Gardens of Barbados 657
Gardens of Barbados 657
Gardens of Barbados 657
9 Days Starting in London, UK and ending in London
Visiting: Bridgetown Close, London, Tropical Garden Barbados, George Washington House, Andromeda Botanic Gardens, Hunte's Gardens, Flower Forest Botanical Gardens, Harrison's Cave Eco-Adventure Park, Speightstown, Cherry Tree Hill, Saint Nicholas Abbey, Barbados, Bridgetown
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BGOB
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 25
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Meat, Vegans, Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
At 21 miles long and 14 miles wide, Barbados is a small and perfectly formed vision of pure Caribbean paradise. This is a place of upbeat welcomes, radiant seas, sandy beaches, golden palms, and thick gleaming rainforest – the quintessential island idyll. It’s also a place where private gardens blossom, lilies and heliconias burst vibrantly out of the undergrowth, and species of orchid thrive in their thousands. Escape the bustle of mainland life, and channel your inner castaway. Your rum punch cocktail awaits...
This colourful tour really does have something for everyone. Picture gazing across the sweeping vistas of Cherry Tree Hill, enjoying a ride on the heritage railway at St Nicholas Abbey Plantation and exploring the George Washington House, an important remnant of the island’s plantation past.
At Hunte’s Garden we are excited to be accompanied by the man himself, owner and creator Anthony Hunte, who introduces us to his multidimensional mix of dark native jungle and sunny open spaces, one of the island’s top destinations. There is also an optional excursion on offer, a relaxing cruise on a catamaran.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : London-Bridgetown
Location: Bridgetown Close, London
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Accra Beach Hotel and Spa
Meals Included: Dinner
Enjoy access to the airport Executive lounge before we fly from London to Bridgetown and transfer to our hotel.
Day 2 : George Washington House-Tropical Gardens
Location: Tropical Garden Barbados, George Washington House
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Accra Beach Hotel and Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, our tour of Barbados begins at the George Washington House, also known as Bush Hill House, a historic plantation house where the young George Washington and his ailing brother Lawrence resided for two months in 1751. Barbados was the only country ever visited by the future “First Father” of his country and Bush Hill House the only house he ever lived in outside of the continental United States.
Our next visit provides a most colourful and fragrant experience as we explore the Tropical Gardens, home to more than 20,000 orchids. A meandering path lined with orchids leads through a coral grotto to the five orchid houses. Keep your eyes on the trees for orchids such as Schomburgkia that bloom once a year with spectacular results. Species such as Vandas, Phalaenopsis, Calanthe, Cattleya, Ascocendas and Dendrobiums, to name but a few, can be found throughout, with some of the rainforest orchids appearing to hang in mid-air with their roots completely free of soil.
Day 3 : Andromeda Botanical Gardens-Hunte’S Garden
Location: Andromeda Botanic Gardens, Hunte's Gardens
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Accra Beach Hotel and Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast
We begin today with a visit to the Andromeda Botanical Gardens, which play an important part in horticultural research and education. They were established by multi-award-winning Iris Bannochie (1914-1988), a Barbadian self-taught scientist, around her home in St Joseph. Her first husband, the equally gifted Dr Harry Bayley played a crucial role. Created as a private botanical space, Andromeda contains an unparalleled collection of different plants from many other tropical and sub-tropical locations, either collected by Iris Bannochie herself, as she travelled the world on plant-collecting expeditions or given to her as gifts. Iris planted scores of trees and some 400 species of plants bringing biodiversity to the 1950s monocultural landscape of sugar cane.
We conclude today at Hunte’s Garden, located in a gully in the centre of Barbados' rain forest. Thanks to such an interesting location, the garden offers a multidimensional experience, with vigorous plants densely growing on many levels, from sunny and open spaces, down to a mysterious, dark heart of real Caribbean jungle.
Day 4 : Harrison’S Cave-Flower Forest
Location: Flower Forest Botanical Gardens, Harrison's Cave Eco-Adventure Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Accra Beach Hotel and Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we depart for a visit to Harrison’s Cave, a crystalline limestone cavern which lies in the centre of the island. Flowing streams, deep pools of crystal-clear water and towering columns characterise this living cave, which is adorned with stalactites and stalagmites of all colours and sizes. We will also take a leisurely walk along the nature trail that has been created here.
We continue with a visit to the Flower Forest, located in one of the most breathtakingly beautiful areas of Barbados and built on a former sugar plantation. The views from the garden over the hills offer fantastic photo-opportunities - the forest towering and lush, the pathways lined with flowering plants, the tone quiet, peaceful and serene.
Day 5 : St. Nicholas Abbey Plantation-Cherry Tree Hill-Speightstown
Location: Speightstown, Cherry Tree Hill, Saint Nicholas Abbey
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Accra Beach Hotel and Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we explore the St. Nicholas Abbey Plantation. Located in the hills of St Peter, St Nicholas Abbey encompasses over 400 acres of undulating sugar cane fields, lush tropical gullies, mahogany forests and formal gardens. We will also enjoy a scenic ride on the heritage railway that winds through the plantation fields and mahogany woods with expansive views of the east coast from Cherry Tree Hill.
Later we visit historic Speightstown, which dates to 1630 and has a pleasing blend of colonial and modern architecture along with excellent shopping and dining options.
Day 6 : Free Day To Stroll Along The Beach
Location: Barbados
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Accra Beach Hotel and Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free to stroll along the beach, take a swim or perhaps venture further afield.
Alternatively, join our optional excursion, a cruise aboard a Catamaran yacht, ideally suited for sailing in these shallow, sheltered waters. Relax on board a catamaran and watch the beautiful coastline of Barbados slip by, then drop anchor in a quiet bay for a swim in the crystal-clear waters, followed by a sumptuous Barbados lunch.
Day 7 : Bridgetown
Location: Bridgetown
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Accra Beach Hotel and Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We explore the island’s capital Bridgetown today, which was founded by English settlers in 1628. Historic Old Bridgetown and its Garrison is now inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After our tour of the city there will be time to shop and sightsee at leisure.
Day 8 : Bridgetown-London
Location: London, Bridgetown
Accommodation: Overnight flight
After breakfast the morning is free for some last-minute shopping before we transfer to the airport in time to check in for our return flight to London.
Day 9 : London
Location: London
On arrival in London the group will disperse or make onward connections.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals - as per the itinerary
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London pre-flight Executive lounge access
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Comfortable coach travel throughout
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All visits as outlined in the itinerary
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Services of a professional tour manager
What's Not Included
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Moderate
A decent level of fitness is required for our moderate tours. There could be walking between sites, more standing and more travelling to encounter. -
Are flights included in this tour?
No
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary.
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Will I receive more details of the holiday before I travel?
You will receive detailed joining instructions around 10 days prior to you departure, but you are of course welcome to contact us at any time should you have any queries.
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What facilities do your coaches have?
Generally, our coaches have reclining seats, air-conditioning and toilets, however this cannot always be guaranteed as sometimes we have to use smaller vehicles. Toilets are recommended for emergency use only and regular comfort stops will be made throughout your holiday while travelling around.
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Do I have to go on the included excursions?
Absolutely not. You are more than welcome to spend the day at your hotel or exploring independently should you wish. All we ask is that you inform your Tour Manager, so they are not left waiting for you to join the group.
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Is there time to relax?
Although our itineraries may seem jam-packed, boasting access to some of the most exclusive sites across the UK and beyond, a Brightwater Holiday is just that: a holiday. Each trip will counter in more than enough free-time for you to explore places at your own leisure. And with most nights and the majority of meals being included in our tour prices, you can relax in hand-picked accommodation.
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Do I need to be an expert?
Absolutely not! Although some of our tours are specifically focused on one thing, all you need to enjoy a Brightwater holiday is interest and bags of enthusiasm! Even on our most specialist tours, we take travellers from all skill levels, from experts to beginners.
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How fit or active do I need to be for one of your holidays?
You need to be able to get on and off the coach unassisted, and most – but not all – coaches have a kneel facility that lowers the front step for ease of boarding
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Do you have self-drive holidays?
Yes, we do – tailored to your exact requirements!
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What’s the luggage allowance on your coaches?
There’s no fixed limit, but we generally say one large suitcase to go in the luggage compartment and a smaller bag that you can take onto the coach with you. For flight-inclusive holidays, we include a luggage allowance of at least 20kg.
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Where are your departure points?
UK garden holidays generally depart from London, with additional pick-ups depending on the route of the coach, while holidays to Scotland depart from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth, with Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen sometimes included. All Eurostar holidays depart from London St. Pancras and flight-inclusive holidays depart from one or more of the main London airports, with regional flights .
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What about the company that will be kept?
For single travellers, those with a companion or even those travelling in a larger group, you'll find that the signature of any Brightwater Holiday is the company. You won't ever be travelling with a group of strangers, instead, you'll find yourself surrounded by like-minded people with a strong shared interest who will soon become your firm friends.
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What is a Brightwater Holiday?
Bursting with enthralling, educational and enlightening itineraries, a Brightwater Holiday, by its very nature, is packed with bucket-list-worthy destinations, behind the scenes passes and expert-led experiences. From creating bespoke quality garden and special interest tours for groups and individuals alike, we have made it our business to make our guests' travel dreams come true.
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Why is there a single supplement?
Unfortunately, single room supplements are charges that are often imposed on us as a company when we book rooms for group holidays. However, most hotels do charge less for single occupancy, and we always pass this saving on to our solo travellers in the form of a modest single supplement.
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How much are your optional excursions?
Prices start from as little as £20, but please contact our friendly team for questions about specific itineraries or excursions.
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Can I pre-book my coach seats?
Yes, you can. In the case of front seats, guests with limited mobility are given priority. Please get in touch with our friendly team to discuss any requirements you may have.
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How to get there? Easy!
With a Brightwater Holiday, the journey is just as important as the destination and we make getting you to your tour start point easy. From organising group flights and individual travel plans, to offering accessible local departure and pick-up points, we go out of our way to ensure that your journey is as convenient and hassle-free as it can be.
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Do I need to have travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required for all overseas holidays and is also strongly recommended for UK holidays – primarily to protect yourself against cancellation charges should you be unable to travel.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Brightwater Holidays allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform brightwater holidays, 25 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Brightwater Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 15% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of brightwater holidays charges.
At 40 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.