VOYAGE TO GREEN AND GENTLE LANDS

Transcription

1 VOYAGE TO GREEN AND GENTLE LANDS Exploring Gardens and Historic Sites from London to Bergen With HOLLY H. SHIMIZU and featuring an exclusive lunch at EDINBURGH ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS Aboard the Deluxe Le Boréal May 12 22, 2019

2 Le Boréal sailing into London Dear Traveler, The British Isles, Belgium, and Norway in springtime are lovely, verdant places, and this voyage is carefully designed to showcase the very best they have to offer. As we sail from London into the North Sea, we pause along the way to explore the remarkable gardens of both shores. Our first special engagements occur before we even step foot onboard ship. Pre-embarkation, spend the day at Kew Gardens, London s largest UNESCO World Heritage site with the most diverse collection of living plants in the world. Before transferring to Le Boréal, your five-star vessel that hosts no more than 264 guests, we ll also visit Chelsea Physic Garden, tucked away in an almost secret location beside the Thames and the oldest botanic garden in London. In other ports along the way, excursions with a focus on gardens, art, and history will be available. From Ostend, you may travel to Kasteel van Oostkerke to explore the garden designed by Mien Ruys. Norway s Stavanger is home to the exotic gardens of Flor og Fjære as well as a fascinating maritime history. But the highlight of our voyage lies at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. In late spring, the Garden s lilacs put on a magnificent display, its rhododendrons are bursting, and the star of the show is the Syringa tomentella from western China. As we take in this lush world of color and scent, we ll sit down to an exclusive gala luncheon on site, hosted by the Garden staff. Our traveling companion and expert guide to this rich horticultural experience will be Holly Shimizu, recently-retired director of the U.S. Botanic Garden. The fertile shores of the North Sea are the perfect backdrop for her discussions on European gardening. Join Holly and Toronto Botanical Garden in May 2019 on an enlivening journey. Sincerely, Margaret M. Betchart President, Betchart Expeditions Inc. For AAAS Travels, ACS & Sigma Xi Expeditions Front cover: Bruges Back cover: Stavanger (left); Edinburgh (right)

3 FEATURED GUEST LECTURER HOLLY H. SHIMIZU, recently retired Executive Director of the United States Botanic Garden, is an internationally recognized horticulturist. She has worked in gardens in many parts of the world and is often recognized from ten years as a host of the popular Victory Garden television show on PBS. Holly has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Thomas Roland Medal for outstanding contributions to horticultural education from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and the Professional Award for an Outstanding Public Garden Director from the American Horticultural Society. Dedicated to heightening an awareness and love of plants through her work, she has written for numerous publications and has been an international flower show judge. Her husband Osamu is a Garden Designer whom she met while working in Europe. They live in Maryland with their naughty dog, enjoying their sanctuary garden near the Potomac River. HIGHLIGHTS Garden expert Holly Shimizu leads a series of onboard lectures Tour Chelsea Physic Garden, the oldest botanic garden in London, and Kew Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on a specially-tailored pre-cruise program Enjoy a gala luncheon at the tranquil Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, hosted by the director and staff exclusively for Le Boréal guests Excursions to private and public gardens, and other points of interest, in most ports of call

4 ITINERARY SCOTLAND Rosyth Edinburgh Newcastle Upon Tyne Sunday, May 12, 2019 FLY FROM THE USA North Sea BERGEN NORWAY Stavanger ENGLAND LONDON Antwerp Ostend BELGIUM Bruges Monday, May 13 LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM Arrive in London and transfer to your deluxe hotel for overnight. Gather with fellow travelers this evening for a welcome reception and introduction to the program ahead. (R) Tuesday, May 14 LONDON EMBARK Tour Kew Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world s leading botanical research institutions. After a quick lunch, we enjoy a visit of Chelsea Physic Garden. In late afternoon, we embark Le Boréal and set sail down the Thames. (B,L,D) Wednesday, May 15 OSTEND, BELGIUM BRUGES OR KASTELL VAN OOSTKERKE Following a morning at sea, possible excursions include the medieval town of Bruges for a walking tour of the historic center and a visit to the Groeninge Museum, home to a fine collection of Flemish art; or to Kasteel van Oostkerke, an architectural castle garden designed by the internationally respected Dutch gardener Mien Ruys. (B,L,D) Thursday, May 16 ANTWERP Tour this historic city, including Grote Markt, Town Hall, the guild houses that were the driving force behind Antwerp s economic dominance of the 17th century, Brabo Fountain, and Vlaaikensgang (a typical medieval alley). You may also visit the Cathedral, which contains some of Rubens greatest paintings: Elevation of the Cross and Descent from the Cross. Also on offer is garden excursion to Arboretum Kalmthout. (B,L,D) Friday, May 17 AT SEA (B,L,D) Saturday, May 18 NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM Excursions in Newcastle include a tour of this vibrant university town, including the BALTIC Center for Contemporary Art and the Great North Museum on the campus of Newcastle University. For those interested in garden, we offer a tour, personally guided by the Duchess of Northumberland, of the gardens at Alnwick Castle. (B,L,D) Sunday, May 19 ROSYTH, SCOTLAND EDINBURGH Today is devoted to visiting the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, founded in 1670 and now a world-renowned center of plant science and horticulture. First we are welcomed by the Curator of the Garden s Living Collection, then we enjoy expert-led tours of the gardens and research. We also will be guests at an exclusive luncheon on site, in the elegant Caledonian Hall (built in 1842) with spectacular views over the famous rock garden. (B,L,D) Monday, May 20 AT SEA (B,L,D) Tuesday, May 21 STAVANGER, NORWAY Stavanger has played a leading role in Norway s maritime history. One excursion goes to Ullandhaug, where reconstructed houses give a sense of the living conditions during the Iron Age and enjoy magnificent views over Hafrsfjord. Or take our garden excursion to Flor og Fjaere. Before returning to the ship, you may wish to walk along Old Stavanger with its wellpreserved wooden houses dating to the 18 th and 19 th centuries. (B,L,D) Wednesday, May 22 BERGEN DISEMBARK FLY TO THE USA (B) FOR RESERVATIONS OR INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL US AT

5 Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh Descent from the Cross by Reubens, Antwerp Cathedral Brabo Fountain, Antwerp PROGRAM INCLUSIONS Included 1 night in London including breakfast and lunch Welcome cocktail reception at the hotel 8-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Boréal Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship All meals aboard ship including early riser s coffee & pastry, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner Open bar aboard ship, including select wines with lunch and dinner Shore excursions as described in itinerary Enrichment program of lectures and discussions by featured guest Physician aboard ship Comprehensive pre-departure materials Baggage handling and airport transfers abroad on the designated program arrival and departure dates Port taxes and charges Gratuities to shipboard personnel, porters, guides, and drivers Not included Airfare; visa and passport fees (if applicable); luggage, cancellation, and accident insurance; personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, internet, spa services and beverages other than those specified above Lily pond, Kew Gardens, London BETCHARTAPRIL@GMAIL.COM

6 LE BORÉAL IMAGE & PHOTO IMAGE & PHOTO IMAGE & PHOTO IMAGE & PHOTO IMAGE & PHOTO DECK PLAN The deluxe, five-star Le Boréal is one of the most beautifully conceived and technologically sophisticated small ships afloat. Designed in France and built in Italy, Le Boréal boasts an elegantly understated aesthetic that one associates with European sensibility and craftsmanship, with room for no more than 264 guests. It is one of four sister ships of the PONANT cruise line, selected as Best Luxury Cruise Line by Cruise Critic s editors in All sister ships are recognized as eco-friendly Clean Ships by Bureau Veritas Owner s 602 Suite Deluxe Suite Owner s 602 INTERNET LOUNGE Suite 603 Deluxe Owner s Suite 602 Deluxe Suite Deluxe Suite Suite LIBRARY INTERNET LOUNGE Owner s 602 Deluxe INTERNET LOUNGE Suite Deluxe Suite 603 Suite 601 LIBRARY Deluxe Deluxe Owner s Suite Suite 602 INTERNET LIBRARY LOUNGE Suite Deluxe 603 Suite 601 Deluxe Deluxe Suite Suite INTERNET LIBRARY LOUNGE Deluxe Deluxe Suite Suite LIBRARY MAIN LOUNGE MAIN LOUNGE MAIN LOUNGE MAIN LOUNGE SHOP SHOP SHOP SHOP MAIN LOUNGE GASTRONOMIC SHOP EXCURSION EXCURSION EXCURSION EXCURSION EXCURSION GASTRONOMIC GASTRONOMIC GASTRONOMIC FARES PER PERSON, GASTRONOMIC DOUBLE OCCUPANCY All accommodations aboard Le Boréal face outside affording sea views, GASTRONOMIC and, other than the eight superior staterooms, all feature a private balcony. All staterooms include a bedroom with either two twin-size beds or a king-size bed, sitting area (separate living room for the Prestige Suites), mini-bar, safe, spacious closets, climate control, telephone, WiFi access, TV with movies on demand, ipod player, and bathroom with marble vanity, shower, and fine amenities. SUPERIOR STATEROOMS $5,390 DELUXE STATEROOMS $5,690 PRESTIGE STATEROOMS, DECK 4 $5,890 PRESTIGE STATEROOMS, DECK 5 $6,090 PRESTIGE STATEROOMS, DECK 6 $6,190 DELUXE SUITES $7,890 PRESTIGE SUITES, DECK 5 $8,390 PRESTIGE SUITES, DECK 6 $8,590 OWNER S SUITE $8,990 Single occupancy staterooms are available in Deluxe Stateroom categories at a rate of $7,690. Subject to availability. Owner s Suite Deck 6 Prestige Suites Decks 5-6 Deluxe Suites Deck 6 Prestige Staterooms Decks Deluxe Staterooms Deck 3 Superior Staterooms Deck 3

7 TERMS & CONDITIONS Compagnie du PONANT, PONANT Group USA, LLC, and PONANT USA, LLC are hereinafter collectively referred to as PONANT GROUP. Please read carefully the following terms and conditions, which constitute the sole, legally enforceable agreements between the passenger and PONANT GROUP and the tour s sponsoring organization. PAYMENT SCHEDULE:IIn order to secure a booking, the guest is required to pay a $2,000 deposit per person. Final payment due 90 days prior to departure. CANCELLATION, MODIFICATION PENALTIES & REFUNDS: Ports and excursions are subject to change. All cancellations or modifications must be in writing. Any and all guests not reporting for departure or prevented from reporting for departure or waiving for any reason whatsoever the benefit of services included in the program cannot claim any refund. PONANT GROUP shall not be required to refund any monies to any guests who must leave the cruise prematurely for any reason, nor shall PONANT GROUP be held responsible for any costs, fees, damages or causes of action which result from the transportation expenses incurred by guest s early departure. For any deposited or fully paid booking, cancellation penalties will be assessed as noted below. These cancellation penalties are applicable on all services booked with PONANT GROUP. From confirmation of booking date up to 91 days prior departure: $500 per person days prior departure: 50% of full fare Within 60 days prior departure: 100% of full fare. TRAVEL INSURANCE: Passengers shall be responsible for subscribing to cancellation/luggage/assistance repatriation/medical insurance(s). ITINERARY: PONANT GROUP reserves the right to withdraw and/ or cancel a sailing to make changes in the itinerary whenever, in its sole judgment, or in the judgment of the vessel owner or operator, conditions warrant it. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS/LIMIT OF LIABILITY: The passenger agrees that PONANT GROUP acts as agent and/or trustee for any person, ground and maritime agents and subcontractors, who provide any service forming, or in connection with, any part of the cruise. Transportation services to the port of departure, transfers to the ship, including, as applicable, hotel room and restaurant bookings or guided tours, are performed by independent suppliers who are not employees of PONANT GROUP. In this respect, PONANT GROUP acts only as an agent and shall not be held liable for said services or for the acts or omissions of sub-contractors or other contractors. PONANT GROUP shall not be held liable for bodily injury to, or death of passengers, or for loss of, or damage to luggage or other personal belongings, unless it is proved that the carrier has infringed statutory obligations or that it or one of its employees or agents has committed gross negligence. However, in the event the liability of PONANT GROUP is incurred, such liability is limited (details available upon request). PONANT GROUP shall in any case not be liable for failure of an improper performance when the same is due to or caused by the fault of the passenger; the unforeseeable or unavoidable fault of a third party unconnected with the provision of any services to be provided under the contract; unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of PONANT GROUP; an event of Force Majeure such as a war, threat of war, riots, civil commotion, acts of God, terrorist activities, natural and nuclear disaster, fire, technical problems with transport, closure of ports, strikes and any industrial action, or any other event beyond the control of PONANT GROUP. RATES: The prices given at the time of booking are based on economic conditions known on October 1, 2017 and are subject to change. These conditions are, amongst others, the cost of transport and fuel, relevant dues and taxes for the proposed operation (port taxes, embarkation and disembarkation taxes, entrance costs to tourist sites), currency exchange rates relevant to the pricing of these programs. PONANT GROUP reserves the right within the legal limits of applicable laws to vary the prices if necessary. All variation of the cost of transport, fuel, taxes, dues and visa costs will be passed on within the voyage cost. Additionally, any surcharge levied will be increased to include an amount to cover agent s commission. Any change in fare cannot be imposed less than 60 days prior to departure. For the cruise-only rate, daily surcharge, if any, will be calculated based on: S= fuel variation* x daily consumption** SHIP CAPACITY *** (*): MGO FOB Rotterdam 0,1% in US$ (**): L AUSTRAL, LE BOREAL, LE LYRIAL, LE SOLEAL: 20t. LE LAPEROUSE: 10t. (***): L AUSTRAL, LE BOREAL, LE SOLEAL, LE LYRIAL: 244 passengers. LE LAPEROUSE 173 passengers JURISDICTION: These terms & conditions are subject to and interpreted according to International regulations and concern the transportation of passengers and their luggage from the time of boarding the ship to the moment of disembarking, as well as at ports of departure, destination, or stopover. PONANT GROUP shall incur no liability outside this period of time. Without prejudice to required legal regulations, any actions related either to the interpretation, or execution of this agreement shall be brought before the competent courts of Marseille-France. PONANT GROUP is not responsible for omissions, printing and/ or presentation errors and reserves the right to make corrections as required. SHIPS REGISTRY: France FL Seller of Travel Ref No ST37706 CA Seller of Travel Ref No Photographs, all rights reserved: PONANT - François Lefebvre - Philip Plisson - Filippo Vinardi -Shutterstock - Alamy Non-contractual document and photos. The photos used in this brochure are only possible experiences and therefore cannot be guaranteed. REGISTRATION BTEX B Enclosed is my check for $ ($2,000 per person) as a deposit to hold place(s) on Voyage to Green and Gentle Lands. I understand that final payment is due ninety (90) days prior to departure. Please make check payable to and mail with this registration form to: Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Account Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA Please select cabin category in order of preference (1 st, 2 nd & 3 rd choice): Superior Stateroom - Deck 3 Deluxe Stateroom - Deck 3 Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4 Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5 Prestige Stateroom - Decks 6 Deluxe Suite - Decks 6 Prestige Suite - Decks 5 Prestige Suite - Decks 6 Owner s Suite - Deck 6 o Twin Beds o King Bed o Single Occupancy o Share (cannot be guaranteed) Membership (please circle): AAAS ACS SIGMA XI DR./MR./MRS./MS. FIRST LAST DR./MR./MRS./MS. FIRST LAST ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIP TELEPHONE (DAY) (EVENING) Each participant must sign below: I/We have read the Terms & Conditions section and agree to its terms. SIGNATURE DATE SIGNATURE DATE

8 VOYAGE TO GREEN AND GENTLE LANDS Exploring Gardens and Historic Sites from London to Bergen Aboard the Deluxe Le Boréal May 12 22, 2019 For reservations or information, please contact April Milne at or Indicia BTEX B140519