featuring the local cuisine, as well as an opportunity to take a fascinating night forest walk on the trails around the lodge.

Lankester Garden Orchid

Your Tour Includes » Eight nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast: Your Itinerary two nights at the Bougainvillea Hotel, San Jose; two nights at Trogan Lodge; Day 1 Depart from London on our flight to Day 6 A full-day exploring the Wilson two nights at the Wilson Botanical San José and transfer to our hotel. (IF & D) Botanical Garden and its huge collection Garden; two nights at Esquinas Lodge of plants. (B, L & D) » Seven lunches Day 2 Visit the Lankester Garden and its world class collection of orchids, then on to Day 7 We head for the Central Pacific » Return flights from London to San José region, where we enjoy a unique Cerro de la Muerte. (B, L & D) farm to » Comfortable coach travel and all visits table experience and later a night forest Day 3 Enjoy a walking tour of the tropical as outlined wildlife walk. (B, L & D) cloud forest. (B, L & D) » Services of a professional tour manager Day 8 Morning free to enjoy a paddle or and a local guide Day 4 We transfer to Esquinas and in the swim in the ocean before heading back to afternoon take a wildlife walk on the forest San José. (B, L & D) trails. (B, L & D) Day 9/10 Transfer to the airport for our Departures & Prices Day 5 Transfer to the Wilson Botanical overnight flight back to London. (B & IF) 15 February from £3195pp Garden. (B, L & D) 8 February 2022 from £3295pp Single Supplement £450 Inc. meals: If: In-flight, B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

01334 208164 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 115 NEW ZEALAND

20 DAYS FROM £6995

Milford????? Sound

or us in the United Kingdom, visiting New Zealand is rather like entering a parallel universe. On the surface, everything F 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 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 Mike Nelhams, 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 Trevor Edwards - please ask for separate itinerary.

116 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology G A R D E N

Christchurch Botanic Gardens Hamilton Gardens S Your Itinerary

Day 1, 2 & 3 Depart from London on our visit the sumptuous tasting room and cellar Day 20 Arrive back in London. (IF) overnight flight to Singapore, where we at Wither Hills Vineyards for a hosted enjoy a stopover, including a visit to the wine‑tasting. (B & D) Inc. meals: IF: In-flight, B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner spectacular Gardens by the Bay. Fly from Day 12 Today we enjoy a full day at the Singapore to Auckland in New Zealand on Marlborough Garden festival including evening of Day 3. (IF & B) some private gardens. (B & L) Day 4 On arrival, we depart for our Day 13 We enjoy another festival garden Auckland hotel with a stop en route at tour featuring thoughtfully designed Eden Garden. (IF & D) smaller gardens and later visit the Aviation Day 5 Visit Ayrlies, one of the most Heritage Museum. (B & D) celebrated gardens in New Zealand. From Day 14 Depart for Christchurch and enjoy Auckland we break our journey in Hamilton the sights of the ‘Garden City’, including a with a visit to the impressive Hamilton visit to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Gardens. We continue to the thermal (B & D) TSS Earnslaw wonderland of Rotorua, the Sulphur City. This evening we visit Tamaki Maori Village Day 15 This morning, travel out to for a cultural experience and hangi Governors Bay, to visit Ohinetahi before Your Tour Includes dinner. (B & D) travelling to Akaunui Historic House and Gardens. As we return to Christchurch, we » 16 nights’ bed & breakfast: one night Day 6 This morning, we head south stop on the way to visit Trott’s Gardens. in Singapore; one night Auckland; through the small towns of Piopio and (B & L) one night Rotorua; three nights New Mokau to the fertile Taranaki region and Plymouth; two nights Wellington; two visit Tikorangi, The Jury Garden. (B & D) Day 16 A day for spectacular sights. We nights Blenheim; one night Kaikoura; travel through Geraldine and Fairlie, over two nights Christchurch; three nights Day 7 & 8 Over the next two days, we take Burke’s Pass into the vast Mackenzie Basin Queenstown in some of the gardens featured in this to the magnificent blue waters of » 11 dinners and three lunches (2021); year’s Taranaki Garden Festival. (B & D; B) Lake Tekapo. (B & D) 11 dinners and two lunches (2022) Day 9 Leaving New Plymouth after Day 17 This morning we visit Chantecler » Return flights from London to Auckland breakfast, we will travel to Wellington, Garden and Gibbston Valley Winery. (with stopover in Singapore on the New Zealand’s capital city. En route we This evening we take a cruise across outbound flight) and an internal flight visit the outstanding Paloma Gardens at Lake Wakatipu on the steamer TSS from Queenstown to Auckland Wanganui. (B & D) Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station, where » Comfortable coach travel throughout we enjoy a delicious dinner at the Colonel’s Day 10 Start this morning with an » Services of a professional tour manager informative sightseeing tour of Wellington Homestead. (B & D) (Mike Nelhams in October and Trevor and then visit Otari Native Botanic Day 18 We enjoy one of the undoubted Edwards in January) and local guides Garden and Wilton’s Bush Reserve, highlights of our tour as we depart for Zealandia and the Karori Sanctuary. On Milford Sound. (B, L & D) our return to the city, we visit the Museum Departures & Prices Day 19 Sadly, our tour of New Zealand of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa). (B) 25 October from £6995pp comes to an end today as we transfer Day 11 This morning we board the to Queenstown Airport for our flight to 9 January 2022 from £6995pp Interislander Ferry and cross Cook Strait Auckland and onward connection to Single Supplement £1675 to Picton in the South Island. Later, we London. (B & IF)

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 117 NEW FOR 2021 FLOWERS AND FLAVOURS OF COLOMBIA

14 DAYS FROM £3795

Silleteros Parade

olombia offers a dazzling array of lush landscapes, colourful cities and natural wonders, all bathed in the benign warmth C of the tropics. We will see wonderful flowers but we will also experience rich flavours, with typical lunches and, of course, the most flavoursome of coffees. We begin in the capital Bogotá, closely associated with Simon Bolivar, the revered military leader who led Colombia and other neighbouring states to independence from the Spanish Empire. It is also home to the largest botanical garden in Colombia, with a diverse range of flora including a wide variety of Amazonian flowers and a notable collection of orchids. After visiting a National Park of bewildering biodiversity we move on to Pereira in the heart of the Colombian Coffee Region for a taste sensation. We see more orchids, birds and butterflies before we move on to Medellín, a once notorious city which now revels in its soubriquet of the ‘City of Eternal Spring’. A highlight here will be a visit to a ‘silletera’, where extravagant wreaths of flowers are created and displayed. Our tour concludes in Cartagena, a colourful colonial city where the Spaniards once fought off attacks by the English. We also explore a nearby fishing village and observe a wide range of flora and fauna, so typical of this extravagantly endowed country.

118 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology G A R D E N

Medellín Orchids S Your Itinerary

Day 1 We fly from London to Bogotá and Day 9 Today we will find out all about the on arrival transfer to our hotel in the city Silleteros, local people who grow and sell centre. (IF) flowers, usually made up into extravagant wreaths and other displays known as Day 2 We visit the Botanical Garden, silletas. We enjoy a typical lunch of the the largest in Colombia, which is home to region today. (B, L & D) a diverse range of flora including a wide variety of Amazonian flowers and a notable Day 10 We transfer to the airport collection of orchids. Later we tour the at Medellín for our internal flight to historic sights of the city. (B & D) Cartagena and on arrival transfer to our Cartagena de Indias hotel, where the remainder of the day will Day 3 A full day in the Chicaque National be free to relax. (B & D) Park, a humid, cloud-forest environment of great biodiversity, including 630 different Day 11 We tour the colonial city of plants and 200 bird species. (B, L & D) Cartagena, including a visit to the 17th century Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas. Day 4 We take a flight to Pereira and in In the afternoon we visit the nature reserve the afternoon depart on an excursion to a of La Ciénaga. Upon arrival, we will be typical coffee plantation. After learning greeted with a welcome drink before taking about the process of coffee production we part in various activities, such as fishing, will enjoy a tasting of two types of coffee hiking to the Iguanas Bridge and observing and of course a cup of the finished product the local flora and fauna or taking a train Coffee Culture - perhaps the best you’ve ever tasted! ride round the reserve. (B & D) (B & D) Day 12 Relax in the hotel or join an optional Day 5 Transfer to the Finca La Romelia, excursion to the ‘pink sea’ at Galerazamba, Your Tour Includes where we will see a large selection of a naturally occurring phenomenon caused orchids and other native plants. » 12 nights’ bed and breakfast: three nights by a micro-organism. (B & D) (B & D) Bogotá, three nights Pereira, three nights Day 13/14 Flight back to London from Medellín, three nights Cartagena Day 6 Today we transfer to the municipality Cartagena via Bogotá, arriving on Day 14. » Two lunches of Calarca, home to a spectacular (B & IF) butterfly vivarium and a beautiful natural » All visits as outlined in the itinerary forest with a huge biodiversity - over 600 Inc. meals: If: In-flight, B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, » Flights from London to Bogotá and species of plants, 70 species of birds and D: Dinner Cartagena to London 2,000 species of butterflies. (B & D) » Services of a professional tour manager Day 7 We enjoy a day on the road, and a local guide travelling through mountainous, richly forested countryside to Medellín. (B & D) Departures & Prices Day 8 We spend today exploring the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ as Medellín is known, 16 February from £3895pp due to the pleasantly warm climate that 15 February 2022 from £3995pp prevails all year round. (B & D) Single Supplement £600 Optional excursion: Galerazamba £45pp Silleteros Parade

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 119 NEW FOR 2021 LANDSCAPES AND FLORA OF PATAGONIA

13 DAYS FROM £6995

El Calafate

atagonia takes its name from Patagón, the name used by the explorer Magellan to describe the native tribes of the region, P whom his expedition thought to be giants, and early maps and charts of the New World often referred to Patagonia as ‘Land of the Giants’. While the indigenous people were of above average height they were certainly not giants, yet this description of the region remains accurate. The reason lies in the massive mountains that rise from the plains of Patagonia, jagged, snow-flecked peaks that pierce the sky in an unforgettable display of natural wonder. Elsewhere we will see glittering glaciers and azure lakes, verdant forests and colourful shrubs, and a host of rare and endemic flowers, as we embark on a series of walks among the mountains. Highlights include El Calafate Mountain Park, named for the ubiquitous shrub with yellow leaves and purple berries; the Moreno Glacier, the third largest glacial area in the world; the mountain of Lom del Pliegue Tumbado and of course the Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that will provide some of the most spectacular mountain vistas you will ever see.

120 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology G A R D E N

Lake Grey Calafate flower S Your Itinerary

Day 1 We depart from London on an Day 7 We visit one of the great natural Day 10 Today we take a boat trip across overnight flight to the Argentinian capital wonders of the world, the Moreno Glacier, Lake Grey, and from here we walk to and continue on a connecting which is the third largest glacial area Lodge Paine Grande, offering some of flight to El Calafate in Patagonia. (IF) in the world. The road leads to a series the most impressive sights of the Park, of catwalks on the edge of the glacier, botanising on the way. Another boat ride Day 2 On arrival at the airport in El offering great photo opportunities, while takes us to Pudeto and from there we Calafate we will be met and transferred to the roar of the chunks of ice falling inside drive back to our hotel, at the end of a truly our hotel in the town, which takes its name the glacier or into the lake, not to mention spectacular day. (B, PL & D) from the Calafate, a little bush with yellow the sheer scale of the place, will make this flowers and dark blue berries which is very Day 11 Drive to El Calafate Airport for our day a very special and unique experience. common in Patagonia. (IF & D) (B, PL & D) internal flight to Buenos Aires where we stay overnight. (B & PL) Day 3 This morning we drive to El Calafate Day 8 We drive to Torres del Paine Mountain Park, from where we walk up National Park, which lies just over the Day 12/13 We fly overnight from Buenos to the meseta known as Balcones de El border in Chile. Approaching the park, Aires to London. (B & IF) Calafate, to see our first native plants, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Inc. meals: IF: In-flight, B: Breakfast, which will include Notro, with its beautiful we will see the various mountains that PL: Packed Lunch, D: Dinner red flowers, and the aforementioned give the area its distinctive and unique Calafate. We then drive to El Chaltén at the appearance: Paine Grande, the Horns, Please note a good level of foot of the Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre massif. Admiral Nieto and the Towers. As we drive walking ability is required to get (B, PL & D) though the vast steppes we will take the the most out of this holiday. Day 4 Today we will enjoy a hike in the opportunity to look for some of the great Torre Valley, which starts as a glacial array of plants endemic to this dry region of Patagonia. (B, PL & D) valley in the Laguna Torre before reaching Your Tour Includes the town as a fluvial valley. After an hour Day 9 Enjoy a full day excursion to Torres or so of walking we will reach the first del Paine National Park, where we can » Ten nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast: viewpoint over the glacial part of the valley. expect to find a very interesting array of three nights El Calafate, three nights El Depending on conditions, we will go on to plant species, all set against a stunning Chalten, one night Torres del Paine, two reach the lagoon, a natural viewpoint over backdrop of mountains and lakes. nights Lago Grey, one night Buenos Aires the ice-mushroom-covered spires of the (B, PL & D) » Nine packed lunches Cerro Torre massif. (B, PL & D) » Return flights from London to El Calafate Day 5 We walk on the Rio Blanco Trail, via Buenos Aires which offers spectacular views, with valleys cloaked in verdant forests of Southern » All visits as outlined in the itinerary Beech, Lenga and Nirre, more Calafate, » Comfortable coach travel throughout yellow orchids and other dainty flowers. » Services of a professional tour manager (B, PL & D) and a local guide Day 6 Today we will enjoy a hike on the mountain Loma del Pliegue Tumbado, which offers some of the best views Departures & Prices over the mountains, glaciers and lakes of 30 November from £6995pp the region as well as further botanising opportunities. (B, PL & D) Single Supplement £800 Notro

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 121 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

FEBRUARY APRIL Gardens of Costa Rica - North 3 Feb Walking in the Outer Hebrides 6 Apr Gardens and Villas of Sicily 20 Apr Gardens of Costa Rica - South 15 Feb Spring Flowers of Crete 12 Apr Portuguese Archaeology 20 Apr Flowers and Flavours of Colombia 16 Feb Gardens of Mallorca 13 Apr Gardens of Kent & Sussex 23 Apr French Riviera with Menton Lemon 18 Feb Dutch Bulbfields 16 Apr Highgrove and the Cotswolds 23 Apr Festival Gardens of Marrakech 17 Apr Historic Houses of Dorset 23 Apr Walking Cornwall 19 Apr An Archaeologist’s View of Orkney 26 Apr Crete Archaeology 20 Apr and Shetland Arts & Gardens of the French Archaeology of the Peloponnese 26 Apr 20 Apr MARCH Riviera Historic Houses - Aberdeenshire 28 Apr Gardens and Archaeology of Turkey 20 Apr Private Gardens of Cornwall 29 Apr Malta’s Archaeological Heritage 9 Mar Gardens and Architecture of 22 Mar Andalucia Gardens and Villas of Sicily 23 Mar Gardens of Mallorca 23 Mar Seasonal Gardens of Japan 30 Mar

MAY JUNE Albania Archaeology 4 May Gardens of West Wales 1 Jun Gardens of Northumberland 13 Jun Irish Rover 4 May Castles & Houses of Picardy Gardens Cruise 17 Jun 2 Jun Malta’s Archaeological Heritage 4 May Northumberland RHS Garden Bridgewater and 18 Jun Villas and Gardens of the Italian Gardens of North Wales 4 Jun Gardens of the North West 5 May Lakes Highgrove and the Cotswolds 4 Jun Steam Trains of Yorkshire 20 Jun French Riviera - Rose Festival 6 May In the Footsteps of Gertrude Jekyll 5 Jun Wengen 22 Jun Historic Houses - Devon & Historic Houses - Aberdeenshire 6 Jun Villas and Gardens of the Italian 6 May 23 Jun Cornwall Private Gardens of Herefordshire 7 Jun Lakes The Genius of Monet 7 May Rome, Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo 8 Jun Gardens of Kent & Sussex 25 Jun Gardens and Architecture of Highgrove and the Cotswolds 25 Jun 10 May Gardens of Derbyshire 10 Jun Andalucia Walmer Castle and the Cinque Ports 10 Jun Castles and Houses of Lincolnshire 26 Jun Bulgarian Archaelogy 11 May Rome, Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo 11 May Grenada: Gardens of the Spice 15 May Island Literary Trails of the West Country 18 May Picardy Gardens Cruise 20 May Highgrove and the Cotswolds 21 May Literary Trails of the South Coast 21 May Scenic Railways of North Wales 21 May Gardens of Kent & Sussex 28 May Private Gardens of East Anglia 28 May Historic Houses - North Wales 29 May An Archaeologist’s View of Orkney 31 May and Shetland

122 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology JULY AUGUST Gardens of Somerset & Dorset 1 Jul RHS Garden Bridgewater and 6 Aug Castles and Gardens of the Loire Gardens of the North West 2 Jul Cruise Highgrove and the Cotswolds 8 Aug Archaeology of Denmark & Sweden 5 Jul Legends of the Rhone Cruise 11 Aug The Faroe Islands 8 Jul Gardens of North Wales 13 Aug An Archaeologist’s View of Orkney 12 Jul Queen Victoria & the Isle of Wight 14 Aug and Shetland Private Gardens of Herefordshire 16 Aug Historic Houses - Devon & Cornwall 15 Jul Gardens of Somerset & Dorset 19 Aug Gardens of North Wales 16 Jul Gardens of Kent & Sussex 20 Aug RHS Garden Bridgewater and 16 Jul Private Gardens of East Anglia 20 Aug Gardens of the North West Gardens of Northumberland 22 Aug Historic Houses - Aberdeenshire 18 Jul Highgrove and the Cotswolds 22 Aug The RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 21 Jul Queen Victoria & the Isle of Wight 22 Aug Private Gardens of Cornwall 22 Jul Irish Rover 22 Aug Gardens of Northumberland 23 Jul An Archaeologist’s View of Orkney 23 Aug The Genius of Monet 23 Jul and Shetland Walking in the Outer Hebrides 23 Jul Walking Cornwall 30 Aug SEPTEMBER RHS Garden Bridgewater and Villas and Gardens of the Italian Gardens and Architecture of 1 Sep 3 Sep 13 Sep Gardens of the North West Lakes Andalucia Scenic Railways of North Wales 1 Sep Archaeology of Denmark & Literary Trails of the South West 14 Sep 6 Sep Sweden Private Gardens of herefordshire 1 sep Castles & Houses of 15 Sep Gardens of West Wales 6 Sep Arts & Gardens of the French Northumberland 2 Sep Riviera Rome, Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo 7 Sep Literary Trails of the South 17 Sep The Faroe Islands 2 Sep Walmer Castle and the Cinque South Africa’s Garden Route 21 Sep 9 Sep Ports Highgrove and the Cotswolds 3 Sep Highgrove and the Cotswolds 24 Sep Walking in the Peak District 12 Sep Historic Houses of Dorset 3 Sep Historic Houses - North Wales 25 Sep OCTOBER NOVEMBER

Castles and Houses of Lincolnshire 1 Oct Gardens of Madeira 1 Nov Grenada: Gardens of the Spice Flora and Fauna of Madagascar 3 Nov 2 Oct Island Malta’s Archaeological Heritage 9 Nov Steam Trains of Yorkshire 3 Oct Seasonal Gardens of Japan 10 Nov Archaeology of the Peloponnese 4 Oct Iceland Northern Lights 14 Nov Bulgarian Archaelogy 5 Oct Landscapes and Flora of Patagonia 30 Nov Gardens of Marrakech 5 Oct Albania Archaeology 12 Oct Douro Discovery Cruise 13 Oct JANUARY 2022 To book your Crete Archaeology 14 Oct New Zealand 9 Jan Brightwater Portuguese Archaeology 14 Oct Gardens of Costa Rica 28 Jan Bhutan and Nepal 15 Oct holiday, call our New Zealand 25 Oct Autumn Tints of the Lake District 31 Oct FEBRUARY 2022 travel experts Southern Costa Rica 15 Feb today: 01334 766034 Flowers and Flavours of Colombia 16 Feb

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 123 BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

Your package holiday booking is with Brightwater Holidays, Eden Park House, Cupar, Fife, Scotland KY15 4HS. Telephone: 01334 766033. 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. It is a condition of booking that all travellers are covered by comprehensive travel insurance. 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 ten weeks prior to departure (seventeen weeks for cruises) unless otherwise stipulated. Flexible balance payment dates: As part of our Covid-19 policy, we will never take a balance payment from you if we know that a tour is unlikely to go ahead as a result of Covid-19 presence or restrictions. In those circumstances, we will flex the balance payment date later until we are confident that the tour can be safely operated. 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. Note: 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. e) From time to time we offer discounts and special offers on the price of the holiday. Please note that only one discount or special offer can be applied to any holiday at one time and multiple discounts cannot be applied.

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).

124 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology 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 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 in the 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. Cancellation Charges - if you cancel your holiday: In order to compensate our expenditure, we charge a cancellation fee according to the following scale: Up to 70 days: deposit and any invoiced flight or hotel costs | 69-41 days: 35% and any invoiced flight or hotel costs | 40-29 days: 55% and any invoiced flight or hotel costs | 28-8 days: 75% and any invoiced flight or hotel costs | 7-0 days: 100% and any invoiced flight or hotel costs Lord of the Glens: Up to 84 days: deposit and any invoiced flight or hotel costs | 83-0 days: 100% and any invoiced flight or hotel costs Covid-19 cancellation: We strongly recommend insurance cover for pre-departure cancellation and return from tour in the event of Covid-19 symptoms. However, if you are not able to claim for pre-tour cancellation for Covid-19, we will endeavour to limit cancellation charges to cover only those service costs which we are unable to recover. The cancellation charges will apply from the day we receive 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 received at our offices. This can be by phone, or in writing, either by email or letter 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 associated costs of the changes imposed by our suppliers and any extra arrangements, these costs are non-refundable. Quotes normally have a 24 hour time frame before they expire and the price is therefore subject to change. You should be aware that these costs could increase as the departure dates becomes closer 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 to another person: You can transfer your existing booking to another person suggested by you (subject to agreement by our suppliers).* Notice must be received at our offices, by phone, by email or by letter, from the person who made the booking at least 25 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. * 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. 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%. Booking transfer to an alternative holiday: It may be possible at our discretion for you to transfer to another holiday, however this is subject to availability and time frame of departure. You must transfer within 24 hours of notifying Brightwater Holidays and the new departure must be within 1 year of notification. A payment of an administration fee of £50 per person, any associated costs of the change imposed by our suppliers and any extra arrangements (ie flight/room upgrades) will be payable by 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 holiday will or will not go ahead as booking numbers can fluctuate. There may be certain circumstances when a holiday may operate with less than the minimum number than the advertised group size. 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. Cancellation as a result of Global Travel Disruption If it becomes necessary to cancel your tour as a result of global travel disruption, we reserve the right to refund the cost of your tour in the form of credit for a limited amount of time, to be used against any other tour in the Specialist Journeys portfolio. If you do not use this credit within that time, a refund would be payable. This change to the standard booking conditions would only apply if approved by the UK Government and enshrined in the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations (PTRs) as an emergency measure to support tour operators in extraordinary circumstances such as the 2020 Covid-19 outbreak. The exact credit terms and timeframe would be defined by the PTRs. 01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 125 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, Tour Manager 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 60 days before departure: Nil | 60-22 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 rare, 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. Wi-Fi - 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. We cannot accept detailed lists of specific dietary or food preparation requests and are unable to accept any other requests (eg. personal preferences) that are not for medical or religious reasons. Note: Whilst on holiday 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. 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.

126 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology 8. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES Our holidays 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 holidays for such purposes you should obtain adequate insurance in respect of it and any special equipment you decide to bring with you on such holidays. 9. HOLIDAY PARTICIPATION It is a condition of participation on 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 holiday 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. Note: 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/descending 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 holiday 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 there-from; 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 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. Note: this entire clause does not apply to any services which do not form part of your contract with us i.e. ‘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. 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.

01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 127 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. 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. We advise that you keep check on your flights departure information on the day of departure in case of any late flight changes. 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 a holiday. • 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. Brightwater Holidays cannot provide individual assistance with boarding coaches or other forms of transport, baggage handling, walking or other personal requirements, etc. and guests should be confident that they can do these tasks unaided. We are happy to give advice and assistance with the choice of your holiday which will be dependent upon the nature of any disability. Our brochures also give a simple guide per holiday regarding how active the holiday is. In order to ensure your enjoyment of the holiday, we ask all clients to provide full details of any disability or special requirements at the time of booking. Some suppliers such as airlines and cruise lines may request certification from your GP to confirm that you are fit to travel. We regret that we cannot be held liable for any costs you may incur as a result. You are urged to contact our Sales department for further information if you have any difficulty in walking or mobility problems and they will be pleased to advise you on the suitability of any particular holiday. 14. CLIENT BEHAVIOUR When you book a holiday with Brightwater Holidays you accept responsibility for the proper conduct of you and 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, train, plane or other modes of transport will be not be delayed for passengers who are not on board by the stated boarding 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 which must be received at our offices within 28 days of the completion of your holiday giving your booking reference and all other relevant information. This can be in writing, either by email or letter from the person who made the booking. We will reply to you within 28 days of receipt of your complaint. Please keep your complaint 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. 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.

128 Brightwater Holidays | 2021 Gardens & Archaeology 16. PROTECTING YOUR MONEY We provide full financial protection for our package holidays. 1. Flight inclusive holidays: 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. 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. Holidays 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 the ABTOT 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company. You can access 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 Ltd 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 Ltd abides by the Association’s Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO Quality Charter which can be viewed on www.aito.com. Visit the AITO 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. We are Brightwater Holiday Ltd, registered limited company no: SC137295. Registered Office: Eden Park House, Cupar, Fife, Scotland KY15 4HS.

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01334 766 034 | [email protected] | www.brightwaterholidays.com 129 NEED MORE INSPIRATION? If you’re interested in exploring the stunning country of Scotland, we have an entire brochure filled with memorable trips that can take you from the mainland to its remote islands. Journey by road, rail or water – there is much to be discovered in this magical destination, and we are experts in scenic Scottish travel.

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