Crystal's Mediterranean Garden Bonanza

Crystal Cruises is providing a uniquely verdant perspective on the Mediterranean next year with a new Garden & Floral Design-themed voyage sailing from Barcelona to Venice on April 21.

Aptly named “La Dolce Vita,” the Crystal Serenity cruise offers more than 15 serenity-filled Crystal Adventures visiting some of the most renowned, romantic and private gardens that epitomise the Catalan coast and French and Italian Rivieras. On board, British celebrity floral designer Paula Pryke and Sybil Sylvester, founder of Wildflower Designs, will offer hands-on workshops and presentations in floral design, arrangement and other flower-related topics.

The Garden highlights include:

· Venice – insider explorations of cosy Venetian squares and private courtyards, including a garden created by Italian modernist architect Carlo Scapa inside the 16^th century Palazzo Querini Stampalia museum and library complex.

· Monte Carlo – from exotic gardens of succulents and sub-tropical micro-climate species to umbrella pines and rare fruit trees, Crystal takes guests throughout the Cote d’Azur to explore classic French, Spanish and even English garden design, complete with stunning coastline views and even a lesson in cooking with flowers.

· Barcelona – excursions go off the beaten tourist path, from the city’s newest garden hotspot – the conservation-focused Botanical Garden, showcasing the plants of five Mediterranean climate – to the oldest, the neoclassical Cypress-filled maze of Labyrinth Park, as well as to the area’s popular Park Güell, one of Gaudí’s most famous works.

· Rome – Italy’s finest Renaissance garden includes cascading fountains and dripping grottoes dating back almost 450 years.

Starting with an overnight in Barcelona, the 11-night luxury cruise visits Monte Carlo, Florence, Rome, Sorrento, Sicily and Trogir before finishing with an overnight in Venice. A second Garden & Floral Design-themed voyage sails from Los Angeles to New York on May 6, offering visits to lush private and public gardens in Charleston, Florida, Costa Rica and the Caribbean.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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