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2012

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Celebrity Garden Hosts

On board Gardeners’ Programme

20th Anniversary Garden Cruise Special

Pippa Greenwood

Adam Pasco

Then you’re sure to enjoy our programme of Garden Themed Cruises, hosted by some of the top names in gardening!

We can’t believe that this year will be the 20th Anniversary of garden themed cruises with Victoria Travel & Cruise.co.uk. So, time to celebrate and what better way than to organise an

anniversary cruise special re-visiting those ports of call in the Canaries & Madeira we called at on our very first Fred. Olsen garden themed cruise in 1992. Back then, it was Black Prince who played host and

now 20 years on we will be celebrating aboard Fred. Olsen’s newest ship, Balmoral. We’d love you to join us and help us celebrate!

Celebrate with us!Andrew Gardner, Cruise.co.uk Chairman

The largest and newest cruise ship in Fred.Olsen’s fleet, Balmoral offers a wide range of facilities, yet still enjoys a home-from-home atmosphere. Named after the Scottish home of the Royal Family, Balmoral has accommodation for about 1,300 passengers, through 710 cabins and suites.

Eat informally in the Palms Cafe, or more formally in the Ballindalloch, Avon and Spey restaurants on board. Balmoral also benefits from an on-board pub, which offers evening entertainment as an alternative to the main cabarets and dancing in the Neptune or Lido Lounges. Or you could just relax with a drink in the Observatory Lounge, with its spectacular views out to sea and later in the evening dance the night away there on its popular disco-dance floor – that’s the beauty of a cruise holiday on board Balmoral, there’s always so much to do!

Experience an elegant and captivating atmosphere when you cruise on Braemar. Carrying around 900 passengers, Braemar has more than 80 suites and passenger cabins with balconies. The ship’s public rooms feature polished wood, gleaming brass fittings, subtle lighting and attractive fabrics, while the five-deck high atrium gives the vessel a very light and spacious feel. Cascading decks at the stern provide plenty of spaces for sun-bathing, while the vessel also has two open-air swimming pools with a poolside bar and twin jacuzzis. There’s a choice of places to eat: informal in Palms Cafe, or formal in the main Thistle Restaurant and the more intimate Grampian Restaurant.

Black Watch has the intimate and sophisticated ambience for which all cruise ships were once famous. At just 28,000 tonnes, but with a large number of cabins and suites with balconies, she carries around 804 passengers. Black Watch’s public areas underwent refurbishment in late 2009 when a new casual dining area created the Braemar Garden, offering seating for more than 120 guests as well as a stylish bar and a buffet area. Elegant soft furnishings were also updated in the Neptune Lounge, Pipers Bar, Glentanar Restaurant and the Observatory Lounge.

Fred. Olsen are proud of their tradition of smaller ships. Each one in the fleet has its own unique personality, but never loses that friendly, home-from-home atmosphere, where friendships are forged with fellow-passengers and crew alike.

Matthew Biggs

Keen gardener? Love cruising?BBC garden writer and broadcaster, Tony has been working with plants for 25 years, 13 of which have been spent managing Westonbirt, the National Arboretum in Gloucestershire.

He is one of Britain’s leading authorities on trees and shrubs, regularly appearing on TV and radio.

Tony Russell

David has gardened from a very young age and after training in horticulture at Writtle College, went on to gain a teaching certificate from Wolverhampton Polytechnic. His knowledge of both the theory and practice of horticulture have inspired students at the many colleges where he has taught. He has also become one of the leading gardening journalists in the country, writing and editing for many popular magazines, including Gardeners’ World magazine.

For over 13 years, Pippa was a regular presenter on BBC 2’s Gardeners’ World, presenting items on garden pests and diseases, science and gardening, and creating and running her organic kitchen garden from her own Hampshire garden. Pippa has several regular writing commitments including BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, and has embarked on a new project ‘Grow your own great veg’ - more details on her website - www.pippagreenwood.com

“Life is still hectic and I’m loving every minute of it! When I’m not recording Gardeners’ Question Time,

writing articles or running the Plants and Plantsmanship course at the English Gardening School, a thrilling opportunity to submerge myself in plants, there’s the ongoing challenge of the fun filled job that never ends - developing my own garden. Look out for updates on all my activities atwww.matthewbiggs.com”

Adam Pasco is editor of BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, a title he launched from scratch in 1991, and remains its editor after 20 years.

He has been a keen gardener since childhood, has worked on commercial nurseries, and gained an honours degree

in horticulture before becoming a respected gardening journalist. He also writes a popular blog on gardenersworld.com

David Hurrion

Will Giles has had a passion for plants of a tropical nature since he was a small boy, a passion that has grown dramatically over the past 25 years at his home in Norwich – aptly named The Exotic Garden.

Here, he has experimented with plants from the extremely hardy to the ludicrously tender, endeavouring to find a balance of plants that grow well in his one acre microclimate & fit into his ideal of a lush sub-tropical setting.

Will Giles

Comfortable en suite accommodation with TV, hairdryer, safe and individually controlled air conditioning All meals – from fine dining to casual buffets and late night snacks throughout your cruise Tea & coffee throughout the day and early evening – including morning coffee with biscuits, afternoon tea with sandwiches & cakes, and in-cabin sandwiches & snacks

All evening entertainment, including dancing and cabaret shows

Captain’s Cocktail Party and Gala Buffet

On board leisure facilities including gym, swimming pools and Jacuzzis

Daily on board activities and lectures

Port taxes and baggage porterage to/from cabin

Almost everything’s included in the price:

The UK’s largest cruise information website2

Stateroom Inside Outside Balcony Suite SingleFull fare 999 1189 1829 2289 1689

Cruise.co.uk fare 879 1049 1609 2019 1489

Fares from £pp based on double occupancy

22 May 20129 night cruise aboard Braemar

Tony Russell

Braemar’s talented Chefs Ha’penny Bridge, Dublin, Ireland

with Tony Russell

This nine night voyage has much to recommend it to lovers of both nature and natural beauty. Braemar eases away from Dover and sets course for the waters of Scotland and Ireland.

Enjoy one of Europe’s great treasures and Ireland’s most famous House & Gardens - Powerscourt Gardens

Date Arr Dep Cruise Itinerary

May 2012Tue 22 late pm Dover

Wed 23 Cruising

Thu 24 early am late night Dublin

Fri 25 Dublin

Sat 26 early am late pm Belfast

Sun 27 Cruising

Mon 28 early am late pm Kirkwall, Orkneys

Tue 29 early am late pm Invergordon

Wed 30 Cruising

Thu 31 early am Dover

Kirkwall, Orkneys

from £879pp

IslesBritish

Powerscourt Gardens, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

Ifyouhaven’tdonethiscruisebefore,thenIreallyhave tosaythisisamust.Iloveit,it’soneofthebestwaystoexploretheBritishIsles.FromtheshipyoucanenjoythemagnificentcoastalsceneryofEngland,Ireland,WalesandScotland,whilstkeepinganeyeoutforsea-birds,dolphins,whalesandseals.Onceatport,thereisampleopportunitytoenjoysomemagicalgardens,includingPowerscourtontheedgeoftheWicklowMountainsinIreland,whichisadelightfullandscapecontainingaVictorianwalledgarden,lakes,cascades,fountains,arboretumandJapanesegarden.

FREE Gardeners’ Tour -

Powerscourt Gardens from DublinOur journey takes us towards the picturesque Wicklow Mountains, where Powerscourt Gardens are situated. The 14,000-acre estate, owned by the Slazenger family, is situated on the River Dargle and it is a blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes together with secret hollows, rambling walks, walled gardens and over 200 variations of trees and shrubs. The fine house stands proudly against the backdrop of its exquisite gardens. The Terrace Café looks out over the beautiful gardens and is the perfect place to enjoy refreshments and sample the delicious food (at our own expense).

FREE BOOKGreat Gardens

to Visit 2012

Tony Russell

Freegarden

tour

Privatedrinks party & Exclusive

talks

2 daysto explore

Dublin

£100 per cabin on board spend + FREE car parking

Call today on FREEPHONE 0800 408 6220 3

If you don’t have the time to squeeze in a full length cruise; to celebrate a special event; to treat friends or family without breaking the bank; or if you’d like a weekend away that’s more special than the usual city break, a Fred. Olsen mini-cruise could be made for you. Wherever your mini-cruise takes you, you can be sure that you’ll receive the same Fred. Olsen welcome and efficient ever-friendly service that you would expect on all their cruises. Many people have found a mini-cruise the ideal way to experience the Fred. Olsen difference for the first time or to remind themselves of past adventures. Whatever your reason, the Fred. Olsen staff and crews will be waiting to welcome you aboard.

Short Taster Cruises

Amsterdam Black Watch at Sea Rouen, France

Keukenhof Gardens Monet’s Garden


September 2012 3 night cruise aboard Black Watch

Sun 09 depart Dover

Mon 10 early am Rouen

Tue 11 early pm Rouen

Wed 12 early am Dover


May 2012 3 night cruise aboard Braemar

Sat 05 depart Dover

Sun 06 early am late pm Ostende, Belgium

Mon 07 early am late pm Amsterdam

Tue 08 early am Dover

Please note these cruises will not be hosted


Cruise.co.uk fare 299 349 529 659 489

Fares from £pp based on double occupancyStateroom Inside Outside Balcony Suite SingleFull fare 349 409 609 629 579

Cruise.co.uk fare 289 349 599 539 499


Amsterdam & Belgium5 May 2012 3 nights aboard Braemar

A spring cruise offering the chance to visit Keukenhof

Rouen9 September 2012 3 nights aboard Black Watch

Ideal cruise to take a visit to Monet’s Garden at Giverny

Taken from a Cruise.co.uk cruise review by Winchester, Irthlingborough

BlackWatchmaybeasmaller,oldershipbutshehaseverythingyoucouldneedjustonasmallerscale.Therearemanyplaces,bothinside

andoutside,whereyoucanjustsitandwatchtheworldgopast.Everywhereisverycleanandthestaffarealwaysbusytidying.Nothingeverseemstobetoomuchtroubleforthem.Theitinerarywasverygood,andthebeautifulweathercertainlyhelped.InRouenashuttlebuswasavailableatasmallchargetoferrypassengersintothecity.Monet’sgardenwaswonderful,everythingwehadhopedforandmore.

Free carparking

Free carparking

The UK’s largest cruise information website4

5 July 201215 night cruise aboard BRAEMAR

with Tony RussellLongyearbyen is situated deep in the Norwegian Arctic on Spitsbergen, the largest of the Svalbard islands. Set at the end of the Advent Fjord and framed by flat-topped, snow-covered mountains, the town is home to 1,600 inhabitants, as well as several reindeer that can often be seen wandering through the streets. Be sure to see the 24-hour sundial – a reminder that during summer months, the sun does not set for weeks on end. Honningsvag gives access to the majestic North Cape, Europe’s northernmost point, a vast granite plateau that juts out into the Arctic, it is home to an indigenous Lapp population who still tend their reindeer as they have for centuries.

Braemar at sea

Freegarden

tour

Private drinks party

Exclusive talks


from £1499pp


Cruise.co.uk fare 1499 1769 2739 3419 2519


FREE Gardeners’ Tour –

A Garden at the top of the world!

Tony Russell

Spitsbergen

The TromsøArctic-Alpine Botanic GardenThe world’s northernmost botanic garden (2 hectares) featuring Arctic and alpine plants, blossoming from mid May to October. Rhododendrons, exotica from Patagonia, hundreds of primroses and thousands of Alpine plants from around the world grow in an Alpine landscape, along with traditional perennials and other species. Located in Tromsø it is run by the Tromsø University Museum and opened in 1994. Open from late May to early October the garden displays Arctic and alpine plants from all over the northern hemisphere From May 15 until July 27, the sun is continuously above the horizon in Tromsø. The two months of midnight sun provide some compensation to the plants for the short growing season and the low temperatures. What makes the Arctic Alpine Garden remarkable is its ability to sustain delicate alpine plant life under the cold, stressful, and insular conditions of this region.

Tromso

Itisnoexaggerationtosaythatthiscruisewilltakeyoutosomeof the most beautiful scenery on earth. Sail the west coast ofNorway, with its spectacular Fjords and mountain ranges, tothedelightfultownofTromso.Herewehavetheopportunitytovisitthemostnortherlybotanicgardenintheworldandenjoyitsastonishinganddiverserangeofcolourfulplantsandflowers-allgrowingwithintheArcticcircle.SailingevenfurthernorthwearriveatSpitzbergen,whereevenatmidnightitislightenoughtodoaspotofwhaleorpolarbearwatching!

Tony Russell

the North CapeSpitsbergen &

Date Arr Dep Cruise ItineraryJuly 2012Thu 05 late pm Dover

Fri 06 - Sun 08 Cruising

Mon 09 early am late pm Leknes, Lofoten Islands

Tue 10 early am late pm Tromso, Norway

Wed 11 early am late night Honningsvag (North Cape)

Thu 12 Cruising

Fri 13 late night late pm Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Sat 14 early am early pm Ny Alesund, Svalbard

Sun 15 - Mon 16 Cruising

Tue 17 early pm late night Alesund, Norway

Wed 18 early am late pm Bergen, Norway

Thu 19 Cruising

Fri 20 early am Dover


7 September 201215 night cruise aboard BRAEMAR

Norway’s fjords offer some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in the world, and this eight-night summer cruise is the perfect way to relax and enjoy them.Departing on 28 August 2012 from Southampton, it calls at five key stops along the fjords, with plenty of time to explore tranquil villages, bustling harbours, dramatic mountains and waterfalls, as well as enjoying scenic train rides and a free garden tour.

To mark the 21st birthday of Gardeners’WorldMagazine,you’ll be accompanied by three top gardening experts, who’ll host exclusive get-togethers. Also included in the price is a guided tour of the lush, exotic garden of Flor & Fjaere, on an island off Stavanger. So come and celebrate the magazine’s coming of age on this spectacular Norwegian adventure.

Hosted by:

Adam Pasco

Editor of Gardeners’WorldMagazine since its launch nearly 21 years ago, and a familiar face from the ‘WhatToDoNow’ section of the magazine, Adam is a fount of gardening knowledge with years of experience.

Matthew Biggs

A regular panelist on Radio 4’s Gardeners’QuestionTime, Matt is sure to have all the answers. He has gardened professionally for over 20 years & his boundless enthusiasm for plants and gardening is infectious.

David Hurrion

Horticultural editor of Gardeners’WorldMagazine, David has travelled around the world visiting gardens and searching for plants in the wild with groups of readers. He fronts the Q&A section of the magazine.

Enjoy a scenic boat trip through the Gandsfjord, which is dotted with several picturesque islands. On arrival at the lovely harbour on the island of Sor Hidle, there is a short walk to the Flor and Fjaere Garden which is set in a protected harbour making it a place of peaceful tranquillity, colourful flowers and great sea views. We’ll be given a guided walk of the gardens with one of the knowledgeable garden guides before having free time to explore the exotic gardens at your own leisure. See the world’s most northerly plantation of tropical palm trees, bamboo and banana trees; smell the fruit trees and bountiful flowers all set against the backdrop of majestic mountains and deep fjords.

Stateroom Inside Outside Balcony Suite SingleBrochure fare 939 1109 1729 2029 1789

Cruise.co.uk fare 899 1049 1569 1829 1449

Cruise fare pricing from £pp based on double occupancy

28 August 2012 8 night cruise aboard Balmoral*

Peg and I just want to say what a fantastic ten days we had on theBalmoral celebrating Gardeners’ Worlds 20th anniversary. You andthe team put together a great programme. Bodnant Gardens, Mount

UsherandBethChattogardenswillneverbeforgotten.Theshipsentertainmentprogramwasveryenjoyable,not to forget theexcellent foodonBalmoralandof course our own celebrities Alan Titchmarsh, Adam Pasco, PippaGreenwood and Matthew Biggs. We congratulate you and VictoriaTravelonanotherjobwelldone.Thankyou.

Review from 20th Anniversary cruise on 8th August 2011 by Blake, Emsworth

Date Your Cruise Itinerary

August 2012Tue 28 Balmoral sails from Southampton

Wed 29 Cruising at sea

Thu 30 Bergen, Hordaland

Fri 31 Flam, Sognefjord

September 2012Sat 01 Olden, Norway

Sun 02 Eidfjord, Hardangerfjord

Mon 03 Stavanger, Norway

Tue 04 Cruising at sea

Wed 05 Balmoral arrives in Southampton

travel

Exclusive talks &

drinks party£80 per cabin on

board spend

21st Birthday Cru ise

Join us on a summer cruise to the

A BLOSSOMING GARDEN OF EXOTIC PLANTS ON THE ISLAND OF SOR HIDLE.

F REE Gardeners’ TourThe Flor & Fjaere Gardens, Stavanger

Norwegian Fjords

FREE Tour – The Flor &

Fjaere Gardens, Stavanger

Cruise fares from

£899pp

Photo opportunity

with your hosts & FREE photo

Attentive waiters Enjoyable atmosphere in the Observatory

Flor and Fjaere

with Will Giles7 September 2012

15 night cruise aboard BRAEMAR

Barcelona is a city rich in parks. This tour will take us to some of most important and historic garden parks of the cosmopolitan city!

Leaving the pier, we shall proceed to the Botanical Gardens. Located behind the Palau Nacional it forms part of the Park Montjuic Botanical Garden with its beautiful flora. The park was set up immediately after the World Exhibition and this garden is considered to be one of the most important examples of its type in Spain. The mission entrusted to the garden is specifically to conserve and document Catalonia’s natural heritage.

Continuing on, we will drive to the gardens of the Labyrinth Park, the oldest gardens in Barcelona. The park spreads over 9 hectares, of which 8 are landscaped. It has been divided into three staggered terraces, with an Italian touch that combines neo-classical and romantic styles. On the top level is a pond, from which, the garden is watered and in the centre of the labyrinth, small temples, with domes supported by Toscan Columns, can be discovered.

FREE Tour - Gardens of Barcelona

As the ship leaves Dover; passengers look back to see a panorama that is one of the most evocative in all of Britain; the massive white cliffs. And then, after three days of leisurely cruising you’ll be greeted by colourful cities, seductive scenery and a wealth of architectural delights form a perfect backdrop to the Western Mediterranean’s tantalising blend of ancient and modern.Often called little Havana, Cadiz, with similarities to Cuba, is an easy-going ancient city that has been host to the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans. Narrow cobbled streets, dramatic Moorish architecture and picturesque squares make the old central quarter the city’s most attractive area. Wide avenues, superb beaches and sailing clubs characterise present day Cadiz.

Montjuic Botanical Garden, Barcelona


Cruise.co.uk fare 1449 1719 2649 3309 2439


Private drinks party

Freegarden tour

Exclusive talks


WesternMediterranean


September 2012Fri 07 late pm Dover

Sat 08 - Mon 10 Cruising

Tue 11 early am late pm Cadiz

Wed 12 Cruising

Thu 13 early am late pm Mahon

Fri 14 early pm late pm Ajaccio, Corsica

Sat 15 early am late pm Toulon

Sun 16 early am late pm Barcelona

Mon 17 Cruising

Tue 18 early am late pm Gibraltar

Wed 19 - Fri 21 Cruising

Sat 22 early am Dover

Barcelona On board entertainment

Will Giles

from £1449pp

Balcony Suite view



Cruise.co.uk fare 999 1119 1679 1949 1539

Fares from £pp based on double occupancy FREEPHONE 0800 408 6220

Tony RussellMatthew BiggsDavid Hurrion

Free Gardeners’ TourGardens Galore in Madeira and LisbonIt will be gardens galore on this Anniversary cruise with FREE garden tours in Madeira and Lisbon and optional garden tours in La Gomera, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Here is a taster of your Madeira tour which will include refreshments at a tea house and a visit to Funchal Market:

The rich diversity of its sub-tropical flora and the extraordinary beauty of the location define Palheiro as one of the most celebrated botanical gardens in the world.

Tucked into a lush, fertile landscape of rolling hills that rise 500 metres above sea level, this carefully cultivated and brilliantly vivid environment has been described as a garden for all seasons, such is its constant allure and year-round appeal. Created over 200 years ago by the 1st Count of Carvalhal and lovingly nurtured and improved by the Blandy family ever since, the award-winning gardens are justly famous for the wide variety of rare trees and shrubs that embroider the grounds, including an astonishing collection of camellia in every shade and hue. Trees from all four corners of the globe, places like South Africa, Japan, Australia, South America and China, share the grounds with indigenous species like the Madeira laurel.

Palheiro Gardens, Funchal

Explore the sun-drenched gardens of Tenerife and Madeira with Gardeners’ Question Time presenter Matthew Biggs, Horticultural editor of Gardeners’ World Magazine, David Hurrion and Tony Russell, broadcaster, tree expert and former head forester at Westonbirt Arboretum.

A full programme of activities on board Balmoral will all compete for your time with exclusive lectures and question times and a special Anniversary Drinks Party with your hosts.

Enjoying an idyllic climate you can explore the lush gardens of Tenerife with its rich and colourful plantlife as well as discover the varied islands of La Gomera, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. With rich volcanic soil and a magnificent climate, Funchal has many stunning gardens.

The Monte Palace Tropical Garden has exotic plants from all over the world, as well as those from ancient forests native to the islands. Equally impressive is the Jardin Botanico, high in the hills. It can easily be reached by the magnificent Botanical Gardens cable car, which gives wonderful views over the city. Finally, taking a city stop at Lisbon, this cruise provides the perfect mix for an autumn holiday.

Canaries & Madeira3 November 2012 13 night cruise aboard Balmoral

Your Garden Hosts...

£100 per cabin on board spend

2 Free garden tours

Exclusive Talks, Gardeners’ get-togethers & drinks party

Palheiro Gardens, Funchal

Exotic flowers amidst the beautiful scenery of Madeira

Cruise fares from

£999ppDate Your Cruise Itinerary

November 2012Sat 3rd Southampton

Sun 4th Cruisingatsea

Mon 5th Cruisingatsea

Tue 6th Cruisingatsea

Wed 7th Funchal, Madeira

Thu 8th San Sebastian, La Gomera

Fri 9th Santa Cruz, Tenerife

Sat 10th Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

Sun 11th Arrecife, Lanzarote

Mon 12th Cruisingatsea

Tue 13th Lisbon, Portugal

Wed 14th Cruisingatsea

Thu 15th Cruisingatsea

Fri 16th Southampton

Anniversary Cruise Special Celebrating 20 years of Garden Cruises!

Disclaimer: All fares contained within this brochure are per person based on double occupancy unless stated otherwise. All offers are subject to availability, capacity controlled and can be withdrawn at any time without notice. For full terms & conditions please refer to Fred. Olsen Cruises Worldwide brochure 2012/2013 (available upon request). Please be aware that prices are correct at time of going to print. Every effort has been made to ensure that fares are correct, however customers are advised to confirm by calling Victoria Travel. Victoria Travel are accredited members of the cruise lines featured in this brochure. Please note: The experts hosting any of our cruises are subject to personal circumstances permitting and we cannot be held responsible for the cancellation of a host for this reason. In the extreme event that a host has to cancel the cruise, we will, where possible, find a suitable replacement. All cruises will be hosted unless stated or advised otherwise or unless the group does not reach the minimum number of passengers. We plan to visit the gardens detailed, however, should circumstances prevent this - an alternative will be chosen. Printed February 2012. Jo

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