Chelsea Flower Show & British Isles

Your tour of England’s green and pleasant land will begin in the country’s iconic capital. After meeting the group at the London hotel, you’ll get to know one another better over a delicious welcome meal.

After breakfast, your day will begin with a visit to the splendid Kew Gardens. The palm house, a jaw-dropping example of Victorian engineering, is sure to add a flourish to that holiday photo album. Then, the afternoon will be yours to spend exploring the capital or relaxing back at the hotel. Be sure to recharge those batteries in anticipation for tomorrow’s exciting agenda!

Today the RHS Chelsea Flower Show will be yours to enjoy. From the world-famous show gardens to the astounding floral displays on offer in Chelsea’s Great Pavilion – this truly spectacular event showcases the very best of garden design and is sure to be a highlight of your trip.

Today, you’ll pay a visit to The Savill Garden of Windsor Great Park. As you walk through the themed gardens, be sure to keep an eye out for an array of rare plants from around the world. Then: the rich history and royal traditions of Windsor await! Tonight, you’ll reconvene at the hotel for a delicious group meal.

What better way to spend the day than discovering Windsor’s regal highlights at your own pace? You’ll have plenty of time to visit the Castle (a working royal palace, so just check the opening times in advance), wander the picturesque riverside and sample a delicious afternoon tea at one of the tearooms around town. After a full day of exploring, choose from one of the many cosy pubs and eateries – and enjoy an evening spent at your leisure.

After breakfast in Windsor, you’ll make tracks to the tranquil RHS Garden Wisley, where you’ll take in the sounds of the water flowing through the rock garden and enjoy the serene Alpine Meadow. This afternoon will see you wandering the award-winning gardens of Hever Castle – the childhood home of Henry VIII’s second queen, Anne Boleyn. You’ll rest your head in historic Tunbridge Wells tonight.

This morning your road will turn east to Sissinghurst Castle Garden, an iconic retreat that’s renowned for its romantic design and colourful rose arrangements. Then, you’ll swap sculpted layouts for the quaint, rustic charm of Great Dixter: the family home of famed English gardener Christopher Lloyd. Here you’ll discover how the sublime arts-and-crafts-style gardens inspired Lloyd throughout his career – with time to admire the estate’s vibrant grounds and historic architecture. Tonight, you’ll clink glasses over a farewell dinner back in Tunbridge Wells.

For your final day on tour, you’ll have the opportunity to visit one of the most unique manor houses in Kent: Ightham Mote. On this departure you have a private tour of Ightham Mote included. This medieval house dates back over 700 years and can only be reached via an ancient stone bridge that stretches over its very own moat. Then: it’s back to London, where your tour will come to a close. You have 2 nights pre-cruise to explore more of London.

Explore the iconic Tower of London and witness the dazzling Crown Jewels. Stroll through the historic streets of Westminster to see Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the majestic Westminster Abbey. For a cultural fix, visit the British Museum or catch a West End show in the vibrant theatre district.

Today a shared transfer will take you from Victoria Station to the Dover port to join your cruise.

Often called the gateway to Europe, the port city of Rotterdam is full of old-world charm. The harbor offers amazing views and a maze of wharves and canals, along with towering spires make for a beautiful sight. Take a stroll and duck into one of the pubs or eateries along the way.
Only three pre World War II buildings in the city centre have survived and are worth a look – city hall, St. Laurence church and the White House. Explore the Museum Boymans van Beuningen, which houses a unique collection dating from the 14th century, or the Museum Voor Volkenkunde – home to ethnological exhibits. Exquisite architecture can be seen in many areas of Rotterdam, most notably in the Delfshaven quarter of the city – where 18th century houses are on display. For a laugh, check out Kijk-Kubus, an upside-down house.

Your jumping-off point for the highlights of Edinburgh, including historic Edinburgh Castle, housing the Scottish crown jewels and the palace that was once home to Mary Queen of Scots.

Spend your day in Aberdeen exploring the fascinating Maritime Museum, just steps from the port, where you’ll learn about the city’s seafaring and oil history. Head to Codona’s Amusement Park for family-friendly fun with rides, bowling, and adventure golf. Or take a scenic excursion to Royal Deeside to visit Balmoral Castle and enjoy the natural beauty of the Scottish countryside.

The countryside is laced with lakes and vast peat bogs. Pause in the Tingwall valley to see the petite Shetland ponies; explore Jarlshof’s Stone, Bronze and Iron age ruins; take a ferry to Mousa to see the 200-year-old “broch,” or castle.

The largest town on Skye – located in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland – this port’s harbor is fringed by steep cliffs and the town’s Gaelic heritage in evident in the local attractions. Harry Potter fans will recognize that the town is home to the fictional Pride of Portree. Everything is a short stroll away within Portree, and nearby Glasgow provides further opportunities for exploration. The mountainous Isle of Skye provides breathtaking vistas from nearly every destination. Play a round of golf in nearby Sconser or go pony trekking at Skeabost. Skye is also the ideal place for fishing and bird watching. Sample the local whisky at Talisker Distillery in Carbost or simply find a quiet spot to admire the views.

Killybegs has offered mariners a safe haven from the churning waters of the Atlantic Ocean for centuries. Its sheltered deepwater harbor opens out into Donegal Bay and the vast northeastern Atlantic. In ancient times, the town consisted of no more than a huddle of small beehive-style huts called “Na Cealla Beaga,” a Gaelic phrase from which the town takes its current name. Fast-forward to today, and the maritime theme is just as strong. Modern-day Killybegs is a tight-knit seafaring community with Ireland’s largest fishing fleet.

This part of County Donegal is also home to a number of traditional industries and artisan workshops, where craftspeople specialize in carpet-making, weaving and knitting. Killybegs is surrounded by some of the most scenic landscape Ireland has to offer. As a stop along the 2,500-kilometer-long coastal route known as the Wild Atlantic Way, there are several stunning spots you can’t miss, including the white, sandy expanse of nearby Fintra Beach and the vertigo-inducing cliffs at Slieve League. Come here to soak up the small-town atmosphere and drink in the natural beauty that abounds.

Built in the early 1600s, the walled city of Londonderry is one of the few cities in Europe that never saw its fortifications breached. Visit the Cathedral of St. Columb, the Tower Museum, and view modern Londonderry from the top of the wall. Beyond the city, enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Antrim coast and the Giant’s Causeway – Northern Ireland’s most famous landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sample shore excursions: Delights of Londonderry; Inishowen Peninsula Scenic Drive.

Located on the River Clyde, Greenock is on the steep west coast of Scotland, offering spectacular views to the mountains beyond. From the looming Victorian tower in Cathcart Square to the McLean Museum and Art Gallery on Union Street, you’ll find plenty to see and do. Head to Craigs Top for magnificent views from the summit of Lyle Hill, or head to nearby Glasgow to view its fine cathedral and art galleries. Sample Shore excursions: Panoramic Scottish Lochs; Stirling Castle.

Located on the River Clyde, Greenock is on the steep west coast of Scotland, offering spectacular views to the mountains beyond. From the looming Victorian tower in Cathcart Square to the McLean Museum and Art Gallery on Union Street, you’ll find plenty to see and do. Head to Craigs Top for magnificent views from the summit of Lyle Hill, or head to nearby Glasgow to view its fine cathedral and art galleries. Sample Shore excursions: Panoramic Scottish Lochs; Stirling Castle.

Wander through the ancient town center built around St. Cybi’s Church, which is built inside one of Europe’s only three-walled Roman forts (the fourth wall being the sea, which used to come up to the fort). Explore the Ucheldre Arts Centre, then relax with a pint or cup of tea at one of Holyhead’s charming pubs.

Corkonians are fiercely proud of their hometown, so much so that it’s jokingly referred to as the People’s Republic of Cork. And there is a lot to love about Ireland’s second city. Hugging the banks of the River Lee, it takes its name from corcaigh, the Gaelic word for “marshy.” With its origins in the 7th century, Cork enjoyed a flourishing period as a merchant center in the 18th and 19th centuries, with grand buildings like the elegant Cork City Hall bearing testimony to this status. On the north bank of the River Lee is the quaint neighborhood of Shandon with its landmark clock tower of St. Anne’s Church. The city’s heart is set on an island sandwiched between two channels of the Lee that open out into one of Europe’s largest natural harbors at Cobh.

Cobh brought the city prosperity (and also happened to be the final port of call for the ill-fated RMS Titanic). And it was from Cobh that over 2.5 million immigrants caught their final glimpse of their home country as they departed in search of a better life in the United States between 1848 and 1950.

There’s a more modern side to Cork, with a thriving university quarter, pubs, bars and restaurants. Whatever your interests, you will find a side of Cork to love too.

Your cruise comes to an end today. Interested in extending and seeing more of the UK or Europe? Ask us about our amazing range of touring, river cruise, ocean cruise and accommodation packages. You have a shared transfer that will take you to the airport or Victoria Station.