Botanica cruises celebrates 20 years in full bloom
This year marks 20 years for Australia’s leading garden tourism company hosting worldwide botanical-themed tours and cruises.
Botanica’s boutique cruises and tours are designed for garden lovers and those new to gardening and alike. Their holidays are designed with handpicked cultural tours, which combine themes like history, art and music, as well as general sightseeing.
Small-sized groups of people with similar interests add to the winning formula. Expert botanical guides take guests to visit private gardens and tour the world’s best flower and garden shows.
Botanica’s tours are scheduled for when gardens and nature are in bloom – with a new autumn tours and cruises in the United Kingdom, Europe, Japan, and North America on the agenda for this season.
World discoveries
Botanica new tours for 2020/2021 is called ‘World Discoveries’ and features more than 45 small-group land journeys, river and coastal cruises and rail holidays. Destinations include the UK and Europe, Asia, North and South America, Australia and New Zealand.
On visits to exclusive private gardens, guests are introduced to the garden owners who share their knowledge. They are also invited to explore some of the world’s most celebrated gardens. Some of the most popular UK gardens include Sissinghurst, Chartwell and Great Dixter gardens.
Joining Botanica’s team of expert guides is ABC TV’s Gardening Australia presenter, Sophie Thomson. Sophie will guide an exclusive small ship cruise of the British Isles departing in 2021, as well as a trip with Botanica to Norfolk Island this year.
Other popular Guides and Lecturers include Dr Toby Musgrave, an experienced garden historian. Other high-profile Australian gardeners include Judy Horton and Simon Rickard.
Some of the world’s most famous flower and garden shows include London’s Chelsea Flower Show, Hampton Court Palace, Dublin in Bloom, Malvern Flower Show and Slovenia’s Bohinj Wildflower Festival.
For shorter tours, Botanica visits the Singapore Garden Festival, the Melbourne Flower & Garden Show, Floriade in Canberra, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and New Zealand’s Taranaki Garden Spectacular.
Tours in spring include Japan’s Cherry Blossoms and Europe’s cultivated spring blooms and wildflowers. Autumn is growing in popularity for tours also. New autumn tours for 2020/2021 include the UK’s Cotswolds, Slovenia and Croatia, Japan, Canada and USA, with Autumnal themed cruises.
New Autumn Tours in 2020 & 2021
16 Day Autumn Colours & Gardens of Slovenia & Croatia with Croatian Islands Cruise – departing 29 September 2021.
5 Day Autumn in the Cotswolds with Malvern Flower Show – departing 24 September 2021.
15 Day Japanese Culture, Art & Gardens Cruise in Autumn Colours – departing 31 October 2021.
20 Day Mansions & Garden of Canada & New England in Fall, including Nova Scotia & the Brandywine Valley – departing 4 October 2020 and 2 October 2021.
