We’ve received rave reviews for the well-planned trips and tours we offer, both in the U.S. and abroad, We've presented international trips to Cornwall and London, Bermuda, Italy, and Quebec province, all of which were impeccably arranged by Patsy West, Director of Valerie Wilson Travel. See below for two new tours for which reservations are currently being accepted.
On the domestic front, Director of Communications Barbara Freeman has planned and guided tours to see gardens and other hightlights in and around New York City and Boston. She's also taken two groups Downeast for visits to spectacular private gardens on Mt. Desert Island, including Martha Stewart's Skylands. She led the group tour to Quebec province.
Where are we headed next? The Brandywine Valley in the Philadelphia area in September, 2008! Holland in April of 2009! See some of the details below, and on the events pages. For more information and reservations, call 207-633-4883, or e-mail Patsy West.
Exquisite Sites and Sights of the Brandywine Valley - Thursday, September 11 through Monday, September 15, 2008
A motor coach will take us from Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens to Boston's Logan Airport on Thursday, September 11. The first stop before checking into the Brandywine River Hotel in Chadds Ford, Pa., is a house and garden tour of Bartram's Garden in Philadelphia. This is the historic home of John Bartram, who discovered Franklinia trees and named them after his friend, Benjamin Franklin.
Friday's stops include Chanticleer - A Pleasure Garden; lunch at the delightful Restaurant Taquet; and a visit to the Brandywine River Museum, noted for its extensive collection of Wyeth paintings.
Saturday begins with a tour of the legendary Longwood Gardens, followed by a tour and wine tasting and dinner at Simon Pearce on the Brandywine.
Sunday begins with a comprehensive tour of the Winterthur Museum and Country Estate in nearby Delaware, followed by an afternoon tour of the Nemours Mansion and Gardens. Monday is a travel day, for late-afternoon arrival back at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.
The tour was arranged for the Gardens by Patsy West, a highly experienced tour planner and Director of Valerie Wilson Travel. Click here for the itinerary.
The tour price will include door-to-door transportation from Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, accommodations, and some meals. It also includes a $250 tax-deductible contribution to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Prices are as follows: $1,434 per person, double occupancy; $1,672 single occupancy; triple occupancy pricing upon request.
A deposit of $400 per person will secure your reservation. Final payment is due July 1, 2008.
Holland in Bloom - April 27 - May 6, 2009
April in Maine tends to be mixed - not quite winter but certainly not spring! In Holland however, it is the 'showcase' time of year for the most spectacular array of flowers in the world! Join us on the Amadeus Diamond, a lovely new state-of-the-art river vessel sailing the rivers of Holland and Belgium.
The tour dates are April 27 through May 6. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens guests, including an expert garden guide, will board the Diamond on April 29, 2009, to tour the ancient cities of Amsterdam, Edam, Arnhem, Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, and of course the highlight - Keukenhof Gardens in full bloom!
We are holding space on the ship during Holland and Belgium’s most popular season. Reserving early is a must. We are accepting refundable, preliminary, 'holding' deposits of $200 per person for this 2009 tour. Don’t miss it. This trip is guaranteed to wash away those winter doldrums and gracefully carry you to spring!
For more information, call Patsy West at 207-633-4883; or e-mail her right now.