GW holiday: Discover the gardens of France, Spain and Portugal

Join David Hurrion on a 12-night cruise from Portugal to France, discovering enchanting gardens along the way, like the forest garden of Fonte Baxa and the gardens of Pays d’Auge.

Your holiday includes

• Exclusive onboard Gardeners’ World Programme
• Visits to four gardens
• 12 nights in a comfortable, stylish cabin of your choice
• Full-board cuisine every day including breakfasts, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
• Captain’s welcome and farewell cocktail party
• Captain’s gala dinner and baked Alaska parade
• Evening entertainment, including cabaret shows, comedy, dancing and live music
• Daytime activities quizzes, dance classes, fitness and wellness classes
• Use of onboard leisure facilities, including swimming pools, Jacuzzis and gym

Garden highlights

BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, Associate Editor, David Hurrion will accompany you on four garden visits:

• The National Palace of Queluz and its historical gardens
• The forest garden of Fonte Baxa
• By special appointment, William Christie’s Gardens
• The Gardens of the Pays d’Auge, showcasing Normandy architecture

Your itinerary

• DAY 1 London Tilbury Join your cruise ship Ambience at London Tilbury. Enjoy dinner and evening entertainment.
• DAYS 2-3 At sea A wealth of on-board activities will keep you entertained plus a welcome get-together with your host and fellow gardeners, including illustrated talks.
• DAY 4 Leixões, Portugal Enjoy an optional tour to Porto, famous for producing port wine.
• DAY 5 Lisbon, Portugal A guided group visit to the National Palace and Gardens of Queluz.
• DAY 6 At sea Get your gardening questions ready for today’s Q&A.
• DAY 7 Gijón, Spain A guided group visit through the secret garden of Fonte Baxa.
• DAY 8 Getxo, Spain Take an optional trip to Bilbao, a city full of culture and history.
• DAY 9 Le Verdon, France Gateway to visit Bordeaux, where cathedrals and fine wines await.
• DAY 10 La Pallice, France Visit to William Christie’s Gardens in Thiré.
• DAY 11 At Sea Join your host and fellow gardeners for afternoon tea and a final get-together.
• DAY 12 Hornfleur, France Travel through the beautiful countryside, with its traditional timbered houses and farms, before visiting the Gardens of Pays d’auge.
• DAY 13 London Tilbury Time for breakfast and farewells, before you head home.

Terms and conditions

This group departure is organised by Connoisseur Travel Service Ltd for BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. Connoisseur Travel Service Ltd is acting as agent for Ambassador Cruise Lines. All tours and places of interest mentioned, apart from the four included tours, are not included in the cruise fare and may be visited on optional tours. Experts hosting any of our cruises are subject to personal circumstances permitting.  We plan to visit the gardens and ports mentioned, however, we reserve the right to change a visit should circumstances become necessary. All prices are based on two people sharing a twin cabin and were correct at the time of going to print. E&OE United Kingdom.