A Great Way to Travel! Our popular Gardens Getaways are a wonderful way to discover famed gardens, natural wonders, and cultural attractions, as well as little-known gems, in the U.S. and abroad. Arranged exclusively for Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Gardens Getaways offer the luxury of small-group travel with well-paced itineraries, fine hotels, programs by experts, and delightful dining experiences—not to mention a chance to meet others with similar interests.
In planning every detail of our Gardens Getaways, Patsy West, director of Valerie Wilson Travel, successfully draws on her years of creating deluxe itineraries for individuals and groups. Pricing is competitive, and a portion of the proceeds benefits Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.
Read on to learn about tours for which we’re now accepting reservations. Contact information is on the back cover.
British Columbia Butchart Gardens Gardens Galore: Vancouver & Victoria, British Columbia May 9-16, 2011 This memorable, seven-night visit begins in cosmopolitan Vancouver, one of the most beautifully sited cities in North America, with dazzling views of the Pacific Ocean, majestic mountains, and a glittering skyline. From our home base in the deluxe Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, we’ll take privately guided tours of the gorgeous Van Dusen Botanic Tea at the Fairmont Empress Gardens, UBC Botanic Garden, and Minter Gardens and venture into the city’s historic Gastown, Chinatown, and Stanley Park. Then we’ll board a ferry and cruise across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island and the elegant city of Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, where the Hotel Grand Pacific awaits. Our guides will orient us with a tour of the beautiful Inner Totem poles at Stanley Park Harbour, the ornate Parliament Buildings, and Bastion Square. And yes, we’ll have tea in the elegantly restored lobby of the Fairmont Empress! The highlight of the trip will surely be a Canadian National Historic Site, Butchart Gardens. We’ll have plenty of time to truly enjoy the fabulous floral displays and landscapes. Our visit will also include a very special breakfast hosted by one of Butchart’s popular horticulturists in the conservatory of the Blue Poppy Restaurant. The Land of the Green! Ireland September 12–22, 2011 Explore the tapestry of Irish history and rich tradition with Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ private guides and escorts, experiencing the glory of internationally renowned gardens and indulging our senses in rare and beautiful botanical treasures. Journeying through time, we’ll visit formal A panoramic view in Killarney 17th century gardens, landscape parkland of the 18th century, kitchen gardens, and 20th century cottage gardens! Traveling from Dublin to Cork and Limerick to Galway, we’ll visit the Talbot Botanic Gardens, historical water gardens of Knockabbey Castle, Brigit’s Garden, Vandeleur Walled Garden, and so many more! Our ten nights of accommodations will be in well- Hore Abbey near the Rock of Cashel located castles and great houses!
Holiday Time: New York City November 29–December 2, 2011 There’s nothing quite like the sparkle of New York City during the holidays. See the city at its best, with four nights in the New York Barclay at 111 East 48th St., a perfect spot for taking in the glittering shop windows and sights. During a private tour at the legendary New York Botanical Garden, we’ll marvel at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden spectacular Holiday Train Show and the largest Victorian-era glasshouse in America and savor luncheon in their new riverfront Stone Mill Restaurant. By exclusive arrangement with the Flower School of New York, one of the city’s greatest designers will show us how to make festive arrangements and take us to New York’s wholesale flower market. We’ll thoroughly enjoy visits Glass House, NY Botanical Garden to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s conservatories and the Brooklyn Museum of Art. We’ll take in a Broadway show, opera at the Met, and the Rockettes performing their Radio City Christmas Spectacular! Altogether a magical holiday journey! Ireland
Pricing and detailed itineraries will be announced soon and posted on www.MaineGardens.org when available. However, since our group sizes are intentionally kept small, we suggest you reserve space now with a refundable deposit of $100 per person. For more information or to book your Gardens Getaways, contact:
Patricia E. West Director , Valerie Wilson Travel Inc. Travel Coordinator, “Gardens Getaways”
P.O. Box 299 Southport, ME 04576 Phone: (207) 633-4883 Fax: (207) 633-6740 E-mail: [email protected]