Botanica adds Brit Isles and Mekong
garden cruises for 2013
Specialist garden tour company Botanica’s brochure for 2013 focuses on garden-theme cruises of the British Isles, Europe and the Mekong River that can be linked to the company’s popular stand alone small group land tours.
The Botanica Boutique Cruising 2013 brochure presents cruising combined with great gardens (both natural and created), historic and iconic sights, botanical lecturers and culinary gourmet discoveries.
Botanica, a part of the APT Group, is using APT boutique river ships MS AmaVerde for cruising through Europe’s heartland and the RV AmaLotus for Vietnam-Cambodia cruises. The comparable luxury small ship MS Island Sky is used for the British Isles cruise.
Botanica co-owner, Judy Vanrenen said customers were offered a unique and intimate boutique cruising experience with like-minded travellers aboard a luxurious river or expedition ship.
Guest lecturers are featured on the cruises and experienced botanical guides will escort garden excursions.
While tours for the London and Chelsea Flower Show, Cornwall Gardens, Loire Valley Chateaux and Gardens, Italian Lakes and Croatian Wildflowers and Dutch Tulip Time Cruise will again be popular, Botanica’s lead-in tour is the new 11-day British Isles Gardens, History and Birdlife.
This is priced from $7,595 per person, twin share which includes 10-night cruise on the luxury small ship the MS Island Sky from Edinburgh to London, service of a Cruise Director, expedition team and an expert botanical lecturer and guides, 26 meals, house wine, beer and soft drinks included with lunch and dinner on board, airport transfers, tipping and port taxes.
Botanica offers flexible touring in Portmeirion, Dublin and County Waterford with botanical options are included at no extra cost.
This tour discovers the spectacular coastline of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales with excursions in Zodiacs, visiting out-of-the-way places off the regular tourist trail, the grounds and gardens of 16th century Crathes castle near Aberdeen, some of Scotland’s premier gardens at Inverewe, the 80-acre Bodnant Garden in Wales, the Isles of Scilly and the picturesque island of Tresco.
The MS Island Sky carries 114 passengers and a crew of 75. Like the AmaVerde and AmaLotus, it offers a wide choice of suite styles.
The cruise departs Edinburgh on May 24, 2013.
Gardens, golf and gourmet opportunities are included in the 14-day Europe cruise, travelling on April 27, 2013 from Amsterdam to Budapest. It is priced from $8,975.
The eight-day Mekong cruise from Saigon for Siem Reap departs February 4, 2013 and is from $3,695.
For both cruises, prices cover similar inclusions as the British Isles cruise.
The popular five-day London and Chelsea Flower Show package is from $2,655 and is on May 20, which means it can be linked to the British Isles cruise.
Phone 1300 305 202 or visit www.botanica.travel