Delighting visitors on exclusive garden tours since 1992

Transcription

1 Delighting visitors on exclusive garden tours since

2 A bit about us... Sisley Garden Tours was set up in 1992 and has taken garden lovers on tours of England, Scotland, Italy, France, Holland, Ireland and New Zealand, welcoming clients from all over the world. Sisley Garden Tours was founded by Tony Sissons, a garden writer, plantsman and blogger and is now run by Tony s daughter-in-law, Fran Pride and close family friend, Colette Walker. Colette and Fran are both registered Blue Badge Tourist Guides, keen travellers and garden enthusiasts. We have built up an in-depth knowledge of the gardens and places we visit, and have long standing relationships with the garden owners, hotels and coach companies we use. You can be assured that from the moment you join our tour, we ll do our utmost to give you a wonderful and inspirational holiday experience. We look forward to welcoming you on a Sisley Garden Tour in 2018, Colette Walker & Fran Pride Indulge your special interest on a Sisley Garden Tour. Discover great gardens which are statements of talented artists and a wonderful inspiration to their visitors. Admire and learn from their living art, and take home some great ideas to invigorate your own garden. Established in 1992, Sisley Garden Tours is a specialist, family-run business, offering small group tours (usually no more than 22 passengers) to some of Britain s finest gardens. Our tours offer: The finest British gardens of varying styles, many of which surround notable homes and castles, each revealing a fascinating story of their past The opportunity to meet garden owners, head gardeners and volunteers all with a passion for the gardens they tend Tours of the delightful British countryside, pretty villages and some historic towns and cities 4 and 5-star hotels with delicious breakfasts Dinner and/or lunch included every day Experienced Sisley tour director to escort you A comfortable coach with professional driver throughout It was the best - so much fun and great gardens. I have recommended you to everyone I speak to. Sisley Garden Tours are the best in business. Front cover image: Sissinghurst Castle, Kent Sharon Lawson, USA Travel in small groups with interesting companions Simple to join tours that are easily incorporated into wider vacation itineraries, as all tour hotels are located close to frequent railway/ airport services A first class and personal service from the outset Many private garden visits. 2

3 Garden Gems of Cornwall, Devon & the Isles of Scilly 11th May - 18th May 2018 (7 nights) Join us on our tour of one of the most charming and quintessential corners of England. We visit some world-famous gardens including the Lost Gardens of Heligan, the Eden Project, Hestercombe, and we make a fabulous trip to the Isles of Scilly to visit Tresco Abbey Garden. The coastal and moorland scenery of south west England is unsurpassed. Friday 11th May After our morning pick-up at Heathrow Airport, we make our way south-west, stopping en-route for lunch (included). We visit Hanham Court, a privately owned house with awardwinning gardens designed by Julian and Isabel Bannerman. We arrive, late afternoon, at our hotel the beautifully situated 4-star Carbis Bay Hotel. This stunnng coastal retreat, located close to St Ives, has its own 25 acre beach and breathtaking views. Join your tour director and the rest of the group for dinner (included). Saturday 12th May We take a flight to the Isles of Scilly, nestling just 35 miles off the coast of Cornwall, to visit Tresco Abbey Gardens. This tropical garden is home to species from 80 countries - the diversity of plant life is extraordinary. There will be time for lunch (independent) at the garden before enjoying some of the Tresco island scenery and the return flight to the mainland. Dinner in the hotel (included). NB: This trip is optional - please see note below. Sunday 13th May This morning we visit Glendurgan Garden - a valley garden of great beauty, created in the 1820 s and running down to the tiny village of Durgan and it s beach. We will enjoy a guided tour at Glendurgan. In the afternoon we continue onto the adjacent Trebah Garden, for lunch (independent) and time at leisure to stroll through the gardens. Trebah Garden is a wooded 25 acre sub-tropical ravine garden that descends to its own beach on the beautiful Helford River. We return to the hotel for dinner (included). Monday 14th May Today we have a leisurely day to enjoy the environs of our splendid hotel. We make a visit to St Ives to see both the Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. There will be plenty of time to explore this quaint, but stylish seaside town that has inspired artists for generations. Dinner (included) at our hotel. 3

4 Tuesday 15th May After checking out of our hotel, we visit The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Twenty-five years ago the gardens were rediscovered and underwent a ground breaking restoration project. We will enjoy a guided tour of the gardens and there will be time for lunch (independent) and further exploration. After lunch we visit the Eden Project - an astonishing story of regeneration with its tropical biomes in a former clay-pit. After our visit we travel to Devon and check-in at the 4-star Dart Marina Hotel & Spa. Dinner in the hotel (included). Wednesday 16th May Today, we take a steam train to Greenway House, former summer home of Agatha Christie. We have lunch (included) en-route to our next garden, Coleton Fishacre, a 1920 s country retreat, with luxuriant gardens by the sea. We return in the late afternoon by coach to our hotel. Your evening is at leisure with the chance to explore the charming town of Dartmouth. Thursday 17th May We take a leisurely drive this morning towards Plymouth and the unique Trematon Castle - a perfect miniature Norman castle, motte and bailey with a gatehouse and spectacular gardens developed over the last six years by award-winning designers, Julian and Isabel Bannerman. We continue to The Garden House. The ten acre gardens were bought and developed in the 1940s and continue to be considered as some of the finest in Britain. We take a scenic drive over Dartmoor and return to the hotel for our final night dinner (included). Friday 18th May We check out in the morning and head back towards Heathrow Airport and London. En-route we make a stop at Hestercombe Gardens. The formal Edwardian garden has been described as Lutyens at his best. There will be time for lunch and exploration of the gardens. In the late afternoon we will make two coach drop-offs: one at London Heathrow airport and one in central London. NOTE: The day trip to the Isles of Scilly is optional. The transport is by small aircraft (8-15 seats) and by small interisland boat. If you choose to spend the day at the hotel, the tour cost will be adjusted (see tour pricing). Please indicate your choice at the time of booking. 4

5 OUR HOTELS Our hotels are 4-star and are selected for their high standards of comfort and service. All rooms are en-suite and offer free wi-fi access. The Carbis Bay Hotel & Spa, St Ives This superb coastal retreat offers access to its own 25 acre private beach and breathtaking views of the beautiful Carbis Bay. There are 47 individually designed bedrooms, award-winning dining and a luxurious spa including outdoor heated pool. The hotel is located on a 125 acre estate just outside the picturesque town of St Ives. Our rooms all have sea views. The Dart Marina Hotel & Spa, Dartmouth A tastefully modernised 4-star hotel and spa, beautifully situated overlooking the River Dart and just a 10-minute riverside stroll into Dartmouth. All bedrooms have lovely views, comfortable furnishings and the restaurant is award-winning. There is a beautiful spa and indoor pool. The hotel is situated in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. TOUR PRICES: Prices are per person, based on twin/double room share, with single supplement (solo occupancy of a double room) shown separately. Prices are payable in GBP. For clients travelling from USA & Canada, our tours can be booked in your local currency through our travel partners shown below. Garden Gems of Cornwall, Devon and the Isles of Scilly (7 nights) Price per person (sharing twin or double room) GBP 3,350 2,980 excluding day trip to Scilly Single Supplement GBP 600 PRICES INCLUDE: Accommodation at 4-star hotels with en-suite facilities based on twin/double room share; buffet breakfast daily; lunch and/or dinner daily (see itinerary); admissions to gardens; deluxe coach travel with professional driver; transport to and from the Isles of Scilly (unless option to exclude); guided tours and speakers as described in an information pack provided at the start of the tour; services of your Sisley tour director throughout; arrival transfers are included only if you are joining the tour at Heathrow Airport on the first morning of the tour. Please see FAQ s for further information. PRICES EXCLUDE: Airfares (Isles of Scilly flights included); passport and/or visa fees; beverages; laundry; telephone calls; lunches and dinners (except where included in the itinerary); gratuities; souvenirs and items of a personal nature. CONTACT US AND BOOK YOUR TOUR: We would be delighted to answer any queries about our tours and can be contacted at: Sisley Garden Tours, Duncanne House, Roecliffe Lane, Boroughbridge, YO51 9LN, England. tours@sisley.co.uk, Tel: +44 (0) Our booking forms and terms & conditions can be found on our website at Please contact us directly to book your tour. For clients travelling from the USA and Canada we have travel partners to assist with your tour booking and travel arrangements. Payment can be made in your local currency through these agencies. All Countries Sisley Garden Tours: Colette Walker & Fran Pride Tel: +44(0) tours@sisley.co.uk Canada DH Tour: Tel: TollFree: Local: karen@dhtour.ca USA Worldwide Traveler: Tel: (815) darrellynn@worldwidetraveler.net beth@worldwidetraveler.net 5

6 RHS Chelsea Flower Show & Iconic English Gardens 20th -25th May 2018 (5 nights) Join us to visit the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show on members-only day and explore some of England s most iconic gardens. We see: Munstead Wood, home of Getrude Jekyll; Christopher Lloyd s masterpiece at Great Dixter; Vita Sackville-West s legacy at Sissinghurst and Gravetye Manor - home of William Robinson and one of the most influential gardens in English gardening history. Sunday 20th May Our tour departs Heathrow Airport mid-morning or join us at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. There will be an introductory talk, lunch (independent) and visit. Kew covers more than 320 acres of landscape and gardens, and is recognised as a World Heritage Site. After our visit to Kew, we check into the 4-star Nutfield Priory Hotel and Spa, set high on Nutfield Ridge in Surrey, just to the south-west of London. Meet your group for welcome drinks and dinner in the hotel (included). Monday 21st May This morning we enjoy a visit to Nymans Garden, one of the most fashionable and romantic gardens of the Edwardian and interwar years, and the creation of the Messel family. The house was devastated by fire, leaving just a romantic ruin to dominate the garden. We will enjoy a guided tour followed by free time for refreshments and exploration. We then head to Gravetye Manor, the spectacular home of William Robinson - author, botanist and gardener. The house is now an independently owned hotel. We are treated to lunch in the hotel restaurant (included), followed by a guided tour of the gardens with the head gardener. We return to the hotel for time at leisure and dinner (included). Tuesday 22nd May We start the day with a private pre-opening guided tour of Sissinghurst Castle, a romantic garden created around a slender brick-built castle tower. Its designer Vita Sackville- West s own words describe the garden: Profusion, even extravagance and exuberance within the confines of the utmost linear severity. There will be free time after the tour for independent exploration and lunch. Our second visit today is a guided tour of Great Dixter, a cottage garden on a grand scale. In 1910 Edwin Lutyens restored the house (which you can explore) and designed the gardens. Gardening writer and lecturer Christopher Lloyd exuberantly developed the garden until his passing in The gardens are now superbly managed by Fergus Garrett and his team. We return to the hotel for dinner (included). 6

7 Wednesday 23rd May Today we enjoy an exclusive members-only day at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, a highlight every time this world class show is in our itinerary. You will see magnificent floral displays, extraordinary show gardens, garden tools and products, a host of garden structures and artefacts by world famous names at this classic event close to London s fashionable shopping. In the afternoon there will be a visit to Chelsea Physic Garden which is just a short walk from the Chelsea Flower Show ground. Tucked away beside the Thames, Chelsea Physic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in London. Its walls shelter a unique living collection of around 5,000 different edible, useful, medicinal and historical plants. We return to the hotel for dinner (included). Thursday 24th May Today we begin with a visit to the horticultural haven, and little known, Woolbeding Gardens. Development of the gardens commenced in 1973 when American garden designer Lanning Roper was appointed. Roper s distinctive design features are evident throughout, with clear structures, elegance and restraint being the principal elements used within the layout. From 2000, Julian and Isabel Bannerman were employed to develop the Pleasure Ground area. In the afternoon we make a visit to Getrude Jekyll s own garden, Munstead Wood. We will be meeting the head gardener for a private tour of the gardens which remain true to Jekyll s original design from the 1880 s and surround the Lutyen s designed house. We can walk to the local churchyard where Jekyll is buried. En-route back to our hotel, we visit the award-winning Denbies Wine Estate. After a vineyard tour we will enjoy dinner (included) in the Gallery Restaurant with panoramic views over the vineyard and surrounding hills. Friday 25th May For our final visit of the tour, we go to RHS Wisley, the home of the Royal Horticultural Society. Part of the garden is always at its best. We enjoy a guided tour so you ll be sure to see the very best of these impressive gardens. We stay for lunch (independent) at Wisley. It is time to say goodbye, so we ll make two coach drop-offs: the first at Heathrow Airport and the second in central London. We can advise on departure planning. NOTE: This tour includes one year s individual membership of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). 7

8 OUR HOTEL Nutfield Priory, Surrey Nutfield Priory is a 4-star country house hotel and spa inspired by the Neo-Gothic splendour of the Palace of Westminster. This unique Victorian mansion house in Surrey, which dates back to 1872, delights with its stylish interiors hung with fine paintings, unique artwork and many original features. The hotel is set in 12 acres of private grounds and has a lovely English garden and fully equipped health club including indoor pool, squash courts, gym and spa. All rooms are en-suite and offer free wi-fi access TOUR PRICES: Prices are per person, based on twin/double room share, with single supplement (solo occupancy of a double room) shown separately. Prices are payable in GBP. For clients travelling from USA & Canada, our tours can be booked in your local currency through our travel partners shown below. RHS Chelsea Flower Show & Iconic English Gardens (5 nights) Price per person (sharing twin or double room) GBP 2, Single Supplement GBP PRICES INCLUDE: Accommodation at 4-star hotel with en-suite facilities based on twin/double room share; buffet breakfast daily; lunch and/or dinner daily (see itinerary); admissions to gardens and the prestigious member s only day at Chelsea Flower Show; one year s membership of the RHS; deluxe coach travel with professional driver; guided tours and speakers as described in an information pack provided at the start of the tour; services of your Sisley tour director throughout; arrival transfers are included only if you are joining the tour at Heathrow Airport or meeting us at Kew Gardens on the first morning of the tour. PRICES EXCLUDE: Airfares; passport and/or visa fees; beverages; laundry; telephone calls; lunches and dinners (except where included in the itinerary); gratuities; souvenirs and items of a personal nature. Please see our FAQs for further information. CONTACT US AND BOOK YOUR TOUR: We would be delighted to answer any queries about our tours and can be contacted at: Sisley Garden Tours, Duncanne House, Roecliffe Lane, Boroughbridge, YO51 9LN, England. tours@sisley.co.uk, Tel: +44 (0) Our booking forms and terms & conditions can be found on our website at Please contact us directly to book your tour. For clients travelling from the USA and Canada we have travel partners to assist with your tour booking and travel arrangements. Payment can be made in your local currency through these agencies. All Countries Sisley Garden Tours: Colette Walker & Fran Pride Tel: +44(0) tours@sisley.co.uk Canada DH Tour: Tel: TollFree: Local: karen@dhtour.ca USA Worldwide Traveler: Tel: (815) darrellynn@worldwidetraveler.net beth@worldwidetraveler.net 8

9 RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, Oxford & the Cotswolds 3rd - 9th June 2018 (6 nights) This exciting tour celebrates the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show in the grounds of Britain s finest stately home, Chatsworth House. This two-centre tour makes the most of the stunning Peak District National Park and the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, then moves to Oxford, from where we see some fabulous private gardens in the Cotswolds. There is time to explore the university city of Oxford, marvel at the scenery of Britain s first national park - the Peak District, take afternoon tea at the home of Wedgwood, and step into the past at Haddon Hall. Sunday 3rd June After our morning pick-up at Heathrow Airport, we make our way north towards the Peak District, stopping en-route for lunch (included) at Cottesbrooke Hall, a privately owned Queen Anne style house with award-winning gardens. We arrive, late afternoon, at our hotel - the beautifully situated 4-star Losehill House Hotel & Spa. The hotel sits in a deep verdant valley with superb walks from the doorstep and gorgeous views from all aspects. Join your tour director and the rest of the group for dinner (included). Monday 4th June This morning we drive through the Peak District National Park to Biddulph Grange Gardens. These extraordinary Victorian gardens, take you on a global journey from Italy to the pyramids of Egypt, from a Chinese temple to a Himalayan glen. We travel through the English potteries to the World of Wedgwood, a unique visitor experience celebrating the very best of British industrial design and heritage. Here we ll have a refined afternoon tea (included) in the tea emporium followed by time to explore the Wedgwood Museum - one of the most important ceramic collections in the world. There will also be opportunity to see the Wedgwood craftsmen at work in the factory and browse the flagship Wedgwood store. We take a scenic drive through the Peak District National Park and the spa town of Buxton on our return to the hotel for dinner (included). Tuesday 5th June Today we begin with a visit to the Tudor Haddon Hall, one of England s finest examples of a medieval manor. We ll have morning coffee on arrival in the Banqueting Hall followed by a guided tour of the hall and gardens. Parts of the house date from the 12th century, but Arne Maynard - gold medal winner at Chelsea Flower Show - as garden designer is giving the gardens a historic make-over. We stop in the charming market town of Bakewell for lunch and shopping. Later we visit the private gardens at Thornbridge Hall, 12 acres of quintessential English gardens before returning to the hotel for dinner (included). 9

10 Wednesday 6th June Today we visit the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show at Chatsworth House on the first members-only day. Chatsworth has a rich tapestry of gardening history with many leading creative thinkers making their mark, including Joseph Paxton and Lancelot Capability Brown. As well as celebrating inspirational people who have shaped history, the show will also showcase gardening trends for 2018 and beyond. We depart mid-afternoon and make our way to Oxford where we check into the centrally located 4-star Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel. Dinner in the hotel (included). Thursday 7th June This morning we meet a local expert for a guided walking tour of the city of Oxford including a visit to one of the historic university colleges. After the tour we ll have lunch together (included) before enjoying a free afternoon to explore the city. There will be the opportunity to visit Oxford Botanic Gardens (included), the oldest in Britain. The evening is at your leisure - an opportunity to explore the many cafes and restaurants on our hotel s doorstep. Friday 8th June Today we venture to the delightful south-east corner of The Cotswolds (designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). We begin with a visit to Armscote Manor, a stunning private garden designed by the award winner designer, Dan Pearson and included in Tim Richardson s book The New English Garden. We enjoy free time in Stow-on-the-Wold for lunch. This is a traditional Cotswolds market town with characterful shops, traditional tea rooms and pubs. After lunch we make a private visit to Eastleach House and meet the owner of this delightful garden which has been created from scratch over a period of thirty years. The gardens incorporate a wild flower walk, walled and rill gardens, modern herbaceous borders, lily ponds, formal herb garden and topiary. Our final evening together includes a scenic river cruise through Oxford, followed by dinner (included) overlooking the River Thames. Saturday 9th June We depart Oxford mid-morning and make two drop-offs; Heathrow Airport and central London. We can advise on departure planning. NOTE: This tour includes one year s individual membership of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). 10

11 OUR HOTELS Our hotels are 4-star and are selected for their high standards of comfort and service. All rooms are en-suite and offer free wi-fi access. Losehill House Hotel & Spa, Peak District Set in an Arts and Crafts building dating from 1914, this luxurious spa hotel occupies a secluded spot in the heart of the Peak District National Park with stunning views overlooking Win Hill. Rooms are well appointed and the spa offers indoor heated pool, outdoor heated jacuzzi and treatment rooms. Mercure Eastgate Hotel, Oxford This contemporary hotel is housed in a 17th century townhouse in the heart of the city of Oxford. The famous novelists JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis frequented the hotel while being Fellows at Merton College and Magdalen College respectively. All rooms are Privilege standard with Nespresso machines and feature headboards with scenes from the city. TOUR PRICES: Prices are per person, based on twin/double room share, with single supplement (solo occupancy of a double room) shown separately. Prices are payable in GBP. For clients travelling from USA & Canada, our tours can be booked in your local currency through our travel partners shown below. RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, Oxford & the Cotswolds (6 nights) Price per person (sharing a twin or Single supplement double room) GBP GBP 2, PRICES INCLUDE: Accommodation at 4-star hotels with en-suite facilities based on twin/double room share; buffet breakfast daily; lunch and/or dinner daily (see itinerary); admissions to gardens and the prestigious first member s only day at Chatsworth Flower Show; one year s membership of the RHS; deluxe coach travel with professional driver; guided tours and speakers as described in an information pack provided at the start of the tour; services of your Sisley tour director throughout; arrival transfers are included only if you are joining the tour at Heathrow Airport on the first morning of the tour. PRICES EXCLUDE: Airfares; passport fees; lunch/dinner (except where indicated in the itinerary); beverages; laundry; gratuities; telephone calls; souvenirs and items of a personal nature. Please see our FAQs for further information. CONTACT US AND BOOK YOUR TOUR: We would be delighted to answer any queries about our tours and can be contacted at: Sisley Garden Tours, Duncanne House, Roecliffe Lane, Boroughbridge, YO51 9LN, England. tours@sisley.co.uk, Tel: +44 (0) Our booking forms and terms & conditions can be found on our website at Please contact us directly to book your tour. For clients travelling from the USA and Canada we have travel partners to assist with your tour booking and travel arrangements. Payment can be made in your local currency through these agencies. All Countries Sisley Garden Tours: Colette Walker & Fran Pride Tel: +44(0) tours@sisley.co.uk Canada DH Tour: Tel: TollFree: Local: karen@dhtour.ca USA Worldwide Traveler: Tel: (815) darrellynn@worldwidetraveler.net beth@worldwidetraveler.net 11

12 Cotswolds Exclusive with Highgrove Garden 24th - 30th June 2018 (6 nights) Join us on our exclusive garden tour to The Cotswolds an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with stone walls, open skies, rolling grasslands, beech woods and captivating villages. We will be staying in two locations - Stratford-upon-Avon and Cirencester - and wend our way, each day to explore wonderful gardens and quintessential English towns and villages. We will enjoy private guided tours, many by the owners themselves and see all the gardens at the height of their summer glory. Sunday 24th June After our morning pick-up at Heathrow Airport, we head north to the charming, 4-star Hallmark Welcombe Hotel & Spa, located close to the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon. En-route we ll stop for lunch and independent exploration at the World Heritage Site of Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. It is a monumental and historic palace with fabulous formal gardens and Capability Brown landscaped grounds stretching over 2,000 acres. This evening join your tour director and the rest of the group for welcome drinks before sitting down together for dinner (included). Monday 25th June Today we visit the lavish rose garden of David Austin, one of the world s leading rose breeders. See over 800 varieties, including shrub, old fashioned, climbing and species roses. Morning coffee and biscuits included. In the afternoon we visit the beautiful Elizabethan home of the Throckmorton family since 1409, Coughton Court. We have lunch (included) on arrival in the courtyard, then enjoy a private guided tour of the gardens. Dinner in the hotel (included). Tuesday 26th June We enjoy a drive through the historic town of Stratford-upon- Avon. We then make a visit to Anne Hathaway s Cottage, a typical English cottage garden of the end of the 19th century around the original thatched farm cottage. Afterwards we move onto the picturesque Cotswolds market town of Broadway for a lunchtime stop. Then on to Kiftsgate Court, a beautifully laid out plantsman s garden on top of a hill with magnificent views and a claim to the largest rose in England. We end the day with a visit to Kiftsgate s famous neighbour, Hidcote Manor Garden. We will enjoy the gardens, as very few do, after closing. We ll be guided through the gardens by one of the knowledgeable volunteers then enjoy a private dinner at Hidcote (included). 12

13 Wednesday 27th June This morning, after checking out of our hotel, we visit the private gardens of their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, Highgrove Garden - widely regarded as some of the most inspired and innovative gardens in the UK. (Please see note regarding Highgrove below). In the afternoon we arrive at the 4-star Kings Head Hotel in the centre of Cirencester, an attractive Cotswolds market town with Roman origins. Dinner in the hotel (included). Thursday 28th June Today we explore three very different gardens, each superb in its own right. We begin with Bourton House Garden, an inspirational garden with stunning colour combinations and rare, unusual and exotic plants. We continue onto Sezincote an extraordinary house displaying the finest Mogul architecture set amidst the Cotswolds Hills and surrounded by a romantic water garden. We enjoy a private guided tour of the house followed by free time to explore the gardens. From here we continue to the private garden of Upton Wold. We ll have lunch (included) over-looking the gardens and then be taken on a tour of the garden. Your evening is at leisure in the historic town of Cirencester. Friday 29th June We begin our day with a visit to the private gardens of Througham Court, Dr Christine Facer s garden and personal design laboratory. We will enjoy a guided garden tour with Dr Facer, followed by refreshments (included). From here we continue onto Barnsley House for lunch (included). During Rosemary Verey s lifetime, a tour of British gardens would not have been complete without a visit to her wonderful gardens at Barnsley House. We return to Cirencester for our final night dinner (included). Saturday 30th June We depart Cirencester mid-morning and make two drop offs: Heathrow Airport and central London. We can advise on departure planning. HIGHGROVE: In February each year, the Prince of Wales office at Highgrove releases dates on which pre-booked visits to the gardens will be available for the period April - October. Dates are limited and dependent on the Prince s diary. It is therefore not possible to guarantee tickets to Highgrove before these dates are released. Our itinerary may be re-ordered to accommodate the visit to Highgrove or an alternative garden will be included should tickets not be available during our tour week. 13

14 OUR HOTELS Our hotels are 4-star and are selected for their high standards of comfort and service. All rooms are en-suite and offer free wi-fi access. Hallmark Welcombe Hotel & Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon This luxury country house hotel, located just outside the historic town of Stratford upon Avon, stands in 157 acres of glorious grounds featuring a beautiful Italian garden and water features. The hotel offers excellent leisure facilities including golf course, swimming pool and spa. The Kings Head Hotel, Cirencester The Kings Head Hotel is an elegant boutique hotel with 45 stylish bedrooms, located in the heart of the historic Cotswolds market town of Cirencester. The exact age of the Kings Head is not known, but it was certainly in existence as a coaching inn in the middle of the fourteenth century. Today it is a haven of style and comfort. TOUR PRICES: Prices are per person, based on twin/double room share, with single supplement (solo occupancy of a double room) shown separately. Prices are payable in GBP. For clients travelling from USA & Canada, our tours can be booked in your local currency through our travel partners shown below. Cotswolds Exclusive with Highrove Garden (6 nights) Price per person (sharing a twin or double room) GBP 2, Single supplement GBP PRICES INCLUDE: Accommodation at 4-star hotels with en-suite facilities based on twin/double room share; buffet breakfast daily; lunch and/or dinner daily (see itinerary); admissions to gardens; deluxe coach travel with professional driver; guided tours and speakers as described in an information pack provided at the start of the tour; services of your Sisley tour director throughout; arrival transfers are included only if you are joining the tour at Heathrow Airport on the first morning of the tour. PRICES EXCLUDE: Airfares; passport and/or visa fees; beverages; laundry; telephone calls; lunches and dinners (except where included in the itinerary); gratuities; souvenirs and items of a personal nature. Please see our FAQs for further information. CONTACT US AND BOOK YOUR TOUR: We would be delighted to answer any queries about our tours and can be contacted at: Sisley Garden Tours, Duncanne House, Roecliffe Lane, Boroughbridge, YO51 9LN, England. tours@sisley.co.uk, Tel: +44 (0) Our booking forms and terms & conditions can be found on our website at Please contact us directly to book your tour. For clients travelling from the USA and Canada we have travel partners to assist with your tour booking and travel arrangements. Payment can be made in your local currency through these agencies. All Countries Sisley Garden Tours: Colette Walker & Fran Pride Tel: +44(0) tours@sisley.co.uk Canada DH Tour: Tel: TollFree: Local: karen@dhtour.ca USA Worldwide Traveler: Tel: (815) darrellynn@worldwidetraveler.net beth@worldwidetraveler.net 14

15 Scotland s Finest Castles and Gardens 24th - 30th June 2018 (6 nights) This spectacular tour explores the very best castles and gardens in Scotland, as well as following some of its most scenic driving routes through the Scottish borders and highlands. Expect majestic castles, beautiful planting schemes, private garden visits, the vibrancy of Edinburgh and the luxury of the 5-star resort of Gleneagles. Sunday 24th June Our tour starts in the early afternoon at our base for the first four nights of the tour, the 4-star Radisson Blu Hotel, on Edinburgh s famous Royal Mile in the heart of the city. From here we ll take a panoramic coach tour of Edinburgh. There will be time at the end of the tour to visit Edinburgh Castle (independent). Dinner at the hotel (included). Monday 25th June Today we take a scenic drive south of Edinburgh into the beautiful Scottish Borders to Floors Castle, the seat of the Duke of Roxburghe and Scotland s largest inhabited castle. Here we meet the head gardener for a private guided tour of the walled gardens followed by free time to visit the castle. In the afternoon we visit Carolside, a beautiful private garden featuring delicate herbaceous borders and a national collection of pre-1900 Gallica roses. The romantic garden surrounds the 18th century mansion which nestles in a bend of the River Leader. Lunch with the owners at Carolside is included. Later we visit Stobshiel House, a beautiful private garden made up of two contrasting parts: a formal walled garden and a wilder garden to the south. We return to Edinburgh where the evening is at leisure an opportunity to explore the many cafes and restaurants on our hotel s doorstep. Tuesday 26th June We begin the day with a private visit to Jupiter Artland, situated a short distance from Edinburgh. This private collection of sculptures is situated in a 100 acre parkland surrounding a Jacobean manor house. The thirty four works include pieces by Andy Goldsworth, Ian Hamilton Finlay and Charles Jencks. We will have lunch here (included). In the afternoon we make a visit to the privately owned Portmore Gardens near Peebles. Created by the current owners over the last 20 years, these extensive formal gardens feature a large walled garden, Victorian glass-house with shell-grotto, water garden and woodland walks. We ll enjoy afternoon tea at Portmore House (included). Your evening is at leisure in Edinburgh. 15

16 Wednesday 27th June This morning we make a private visit to Broadwoodside one of Scotland s finest contemporary gardens planted around a farmstead, rescued from dereliction. The garden displays excellent structure, imaginative use of objects and eye-catching planting. We proceed onto Greywalls for lunch (included). This impressive Edwardian house was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in The 6 acre formal gardens are attributed to Gertrude Jekyll and are beautifully maintained. Now a luxury hotel, Greywalls overlooks Muirfield Golf Course with stunning views over the Firth of Forth. We return to Edinburgh mid-afternoon with the rest of the day and evening at leisure to explore. Thursday 28th June We check-out of our hotel in Edinburgh and make a visit to Hill House, the Charles Rennie Mackintosh masterpiece on a grand scale. Here we have a private guided tour of the house, followed by free time to explore the delightful gardens. We continue into The Trossachs National Park Scotland s first National Park for lunch overlooking Loch Lomond (included). We then enjoy a scenic drive with rocky peaks, sprawling glens and placid water along the banks of Loch Lomond and Loch Earn. We check-in to the luxury 5-star resort of Gleneagles with its stunning grounds and two championship golf courses. There is also a luxurious spa to enjoy. Dinner in the hotel (included). Friday 29th June Our first visit of the day is to Drummond Castle. We ll enjoy a private garden tour of these impressive gardens, originally laid out in This formal garden is said to be one of the finest in Europe and the largest of its type in Scotland. Glamis Castle is our next destination, the setting for Shakespeare s Macbeth and beloved childhood home of the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. We have lunch here (included), a castle tour and the opportunity to meet the head gardener before looking around the gardens. We return to Gleneagles for dinner (included). Saturday 30th June We leave Gleneagles mid-morning and return to Edinburgh, making drop-offs at Edinburgh Airport and in Edinburgh city centre. We can advise on departure planning. TOUR NOTE: Our tour starts and ends in Edinburgh which is located on the main East Coast rail line from London. Direct trains from London take under 5 hours. The nearest international airports are Edinburgh & Glasgow. If you have any queries about the tour or travel planning to join the tour, please do not hesitate to contact us. 16

17 OUR HOTELS Our hotels are 4-star and 5-star and are selected for their high standards of comfort and service. All rooms are en-suite and offer free wi-fi access. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh The Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh is designed to blend into the surrounding medieval architecture with its own 16th-century style façade. This hotel is situated in the very heart of the city and offers all modern facilities within, including indoor pool. Gleneagles Hotel & Spa Gleneagles is a 5-star luxury resort set within its own estate in Perthshire, offering the highest levels of comfort and style. When Gleneagles opened in 1924 it was described as a Riviera in the Highlands - today it remains dedicated to excellence, just as it was in its earliest days. Some of the many facilities available to guests include the luxury spa with three pools, tennis courts, pitch & putt and falconry. TOUR PRICES: Prices are per person, based on twin/double room share, with single supplement (solo occupancy of a double room) shown separately. Prices are payable in GBP. For clients travelling from USA & Canada, our tours can be booked in your local currency through our travel partners shown below. Scotland s Finest Castles and Gardens (6 nights) Price per person (sharing a twin Single Supplement or double room) GBP GBP 2, PRICES INCLUDE: Accommodation at 4 & 5-star hotels with en-suite facilities based on twin/double room share; buffet breakfast daily; lunch and/or dinner daily (see itinerary); admissions to gardens; deluxe coach travel with professional driver; guided tours and speakers as described in an information pack provided at the start of the tour; services of your Sisley tour director throughout. PRICES EXCLUDE: Airfares; passport and/or visa fees; beverages; laundry; telephone calls; lunches and dinners (except where included in the itinerary); gratuities; souvenirs and items of a personal nature. Travel to and from Edinburgh to meet the tour. Please see our FAQs for further information. CONTACT US AND BOOK YOUR TOUR: We would be delighted to answer any queries about our tours and can be contacted at: Sisley Garden Tours, Duncanne House, Roecliffe Lane, Boroughbridge, YO51 9LN, England. tours@sisley.co.uk, Tel: +44 (0) Our booking forms and terms & conditions can be found on our website at Please contact us directly to book your tour. For clients travelling from the USA and Canada we have travel partners to assist with your tour booking and travel arrangements. Payment can be made in your local currency through these agencies. All Countries Sisley Garden Tours: Colette Walker & Fran Pride Tel: +44(0) tours@sisley.co.uk Canada DH Tour: Tel: TollFree: Local: karen@dhtour.ca USA Worldwide Traveler: Tel: (815) darrellynn@worldwidetraveler.net beth@worldwidetraveler.net 17

18 RHS Hampton Court Flower Show & the Gardens of Kent 1st - 7th July 2018 (6 nights) This high season tour enjoys visits to the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew and RHS Wisley before visiting the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show on its prestigious first members-only day. We then travel into Kent, the garden of England to explore the area s greatest gardens including private or pre-opening visits to Great Dixter, Sissinghurst and Long Barn, and visits to Hever Castle, Pashley Manor, Great Comp and Godinton House. Sunday 1st July Our tour departs Heathrow Airport mid morning or join us at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. We will enjoy an introductory talk, lunch (independent) and visit. Kew covers more than 320 acres of landscape and gardens, and is recognised as a World Heritage Site. After our visit to Kew, we check into the 4-star Mitre Hampton Court Hotel, situated on the banks of the River Thames and immediately opposite Hampton Court Palace. Dinner at the hotel (included). Monday 2nd July Today we visit RHS Wisley, the home of the Royal Horticultural Society. Full of ideas and information, the garden delights and inspires in any season of the year. We enjoy a guided tour so you ll be sure to see the very best of these impressive gardens. The shop offers a huge collection of books on gardening. We stay for lunch (independent) and then return to our hotel for dinner (included). Tuesday 3rd July Tuesday is the prestigious first members-only day of the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. Enjoy a leisurely stroll from our hotel to the Palace and Flower Show where you will see magnificent floral displays, extraordinary show gardens and shops. There will be time to explore Hampton Court Palace, Henry VIII s majestic Royal residence. Don t miss the state apartments, Tudor kitchen, formal gardens, and grounds. On leaving the flower show, we make our way to Kent and check into the 4-star Spa Hotel, Royal Tunbridge Wells for four nights. Dinner in the hotel (included). Wednesday 4th July Our first visit today is a private pre-opening tour of Great Dixter, a cottage garden on a grand scale. In 1910 the English architect Edwin Lutyens restored the house and designed the gardens. The well-known gardening writer and lecturer Christopher Lloyd who further developed the garden until his passing in 2006, liked to tease the followers of garden fashion with bold experimentation. We will have lunch (included) in a typical Kentish pub. 18

19 In the afternoon we explore Godinton House and Gardens, a superb ancient estate with splendid formal gardens. Both the Jacobean house and gardens have been lovingly restored. We enjoy a garden tour with the delightful head gardener. We return to Royal Tunbridge Wells for an evening at leisure with the opportunity to explore the town s many restaurants and cafes. Thursday 5th July Our day begins with a private visit to Great Comp, an enormous achievement by two people who retired in 1957 from a busy London life. This is an informal garden against a background of deciduous woodland with an apron of lawn. The gardens are now cared for by curator, William Dyson, the UK s leading Salvia expert. We continue to Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII. Here we have time for lunch and to marvel at this double-moated castle and its garden, with a 35 acre lake, fountains, and magnificent original Roman and Italian Renaissance statuary. Dinner in the hotel (included). Friday 6th July We start the day with a private pre-opening guided tour of Sissinghurst Castle, a romantic garden created around a slender brick-built castle tower. Its designer Vita Sackville- West s own words describe the garden: Profusion, even extravagance and exuberance within the confines of the utmost linear severity. We continue onto Pashley Manor, an immaculate garden with emphasis on colour and form around a Tudor house with 18th century additions. After free time for lunch we enjoy an introductory talk and time to explore the gardens. Dinner in the hotel (included). Saturday 7th July We check out of our hotel and before leaving Kent, we enjoy a particularly special, exclusive visit to the beautiful private gardens at Long Barn, the first home of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicholson where they served their gardening apprenticeship before moving to Sissinghurst. We then make two coach drop-offs; the first in central London and the second at Heathrow Airport. We can advise on departure planning. NOTE: This tour includes one year s individual membership of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). 19

20 OUR HOTELS Our hotels are 4-star and are selected for their high standards of comfort and service. All rooms are en-suite and offer free wi-fi access. The Mitre Hotel, Hampton Court Overlooking the River Thames, and built around the same time as Hampton Court Palace, this delightful 4-star hotel is both comfortable and charming. All rooms have their own individual style and the riverside bar and restaurant give spectacular views over the river. The Spa Hotel, Royal Tunbridge Wells Situated in 14 acres of picturesque grounds on the edge of Royal Tunbridge Wells, The Spa is a 4-star family run hotel offering 70 well appointed and individually styled bedrooms. Originally built in 1766 as a country mansion, the hotel is surrounded by glorious gardens and includes an indoor swimming pool, gym and floodlit tennis court and is proud of its 2 AA rosette restaurant. TOUR PRICES: Prices are per person, based on twin/double room share, with single supplement (solo occupancy of a double room) shown separately. Prices are payable in GBP. For clients travelling from USA & Canada, our tours can be booked in your local currency through our travel partners shown below. RHS Hampton Court Flower Show & the Gardens of Kent (6 nights) Price per person (sharing a twin or double room) GBP 2, Single Supplement GBP PRICES INCLUDE: Accommodation at 4-star hotels with en-suite facilities based on twin/double room share; first members-only day at the RHS Hampton Court Flower show; buffet breakfast daily; lunch and/or dinner daily (see itinerary); admissions to gardens; deluxe coach travel with professional driver; guided tours and speakers as described in an information pack provided at the start of the tour; one year s individual membership to the Royal Horticutural Society; services of your Sisley tour director throughout. PRICES EXCLUDE: Airfares; passport and/or visa fees; beverages; laundry; telephone calls; lunches and dinners (except where included in the itinerary); gratuities; souvenirs and items of a personal nature. Please see our FAQs for further information. CONTACT US AND BOOK YOUR TOUR: We would be delighted to answer any queries about our tours and can be contacted at: Sisley Garden Tours, Duncanne House, Roecliffe Lane, Boroughbridge, YO51 9LN, England. tours@sisley.co.uk, Tel: +44 (0) Our booking forms and terms & conditions can be found on our website at Please contact us directly to book your tour. For clients travelling from the USA and Canada we have travel partners to assist with your tour booking and travel arrangements. All Countries Sisley Garden Tours: Colette Walker & Fran Pride Tel: +44(0) tours@sisley.co.uk Canada DH Tour: Tel: TollFree: Local: karen@dhtour.ca USA Worldwide Traveler: Tel: (815) darrellynn@worldwidetraveler.net beth@worldwidetraveler.net 20

21 Great Houses and Gardens of Yorkshire & the Lake District 9th - 16th September 2018 (7 nights) This delightful, late season tour takes in some of the very finest country houses and gardens of Yorkshire and the Lake District. We ll explore York, one of England s greatest historic cities and travel through the spectacular landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks visiting iconic stately homes and hidden, private gardens. Sunday 9th September Our tour starts in the early afternoon at our base for the first four nights of the tour, the 4-star Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, overlooking York s historic city walls. From here we ll take a walking tour of York, one of England s most historic cities with a 2000 year history including a visit to the mighty York Minster. This evening join your tour director and fellow travellers for welcome drinks and dinner in the hotel (included). Monday 10th September We begin our day with a private visit to Newby Hall, a delightful Queen Anne style house with award-winning gardens and home to one of the world s finest dollshouse collections. Here we ll enjoy a guided tour of the house before having lunch in the garden cafe (included). We continue onto one of Yorkshire s finest private gardens, Littlethorpe Manor. The designer and head gardener will take us on a tour of the gardens. We return to the hotel and the evening is at your leisure with the opportunity to sample the many restaurants and cafes on our hotel s doorstep. Tuesday 11th September Today we begin at the World Heritage Site of Fountain s Abbey & Studley Royal water gardens. We ll stroll through the unique Georgian water-gardens leading to the spectacular ruins of this 12th century Cistercian Monastery. We stop for a pub lunch (included) then drive through the Georgian spa town of Harrogate to the Royal Horticultural Society s northern home, RHS Harlow Carr where we enjoy an exploration of the gardens and shop. On our return to York, the evening is at your leisure. Wednesday 13th September Today we begin at one of the most recognised and loved of Britain s stately homes, Castle Howard made famous by its central role in the film Brideshead Revisited. We ll be treated to a private pre-opening tour of the house, followed by free time to explore the gardens and grounds. After lunch we ll discover one of Yorkshire s most recent gardens, Scampston Walled Garden a contemporary master-piece of the renowned Dutch designer, Piet Oudolf. We will take dinner in a former hunting lodge, now a boutique hotel en-route back to York (included). 21

22 Thursday 13th September Checking out of our York hotel, we head west, travelling through the Yorkshire Dales National Park. We make a stop at Parcevall Hall, a historic hall (now a retreat) hidden in a dale, which reveals a delightful Arts & Crafts style garden and unique bedrock limestone rock garden. We stop off for lunch (included) in a rather special Yorkshire Dales pub. After lunch we travel onwards through the beautiful Dales countryside to the Lake District, one of the most scenic corners of England. Here we visit the Elizabethan Levens Hall with its unique and ancient collection of topiary. We will enjoy access to the Hall and a guided tour of the gardens with the head gardener before travelling onto the 4-star Lakeside Hotel on the shores of Lake Windermere, for the final three nights of our tour. Dinner at the hotel (included). Friday 14th September Today we visit the home of Chelsea gold-medal winning garden designer Arabella Lennox-Boyd at Gresgarth Hall. We ll enjoy a private visit of the gardens before heading to Holker Hall, the home of Lord and Lady Cavendish great garden enthusiasts. This magnificent Jacobean stately home is set in exceptionally beautiful countryside with gardens that merge into parkland framed by the lakeland hills. We return to the hotel for dinner (included). Saturday 15th September Our first visit today takes us to Hill Top, the home of Beatrix Potter, children s author, illustrator, natural scientist and conservationist best known for her Tales of Peter Rabbit. The cottage feels as if Beatrix has just stepped out into the surrounding countryside that she loved so well. We make a stop for lunch (independent) and exploration in the quintessential Lake District town of Grasmere. Later, we ll meet up to board our private lake cruise along Windermere, back to our hotel. Final night dinner at the hotel (included). Sunday 16th September Our final day takes us back to York. En-route we stop at Harewood House, one of the Treasure Houses of England with incredible Adam interiors, Chippendale furniture and set in the iconic Capability Brown landscape. We arrive in York mid-afternoon in time for guests to make onward travel by train or car, or to spend more time in this wonderful city. TOUR NOTE: Our tour starts and ends in the City of York. York is located on the main East Coast rail line between London & Edinburgh and direct trains from London take under 2 hours. The nearest international Airport is Manchester Airport there is also a direct train service between Manchester Airport and York (1hr 45mins). If you have any queries about the tour or travel planning to join the tour, please do not hesitate to contact us. 22

23 OUR HOTELS Our hotels are 4-star and are selected for their high standards of comfort and service. All rooms are en-suite and offer free wi-fi access. The Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, York Right at the heart of York, the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel is ideally located for exploring this historic and vibrant city. The hotel overlooks the medieval city walls and is just five minutes from York Minster and the Shambles. This newly refurbished and upgraded hotel offers individual bedrooms, welcoming lounges, a courtyard garden, and a friendly bar and restaurant. The Lakeside Hotel, Newby Bridge, the Lake District This luxurious 4-star hideaway is located on the shores of Windermere in the Lake District National Park. With restful bedrooms, delicious fine dining inspired by fresh local produce, beautiful gardens and indulgent spa, Lakeside is the perfect place to relax and soak up the atmosphere. TOUR PRICES: Prices are per person, based on twin/double room share, with single supplement (solo occupancy of a double room) shown separately. Prices are payable in GBP. For clients travelling from USA & Canada, our tours can be booked in your local currency through our travel partners shown below. Great Houses and Gardens of Yorkshire & the Lake District (7 nights) Price per person (sharing a Single Supplement twin or double room) GBP GBP 2, PRICES INCLUDE: Accommodation at 4-star hotels with en-suite facilities based on twin/double room share; buffet breakfast daily; lunch and/or dinner daily (see itinerary); admissions to gardens; deluxe coach travel with professional driver; guided tours and speakers as described in an information pack provided at the start of the tour; services of your Sisley tour director throughout. PRICES EXCLUDE: Airfares; passport and/or visa fees; beverages; laundry; telephone calls; lunches and dinners (except where included in the itinerary); gratuities; souvenirs and items of a personal nature; transport to and from York at the start and finish of the tour. Please see our FAQs for further information. CONTACT US AND BOOK YOUR TOUR: We would be delighted to answer any queries about our tours and can be contacted at: Sisley Garden Tours, Duncanne House, Roecliffe Lane, Boroughbridge, YO51 9LN, England. tours@sisley.co.uk, Tel: +44 (0) Our booking forms and terms & conditions can be found on our website at Please contact us directly to book your tour. For clients travelling from the USA and Canada we have travel partners to assist with your tour booking and travel arrangements. Payment can be made in your local currency through these agencies. All Countries Sisley Garden Tours: Colette Walker & Fran Pride Tel: +44(0) tours@sisley.co.uk Canada DH Tour: Tel: TollFree: Local: karen@dhtour.ca USA Worldwide Traveler: Tel: (815) darrellynn@worldwidetraveler.net beth@worldwidetraveler.net 23

24 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Do Sisley Garden Tours have offices in any other country than the UK? Whilst our head office is in the UK, we have partner travel agents in the USA and Canada who are able to assist with enquiries, travel arrangements to join our tours and bookings. Bookings and enquiries from all other countries should be directed to us at Who goes on a Sisley Garden Tour? Our clients come from all over the world with many joining us from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Europe. Most are English-speaking and all our main tour commentaries are in English. Our tours appeal to a wide variety of individuals but all with a common love of beautiful gardens. Tours are run in a relaxed manner with our sole aim to provide you with a wonderful holiday experience. We hope our clients join us as muchvalued guests and leave us as friends. Is it necessary to have a good level of mobility? Our aim is for every client to fully enjoy the gardens, historic houses and towns we visit. In order to achieve this, you do need to be fit enough to participate fully. Please bear in mind that you will have to negotiate getting on and off the vehicle on a regular basis, walking around gardens, managing stairs in the hotels and showers over the bath. If you have any queries as to whether our tours are suitable for you, please check with us. I have some health problems, and want to know if this will be a problem? If your health problem is minor and you can self-manage it without additional care or special facilities, then we should be able to accommodate you. Again, it is best to check. Whilst our primary aim as tour directors is to look after all our clients needs, we must ensure that particular needs of individuals do not adversely affect the experience of other group members. Do you only offer scheduled tours or do you offer bespoke tour planning? We are delighted to design and operate bespoke tour itineraries for families, friends wanting to travel together, or any other group (minimum group size of 10). Please contact us to discuss your bespoke tour requirements. Do you offer triple room accommodation? Most of our hotels do not offer triple availability but please ask and we will confirm availability for the tour you are interested in. Do the rooms have bathtubs or showers? All hotel rooms are private ensuite. In Europe, bathroom facilities can vary and you may find that some rooms will have a tub, some showers, some both. What kind of room should I book? When booking we need to know what kind of room you require; a twin room (two single-sized beds in a room), a double room (one standard-sized bed for two) or a single room (a double room for solo occupancy). I am a single traveller. Is it possible to share a room? Why must I pay a single supplement? We do not match up single travellers but if you are keen to find a room share, we will let our travel partners know and if both parties agree, put you in touch with any other single travellers with the same request. All hotels charge extra for single occupancy - this is for single occupancy of a double room. What type of hotels do Sisley Garden Tours use? We use 4 and 5 star hotels ranging from modern custom-built hotels to historic country houses. All our hotels are chosen for their excellent levels of comfort and service and their location to minimise travel time to our tour destinations. All rooms are en-suite and many have leisure facilities. Some of our favourite hotels are located in fascinating and beautiful historic buildings and for this reason, rooms are often different shapes and sizes and the layout of the hotel may be unusual. Is porterage included? We include porterage wherever possible in the hotels. Can Sisley Garden Tours arrange additional nights accommodation in the tour hotels at the start or end of the tour? Yes, if rooms are available we would be happy to arrange extra nights for you. Please let us or your local travel agent know at the time of your booking and we will confirm availability and prices. Where tours start at Heathrow Airport, many clients flying in long haul from overseas find it beneficial to fly in the day before and stay at an airport hotel so that they are fully rested for the tour start. Again, we can assist you in booking airport hotels if required. Are airport transfers included in the tour price? Unless the tour itinerary specifically states that the tour starts at the airport, arrival transfers are not included. See individual itineraries for tour ending points. If you need any assistance with arrival or departure planning, please just ask. Will I need a visa? It is your responsibility to obtain any visas which might be necessary enabling you to join the tour. Please check with your local consular office as to any visa requirements for entry into the UK. 24

25 What sort of vehicle do we travel in? Sisley Garden Tours has a number of established partnerships with professional coach operators who provide both a professional driver and deluxe midi-coach for our tours in addition to the services of your Sisley tour director. We like to use local companies with excellent local knowledge and the coaches we use are chosen for their comfort and sized appropriately for the tour group size. Our coaches benefit from air conditioning and PA system. How many people will be on my tour? Our groups vary in size and are typically between passengers, usually no more than 22. A minimum of 10 passengers are required to run a tour. Unlike a large coach company we can offer a truly personal experience. What is a typical day on a Sisley garden tour? Days can sometimes be fairly long, but we aim to take things at a relaxed pace and build in time for rest and relaxation in the day. We might typically leave at 9am and arrive back at our hotel at 5pm, however, some days may be longer and others shorter depending on the day s itinerary. How much walking is involved on tour? The nature of exploring the gardens and historic towns we visit means there is a reasonable amount of walking involved in our daily itineraries. Where guided tours of gardens are included as part of our visit, clients may always opt out to rest and where we visit historic towns and villages, the amount of walking and independent exploration is up to the client. Should clients wish to take a day off from the tour, they are perfectly welcome to do so as long as we are returning to the same hotel in the evening. If you have a mobility problem or concern, you may not find our tours suitable. Please contact us if you have any doubts. Am I expected to leave gratuities? It is common in the UK and Europe to leave a small gratuity in restaurants and cafes if you have received good service (typically 10% on top of the bill). It would also be usual to give your tour guide and driver a tip at the end of the tour if he/she has done a good job. The amount is entirely at your discretion, and is not mandatory, but it is always much appreciated. Hotel gratuities are included in the tour price. How much driving do we do? We design tours so that there is as little wasted time as possible on the coach and plenty to see while aboard. Inevitably, there are days when travelling between locations may involve motorway driving and more mileage. We do travel along scenic routes wherever possible and you will see more of the countryside and local village life than on a regular tour. What is the dress code? Day wear is informal and we would recommend layers for variable temperatures, a waterproof jacket and appropriate footwear. In the evening we suggest smart casual. Gentlemen are not required to wear jackets or tie, except at Gleneagles on our Scottish tour where a jacket is required. What meals are included? Delicious breakfasts, lunch and/or dinner are included daily (see tour itinerary for details of meal inclusions). One thing to remember, dinner times in the UK are usually from 7pm onwards and often later in mainland Europe. Can special dietary needs be accommodated? We will do our best to satisfy your dietary needs, but you must ensure that any restrictions are made clear to us at the time of booking so we can pass the information on to our hotels. Do you include entrance fees to attractions? All entries to the gardens and flower shows set out in the tour itinerary are included in the price. In addition, we include entrance fees to historic houses that form part of our itinerary when they are open to the public and a number of garden talks/ tours by head gardeners and garden owners. What happens if I have to cancel? Please, see our cancellation policy. We rarely have cancellations but if you do, through illness or any other reason, there would be a charge as set out in our Terms & Conditions. We do require that all clients take out suitable travel insurance covering cancellations and any other standard travel insurance risks. Do I need to take out travel insurance for my trip? You must always ensure you are fully insured when travelling overseas, and we require all clients to have suitable and adequate cover. We will ask for your insurance details on booking. Please check that your insurance includes covering cancellation fees in the instance you are forced to cancel your tour prior to departure due to unforeseen circumstances (please see our Terms & Conditions for more information). How much luggage can we bring? Luggage is restricted to one standard sized suitcase and one carry-on per person. What is not included in a Sisley garden tour? Air Fares: Air travel must be booked independently and the flight details given to us. Our travel agent partners can assist with booking flights and any other travel arrangements that you may require as part of your trip. Driver and tour director gratuity is at your discretion. Lunches, social drinks, items of a personal nature and entrance fees when not included on our tour itinerary. Guide books and other literature for sale at the gardens we visit. Optional evening theatre/festival visits and entrances not detailed in the tour notes. Incidental expenses, such as telephone bills, newspapers, laundry and room service incurred at the hotels is the responsibility of the individual client. All expenses are to be settled at check-out. 25