2013 - APT Europe River Cruising

WALES' GARDENS & VILLAGES 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 take you from your ship to Portmeirion in northern Wales, a Mediterranean-style village designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. 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 activity, drive through the Snowdonia region to Bodnant Garden. Spend the afternoon strolling its terraces and informal lawns. BD THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 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, perhaps travel into Ireland's Wicklow Mountains and visit the gardens of Powerscourt, with its charming walled garden, striking terraces, fine statuary, and carefully designed paths. 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 time at leisure in Dublin. Day 9. Dunmore East, Freedom of Choice Touring. Arrive this morning at the picturesque fishing village of Dunmore East in County Waterford. Travel to Mount Congreve Gardens, a vast and visually inspiring woodland garden set on the banks of the River Suir. Later, 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, where we'll enjoy a guided garden tour. During your time here, you'll have the chance to go for a stroll along the traffic-free lanes and wander along one of the white-sand beaches where the sea colour has more in common with the Aegean than the North Atlantic. Back on board, enjoy a special Farewell Dinner tonight. Day 11. Portsmouth. Today disembark in the English city of Portsmouth and transfer by coach to London, where your holiday ends. 'BIRDLIFE OF THE BRITISH ISLES' While taking in the spectacular coastal scenery of the British Isles you'll be joined by an Ornithologist, who will share their expertise on the many species of birds that call the British Isles home. This is the season when they are their most prolific. Inverewe Gardens Isle of Mull North Atlantic Ocean Isle of Iona Isle of Jura IRELAND Dublin Dunmore East Isle of Scilly 10 MS Island Sky North Sea Aberdeen Isle of Gigha Edinburgh UNITED KINGDOM Bodnant Garden Portmerion Snowdonia National Park English Channel Portsmouth London Coach Cruise No. of nights stay Freedom of Choice InclusionsTM Included Sightseeing / BD Discover the British Isles during a cruise on the luxury small ship, the MS Island Sky BOTANICA INCLUSIONS BD 9 10 night cruise on the MS Island Sky 9 Services of a Cruise Director, expedition team and an expert Botanical Guide 9 Airport transfers on the first & last day, as well as tipping & port taxes included 9 BOTANICA EXCLUSIVE! Freedom of Choice Touring with botanical options included at no extra cost in Portmeirion, Dublin and County Waterford 9 26 meals – 10 Breakfasts (B), 6 Lunches (L) and 10 Dinners (D) 9 House wine, beer and soft drinks included with lunch and dinner on board BLD B SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHTS 9 Enjoy a range of zodiac expeditions 9 Learn about the native birdlife from an expert Ornithologist 9 Wander the grounds & gardens of 16th- century Crathes Castle near Aberdeen 9 Visit Inverewe in the Scottish Highlands 9 Explore Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull 9 Visit the Isle of Iona & the Isle of Gigha 9 Visit Mount Stewart, an 18th-century house and garden in Northern Ireland 9 Visit Snowdonia and Bodnant Garden 9 Cruise amid the Isles of Scilly and explore the picturesque island of Tresco 2013 DATES & PRICES (A$) PER PERSON 11 DAYS EDINBURGH TO PORTSMOUTH (TOUR CODE: BTBNC11) MS Island Sky May 24. SUITE UPGRADES – MS ISLAND SKY Twin Share Solo Trav. $7,595 $9,395 PLEASE NOTE: Prices include port charges and gratuities. Ask us about pre & post tour accommodation. Enquire about our 2014 departure. Disruptions to cruising and itinerary may occur. For further information as well as all terms & conditions, see pages 196-197. Prices shown are based on a Standard Suite (Magellan Deck). See Botanica's Boutique Cruising 2013 brochure for more information and deck plans. To upgrade, add per person: Suite Type Superior Premium Corner Deck Deluxe Balcony Erikson Twin Share Solo Trav. Columbus $595 $745 Marco Polo $1,345 $2,020 Marco Polo $1,945 $3,405 $2,545 $4,455 Owner's Balcony Explorer $3,295 $5,765 www.aptouring.com.au 189 BOTANICA

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