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GARDENS
*** Premier Gardens
of Wales ***
Duration: Variable
Overnights: Various
Securing two stars is the highesst rating you can achieve in the Good
Gardens Guide
and Wales has three gardens that qualify - Bodnant, Powis Castle and Clyne.
Visit these plus eight more of the special gardens of Wales with a mix
of
tranditional horticulture and groundbreaking design.
Highlights:
* Portmeiron - 70 acres of sub tropical Victorian
pleasure gardens.
* Plas Newydd and Bodnant
with commanding views of the Snowdon range.
* The National Botanic Garden, newest in Wales.
* Aberglasney with its restored Elizabethan
Cloister garden and parapet walk.
*** Highland Fling***
Duration 6 nights/7 days
Overnights: Based Glasgow (2 nights), Dundee (2 nights), Edinburgh (2
nights)
Highlights:
* Visit to the outstanding works of art at the Burrell
Collection, set in the beautiful
 grounds
of Pollok Country Estate.
* The Isle of Arran and the lovely gardens
at Brodick Castle.
* The Isle of Arran Heritage Museum and a
wee dram at the Isle of Arran Distillery
* Stirling Castle where Mary Queen of Scots
was crowned.
* Drummond Castle – said to be among
the finest formal gardens in Europe.
* Edzell where the beautiful walled garden
dates from 1604.
* The formal gardens at the House of Pitmuies.
* A special visit to Glamis Castle, a royal
residence since 1372 and the childhood
home
of Her Majesty The Queen Mother.
* To Perth to see Branklyn, one of the finest
two-acre gardens in England.
FLOWER SHOWS
*** London and the Hampton
Court Flower Show***
Duration 4 nights/5 days - July
Overnights: Based in London (4n) (additional nights available)
Highlights:
* The Gardens of the Rose, home to the Royal
National Rose Society
* Hatfield House for their Connoisseur’s
Day,
when
the Marchioness of Salisbury opens both the west and the east gardens.
* Free time to explore London's Portobello Road Market,
Camden Passage, or Harrods.
* A full and exhilarating day at the Hampton Court
Flower Show.
*** RHS
Wisley Summer Festival***
Duration 4 nights/5 days
Overnights: Based in London (4 nights)(additional nights available)
Highlights:
* Welcome reception
and dinner.
* Day 1 of the Royal Horticultural Society
Wisley Summer Festival.
* Day 2 of RHSWisley Summer Festival
This world famous garden extends to over 240 acres and provides visitors
with the chance to glean new ideas and inspiration with lectures, talks
presentations and displays. Each day features a different flower variety.
Combine this show with additional sightseeing at gardens
and country homes in the surrounding area as well as traditional London
sites for a full tour program.
OUT OF THE ORDINARY
***
Well Dressing***
Duration Variable
Based Derbyshire, England
What is well
dressing? It is the art of decorating springs and wells with pictures
made of growing things. How can these intricate and detailed pictures
be made of only flowers, berries, and leaves, and why? Come and find out!
The pictures only last a week so plan ahead. Festival dates are in mid
September. Combine it with visits to other outstanding gardens and country
homes for an outstanding trip.
*** Magnum Opus - in
Celebration of Music ***
Duration: Variable
Based Winchester, Chichester, Salisbury, England
In September 2003 the Wessex and Jersey area National Association of
Flower Arrngers will be filling the nave of Winchester Catherdral, the
longest in Britain, with a super -abundance of floral displays. Combine
this with special arrangements (no pun intended!) with the local flower
arranging societies as well as peeks into lovely gardens both public and
secret for a special introduction into this magnificent three cathedral
city area.
FESTIVAL AND EVENT DATES
This is but a small selection of the innumerable
flower shows that are held world wide.
Contact Group Advantage for any other festivals that you might be interested
in traveling to for a visit.
January -
Orchid Specialist Day
February/March - In Search of Paradise,Orchid
Festival, Kew Gardens, London, England
March/April - European Ochid Conference
and Show, London
Cornwall
Garden Festival
May/June
- Scottish National Garden Show, Edinburgh,Scotland
RHS
Wisley Spring Flower Show
July - Hampton Court Flower Show, London,England
August - RHS Wisley Summer Flower Show,
England
September - Malvern Autumn Garden Show
(could be combined with the Bath International Arts Festival)
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April through October 2012-
FLORIADE, the
incomparable horticultural exhbit held every ten years in The Netherlands,
showcasing the international handiwork of 330 specialists. Start planning
now!!!
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