Botanical Grandeur and Cruises of the Canary Islands and the Scottish Highlands

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 Glasgow. Upon arrival in Glasgow, a private transfer will bring you to your accommodation.

Make the most of our centrally located hotel and enjoy a free day in Glasgow for independent exploration or shopping. You will meet your crew and fellow travellers this evening for dinner.

Travel south of Glasgow to the estate of Dumfries House. Here, 600 acres of gardens and well-designed landscape are set within a 1,400-acre farm. The main five-acre Queen Elizabeth II Walled Garden was restored as part of a project to make Dumfries House a focal point for heritage-led regeneration. The garden was opened in 2014, by Her Majesty The Queen, after two years of renovation and replanting. It is one of the most ambitious and significant gardening renovation projects to be carried out in Scotland.

Depart Glasgow this morning and travel north to Glamis Castle, which was the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Macbeth. More recently, it was also the childhood home of the Queen Mother. Continue to Inverness, where we board our privately chartered vessel, Lord of the Highlands. Enjoy a seven-night all-inclusive cruise, as we explore Scotland’s famous lochs and countryside.

Visit Cawdor Castle Gardens, also immortalised in Macbeth. The castle boasts three very different gardens, each with their own unique history and appearance. Displaying a wealth of flora and fauna, the gardens at Cawdor Castle change with the seasons. Alternatively take a morning walking tour of Inverness and learn about the history of the Highland capital. This afternoon, we set sail along the Caledonian Canal, which connects the four lochs of the Great Glen. Entering Loch Ness, we pass the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle, before ascending the impressive flight of locks that runs through the heart of historic Fort Augustus. This evening, enjoy a welcome gala reception and dinner.

Continue along the canal through Loch Oich, transiting the tranquil, tree-lined Laggan Avenue, before ascending Laggan Locks. We cruise onwards through picturesque Loch Lochy, before descending Neptune’s Staircase, a set of eight interconnected locks dropping 64 feet into the sea lock at Corpach. Lying in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Fort William boasts Britain’s only mountain gondola, which transports us more than 2,000 feet up the north face of Aonach Mòr.

From Corpach, we spend the morning sailing Loch Linnhe to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. Visit the private garden of Lip na Cloiche, which illustrates the wide range of plant varieties that can be successfully grown thanks to the island’s mild climate.

A brief sailing brings us to Mull’s capital, Tobermory, where brightly painted houses line the waterfront. Enjoy free time to explore Tobermory’s pretty town. We then cruise around the most westerly point of the British mainland, Ardnamurchan, to Armadale Castle on the Isle of Skye. Here, we discover the epic history of Clan Donald. The 40-acre gardens of the castle grounds complement the Gothic mansion ruins, sheltered by 200-year-old trees. This evening, we cruise to Inverie, on the shores of Loch Nevis. Before dinner, take a short walking tour with a local ranger to learn about the maintenance of the forests. We dock here overnight, with the opportunity to visit Britain’s most remote mainland pub, the Old Forge.

Enjoy a full morning of sailing before we arrive in Gairloch. Our journey continues to Dundonnell Private Garden, the exquisite estate of Lady Jane Rice, wife of renowned English lyricist and author, Sir Tim Rice. Widely considered one of Scotland's finest private gardens, this breathtaking Highland haven features a series of enchanting outdoor spaces, a productive kitchen garden, vibrant flowerbeds, and a stunning water feature designed by William Pye.

This morning we sail the coast of Sutherland to Kyle of Lochalsh. Visit Attadale Gardens, which were skilfully restored by their owner, Nick MacPherson, following storms in 1980. The artist’s garden boasts long-range views to the Isle of Skye. The property also features a waterfall and pond, while an impressive sculpture collection can be seen extending across the 20-acre site. Enjoy a special final dinner aboard the ship this evening.

Disembark this morning in Kyle of Lochalsh and travel to Edinburgh, where we enjoy our final Farewell Dinner.

To conclude our tour this morning, we visit the famous Royal Yacht Britannia. This luxurious vessel served as the Royal Family's ocean-going residence for more than 40 years. During this time, it embarked upon almost 1,000 state visits. Your tour concludes at the post-tour hotel in Edinburgh at approximately 12pm.