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 Holland America Line visit to Abkhazi Garden, which is closed to the general public. Prince and Princess Abkhazi began creating their masterpiece in 1946, and your guide will tell you about the love story behind the garden and 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.
Upon entering the gardens, the invited guest finds a stunning wealth of plants that embrace this natural landscape that is unique to Victoria -- dramatic glaciated rocky slopes, magnificent native Garry oaks and gorgeous vistas. The garden itself is designed to make the most of these remarkable features and it is the Abkhazis’ response to their landscape that qualifies it as a stunning example of West Coast landscape design. The garden flows around the rock, taking advantage of deeper pockets of soil for conifers, Japanese maples and rhododendrons that have grown to an impressive maturity over the last 50 years. Carpets of naturalized bulbs, choice alpines and woodland companions provide interest throughout the year to the discerning arborist. But it is the overall design that leaves the greatest impression -- Abkhazi Gardens is listed as one of the Top 100 small gardens in the world.
Retreat to the charming tea house to enjoy a three-tier Royal Tea (along the lines of 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’s a story that spans three continents and the world at war.
Finally, relaxed by the tranquility of this garden oasis, re-board your coach for a reflective city tour before heading back to the pier.
Notes:
A donation on your behalf will be made 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.