Royal Tea at Abkhazi Garden & City Highlights
-
Port
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
-
Activity Level
Moderate
-
Excursion Type
All
-
Wheelchair Accessible
No
-
Starting At
$109.95
-
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
-
Duration
Approximately 2½ Hours
-
Meals Included
Meals included
Don't miss this special Holland America Line visit to Abkhazi Garden, listed as one of the Top 100 small gardens in the world and not open to the general public.
Prince and Princess Abkhazi began creating their masterpiece in 1946. Your guide will tell you about the love story behind the garden, who tends the plants nowadays, and why. The garden, located in a quiet suburb, is quite hidden from the street by a stately hornbeam hedge. Within lies an exquisite heritage home and garden offering a tranquil experience for the avid gardener or garden lover.
Explore the stunning wealth of plants that embrace a natural landscape of glaciated rocky slopes, magnificent native Garry oaks, and gorgeous vistas -- a stunning example of West Coast landscape design. Conifers, Japanese maples and rhododendrons have grown to an impressive maturity over the last 50 years. Carpets of naturalized bulbs, and alpine and woodland companions provide interest throughout the year.
Retreat to the charming tea house to enjoy a three-tier Royal Tea (similar to a High Tea). Seated within Prince and Princess Abkhazi's original residence, allow yourself to be transported back in time as your guide recounts the couple's captivating story of privilege and tragedy, separation and romance. It spans three continents and the world at war.
Finally, reboard your coach for a reflective city tour before heading back to the pier.
Notes:
A donation is made on your behalf to the Friends of Abkhazi, who volunteer in the garden and help the Land Conservatory, which protects fast-disappearing natural areas, heritage sites and agricultural lands for future generations. Minimum age is 8 years. Terrain includes even and uneven surfaces, gravel and steps. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. The transportation is not wheelchair-accessible.