Day One: Tuesday May 18th 2010
Transfer from London by luxury motor coach to Bowood Hotel situated in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside. You will be escorted by your specialist garden guide who will be with you throughout the tour along with Beverley Sutherland Smith. On settling in to your hotel afernoon
tea will be served at Bowood Hotel to meet Lord Lansdowne. On completion a private tour of the
Rhododendron Gardens will be undertaken. Evening reception hosted by The Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne in their private apartments.

Day Two: Wednesday May 19th 2010
Morning visit to Iford Manor Garden. This Grade 1 Italian-style garden is famous for its tranquil beauty and was the home of architect and landscape gardener Harold A. Peto. This unique and romantic hillside garden is characterized by steps, terraces, sculpture and magnifi cent rural views.
Afternoon visit to Lacock Village and Abbey. The Grounds and Gardens provide the perfect foil to the house and are managed in the style of a Wiltshire squire who governs his surroundings in partnership with nature. The woodland garden is of the 19th-century style and contains an historic collection of formal and native trees.

Day Three: Thursday May 20th 2010
Morning visit to the Private Gardens of Bowood. The grounds have been developed over the years to become
one of the special glories of Bowood, encompassing almost every phase of English garden design from the early Georgian period onwards. The present Marquis of Lansdowne opened the house and gardens to the public in 1975.
Early afternoon visit to Barnsley House Gardens. The garden at Barnsley House is enchanting; one of England's finest and most famous. Not grand or forbidding, this is a place where you can truly relax with charming walks, sunny terraces and knot gardens. On completion you will then continue on to Highgrove where you will be escorted on a tour of the Gardens. The garden at Highgrove embodies The Prince's environmental philosophy: that it is better to work with Nature than against it. When the Prince bought Highgrove in 1980 he was adamant that it should be an entirely organic garden and farm. On completion of your private tour enjoy a glass of champagne with canapés at the end of this truly memorable day.

Day Four: Friday May 21st 2010
Depart from Bowood to Rousham Gardens. Rousham and its landscape garden should be a place of pilgrimage for students of the work of William Kent. Rousham represents the first phase of English landscape design and remains almost as Kent left it. Rousham has many features which delighted eighteenth century visitors still in situ, such as the
ponds and cascades in Venus's Vale, the Cold Bath and seven arched Praeneste, the walled garden with it herbaceous borders, small parterre, pigeon house and espalier apple trees. Afternoon visit to Waddesdon Manor.
In the 1880's Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild levelled the top of a hill to build Waddesdon Manor, a French Renaissance-style Chateau set in the heart of the English countryside. The house contains the Waddesdon collection, featuring 18th century English portraits by Gainsborough, Reynolds and 17th century Old Masters. Lord Rothschild has just completed an extensive restoration of the manor.

Day Five: Saturday May 22nd 2010
Morning departure for your visits from Chipping Campden to visit Hidcote Manor Gardens. Hidden at the end of a long single track country lane is one of England's great gardens, enveloping an enchanting Cotswold manor house.
The garden is famed for its collection of rare shrubs and trees, outstanding herbaceous borders and unusual plant species from all over the world. Afternoon visit to Kiftsgate Court Gardens. Kiftsgate Court Gardens is a series of interconnecting gardens each with its distinct character and secrets. The gardens are a plantsman's delight refl ecting the pleasure the family had collecting species from all over the world.

Day Six: Sunday 23rd May 2010
Morning departure from Cotswold House to Kew Gardens. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are the most complete public gardens in the world. Their reputation was fi rst established by Sir Joseph Bang, the British naturalist and plant hunter, who worker here in the late 18th century. Kew is also a centre of scholarly research into horticulture and botany. The Herbarium at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is one of the world's largest, and houses a collection of over six million specimens of vascular plants and fungi from every country in the world. Proceed to your London Hotel.
In the afternoon a visit to the Chelsea Physic Garden. Discover a wonderful four acre walled garden and of London's most hidden treasure. The garden dates back to the 17th century when it was cultivated for medicinal use. It is the second oldest botanical garden in Britain.

Day Seven: Monday 24th May 2010
Morning departure for a private visit to The Tower of London before it is open to the public. On arrival you will be welcomed by a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) who will escort you on an exclusive private tour of the Jewel House.
On completion you will be taken to the Houses of Parliament for a private guided tour.

Day Eight: Tuesday 25th May 2010
Early start for your full day visit to the Chelsea Flower Show - Members Day! Your specialist gardens guide as well as your driver are on hand throughout along with Beverley Sutherland Smith. Today is the fi rst day of the Chelsea Flower Show! As it is open to RHS Members only, the crowds are kept to a minimum. This is the world's most renowned fl ower show, attracting 600 exhibitors and set over 11 acres. Find inspiration in the stunning gardens created by top designers. The show blends cutting-edge designs and traditional plant growers - an experience not to be missed. You can, if you wish, spend all day at the Flower Show.

Day Nine: Wednesday 26th May 2010
Morning departure for your private visit to The Cabinet War Rooms with the Director. Shortly after becoming Prime Minister in May 1940, Winston Churchill visited the Cabinet War Rooms to see for himself what preparations had been made to allow him and his War Cabinet to continue working through the expected air raids of London. While there, visit the Churchill Museum, the world's first major museum dedicated to the life of Winston Churchill. Afternoon at leisure. FAREWELL DINNER - Drinks reception on a private terrace and farewell dinner in The Parmigiani Fleur Room of Mosimann's Private members only dining club in Belgravia. A gourmet 3 course dinner with fi ne wines will be served in this fabulous setting as guests enjoy sharing their experiences of the last 9 days.

Day Ten: Thusday 27th May 2010
Tour terminates

For further information please download the brochure or contact Craigs Travel on (03) 9822 0322 for further details

In 2010 a similar trip to below will be also offered with Jane Webster.

Day One:
Guests meet in Paris. The coach journey to Chateau Bosgouet is approximately 2 hours and follows the meandering Seine on its way out of Paris.
Settle into your charming room, explore the Chateau and grounds, enjoy afternoon tea followed by free time.
Apéritifs, a full open bar including French Champagne...Billiecart...Moet & Chandon and hors d'oeuvres is followed by Dîner d'Accueil and a tasting of famous Norman cheeses.
Dinner at Chateau Bosgouet in the wonderful dining room.

Day Two:
Breakfast Chateau Bosgouet style: Fresh croissants, pain au chocolat, homemade muffins, fresh fruit, homemade conserves, compote of rhubarb & apples, freshly brewed coffee and tea & freshly squeezed orange juice.
Market Day in Rouen to shop for today's class at the Vieux Marche where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake in the 15th C.
After visiting the market, explore Rouen's old town that has been developing since the Romans built the first bridge but came to its zenith in the century between the French reconquest and Wars of Religion - an era during which many fine examples of Renaissance style were brought to the city.
Return to Chateau Bosgouet for BBQ lunch, French style.
Mid afternoon CLASS I, will be conducted by Beverley. The afternoon's workshop takes place in a large country kitchen equipped with state of the art accoutrements and a potager of fresh herbs at the doorstep. The afternoon's enjoyable work will result in a splendid and convivial dinner, based on superior regional produce to be enjoyed at Chateau Bosgouet.

Day Three:
Breakfast Chateau Bosgouet style: Fresh croissants, pain au chocolat, homemade muffins, fresh fruit, homemade conserves, compote of rhubarb & apples, freshly brewed coffee and tea & freshly squeezed orange juice.
Market Day at Deauville. Morning visit to wonderful seaside resort of Deauville and lunch at notable auberge before returning to Bosgouet for CLASS II with Beverley culminating in dinner at Bosgouet.
Aperitifs before dinner at Chateau Bosgouet.

Day Four:
Breakfast at Chateau Bosgouet
Market Day at Honfleur
Full day excursion to the artist's paradise of Honfleur. Located on the Seine estuary, a seductively pretty port village with narrow winding streets, the exceptional all wooden-church of Saint Catherine, and charming quays, much celebrated in many paintings by the Impressionists. Free time for afternoon.
Late afternoon return to Chateau Bosgouet.
Dinner: Restaurant Gill 

Day Five:
Visit Le Bec Hellouin. An important medieval religious and cultural centre, this Ancient Abbey of the Benedictine monks still presents an incredible experience of the monks chanting.
Lunch at La Bonne Marmite at Pont St Pierre or at Auberge de L'Abbey at Le Bec Hellouin. Both restaurants pride themselves on regional fare and are housed in typical Norman half timbered buildings.
After lunch there is ample time to wander in these beautiful villages and browse the delightful boutiques and antique shops.  

Enjoy some leisure time back at Chateau Bosgouet before the early evening Wine Tasting at Chateau Bosgouet in the cellar.
This evening a light dinner will be served at Chateau Bosgouet.

Day Six:
Breakfast at Chateau Bosgouet.
Excursion to Étretat, an elegant resort famed for the grandeur of its high cliffs and amazing rock formations that rival the Cliffs of Dover. Walk along a beach of crashing waves and explore the town that has inspired many famous writers and artists such as Maupassant, Alexandre Dumas, André Gide, Victor Hugo and Claude Monet.
Picnic lunch at Étretat.

Late afternoon return to Chateau Bosgouet.
Aperitifs and outdoor dining, weather permitting.
After dinner, join the astronomy club which meets weekly, for a fascinating look at the night sky from the magnificent park of Chateau Bosgouet.

Day Seven:
Breakfast at Chateau Bosgouet.
A morning visit to Claude Monet's garden at Giverny, stunning during the spring. This house with its vibrant yellow kitchen and exceptional collection of Japanese woodprints is where he painted his famous water lily masterpieces.
Lunch at Giverny
Return to the Chateau for Class III with Beverley, culminating in a wonderful dinner.
After dinner, there is the option to travel into Rouen to see Monet's paintings illuminated upon the Notre Dame Cathedral, a truly incredible sight.

Day Eight:
Farewells and Au Revoirs to new friends and Chateau Bosgouet.
Departure after breakfast.
Coach will return the group to Paris

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF 12 PERSONS

PRICE ON APPLICATION

For further information, please contact Beverley Sutherland Smith on (03) 9802 5544 or via email for further details.