Botanica has a big growth spurt
Japan, Canada, the United States, Singapore and New Zealand are new destinations for garden lovers in the just-released 2014 brochure of specialist garden tour company Botanica World Discoveries.
The brochure carries five new cruises and six new tours.
In all, there is a choice of 34 itineraries with the big-hit Chelsea Flower Show included in four packages. (The 2013 brochure offered 26 itineraries overall and two Chelsea Flower Show itineraries.)
As many are designed to be combined, Botanica is offering a special discount (which can save up to $1,000 per couple) for linking two tours or cruises over 10 days duration.
Botanica, a part of the APT Group, is using APT boutique river ships MS AmaLegro for cruising the Seine River and the RV AmaLotus for Vietnam-Cambodia cruises. The comparable luxury small ship MS Island Sky is used for the British Isles and Japanese cruises.
Founder and co-owner, Judy Vanrenen said this was Botanica’s biggest program, now featuring Australia, the UK and British Isles, The Netherlands, France, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Vietnam-Cambodia, Japan, Canada, Singapore and New Zealand.
“There is huge demand for our gardens experience which is built around our know-how, care, detail, style and fully-inclusive packaging,” she said. “Our guests travel with like-minded garden enthusiasts, see the world’s best gardens in small group excursions and learn from experienced garden guides and guest lecturers.”
“They’re pushing us to produce new Botanica experiences and we’ve responded.”
The popular five-day London and Chelsea Flower Show package is from $2,895 and is on May 20.
New cruises include the 16-day Dutch Gardens, Seine River & Chelsea Flower Show (from $10,595 per person twin share), 19-day US Mansions & Gardens of the Hudson Rivers & Canadian Lakes in Fall (from $12,295, 16-day Japanese Culture Cruise (from $11,995), 11-day Portugal & the Douro River and the 15-day Gardens of the Mediterranean (from $10,995).
New tours include the 9-day Private Gardens of Southern England (from $5,645), the 5-day Private Gardens of Inland Scotland (from $2,345), the 7-day Gardens of Vancouver & Victoria Island from $4,995), the 7-day Anne of Green Gables Country (from $3,995), the 6-day Singapore Garden Festival from $2,795) and the 5-day New Zealand Garden Design Fest from $1,495.
Botanica’s lead-in tour is the new 11-day British Isles Gardens, History and Birdlife.
This is priced from $7,995 per person, twin share which includes 10-night cruise on the luxury small ship the MS Island Sky from London to Edinburgh, service of a Cruise Director, expedition team and an expert botanical lecturer and guides, 28 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 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 AmaLegro and AmaLotus, it offers a wide choice of suite styles.
Phone 1300 305 202 or visit www.botanica.travel