Spring in the Towns & Gardens of the Atlantic Edge
A voyage from Oporto to Portsmouth aboard the MS Caledonian Sky with Guest Speaker Alan Mason
- 20 April 2021
Join the MS Caledonian Sky in Oporto for this springtime voyage of some 1000 miles to Portsmouth visiting some marvellously historic and scenic places along the way. Giving the large ports a wide berth, we will instead call into some places away from the well traversed routes of the larger cruise lines and have allowed time to explore the horticultural splendours and delightful towns of the region in depth.
Our exploration begins with a day discovering the beauty of the Douro Valley with an exclusive cruise along the Douro River to Regua where we will visit a wine estate and enjoy a tasting of some fabulous Douro wines. Setting sail from Portugal, we will witness some splendid gardens in all their springtime glory, step into the pilgrimage cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, spend a day exploring Brittany and the charming village of Locronan and taste some local ports and wines along the way. A highlight for many will be our call in the Isles of Scilly where we visit the stunning sub-tropical Abbey Gardens on Tresco. All of this combined with the rich maritime history of the region and the sheer beauty of the coastal landscapes makes for an endlessly fascinating cultural experience.
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Caledonian Sky
The MS Caledonian Sky is one of our three flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky and MS Hebridean Sky. All three vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them three of the finest small ships in the world.
Itinerary
Day 1 London to Oporto, Portugal.
Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to the MS Caledonian Sky moored in Leixoes.
Day 2 Oporto.
Transfer this morning to the waterfront in Oporto and embark our awaiting vessel for an exclusive cruise up the breathtaking Douro Valley, passing through two of the river system’s huge locks and enjoying views of peaceful villages and terraced hillsides as we make our way upstream. Lunch will be served on board prior to our arrival in the town of Regua in the early afternoon. Disembark here and enjoy a tasting session at the Quinta da Pacheca, a wine estate offering fabulous views of the surrounding countryside that was established in the town in 1738. Return to the MS Caledonian Sky by coach in time for an early evening sail.
Day 3 Villagarcia De Arousa, Spain.
Arriving in Galicia we spend a relaxing morning in the port of Villagarcia De Arousa where we can explore ashore at leisure. After lunch on board, visit the nearby Pazo de Rubianes, originally founded in 1411 and one of the three official lordships in Spain. Enjoy a guided walk through the stunning gardens, famous for their thousands of camellias but also home to eucalyptus trees, sequoias and camphors. Also visit the Pazo’s extensive vineyards and learn about the local Albarino wine production, before exploring the historical palace itself. Enjoy a wine tasting before returning to the ship.
Day 4 Santiago de Compostela.
From our berth in La Coruna we will make our way to Santiago de Compostela, the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia. The city’s cathedral is the destination of the important Medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St James (in Spanish the ‘Camino de Santiago’), which is still walked today. For those keen to walk some of the route there will be the chance to hike a short, steepish section towards Santiago. Otherwise transfer directly to the site where we will visit the Conventual de San Francisco, the Faculty of Medicine and the world-famous Plaza del Obradoiro. Inside the cathedral, we will visit the Romanic crypt and see the facade of Platerias; the Quintana Plaza; House of Parra; facade of Azabachería; and the facade of San Martin Pinario. Enjoy lunch at a Parador and some free time before returning to the ship this afternoon and sailing.
Day 5 At Sea.
After a busy few days take the chance to relax as we spend the day at sea. Our lecture programme continues in the lounge or find a spot on deck to relax.
Day 6 Douarnenez, France.
This morning we anchor off the Finistere region of France and the port of Douarnenez which prospered as a major centre for the sardine industry in the 19th century. Traces of these days still show in the architecture and the old fisherman’s houses that line the harbour, whilst at the Port Musee you may find a number of traditional boats at anchor. Using the ship’s Zodiacs to get ashore, we have planned a morning visit to Locronan, one of the most picturesque and preserved Medieval Breton villages which grew from the manufacture of sailcloth. Visit the 15th century church, remarkable for its stone vaulting and stained-glass windows, before walking through the craft workshops. You might also be tempted to taste the famous “kouignamann”, a traditional Breton butter cake. Return to the MS Caledonian Sky for lunch and this afternoon will be at leisure to relax on board or to explore this lovely town at your own pace. Please note that the ship’s Zodiacs may be used to transfer guests ashore today.
Day 7 Isles of Scilly, UK.
Using local boats, we alight on to the traffic-free island of Tresco, walking its idyllic lanes from the beach to the famous sub-tropical Abbey Gardens. Defying the Atlantic weather, this miracle of a garden is home to more than 20,000 species of plants from over 80 countries. Enjoy time to wander at your own pace along the paths, maybe visit the Valhalla collection of ship figureheads from ships wrecked on the islands or relax in the café. After lunch on board we use the local boats to sail over to St Agnes, the most south westerly community in the United Kingdom. Surrounded by rocks and reefs, this delightful tiny island offers marvellous coastal walks with over one third designated as “sites of special scientific interest”. The small island of Gugh lies across a narrow sandbar and here we find a single stone monolith called the ‘Old Man of Gugh’ which dates back to the Bronze Age.
Day 8 Fowey.
Today the MS Caledonian Sky will anchor in the River Fowey from where we visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan. The seat of the Tremayne family for 400 years, the garden fell into disrepair after World War I and was lovingly restored between 1990 and 2000. Its pre 1920 camellias and rhododendrons, which we hope will be in bloom for our call, are now part of the National Collection and provide a living link to the past. The extensive grounds include a Victorian Kitchen Garden and atmospheric paths lead through the Pleasure Grounds. Medievel and Georgian buildings characterise the picturesque port of Fowey and Polruan opposite and the afternoon will be at leisure to wander its historic alleys and lanes.
Day 9 Portsmouth.
Be on deck early this morning as we sail into the historic naval port of Portsmouth where we disembark. Transfers will be provided to Portsmouth Harbour Railway Station at a fixed time.
Dates and Prices
20 to 28 April 2021 | ||
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Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
Castle Deck Standard Suite | £4195 | £3895 |
Caledonian Deck Superior Suite | £4395 | £4095 |
Promenade Deck Premium Suite | £4595 | £4295 |
Bridge Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite | £5595 | £5295 |
Promenade Deck Premium Balcony Suite | £5895 | £5595 |
Promenade Deck Owner's Corner Suite | £7095 | £6795 |
Castle Deck Standard for sole use | £4195 | £3895 |
Caledonian Deck Superior for sole use | £4395 | £4095 |
Tour Reference Code: SCCSK200421
Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel from London to Oporto • Eight nights aboard the MS Caledonian Sky on a full board basis • Wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch and dinner • Shore excursions • Noble Caledonia onboard team • Gratuities • Transfers • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
Caledonian Sky
The MS Caledonian Sky is one of our three flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky and MS Hebridean Sky. All three vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them three of the finest small ships in the world.
Travelling with You
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Alan Mason
Alan Mason NDT. F.Inst.G. Dip.Hort. M.CI. Hort. is one of Europe’s most experienced and best qualified garden designers and consultants. Having achieved the distinction of being the UK’s youngest head gardener at Bramham Park when still in his 20’s, and then Gardens Manager to the Queen's cousin Lord Harewood at Harewood House in Yorkshire - where he and his team elevated the gardens into the top ten most visited gardens in the country - he set up his garden design consultancy in 1987. He has since designed and created gardens for royalty and other leading public figures in the UK and France. Creating the gardens at Le Manoir du Hilguy for Holiday Property Bond, and at his own home, Le Manoir, Port de Roche in Brittany, brought Alan Mason Garden Design International success.
During the 80s and 90s Alan also presented the long running ‘Gardens without Borders television programme, which featured gardens in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Holland.
His French links continue, particularly in Brittany and Normandy, which have a similar climate and challenges to the UK. Alan is currently developing a beautiful riverside garden near Nantes, selected by the Ecole National Superiore d'Architecture de Versailles as representing the best of quintessential English garden design in the 21st century.
Alan Mason is a founder member of The Professional Gardener's Guild and the founder of the Senior Garden Advisors consultancy group which brings the services of top former Head Gardeners' from Stately Homes such as Chatsworth, Castle Howard and Harewood House to a wider public. Alan is also a judge of the show gardens at the prestigious Sandringham Flower Show and a garden design lecturer for The Royal Horticultural Society.
Alan Mason will be on the following tour dates: 20 to 28 April 2021
Tour Extensions
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If you would like to explore the charming city of Oporto and discover the historic inland towns of Coimbra and Guimaraes before embarking the MS Caledonian Sky, we are offering a three night stay at the Intercontinental Oporto with included tours.
Coimbra
The Itinerary
Day 1 London to Oporto, Portugal. Fly by scheduled flight. Upon arrival transfer to our hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2 Oporto. Spend a day at leisure exploring independently.
Day 3 Coimbra. Today we will spend the day in Coimbra, the Medieval capital of Portugal for over 100 years, and the site of the country’s greatest university for the past five centuries. Visit the stunning 16th to 18th century buildings, including the Paco das Escolas (Royal Palace). After lunch the afternoon is free for individual exploration before returning to the hotel in Oporto.
Day 4 Guimaraes. Check out of the hotel this morning and drive to Guimaraes, the birthplace of Afonso Henriques, the first independent King of Portugal. Guimaraes has beautifully preserved its illustrious past, its Medieval centre is a warren of lanes and picturesque plazas framed by 14th century edifices, while on an adjacent hill stands the 1000 year old castle and the palace built by the first duke of Braganca in the 15th century. After a local lunch, transfer to the port of Leixoes to embark the MS Caledonian Sky.
Prices per person based on double occupancy
17 to 20 April 2021 Category Price Twin £745 Single £995 Price Includes: Three nights hotel accommodation with breakfast, tours as described, Tour Manager, lunch on days 3 & 4, transfers.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
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Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000