Spring Garden & Bird Quest

Overview
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
Maps
Ship Information
Highlights

Be one of the first to experience the MS Caledonian Sky as she sails down the Thames bound for Honfleur and the Channel islands, Isles of Scilly and Lundy on a garden and bird quest. We will visit some delightful island gardens, enjoying them at their springtime best and come into close contact with prolific birdlife particularly on Lundy as we sail past the rarely visited Les Sept isles, just off the coast of Brittany.

No matter what your interests, this diverse trip has something for everyone. There will be the opportunity to visit Monet’s garden on the Seine at Giverny or the majestic cathedral of Rouen, the enchanting Mont St Michel or the delights of St Malo. Then, there are the islands, rich in history, birdlife and exquisite gardens. Perhaps not that difficult to access individually, but virtually impossible to visit as many charming ports of call as we have planned in the space of a week.

Our expedition staff have a wealth of local knowledge, having undertaken numerous expeditions around Britain and Ireland. Our experienced team will go ashore with you and provide evening round-ups of the day’s events and briefings on board. Their knowledge and enthusiasm of the natural world will add much to your enjoyment as each day brings us new discoveries

Spring Garden & Bird Quest itinerary:

Day 1 - TILBURY.

Sail in the mid afternoon bound for the Channel and Honfleur at the mouth of the Seine. A transfer will be provided from London Victoria Coach Station at a set time.

Day 2 - HONFLEUR FOR ROUEN AND GIVERNY.

Today you have the choice of a full day excursion to Les Andelys and Giverny or a half day tour to the old centre of Rouen. During our morning tour in Les Andelys we visit the Chateau Gaillard, perched high on a cliff overlooking the river. Built by Richard the Lionheart and the Duke of Normandy in 1196, this magnificent castle is the most dramatic sight anywhere along the Seine between the coast and Paris. In the afternoon drive to Monet’s home and famous garden at nearby Giverny. Claude Monet lived here from 1883 until his death in 1926, and laid out the gardens to his own designs. Each month a dominant colour features in the garden. The house is similar each with its own colour and covered floor to ceiling with his collection of Japanese prints.

Day 3 - ALDERNEY & SARK.

Our first landfall in the Channel Islands is tiny Alderney. Visit the island’s only town, St Anne, which has all the old-world charm of a Normandy village with tiny squares and pastel shaded cottages and shops. Enjoy some free time for walking along the pretty quiet lanes, cliff bird-watching or, weather permitting exploring the coast by Zodiac. Over lunch sail across to timeless Sark. Zodiac landing craft bring us ashore for a visit to the enchanting Seigneury Gardens. Horse-drawn carriages take us around this peaceful traffic free island which is alive with the songs of chaffinches, skylarks and mistle thrush.

Day 4 - GUERNSEY & HERM.

Spend the morning on the ‘Island of Flowers’. An island drive will include the house where Victor Hugo resided for 14 years. The house has been frozen in time and is just as it was during his residency. Also see Mille Fleurs, a two and a half acre garden with a huge selection of plants, ranging from the traditional and indigenous to the subtropical which thrive in the mild Guernsey climate. The gardens featured on BBC Gardeners World in 2009. This afternoon is free for independent exploration of St Peter Port or alternatively visit the neighbouring island of Herm. Just one and half miles long and half a mile wide, Herm is perfect for exploring on foot. The islanders are keen gardeners having won the RHS Britain in Bloom Gold Award twice in the last decade. The head gardener will take us on a tour of the island’s gardens where we can learn of the unique plant life and challenges associated with gardening on Herm. There will be time to explore independently to enjoy the peace and beauty of this charming little island.

Day 5 - ST MALO & SEPT ILES.

From our anchorage by the ramparts of St Malo we will go ashore to explore the beautifully restored old city of St Malo. There will also be the opportunity to visit the 12th century Benedictine monastery of Mont St Michel, perched atop a dramatically sited granite outcrop. Afternoon at sea where we will cruise past Les Sept Iles, a haven for seabirds.

Day 6 - LUNDY ISLAND.

After a morning at sea we reach the outer limits of the Bristol Channel for our call to Lundy. Walk along its traffic-free lanes and paths, explore the wide bays and coves by way of hanging valleys, observe the puffins nesting in abandon rabbit warrens, have a drink at the inn and buy the islands ‘puffin stamps’ at the island’s shop.

Day 7 - ST MARY’S & TRESCO.

Our exploration of the beautiful Isles of Scilly will start with a morning on St Mary’s and the quaint capital of Hugh Town. There will be some free time to wander around the charming little town, perhaps visit the local museum or walk one of the coastal trails. After lunch on board spend the afternoon on Tresco, to many the most attractive of the islands. It is leased by the Dorrien- Smith family, who have done much to preserve the island’s great charm and created a wonderful 40 acre sub-tropical garden, close to their Tresco Abbey home. Stroll the traffic free lanes and enjoy a walk along one of the lovely white-sand beaches where the sea colour has more in common with the Aegean than the North Atlantic.

Day 8 - BRYHER.

Just across the water from Tresco lies the peaceful little island of Bryher. Springtime here is delightful as the island bursts into life with an abundance of colour filling the hedgerows and fields with fragrant blooms of wild flowers and narcissi. Take a walk from rugged Hell Bay in the north to the beautiful beaches of Rushy Bay in the south east of the islands. From the top of Watch Hill there is a marvellous panoramic view of the archipelago. Sail this afternoon.

Day 9 - PORTSMOUTH.

Arrive this morning and disembark after breakfast. A transfer will be provided to Portsmouth train station at a set time.

Caledonian Sky

The MS Caledonian Sky accommodates a maximum of 114 passengers in 57 spacious outside suites. Many have walk-in wardrobes and some feature tub baths. There will be seven categories of suites and sixteen suites will have private balconies. For those familiar with the MS Island Sky she will feel like a second home, although there are some differences. The dining room, lounge, Lido Deck and bar are all similar. However, the ‘Club’ on the MS Caledonian Sky has been transported to the very top deck. Here, there is a library and bar which leads out on to a lovely forward deck. The ‘Club’ has wonderful views with ceiling to floor windows.

If you like the MS Island Sky, we are sure you will also approve of her sister. And, of course it is important that we offer the very best of facilities. However, equally as important are the staff on board whether they are the vessel’s crew or our own expedition staff. Noble Caledonia’s reputation has been built on providing the very best in all areas. Their crew of 74 not only offer an excellent service they are also noted for their kindness and attention to detail. A well run ship with a warm atmosphere is what we are known for, and it is because most of our crew have been with us for many years that we are able to engender such an atmosphere.

Your Suite
Onboard there are 57 exceptionally spacious and well designed suites. The passenger accommodation is arranged over four decks and all suites have outside views. All feature a sitting room area and some have private balconies. Each affords considerable comfort with en-suite bathroom featuring a country style wash basin, hot towel rack and vanity unit with sink and walk-in shower and/or bath tub.

Facilities in the suites also include walk-in or spacious wardrobes, dressing table with large mirror and stool or desk, mini-fridge, flat screen television, telephone, programmable electronic safe, hairdryer, assorted toiletries, air-conditioning and heating. Bottled water, towelling dressing gowns and slippers are also provided for your comfort.

Your space
The spacious and finely decorated public rooms include a large lounge where daily briefings and talks will be provided throughout the voyage and an elegant bar where a pianist plays periodically throughout the day. The bar also features a 24-hour tea and coffee station. In addition there is the Club Lounge on the Panoramic Deck which features a bar. The onboard travel library is the perfect place to relax with a book and is stocked with reference books pertaining to the places the vessel is visiting along with a selection of games and two computers with internet access. Daily newspapers and magazines are also placed in the library depending on local availability. Outside there is a rear Lido deck where meals are served in warm weather under shade. On the top deck there is a further observation and sun deck with bar service and comfortable deck furniture for sun bathing or relaxing with a book. There is also a small gymnasium onboard and hairdressers with appointments made on request.

Your dining
With only one sitting and a maximum of just over 100 passengers, the quality of cuisine will be of a consistent superior quality. Where possible and when it meets his high standards, our accomplished chef will obtain local produce in markets or buy the catch of the day from a passing fishing boat. Such purchases enhance the well stocked larders and bring a local touch to the varied menus. In the main elegant dining room, breakfast is served buffet-style, with certain items cooked to order and lunch and dinner is à la carte. When weather permits, breakfast, a buffet-style lunch and dinner are also served on deck. To enhance your dining experience even further a selection of wines are included with lunch and dinner. Afternoon tea is served in the lounge and tea and coffee are available 24 hours. With sufficient notice, most diets can be catered for on board.

For your comfort, safety and security
The vessel is equipped with the latest safety, navigation and communications equipment along with roll stabilisers to minimise the ship’s motion. The Captain and officers operate an open-bridge policy that allows passengers onto the bridge at most times with the exception of arrival and departure from port and during times of complicated navigation. Here you can check the ship’s progress by charts and learn more from the officers about your journey. There is also a dedicated channel on your television in your suite showing the routing of the vessel along with technical information and estimated times of arrival and departure from port. On board you will also find a clinic and doctor and a lift that serves all decks. Smoking on board is restricted to outside decks only.

Gratuities
Unlike many other cruise vessels, onboard the MS Caledonian Sky you do not need to worry about tipping staff as we have included them in your holiday price. In addition we tip all their guides and drivers along the way, thereby taking away the hassle of always having to remember to have some small change with you.