Our discerning clients will stay in luxury accommodation while travelling the country in style and visiting the best gardens around the UK on this fabulous luxury tour of the Gardens of England and Scotland, with the Highlight being a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show, on Members Day.
THIS TOUR OPERATES ONCE A YEAR THE THIRD WEEK OF MAY WHEN CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW IS ON!
Day One, Meet tour director and coach at Gatwick Airport and we head south to Worthing, where we visit our first gardens, Highdown Gardens, which were created in a chalk pit overlooking the downs, to prove that plants could grow in chalk. Many of the plants were collected from the Himalayan regions. We will spend time here, also have time to visit the Highdown Tearoom, where we can have lunch (not inc.) or just tea and scones, before we continue on to the nearby town of Arundel, where we will visit the historical castle or have time just to explore the town and local shops. Late afternoon head to our hotel for the next few nights. Welcome Dinner Inc. Overnight Langshott Manor. (D)
Day Two, Today we head east from our hotel on the southern edge of London to one of the most beautiful gardens in England at Sissinghurst Castle, the White Garden. Created by Vita Sackville-West and her husband Sir Hector Nicolson, they are one of the most celebrated gardens in England. You will have the chance to visit the Castle, Library and Study as well as the intimate gardens before we head south to Hastings where we tour the area where the Battle of Hastings took place in 1066. We return to our hotel for the evening. Dinner on own. Overnight Langshott Manor. (B)
Day Three, After breakfast we transfer to London where we will head to the Chelsea Flower Show on one of the Member's Only Days. We will have an exclusive tour around all the aspects of the show, meeting many of the floral designers from around the world, the gardeners and landscapers and getting to see all of the beautiful flowers and plants that makes Chelsea the leading Flower Show in the World. We enjoy our day and have the option of getting tickets to a London Show (optional) or having dinner in a top notch London restaurant (optional/on your own). Overnight in Central London hotel for the next two nights. (B)
Day Three, Free day to explore the city on your own to shop or visit one of the many museums or tourist sites available in the city, including the London Eye, Tower of London or Tate Gallery (not inc). Overnight Hotel in Central London. Dinner on own. (B)
Day Four, We depart from our hotel to the airport and catch our midmorning flight to Glasgow where we meet our Scottish coach and driver and head off on our next adventure. We stop a local tea room in the quaint village of Luss and have lunch (not inc) they are famous for their home made soups and baking. We then head over the back roads towards the Rest and Be Thankful, where we stop for a photo opportunity. Continue on to the town of Inveraray where we can shop at the best Whisky shop in the country if not the world, Loch Fyne whiskies, if they don't have it, no one does, (or they will get it for you)! Then we head to our hotel for the evening. Overnight in a Country House Hotel in the countryside outside of Oban. Dinner inc. (B) (D)
Day Five, Day trip south to the historical hill fort of Dunadd, where the history of Scotland began, and we have the chance to climb to the top of this historical site with commanding views over the haunted glens surrounding it. We hear the story of the haunted valley of Kilmartin Glen, with a visit to the museum. Then we continue north to visit the gardens of Ardmaddy Castle and on to Seil Island and the small garden of An Cala. Continue north to Oban with some free time in the town and an early dinner in town before returning to our hotel for the evening. Dinner Inc. (B) (D)
Day Six, After breakfast we head North to Castle Stalker view, where we stop at a quaint shop which has commanding views over Castle Stalker, sitting out on an islet on its own small island. Great photo opportunities here. Then we continue on past Glencoe, where the MacDonald's were slaughtered in their beds in 1692, where we stop for photos (we do this often) followed by yet another short stop at Neptune’s Staircase on the Caledonian Canal. At this point we are heading west through the beautiful scenery of the highlands to the small fishing village of Mallaig. When we get to the Isle of Skye, we have time for a visit to the main town of Portree, for lunch, and where we can shop in some of the quaint shops, inc. drive past the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock. Then we head to the northern end of the island to our hotel. Dinner on own. (B) (D)
Day Seven, Day to tour Skye with a local guide, tour of Dunvegan Castle, home of the McLeod Clan and site of the Fairy Flag, and the Skye Highland Life Museum, we stop in Portree to shop for a while, at the Skye soap shop, Skye Batiks or the Over the Rainbow shop, or visit the shop that promotes the Gaelic College on Skye, Sabhal Mor Ostaig, or just hang out in a pub and *meet the locals*. Skye people are very friendly! And we can also stopat quaint artisan shops along the way. There are no formal gardens on Skye, however every cottage has beautiful gardens and there are glorious flowers and plants everywhere so we will see lots and lots of color and blooms! We will also visit the garden of Flora MacDonald's cottage (you might even be staying in her cottage) and we will also be visiting her grave, so maybe we can take a flower from her garden and put it on her grave, but shhhhh! Don't tell anyone! Overnight Skye. Dinner on own. (B)
Day Eight, We head south off the Isle of Skye today, back down towards Portree and over the New Bridge, built in 1996 to connect the island to the mainland. We then head north through some stunning scenery which takes up to Loch carron where we can stop and take some photographs of this beautiful Loch and we will continue north into the very northern Highlands past LochMaree which also boasts a Monster like Loch Ness, and on to Poolewe, where the most famous of Scottish gardens are, Inverewe Gardens. Originally Designed by Osgood McKenzie, this sub-tropical garden is located further north than Moscow, but thanks to the North American drift, all kinds of tropical plants grow on 50 acres of land. We have a guided walk with the gardener and learn all about this very unique garden in the most unusual of places. After our enjoyable day exploring we head to our hotel for the evening, approx. 30 miles away. Dinner Inc. (B) (D)
Day Nine, Today we head to the other coast, to the home of the Dukes of Sutherland, Dunrobin Castle with its marvelous formal gardens with a French Influence, laid out by Barry who built the extension to the Castle and also the Houses of Parliament in London. We have plenty of time to enjoy touring the castle and the gardens, possibly see the falconry exhibit also, before we head south to Inverness where we check into our hotel for the next two nights. Culloden House Hotel. Dinner Inc. Visit by Culloden Ghost Tonight. (B) (D)
Day Ten, Day trip to Elgin to Johnston's Cashmere Woollen Mill where you can see how woollens are made and purchase some wonderfully made products, before we head to Cawdor Castle and its beautiful gardens, and Maze. Our final visit of the day is to the haunted Culloden Battlefield where the last land battle on British soil was held on April 16, 1746 where Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated. We return to our hotel. Second to Final Night Dinner Inc. (B) (D)
Day Eleven, After our good Scottish breakfast we depart south for our final day in Edinburgh where we arrive early afternoon and after a short city tour, we check into our hotel. You can visit one of the many free Museums in the city, Edinburgh's famous Castle (ticket inc) or Holyrood Palace (not inc), Mary Kings Close Haunted Undergroud Tour (not inc) or shopping on either Princes Street or George Street, or hang out in one of the many pubs or tea rooms around the city. Lots to do here. Dinner on own. Enjoy your final night of the tour! (B)
Day Twelve, After breakfast, Transport to Edinburgh airport to flight back to London or directly to USA. (B)
This is a relatively Luxury Tour. You are not required to Dress up, however the Properties we use are very nice, historical properties. It is also a Small Group Tour, This is reflected in the price. 14 people Max. The only thing you will see in herds, is sheep!
Tour Includes Full English or Scottish Breakfast Daily, 6 gourmet 3 or 4 course Dinners, Entry into all sites visited (unless noted) services of a Tour Director throughout the tour, Experienced Coach Driver, Flight from Gatwick to Glasgow. 12 nights accommodation, All hotels and guest houses are Historical properties, minimum 3 or 4 star.
All hotels do have ensuite bathrooms, most have t.v's, telephones and tea makers in each room. Tour is strictly limited to 14 people, children over 14 only allowed.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Full English or Scottish Breakfast Daily, 6 gourmet 3 or 4 course Dinners,
- Entry into all sites visited (unless noted) services of a Tour Director throughout the tour,
- Experienced Coach Driver,
- Flight from Gatwick to Glasgow,
- 12 nights accommodation,
- All hotels and guest houses are Historical properties, minimum 3 or 4 star.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
England
Scotland
Local Culture
Garden Tours
Archeology/History
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