Botanical & Renaissance Landscapes: The Canary Islands, Madeira and Tuscany

Arrive in Tenerife today before 5.00 pm and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner this evening and get to know your fellow travellers.

Tenerife has its own microclimate, which sustains a diversity of plants. Wander through groves where junipers, olives, palms and old dragon trees grow side by side. This morning, enjoy a visit to Palmetum, a 12-hectare botanical garden harbouring Europe’s largest collection of palms. The former rubbish dump has been beautified as a result of this transformation; the spectacular garden also boasting stunning ocean views. On the island’s opposing coast, we then discover a wonderful orchid collection at Sitio Litre Garden.  Further inland, the wildflowers of Mount Teide are on display. Later this afternoon, embark the small ship, MS Hebridean Sky. Enjoy a recital of Spanish songs and opera pieces by soprano Judith Dodsworth and pianist Philip Walsh aboard the ship this evening. The program will include Rodrigo’s ‘Four Amatory Madrigals’, de Falla’s ‘Seven Popular Spanish Songs’, and excerpts from Bizet’s Carmen.

Today, we explore La Gomera, one of the smallest of the Canary Islands, and the closest to Tenerife. You may choose to join a guided tour to Garajonay National Park, whose dense green laurel forests are some of the best-preserved in the world. See the magnificent rock formation, Agando, and its curious companions. Or, for the more active, set off on a trek through Garajonay’s lush forests, and travel to Vallehermoso Botanical Garden to admire its intriguing and rare endemic plants.

Further west, we arrive at El Hierro, the smallest of the seven main islands within the archipelago. Plant hunter Tom Hart Dyke referred to this small island as 'the botanical Galápagos of Europe' owing to its many rare, endemic plant species. Explore the island’s lava-sculpted landscapes. Your guide will also bring you to the Guinea Ecomuseum, where you will discover traditional houses composed of lava rock, as well as a sanctuary protecting the island’s giant lizard population. The more active among us may instead choose to hike to La Llania, where spectacular views of the crater, La Hoya de Fireba, are on offer. Back aboard the ship this evening, settle in to enjoy more music from Judith and Philip, this time with more of a Latin flavour.

Due north of El Hierro, we discover the natural beauty of La Palma, which was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2002. The island’s coastline, mountainous regions and volcanoes make for a diversity of terrain to explore. In the town of El Paso, pay a visit to the local silk museum, or perhaps opt for a more active option exploring the towering pines of the nearby El Pilar region. Otherwise, enjoy a guided walk through the forest of Los Tilos, to admire its wildflowers.

After navigating the Atlantic’s waters a little farther north, our ship arrives at Madeira's capital, Funchal. Set off on a garden discovery during a visit to Quinta da Boa Vista, which features an impressive collection of rare and prized orchids. We then travel to Quinta do Palheiro, also known as Palheiro Gardens. Renowned for its diversity of plants, the gardens occupy a delightful hillside setting to Funchal’s east. Enjoy another performance by Judith and Philip this evening.

Board a cable car to Monte this morning. Here you’ll encounter the district’s elegant palace, set within a garden paradise. Known as the Monte Palace Madeira, it houses a vast collection of plants from around the world. Close by, we visit the exquisite Madeira Botanical Garden. Boasting spectacular views over Funchal, the vibrant, colourful garden is home to more than 2,000 distinct plant species. Should you prefer, head to the coast and arrive at the world-famous Belmond Reid’s Palace. Take in stunning North Atlantic views while enjoying afternoon tea along the hotel’s perfectly positioned clifftop terrace. Back aboard the Hebridean Sky, cruise to Porto Santo this afternoon.

Disembark at Porto Santo, the smallest inhabited island of Madeira’s archipelago. A relaxed day of exploring here includes a tasting of the island’s wines. At the viewpoint of Pico de Castelo, admire the contours of Porto Santo’s coastline. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure back aboard the ship. Inspired by the flavours of the region, we then indulge in a matched-wine and musical experience, joined by Judith and Philip.

As we cruise toward mainland Portugal, relax and enjoy the amenities of the Hebridean Sky. Perhaps attend a lecture given by your Botanical Guide, who will brief you on some of the sights we will encounter tomorrow. We will also hear from Judith Dodsworth on the music of Portugal. Learn about Fado, the country’s celebrated musical style. Take the opportunity to participate during this exploration of the language, rhythms and melodies of this popular folk music.

Arriving in Lisbon, we disembark the ship after breakfast. From here, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Venice.  

Upon arrival at Venice Marco Polo Airport, a private water taxi will transfer you to your accommodation in Venice. Enjoy time at leisure to settle in and relax before gathering for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant

Today, meet your local English-speaking guide and discover the secret green heart of Venice. The tour begins with a pleasant walk through Cannaregio, one of Venice’s most lively districts, and which is known for its charming canals, vibrant atmosphere, and historic landmarks, including the Jewish Ghetto. We also visit the gardens of Palazzo Rizzo Patarol, home to the Grand Hotel dei Dogi. The vast private garden was created in the 18th century by botanist Lorenzo Patarol and remains one of the largest in Venice. Winding paths, ancient trees, and rare flowers still reflect the elegance of its original design. Then transfer by public vaporetto to La Giudecca Island to visit the Redentore Gardens, a tranquil space adjacent to Palladio’s famous church. Restored with orchard trees, aromatic plants, and flowering pergolas, the garden offers a peaceful retreat overlooking the lagoon. At the end of the tour, enjoy free time for lunch and the afternoon at leisure to continue exploring Venice independently.

Enjoy a free morning in Venice before a private water taxi transfer to the Hilton Molino Stucky in Venice. From here, you will transfer to La Bella Vita for a Prosecco welcome. An afternoon cruise takes us along the Giudecca Canal, past some of Venice’s most famous monuments: the Chiesa del Redentore, the impressive Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and the Punta della Dogana. We then reach our mooring outside the Naval History Museum. This afternoon, visit Borges Labyrinth, located on the ancient monastery of San Giorgio Maggiore. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner on board our river ship.

This morning we visit the lagoon island of Sant’Erasmo for a walking tour. The island is known as Venice’s countryside. This agricultural zone of the city is full of flower and vegetable fields and was historically the “Doge’s Vegetable Garden”. Late this afternoon, we cruise to Pellestrina, which separates the Venetian Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. We traverse the Canal of the Orphans, passing lagoon islands with their ancient monasteries, painted fishing boats and tiny churches. There may also be time for a walk, or perhaps a ride, along the 18th-century Istrian sea wall.

After breakfast, we cruise to Chioggia, the setting of one of Goldoni’s plays. From here, we visit the Padua Botanical Garden. Founded in 1545, it is the world’s oldest academic botanical garden and a UNESCO World Heritage site. We rejoin La Bella Vita at Porto Levante to cruise through the Po Delta nature reserve, where we may see flamingos and the occasional heron, snipe and other wildfowl. We continue upriver to Taglio di Po. Here we visit the beautiful 17th-century villa Tenuta Ca’Zen. This private and stately home sits along the river, surrounded by private gardens. It was here that Lord Byron courted the Countess Giuccioli, inspiring some of his best poetry.

This morning we join the Bianco Canal, cruising to Adria, an ancient Etruscan town. Here, we visit the National Archaeological Museum. After lunch on board, we drive to the Bagnoli Estate to tour the Renaissance gardens and wine cellars of the 17th-century Villa Widmann Borletti and enjoy a private tasting of their renowned estate-grown vintages. We take a stroll around its vineyards, orchards and formal gardens with topiary and statues of theatrical characters. Afterwards, we rejoin La Bella Vita at its moorings in the town of Zelo, enjoying dinner on board.

This morning, visit Giardino di Valsanzibio, with its tree-lined avenues, fishponds, fountains and statues. Built between 1665 and 1696 by one of Venice’s most eminent families, the Barbarigo’s, the garden was intended as a thank you to God for sparing them from the plague of 1630-31. The garden’s design seeks to convey to visitors a positive message: that one should stop and meditate, live life with joy, and that there is always a solution to life’s difficulties. Return to our river ship, moored in Trevenzuolo, for an afternoon canal cruise past villages and farmsteads to Governolo. This evening, we enjoy dinner on board.

The final leg of our cruise sees us approach the city of Mantua, which enjoys a captivating lakeside setting and was once home to the poet Virgil, as well as the artists Mantegna and Donatello. Mantua displays extraordinary neo-classical and baroque architecture, as evidenced in the 14th -century Ducal Palace, which houses some 15 gardens and courtyards, a museum, basilica and theatre. As we wander from room to room, we see intricate frescoes, the Gallery of Mirrors, the exquisite Rivers Room and around 12,000 paintings and sculptures. This masterpiece of art and architecture represents a grand finale to our Italian Renaissance adventure. Afterwards, a visit to the Parco Giardino Sigurta in Valeggio sul Mincio enables us to wander a beautifully landscaped area over 600 hectares in size. The park boasts vast lawns, a rose garden, a hermitage and a medicinal herb garden among many other features. This evening, enjoy a Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

After breakfast, we depart our ship and make our way to Bologna. On arrival, enjoy a short tour of the city, which includes Piazza Maggiore; San Petronio; the leaning towers of Bologna. Enjoy free time afterwards or visit Orto Botanico, the city’s botanical gardens. During the 16th century, herbs for medicines were grown here. Continue to Tuscany and our beautiful villa, located in the serene countryside.

Today we make our way to Florence to visit three incredible gardens. Villa Gamberaia is a historic villa, built in the early 1600s and known for its magnificent gardens overlooking the Arno valley. Next we visit the romantic, English-style garden of Giardino Torrigiani, the largest privately owned garden situated within city boundaries in Europe. Finally visit Boboli Gardens, originally designed for the Medici, it represents one of the first and most important examples of the Italian garden, which later served as inspiration for many European courts. Alternatively, you may choose to visit Pitti Palace to view the vast museum and collection of works.

Today we visit two special gardens near the city of Lucca. At Villa Torrigiani, travel along the cypress avenue which leads to the entrance of this baroque garden and its incredible fountains. Next we visit another garden featured on Monty Don’s series, Villa Reale di Marlia. The range of gardens set around the villa include an Italian and Spanish garden, camellia walkways and a lemon garden. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner.

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport in Florence as our journey reaches its end.