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Tower bridge at dusk, London, England

Exploring Gardens and Historic Sites

Example 10 Day Cruise aboard Le Boreal
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Sail through some of United Kingdom's lovely and verdant places as Le Boreal begins its 9-day cruise from London and into the North Sea. This cruise offers visits to charming townhouses and canals of Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp; the great castles of English and Scottish kings; the stunning waterfronts of Stavanger and Bergen. Garden tours at Kew Gardens and at Chelsea Physic Garden are some of the highlights of this cruise.
Sunset in Houses of ParliamentGrote Markt square in Antwerp, BelgiumA market in Bryggen, Bergen, NorwayAntwerp city centerTower bridge at dusk, London, England
Highlights
  • Experience discussions with garden experts Holly and Osamu Shimizu
  • Enjoy pre-cruise in London with visits to Kew Gardens and Chelsea Physic Garden
  • Enjoy gala luncheon on site at the Royal Botanic Garden hosted by Garden staff
  • Visit private and public gardens in most ports of call
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: London

You will be met at the airport and transferred to the Royal Horseguards Hotel, located directly across the River Thames from the London Eye, within easy walking distance of Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, and Buckingham Palace.

The afternoon is free to rest or to explore this corner of London on your own. In the evening, gather with fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception at the hotel, where Holly Shimizu and your Tour Manager will introduce you to the program ahead.

Day 2: London | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today begins with included breakfast at the hotel. After check out from the hotel, join an excursion to Kew Gardens, where guided tours will introduce you to the highlights of this world-renowned research institution. An included lunch is followed by a visit to Chelsea Physic Garden. One of the oldest botanic gardens in the world, it continues the research on medicinal plants and herbs that was the primary concern of the apothecaries who founded it in 1673.
 
Embark Le Boreal at its docking site on the River Thames in late afternoon and set sail for Belgium.

Day 3: Ostend

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Located on the Flemish coastline, halfway between France and the Netherlands, the elegant city of Ostend is a favorite summer destination for Belgians. You can enjoy the “queen of beaches”, a stretch of fine white sand punctuated by breakwaters, covered by the North Sea at high tide. The seafront boasts sumptuous facades from the Belle Epoque, such as Villa Maritza, which stands witness to this seaside town’s rich past. Art amateurs will enjoy the excellent Kunstmuseumaan Zee, where a retrospective of Belgian art dating from 1830 is on display.

Day 4: Antwerp

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Located in the Flemish region of Belgium, Antwerp is worth a visit for its remarkable architectural heritage. In this moderately-sized, cosmopolitan city, you will be able to stroll around the ancient city center, dominated by the most important monument in Antwerp, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The museums of the city retrace the history of Antwerp, including the home of Rubens, containing the works of the painter, and the Plantin-Moretus Museum, a print works and publishing house that are UNESCO listed. From Grote Markt, the central square in the city, you will be captivated by the attractive sight formed by the unusual medieval architecture of the guild houses.

Day 5: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observer marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Day 6: Newcastle Upon Tyne

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Once a major producer of coal, and then a center of heavy engineering and shipbuilding, Newcastle-upon-Tyne is in process of reinventing itself as a regional hub of educational and artistic pursuits. With its sister city of Gateshead, across the Tyne, Newcastle is home to no fewer than seven colleges and universities, and boasts one of the United Kingdom’s preeminent institutions devoted to contemporary art – the BALTIC, a converted flour mill, second in scale only to the Tate Modern in London. Don’t miss a visit of this free museum on the Gateshead Quays, then cross the Millennium Bridge to Newcastle’s bustling waterfront of shops, squares, sculpture, and restaurants.

Day 7: Rosyth, Scotland

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Situated on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth opposite to Rosyth, the great city of Edinburgh has served as Scotland’s capital since the 15th century. Although no longer the largest city in the country, it remains the political, religious, and cultural focus of Scottish pride. Edinburgh Castle, in the very center of the city, is one end of the world famous Royal Mile that leads through the Old Town to the Palace of Holyrood, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a wonderful place to shop and to sample local delicacies, like haggis and the whisky for which Scotland is renowned.

Day 8: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observer marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Day 9: Stavanger

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
At the far end of the country, stands the harbor town of Stavanger, with its warm, friendly atmosphere. A friendliness you’ll notice in the little old town cobbled streets, which has some 170 old wooden houses, as well as in its modern city center, always bustling.

Day 10: Bergen | Disembark

Located at the end of Byfjord, Bergen was the capital of Norway in the 12th and 13th Centuries and has preserved some very beautiful monuments from the time when it was home to royalty. Wandering through Bergen’s streets means going back in time, in search of the hidden treasures that have been listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. A veritable open-air museum, Bergen is home to a thriving artistic community of painters, potters, jewelers. The Bergen cable car offers you a splendid panorama over the port and the surrounding fjords. Do not miss the visit to the old quarter with its narrow streets, a testimony of the power of the Hanseatic League that controlled trade in Northern Europe at the end of the Middle Ages.

Ship/Hotel

Le Boreal

Enjoy the pool on the sun deck.
Enjoy the view from the bar.
Enjoy a gourmet meal at the Gastronomic Restaurant.

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$5,340
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Superior Stateroom
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Superior Stateroom
8 cabins, 226 sq ft, located on Le Champollion Deck. A/C, king or twin beds, seating area and private bath.
Prestige or Deluxe Stateroom
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Deluxe Stateroom
28 cabins, 200 sq ft with private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, seating area, private bath.
Prestige Stateroom
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Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4
Deck 4, 200 sq ft with 43 sq ft private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, seating area, private bath.
Prestige Stateroom
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Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5
Deck 5, 200 sq ft with 43 sq ft private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, seating area, private bath.
Prestige Stateroom
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Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6
Deck 6, 200 sq ft with 43 sq ft private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, seating area, private bath.
Deluxe Suite
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Deluxe Suites
3 suites, 290 sq ft with 54 sq ft private balcony, located on the Le France Deck. A/C, king or twin beds, seating area, desk, minibar, private bath.
Prestige Suite
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Prestige Suite - Deck 5
398 sq ft with 86 sq ft private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, communicating cabins available. Separate living area, private bath.
Prestige Suite
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Prestige Suite - Deck 6
398 sq ft with 86 sq ft private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, communicating cabins available. Separate living area, private bath.
Owner's Suite
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Owners Suite
1 suite, 484 sq ft with 97 sq ft private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, communicating cabins available. Separate living, dining areas, private bath with large tub and shower, minibar, 2 flat screen TVs, DVD, CD, and IPOD, Video on demand, Satellite phone.

Notes

Please Note:
Fares are based on double occupancy and are capacity controlled. Rates may increase at any time as the ship sells out and subject to change without notice.
Included
  • 9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 8 Dinners
  • 8 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Port Fees
  • Unlimited Wifi
  • Onboard Entertainment 
  • Captain’s Welcome Cocktail and Gala Dinner
  • Gratuities to Onboard Crew
  • “Open Bar” (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands...list available upon request)
  • 24h Room Service (special selection)
  • English-Speaking Lecturer 
  • Highly experienced and bilingual (French-English) expedition staff
  • Park Entry Fees into Protected Areas
  • Water sports activities (except scuba diving) using the ship’s equipment, when permitted by local authorities and confirmed by ship Master according to safety and sea conditions onsite. 
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Visa Fees
  • Optional Excursions - Ponant allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately six to two months prior to the cruise* departure. Please note that this is subject to change. Please contact us for more details.
  • Any ground services before and/or after the cruise other than the ones mentioned
  • Luggage Handling 
  • Laundry Services, Hair Salon, and à La Carte Spa Treatments
  • Pre or post cruise programs, overland programs or shore excursions 
  • Beverages other than the ones mentioned in inclusions
  • CDP recommends that every Traveler has full and adequate travel insurance covering the risks of cancellation, assistance being required, repatriation, damages to and loss of baggage, and medical expenses

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The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
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