Join Botanica World Discoveries' Garden Tours on this 11 Day small ship cruise, allowing you a unique opportunity to explore the splendour of Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the British Isles coastline, where larger ships can’t go.
Day 1. Arrive Edinburgh, Embark Ship
On arrival in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the port of Leith. Here, board the luxurious small ship, the MS Island Sky. After settling in to your suite, enjoy a Welcome Dinner on board this evening.
Day 2. Aberdeen, Crathes Castle
Cruising along Scotland’s east coast, over the waters of the North Sea, today you’ll arrive at Aberdeen. Disembark and travel by coach through Royal Deeside, the picturesque valley of the River Dee. Absorb the lovely scenery as you head to Crathes Castle, a 16th-century castle that’s famous for its splendid landscaped grounds and gardens. After ample time to explore, return to your ship and continue cruising around the top of Scotland.
Day 3. Inverewe Gardens
This morning your ship will drop anchor and you’ll enjoy a zodiac ride to one of Scotland’s premier gardens, Inverewe. Set on the coast among the north-west Scottish Highlands, this botanical garden presents an amazing collection of exotic trees and shrubs that are sheltered by well-positioned windbreaks of native pine. After a tour, return by zodiac to your ship and set off during lunch across The Minch and past the Isle of Skye.
Day 4. Isle of Mull, Duart Castle, Isle of Iona
After breakfast, set off on the Isle of Mull for a visit to Duart Castle, a 13th-century clifftop castle surrounded by the Millennium Wood, a superb collection of indigenous trees and shrubs that were planted in the year 2000. Later, cruise to the Isle of Iona, a place of tranquillity and natural beauty where more than 40 Scottish kings, as well as kings from Ireland, France and Norway, are buried. After exploring the elaborate and well-preserved Iona Abbey, perhaps take a short walk to the Bay at the Back of the Ocean, named because the next westward stop is North America.
Day 5. Isle of Gigha, Achamore House and Gardens, Isle of Jura
This morning visit the beautiful Isle of Gigha. Privately owned by its 120 inhabitants, the island landscape consists of heather-covered hills, deserted sandy beaches, clear green seas and just
the one single-lane road, which meanders between quaint cottages and farms. Here, you’ll enjoy a morning to wander the gardens of Achamore House. Laid out by Sir James Horlick from 1944, this stunning garden boasts a wonderful collection of azaleas, rhododendrons and exotic plants. Returning to your ship for lunch, you’ll then cruise to the Isle of Jura, where you’ll enjoy the opportunity to visit the 200 year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery.
Day 6. Strangford Lough, Mount Stewart
Enjoy a morning on board as you cruise the scenic waters of Strangford Lough. After lunch, disembark on the east shore of the lough to visit Mount Stewart, an 18th-century house and garden in County Down, Northern Ireland. Planted in the 1920’s by Edith, Lady Londonderry, the gardens today are owned by The National Trust and are of significant international importance. Here, a series of outdoor ‘rooms’ and vibrant parterres contain many rare plants that thrive in the mild climate of the Ards Peninsula. The formal areas exude a strong Mediterranean feel and resemble an Italian villa landscape, while the wooded areas support a range of plants from all corners of the world. Enjoy time to explore the gardens as well as the opulent house, which boasts a fascinating heritage and contains world-famous artefacts and artwork. Then return to your ship for dinner.
Day 7. Portmeirion, Bodnant Garden, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning you’ll cruise into Tremadoc Bay in the shadows of Snowdonia. Tides permitting, zodiacs will carry you from the MS Island Sky to Portmeirion in northern Wales, an extraordinary Mediterranean-style village designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975. Here, choose from a tour of the village and its gardens or perhaps visit the gardens of nearby Plas Brondanw, the family home of Williams-Ellis. After your chosen activity, drive through the famous Snowdonia region to Bodnant Garden, one of the most beautiful gardens in the United Kingdom. Spanning some 80 acres, the garden is set above the River Conwy and offers views to the Snowdonia range. Spend the afternoon strolling through the Upper Garden, with its terraces and informal lawns, then continue into the Wild garden of the lower section, Dell, formed by the valley of the River Hiraethlyn. Afterwards, return to your ship for dinner back on board.
Day 8. Dublin, Freedom of Choice Touring
Your ship will arrive in Dublin Bay this morning and enter the mouth of the River Liffey. From here, you have a choice of two activities. Perhaps travel by coach into Ireland’s Wicklow Mountains and visit the gardens of Powerscourt, with its charming walled garden, striking terraces, fine statuary, varied trees, carefully designed walking paths and more. Then travel to Mount Usher, a lovely romantic garden on the banks of the River Vartry. Alternatively, you may like to visit the private garden of botanical author, Helen Dillon, before enjoying some time at leisure to explore Dublin as you choose. Both groups then re-board the ship.
Day 9. Dunmore East, Freedom of Choice Touring
Your ship will arrive this morning at the picturesque fishing village of Dunmore East in County Waterford on Ireland’s southeastern coast. From here, you’ll travel to Mount Congreve Gardens, a vast and visually inspiring woodland garden set on the banks of the River Suir. Measuring around 70 acres, this privately-owned garden features a four-acre walled garden and is particularly stunning in the early summer when awash with magnificent sweeps of colour. Later, select from two touring options. You might choose to drive to Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s most historic and attractive cities. After lunch at leisure, visit Kilkenny Castle and the design centre before returning to Dunmore East. Your other option is to remain in County Waterford for a visit to Lismore Castle, which features the oldest continually cultivated gardens in Ireland, followed by a tour of the world-famous Waterford Crystal Factory.
Day 10. Isles of Scilly, Tresco
Today will see you cruising amid the beautiful Isles of Scilly, an archipelago off Great Britain’s southwestern tip. Disembark on the island of Tresco, considered by many to be the most attractive of the islands. It is leased by the Dorrien-Smith family, who have created a wonderful 40 acre sub-tropical garden near their Tresco Abbey home, here we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the gardens. During your time here, you’ll have the opportunity to go for a relaxing stroll along the traffic-free lanes and wander along one of the lovely white-sand beaches where the sea colour has more in common with the Aegean than the North Atlantic. Back on board this evening, you’ll enjoy a special Farewell Dinner.
Day 11. Portsmouth
After breakfast this morning, you’ll disembark the MS Island Sky in the English waterfront city of Portsmouth. From here, you’ll be transferred by coach to London, where your amazing Botanica holiday concludes.
