Life moves at a more leisurely pace on the peaceful Isles of Scilly, famous for their striking scenery, sub-tropical gardens and vast, sandy beaches. On this six-day trip you'll discover why so many people consider the Isles of Scilly to be the UK's most idyllic archipelago.
On this island discovery tour you'll enjoy excursions to many of the islands' most beautiful locations. You'll see the fascinating Tresco Abbey Garden, described as "Kew without the glass", the rugged coastlines of Bryher and the quaint harbours of St Martin's.
You'll be joined on your trip by Helen Yemm, former Thorny Problems columnist for The Telegraph, who will accompany you to Tresco Abbey Garden and afterwards host a dinner and Q&A where you can ask her your horticultural questions.
Two expert speakers will join you for dinner talks to give you an insight into the gardens and the Isles of Scilly's amazing native wildlife. The Curator of Tresco Abbey Gardens, Mike Nelhams, will prepare you for your visit with a talk on its array of colourful plants, and Julian Branscombe will explain the work of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, which he heads.
You'll be based at the stylish and luxurious Karma Hotel on the isle of St Martin's, which will serve as your base for the trip. Here you will enjoy delicious cuisine made with local, seasonal ingredients, as well as truly stunning views across the bay.
Meet our special guest Helen Yemm
The writer of The Telegraph's weekly gardening column for twenty years, Helen is a passionate hands-on gardener. She is also author of several gardening books including Gardening in Your Pyjamas. Helen is a lecturer, teacher and broadcaster whose credits include the BBC's Gardening from Scratch and Gardening Week.
The writer of The Telegraph's weekly gardening column for twenty years, Helen is a passionate hands-on gardener. She is also author of several gardening books including Gardening in Your Pyjamas. Helen is a lecturer, teacher and broadcaster whose credits include the BBC's Gardening from Scratch and Gardening Week.
Also includes: Five breakfasts and three dinners at the hotel, boat transfers, return ferry from Penzance to St Martin's, all entrance fees.
* THIS PRICE IS FOR TELEGRAPH SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, per person based on two people sharing a double room. Single supplement available on request. Prices shown are subject to availability and change. Price includes £50 early booking discount. For full deposit terms and conditions, go to: tstours.co.uk/assets/tandc.pdf. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events and the overall itinerary may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Always check the FCDO travel advice, as it includes the very latest information on safety, security, travel warnings and health. For more information, visit gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
* THIS PRICE IS FOR ALL OTHER READERS, per person based on two people sharing a double room. Single supplement available on request. Prices shown are subject to availability and change. Price includes £50 early booking discount. For full deposit terms and conditions, go to: tstours.co.uk/assets/tandc.pdf. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events and the overall itinerary may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Always check the FCDO travel advice, as it includes the very latest information on safety, security, travel warnings and health. For more information, visit gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
The group will arrive independently at Penzance and should meet at the departure terminal You'll arrive in Penzance, Cornwall, in the morning and take the ferry to St Mary's, the largest of the Isles of Scilly. From here you will take a boat onwards to St Martin's and check in at Karma Hotel, your base for the next five nights. After checking in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the island independently at your own pace.
After breakfast in the hotel restaurant you'll make your way to the jetty to embark on a guided visit of Bryher, one of the Scillies' wilder islands. The name Bryher means "place of hills" in Cornish and on this excursion you'll take in the island's beautiful contrasting landscapes, with crashing Atlantic waves and granite stacks on one side, and calm glassy blue bays on the other. Lunch will be served at the Hell Bay Hotel on the island's rugged west coast.
You'll return to St Martin's by boat where you'll be joined for dinner at the hotel by the Curator of Tresco Abbey Garden, who'll give a talk to tell you everything you need to know in advance of tomorrow's visit.
After breakfast you'll make your way to the jetty and take the boat to Tresco. Today you will be joined by Helen Yemm as you visit the world renowned Tresco Abbey Garden, home to a collection of some 20,000 plants from 80 countries around the world. Lunch has been arranged at The New Inn, a welcoming Tresco pub with award-winning food.
Later this evening you will enjoy a talk and dinner with Helen Yemm, where you will have the opportunity to ask her your gardening questions.
Today you'll travel to St Agnes after breakfast at the hotel. On arrival at St Agnes you'll take a guided walk around the island's coastline, visiting Troy Town Maze, St Warna's Well, Obadlah's Barrow and the Old Man of Gugh. Following a packed lunch you'll take a Marine Wildlife cruise where you can expect to see Atlantic grey seals, gannets, curlews, and possibly even dolphins and porpoises. Following the cruise you'll return by boat to St Martin's.
Today you'll head to St Mary's where you'll discover the island's ruggedly beautiful shoreline. You will be accompanied by Julian Branscombe, the Chief Executive of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust. Lunch has been arranged at Juliet's Garden, after which you'll return by boat to St Martin's.
Dinner tonight has been arranged at the hotel and you will be joined by Julian, who will give a talk on the work of the IOS Wildlife Trust, which manages and preserves the natural environment of the Isles of Scilly.
Today you will depart the hotel and take the boat to St Mary's. Enjoy some free time on St Mary's before taking the Scillonian ferry back to Penzance.
Karma St Martin's is a luxury hotel in a prime beachfront location, offering panoramic views towards Tean Sound and the island of Tresco.
This fabulous hotel has a wine lounge, a two-AA Rosette award-winning restaurant and a spa. Your stay will include dinner and breakfast for two nights and bed and breakfast for the remaining three nights, prepared with the best of the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall's seasonal produce. All accommodation can be set with double or twin beds.
For general information, click here.
What our customers have to say...
"Every one of the team I met yesterday gave a fantastic service and it is really appreciated the efforts you all went to. Not just for Mum and myself but for all your clients."
"We are delighted that every member we met yesterday went above and beyond and gave such great service. What a great team you must be to all work together in this way."
"I had a very enjoyable few days. Suzannah Lipscomb was amazing. I shall be doing more tours with you."
To view TS Tours’ supplier’s terms and conditions click here.
* THIS PRICE IS FOR TELEGRAPH SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, per person based on two people sharing a double room. Single supplement available on request. Prices shown are subject to availability and change. Price includes £50 early booking discount. For full deposit terms and conditions, go to: tstours.co.uk/assets/tandc.pdf. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events and the overall itinerary may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Always check the FCDO travel advice, as it includes the very latest information on safety, security, travel warnings and health. For more information, visit gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
* THIS PRICE IS FOR ALL OTHER READERS, per person based on two people sharing a double room. Single supplement available on request. Prices shown are subject to availability and change. Price includes £50 early booking discount. For full deposit terms and conditions, go to: tstours.co.uk/assets/tandc.pdf. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events and the overall itinerary may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Always check the FCDO travel advice, as it includes the very latest information on safety, security, travel warnings and health. For more information, visit gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.