The Colonsay House rhododendron and woodland garden is considered to be one of the finest rhododendron gardens in Scotland. These gardens have the advantage of literally sitting in the lap of one of the most scenic islands in the area. Even though the island is only eight miles long, but it’s picturesque and charming surroundings of sandy beaches, sparkling seas, incredible wildflowers make it almost serene.

The garden was planted mostly in the 1930’s. The garden not only provides a panoramic and scenic view of the rhododendrons, but also of trees and shrubs of exotic species from the southern hemisphere.

These gardens cover almost 20 acres, and surround the manor of Colonsay House, on the island of Colonsay. The garden is made up of a formal garden area close to the Georgian manor house, and a more informal woodland area further from the house. Very well aware of the brutal Scotland winter, the founder of the garden planted a thick barrier of broadleaved woodland around the gardens as a windbreak. Hence the gardens are sheltered and capable of supporting many interesting and unusual shrubs.

The formal garden offers a colorful feast to the eye. There is a variety of mixed borders, clematis, eucalyptus, myrtle, and magnolias and climbing roses. The mild climate of Colonsay permits a variety of exotic plants to flourish and bloom. There is also a tree planted by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra during a 1902 visit to Colonsay.These formal walled gardens surround Colonsay House in which Alexander Howard, the son of the 4th Lord Strathcona, stays with his wife, Jane, and his young family.

Most of the recent planting are the brainchild of Lord Strathcona.  The woodlands, – tree ferns, Magnolias and some fantastic species of rhododendrons mark the passage of long lost paths. Old gates and ponds pop up suddenly around the corners. As you approach the house, the gardens become more domesticated. Immaculately mown grass terraces and the loggia garden by the house leads into the more recent Lighthouse garden. The most fascinating and captivating feature of the gardens is a small early Christian statue, believed to have been carved way back in the late 7th or early 8th century. This statue is prominiently located to the left of the garden entrance, beside a small pool dedicated to St Oran. In the shape of a cross, this statue has the head of Christ at the top and a fish tail at the bottom. It is said that this statue was found near the ruins of the old chapel at Riasg Buidhe, which is a deserted village a few miles away.

This is a garden with an abundance of horticulture to satiate even the most enthusiastic botanist.

Visitor Information

The private inner gardens and Cafe are open to the public on Wednesdays and Fridays.

The woodland garden is open daily throughout the year, but the formal gardens are open only on Wednesday and Saturday during the summer months.

Organic produce from the gardens can be purchased during the season from our reception centre. They also sell homemade jams and chutneys, as well as their own home grown salad and vegetables.

The Garden Cafe

The café is open for lunch and afternoon teas on Wednesdays from 12 pm to 5 pm and on Fridays for afternoon teas from 2.30 pm to 5 pm.

Delicious home baked goodies and freshly made sandwiches and cakes are available. Most of these products are made using their own organic produce as far as possible.

Getting There

By Railway

From Glasgow Queen Street station, you may take the train to Oban. It takes approximately 3 hours and the ferry terminal is a 5 minutes walk from the railway station

By Plane

From Glasgow airport, you may drive to Oban (2 hours), take the train (3 hours) or take the bus (3 hours). From Oban you take the ferry directly to Isle of Colonsay.

The palace and gardens were built during the reign of Muhammad III way back during the years 1302-1309. They were restored by Abu I-Walid Isma’il (1313-1324). The palace was built to function as a summer palace for the Sultans of Grenada in the 13th Century. The palace has been built around a long main courtyard. It has a mirror pool surrounded by columns, canopies and flower gardens. The Generalife has one of the world’s oldest Moorish gardens.

The gardens of the Generalife separate the country house from the Palace and Alcazaba. In medieval times they would have contained fruits as well as flowers. Today plants are selected for their aromas and color. The garden has abundance of cool breeze blowing in due to the open terraces. The open terraces also offer spectacular and breathtaking views over the city and the Genil and Darro river valleys.

The original covered walkway between Generalife and the Alhambra, has long since been changed and renovated over the years, and is no longer there. However, the design is simple and tasteful, and the sounds of the water fountains lend a tranquil and serene touch. The shaded courtyards are more restful and relaxing, rather than magnificent.

The entire complex is made up of the Court of the Water Channel or Water-Garden Courtyard (also known as Patio de la Acequia). The Water-Garden Courtyard has a long pool framed by flowerbeds, fountains, and pavilions. The Court of the Long Pond in the Generalife is perhaps the most photographed garden feature. The complex also has the Sultana’s Garden or Courtyard of the Cypress (also known as Jardín de la Sultana). The Generalife is one of the oldest surviving Moorish gardens.

Visiting the Garden

Address

Calle  Real, s/n 18009   Granada (Granada)
Tel: +34 958027900/+34 902-44 12 21
Fax + 34 958-22 63 63

Admission

General admission: € 6. Evenings: € 12

Groups

For group reservations, it is advisable to book tickets at least one week in advance. For advance bookings you can call on: 902 22 44 60

For those calling from out of Spain, you can call on 00 34 91 537 91 78;

Website

http://www.alhambratickets.com

Disabled access

Diabled access is available, except in certain section with stairs.

Photo/Video

Photos and videos are allowed, however please note that tripod and flash photography are not permitted in certain rooms.

It is estimated that the garden receives around 2 million visitors a year. This makes the Alhambra one of the most popular tourist attractions of Spain. While many of the open areas surrounding the Alhambra can be viewed without a ticket, the highlights of the complex: the Palacio can only be seen with a valid ticket.

Be aware that tickets need to be purchased in advance and have a time of entry printed on them. Only a limited number of tickets are sold each day. Hence it is recommended that you reach the place around 7am to be sure of getting one. If you miss your time, you’ll need to wait until the next day and try again.

The Oxford Companion to Gardens observes that ‘Hestercombe is remarkable for the bold, concise pattern of its layout, and for the minute attention to detail everywhere to be seen in the variety and imaginative handling of contrasting materials, whether cobble, tile, flint, or thinly coursed local stone’.

These marvelous garden’s conception and handiwork is by Sir Edwin Luytens and Gertrude Jekyll; the earlier 40-acre Georgian landscape garden, in which these formal gardens sit, was created by Copelstone Warre Bampfylde.

Edwin Lutyens pioneerd the architecture, of the garden and Gertrude Jekyll  gave abundant color-coordinated plantings. Together they created and established grand and imperialistic Hestercombe Gardens.

• The Arts and Crafts garden, by Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll has a sunken parterre, a water garden and a large pergola on the garden boundary.
• You enter through the chinese gates.
• The “Great Plat” combined the patterned features of a parterre with the hardy herbaceous planting espoused by Miss Jekyll. Its broken into geometric spaces and colorful plantations of flora according to seasonal timigs like spring delphiniums to summer cannas.
• Luteye’s elliptical steps and the use of stone to create the spaces within the gardens — these are seen at their finest here.
• Victorian Terrace planted in lavender, catmint and other purple and silver plants.
• Lutyens also designed the orangery about 50 m east of the main house
• Woodland walks, temple, waterfalls, and breathtaking views across the vale of Taunton.

Opening times - All year. Daily except Christmas Day. Open 10am to 6pm.

Admission – Adult £7.50 (includes 10% voluntary gift aid donation), 2 Children free with each Adult.

Hestercombe Gardens are visited by approximately 70,000 people per year. The estate is Grade I listed on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England.

The site also includes a 0.08 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Somerset, notified in 2000. The site is used as a roost site by Lesser Horseshoe Bats.

Hestercombe Gardens is the finest gardens in the world offering biodiversity as well. Its magnificence and beauty will touch to you making you to visit all the more next time.

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. It is located in Northern Italy, about half-way between Venice and Milan. This alpine region was formed glaciers at the end of the last ice age.

Verona (to the southeast), Brescia (southwest), and Trento (north) surround the lake and its shoreline. This lake has become a famous tourist attraction due to its natural beauty as well as to its easy accessibility from the north via the Brenner pass. There are a number of exclusive hotels and resorts which have come up along the shore in the recent years.

The Island of Garda is full of magic and mystery. Since this is a popular tourist attraction, there are several shops, pubs, restaurants and hotels around Lake Garda to keep you fully entertained on tour Lake Garda holidays. The lake has five islands, the largest of which is Isola del Garda. There are some exotic and fantastic scenery which you can see from the west side of the lake.

History

Isola del Garda , a Family home, is a precious jewel, bursting with history, memories and legends. It is a scenic place of rare and special beauty.

Isola del Garda is located just offshore from the Rocca di Manerba and San Felice on the Brescia side of the Lake. This home is the year-round home of the Cavazza family. Just one kilometer long and an average of sixty meters wide, this delightful island is just big enough to accommodate the house along with its incredible grounds.

This house is a true treasure surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the lake. The early 20th century villa which is built in Neo-Gothic-Venetian style rises up southwards, in all its elegance and charm. This impressive and harmonious building holds many surprising architectural delights with Italian style terraces and gardens sloping down towards the lake.

The island, which currently belongs to the Cavazza Family has in fact had various names throughout the centuries, almost always connected to the families who owned it. Some of the prestigious names include Insula Cranie, Isola dei Frati,Isola Lechi ,Isola Scotti ,Isola de Ferrari and later Isola Borghese. The birds that fly around this place seem to echo the joyous voices of the souls of those who tended to the island with love and care.

Today the extraordinary Venetian neo-Gothic style villa, designed by the architect Luigi Rovelli at the beginning of the 20th century draws tourists from all over the world. An imposing harmonious building, rich in surprising architectonic details, the building is truly a piece of architectural beauty.  It boasts of a beautiful 18th century painting by Carlo Carloni.  Below, the terraces and Italian gardens slope down to the mystic and serene lake.

The creation of the breathtaking natural park of the island can be traced back to the 1880s. The garden is rich vegetation and you can find a variety of trees and shrubs of Mediterranean vegetation, such as citrus, olives, holm oaks, privet and laurels.

Local exotic plants, rare essences and unique flowers lend a rich and harmonious look to the area. The Island of Garda is full of magic and mystery. As you make your way touring the place, the melodious songs of birds transport you in a dream world of peace and tranquility.

The flat area of the island has an abundant of the most evocative and wild bloom, where deciduous oaks, citron trees, evergreen cypresses, marshland cypresses, plane trees, fir and various species of pines can be found mixed with shrubs and more typically Mediterranean essences.

Roses from China along with the Lady Hillingdon rose, the yellow Banksia rose, valerian, bougainvillea and many other plants and flowers of rare beauty can be found here in abundance.

Visitor Information

The Island opens its treasures for guided tours from May to October.
Boat service is available to Isola del Garda from May to October 2009
For informations and bookings contact:  328.3849226 or 328.6126943
Email: info@isoladelgarda.com

The Palm House at Kew Gardens is an astounding architectural wonder which is the brain child of well- renowned architects Decimus Burton and Richard Turner. It is a world-famous Grade 1 listed building. This building was constructed between the years 1844 to 1848, and it stands at an impressive 363 feet long. It is 100 feet wide & 66 feet high. The greenhouse type building is made with iron and glass. With its curvaceous exteriors and steamy interiors, Kew’s Palm House has since long, been recognized as an icon of the Gardens.

Founder Turner and architect Burton worked in unison to create this magical botanical landmark. Burton desired that the construction should closely resemble the lake of George III so that he could catch its reflection in the lake. Turner came up with the brainwave of using a wrought iron “deck beam” structure used in ship building for a greater unsupported area.

The Palm House, Kew Gardens in London is conveniently located 1 kilometer from Kew Bridge, London, 1.5 kilometer from Gunnersbury Bridge, and 2.5 kilometer from Chiswick Bridge.

Construction of the House

The Palm House was created mainly for the exotic palms being collected and introduced to Europe during the early Victorian times. Even though the Palm House was designed by Burton, it definitely had elements of style and design which was unique to that of Richard Turner. The design element was borrowed from shipbuilding and this is clearly visible by the upturned hull.

To nurture the tropical plants, heat was required. Initially boilers were placed in the basement, which heated the water pipes under iron gratings on which the plants stood in great teak tubs, or in clay pots on benches. The smoke from the boilers was led away through pipes in a tunnel under the Palm House Pond to the elegant Italianate Campanile smoke stack 150 m (490 ft) away. There was a small railway in the tunnel as well, which was used to transport coal the Palm House boilers.

Unfortunately, the basement got flooded in the year 1848. It took many years to lower the water levels. Then in 1853 the floor level of the boiler room was raised. This however led to the unfortunate effect of reducing the amount of draught to the flues, which hampered the efficiency of the heating system, making certain parts of the Palm House too cold.

Around the Palm House

The area surrounding the Palm House forms the heart of the 1850s Nesfield and Burton landscape. Small plots of open lawn and formal flowerbeds vie for attention along with an ornamental lake, clumps of mature trees and open vistas. Keynote buildings such as the Waterlily House dominate the area. Over the years, this accretion of design activity has resulted in an assortment of landscape characters, making the Palm House as one of the most fascinating and varied areas of Kew.

Things to Look Out For

There is a stunning glasshouse near the Victoria Gate entrance. At one end you can also see the world’s oldest pot plant, a Cyrad.

In the South Wing you can find plants from Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. The African oil palm, also known as Elaeis guineensis can also be found here. This plant is one of the most important oil-producing plantation palms in the Tropics. A rare triangle palm known as Dypsis decaryi which is from Madagascar is also found here.

The main central section showcases plants from the Americas. Here plants such as cocoa, rubber, banana and papaya grow alongside Mexican yam (Dioscorea macrostachya). The Mexican Yam was used to develop the contraceptive pill.

The North Wing contains plants from Asia, Australasia and the Pacific. Here you can come across climbing palms called rattans. These are used to make cane furniture. A variety of Asian fruit trees such as mango, breadfruit and jackfruit can be found here.

Rose Garden

The historic Rose Garden which is situated behind the Palm House was rebuild to celebrate the 250th Anniversary. When the garden is in bloom during the spring and summer months, you can witness a riot of colors which is indeed an attractive sight.

Getting There

Address

Victoria Gate
Kew Road
Richmond
TW9 3ABc

Nearest Station

Kew Gardens Tube or Kew Bridge Station

Timings

1 April to 31 August: 9.30am to 6.30pm daily (7.30pm weekends)

1 September to 24 October: 9.30am to 6pm daily

25 October 2009 to 6 February: 9.30am to 4.15pm

7 February 2009 to 27 March: 9.30am to 5.30pm

(closed 24, 25 December)

Facilities and Amenities

• Toilet WC
• Picnic site
• Café/restaurant
• Car parking
• Disabled access
• Baby changing area

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a national war memorial in Washington, D.C. It stands as a symbol of America’s honor and recognition of the men and women who served and sacrificed their lives in the Vietnam War. It pays tribute to the members of the U.S. armed forces who fought in the Vietnam War and who died in service or are still unaccounted for.

This is perhaps one of the most famous memorials in the world. The memorial caused a stir when it was first unveiled in 1982 because of its unusual, but profoundly beautiful design. The monument is dedicated to honor the “courage, sacrifice and devotion to duty and country” of all who answered the call to serve during the longest war in U.S. history.

The names of more than 58,000 men and women who gave their lives or remain missing are inscribed on the black granite wall. The veterans’ names are listed in chronological order of when the casualty occurred and an alphabetical directory helps visitors locate names. It is therefore not surprising that this monument receives an astounding 3 million visitors a year!

History

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was founded by Jan Scruggs. Jan served in Vietnam (in the 199th Light Infantry Brigade) from 1969-1970 as an infantry corporal. He got the inspiration of dedicating a memorial to the brave men who laid their lives serving the country after watching the film “The Deer Hunter” in 1979. It was Maya Lin, a Yale architectural student who submitted the winning design. Maya Lin’s drawing is one of 1,421 design-competition submissions. The designs have been documented in the Library of Congress as part of the Papers of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

Design Criteria

Basically there were four design criteria. They were as follows:

The design had to be reflective and contemplative in character,
The design should be in harmony with its surroundings,
The design should reflect the names of those who had died in the conflict or who were still missing, and The design should make no political statement about the war.

Judging the Design Entries

The judges included two landscape architects, two structural architects, an expert on urban development and landscape, and three sculptors. Paul D. Spreiregen served as competition professional adviser.

Construction of the Wall

The work on the site began March 16, 1982, five days after the design and plans received final Federal approval. Groundbreaking took place on March 26, 1982. The general contractor to oversee the construction work was The Gilbane Building Company. The Architectural firm of Cooper-Lecky Partnership supervised the construction.

The walls and landscaping were completed by November 1, 1982. Then all the three units i.e. the wall, the statue, and the flag were combined on November 11, 1984.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc. (VVMF) officially transferred control of the Memorial to the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior and it became a national monument. The now completed Vietnam Veterans Memorial was accepted by the President of the United States on November 10, 1984.

The Wall” as it often known as, was built in Constitution Gardens in Washington, D.C., through private donations from the public.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc. (VVMF) raised nearly $9,000,000 entirely through private contributions from corporations, foundations, unions, veterans and civic organizations and more than 275,000 individual Americans. No Federal funds were needed.

This Gallery also contains images and text about the Vietnam Women’s Memorial that stands near “The Wall”. This honors the military and civilian women who served and sacrificed during the Vietnam War. Some of their names are inscribed alongside their brothers’ on “The Wall.” The Women’s Memorial is a life size bronze statue The sculpture depicts two women in uniform tending to the wounds of a male soldier while a third woman kneels nearby.

Visiting the Wall

It was in the year 2003 that the Congress authorized the construction of a Vietnam Memorial Visitors Center to be built on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The Visitors Center will serve to educate visitors about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam War and will pay homage to all of the men and women who served in all of America’s wars.

The memorial is situated in Constitution Gardens and is also home to the famous Reflection Pools, the most famous of which is that east of the Lincoln Memorial often seen in photographs of the Washington Monument. These gardens also play host to a healthy population of grey squirrels. The gardens are quite safe and are open until midnight most nights.

Visiting Hours

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is open to public 24 hours a day.  However Rangers are on duty to answer questions from 9:30 am to 11:30 pm daily.

Getting There

Vietnam Veterans Memorial is part of the National Mall and Memorial Parks.  The memorial is situated on the western end of the National Mall, very close to the Lincoln Memorial in West Potomac Park. The memorial rests just north of the Korean War Veterans Memorial, across the Reflecting Pool.

Car

Interstate 395 provides easy access to the Mall from the South. Interstate 495, New York Avenue, Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, George Washington Memorial Parkway, and the Cabin John Parkway provide access from the North. Interstate 66, U.S. Routes 50 and 29 provide access from the West. U.S. Routes 50, 1, and 4 provide access from the East.

Nearest Metro

Washington has a very good public transport system. The railway network particularly is very fast, efficient, and cheap. The nearest Metro station to this site is Foggy Bottom/George Washington University at 23rd and I Streets, NW; the station is just about 7/10 a mile from the memorial.

Bicycle

Washington is very tourist friendly, and many tourists tour the city on bicycle. Several major bicycle trails make their ways to and through Washington, D.C. T For detailed information about bicycle riding in the area, consult the Bicycling Information link.

Parking

Parking throughout the District of Columbia is restricted generally (check for individual area signs for site specific closures/restrictions) from 12:00 A.M. to 6:00 A.M. to facilitate cleaning and maintenance. Washington, D.C. is a very busy metropolitan area. Parking is at a premium throughout the entire city.

Handicapped Access

There is limited handicapped parking at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Fees and Reservations

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial has no fees or reservations associated with a visit.

Climate in Washington

Washington has a temperate climate typical to the Mid-Atlantic U.S. It has four very distinct seasons. While Spring and Autumn are mild, and quite enjoyable, Summer tends to be very hot. Washington has cold winters, with occasional snowfalls and below freezing temperatures.

More than twenty-five years after its dedication, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial remains one of the most visited memorials in the nation’s capital with nearly 4 million visitors annually.

Birr Castle Demesne is Ireland’s award winning gardens, is set in one of Ireland’s most beautiful Georgian heritage town.  Spanning across more than 120 acres of parkland, Birr Castle Demesne includes lakes, rivers, fountains, wildflower meadows and much more. It is much frequented place not only by tourists, but also by the locals. Birr Castle Demesne offers a combination of fun, relaxation and discovery to all who visit.

Birr Castle Demesne is the kind of destination that can interest and engage a serious gardener, a landscape designer or family for an entire day. It is the largest garden in Ireland, and the grounds at Birr Castle is made up of both formal and informal gardens, exotic tree collection, a breathtaking beautiful lake, a fernery, wildflower meadows, and much more. This area also boasts of the world’s tallest box hedges. These grounds are also home to an astounding collection of rare species of plants from all around the world, including over 40 champion trees of the British Isles.

Birr Castle Demesne is world-famous for its exotic tree and plant collections, rivers and lake, formal gardens, terraces and wildflower meadows.

History

The Demesne is home to Ireland’s Historic Science Centre, which allows visitors to travel back to the time of the earlier Earls and Countesses of Rosse. Birr Castle Demesne boasts of award winning gardens which are the largest in the Country. Even after 13 generations, it still remains the family home of Earl and Countess of Rosse and their family. While the main house is not open to the public, one may wander through the scenic and panoramic gardens. These gardens were created way back in the year 1935 with the view to celebrate the marriage of the Earl’s mother who was also instrumental in establishing the design of the garden. Two Bavarian urns dominate the center of the garden. These urns are over 300 years old. Surrounded by hedges containing openings shaped like gothic style windows, these formal gardens derive inspiration from the layout of a monastic cloister.

For almost 400 years each of the Parsons family have worked on and contributed their unique features to the Demesne. As with every family, each generation of owners at Birr has its own interests. This truly reflects in the amazing combination of plants, astronomy, engineering, and more, all in one place. One can find an amazing variety of some of the oldest and tallest boxwood hedges in the world, as well as over a 1000 variety of trees and shrubs.

The garden has evolved under the loving care and attention of its owners, the proof for which is still there for all to see. By the 18th century, work on the landscape turned the bog into a lake, and trees were planted. The year 1826 saw the appearance of a suspension bridge, which was indeed an engineering feat at that time. This bridge was built over the river. It was in the middle of the 19th century that the third Earl of Rosse built the largest reflecting telescope known at the time. The uncommon shrubs and trees which can be found now were the efforts of the sponsored plant exploration trips by the fifth Earl.

It was during the 1930s, that the sixth Earl and his wife, who hailed from a well-known horticultural family in England, created the formal gardens known as the Cloisters, now also called the Millennium Gardens. The millennium gardens reflect a French style formal garden and includes plants exclusive to the demesne. It also proudly displays some beautiful pathways of hornbeam cloister. The seventh Earl and his family continue the tradition, making Birr a fine garden and much more.

Visitor Information

Birr Castle itself remains a private residence, still owned by the Parsons family, so public visitation is not permitted. But visitors are welcome to walk around the Birr Castle Demesne. For garden enthusiasts a visit to Birr is a treat indeed, encompassing some 120 acres of gardens that span four centuries of gardening styles.

During your visit, you would be transported to a time when Birr Castle was a hub of scientific discovery and innovation. The interactive museum reveals the wonders of early photography, engineering and astronomy. One special interesting feature is the third Earl’s telescope. This telescope is a leviathan creation, which was the largest in the world for more than 70 years.

Between visiting the science center and the gardens plan for a fair amount of walking. After taking in all the wonders, you can unwind with a hot cup of tea or coffee in the signature Courtyard Cafe. A visit to the Discovery Shop is recommended where you can purchase a unique gift as a reminiscence of your trip.

Tours

Booking a tour is perhaps one of the best ways to obtain more in-depth information about The Huntington Gardens. Trained and professional staff provide various tours, based on age and requirement. Special tours are available for adults, K-12 school children, and tour groups. Pre-booked guided tours as well as educational tours for primary and secondary schools are also available. Free audio tours are also available for some exhibitions.

Group Tours

The Huntington offers Estate, Chinese garden, and Tea & Tours. Please note you would need to make reservations at least one month in advance for all group tours.

Tea & Tour

What is better than a piping hot cup of English tea after a relaxing and enjoyable day touring the garden? Enjoy a private morning tour followed by English tea in the Huntington’s Rose Garden Tea Room. Please note reservations are required at least one month in advance for Tea & Tours.

School Tours

The Huntington offers both guided and self-guided school tours. The guided school tours are available during non-public, morning hours. These tours are led by volunteer docent teachers. Interactive explorations of the institution’s treasures are a landmark of these tours. Self-guided school tours are welcome during regular public hours.

Free Garden Tours

Free tours of the gardens are available with general admission or membership. These tours can be availed of between Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday between noon and 2 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Please note, timings may vary depending on volunteer availability, You may have to check regarding the same with the Information Desk on arrival for the day’s schedule of garden tours. No tours available on Tuesdays and Free Days.

Getting There

The Huntington is located near Pasadena in the city of San Marino, approximately twelve miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. The Huntington has two entrance gates: one on Oxford Road, and a second entrance at Allen Avenue, just south of California Boulevard.

Address: Birr Castle Demesne, Birr, Co Offaly, Republic of Ireland
Telephone:  (057) 9120336
Fax:
Email: mail@birrcastle.com
Web:http://www.birrcastle.com
Visiting Hours
Birr Castle is open all year.
March to October hours: 08.00 -18.00
Nov – Feb hours: 10.00 – 16.00.
Entrance fees are €9.00 for adults, €5.00 for children.

Accommodation

Very good accommodation is available close to the garden.

Clonkelly House

The Clonkelly House is a charming Irish country house, located 1 km from the castle. Built to 4 star specification in the “heart of Ireland”, this place offers self catering, and is close to Slieve Bloom Mountains, River Shannon, and many more attractions.

Kinnitty Castle

Kinnitty Castle is situated close to the picturesque village of Kinnitty, and is about 1 km from the garden.

These colorful gardens were founded in 1795 by the Dublin Society (later the Royal Dublin Society). Over the years, the garden has grown and today, it has about 20,000 living plants, and many millions of dried plant specimens. Over the past two centuries, the gardens have played a pivot role in botanical and horticultural advancement in Ireland. New cultivars and seeds have been imported and cultivated.

Some of the attractive features of the garden include a sensory garden, a rock garden and burren area, extensive herbaceous borders, an arboretum, and a large pond. The annual display of decorative plants which includes a rare example of Victorian carpet bedding is indeed a sight to behold! The riot of colors in various shades and hues is a feast to the senses.

The garden also includes a spectacular range of four glasshouses dominated by Richard Turner’s architectural masterpiece. One can also find the recently renovated Curvilinear Range and Great Palm House. The garden is not only popular with tourists but also with locals who come here for an aesthetically pleasing evening stroll enjoying and beholding the glories of nature.

The soil at Glasnevin is strongly alkaline. As a result, there is a restriction on the kind of cultivation. Even so, the gardens display a wide range of outdoor “habitats” such as a rockery, herbaceous border, rose gardens, and much more.

The rose garden, the rockery, herbaceous borders, an organic fruit and vegetable garden, arboretum, an alpine yard, extensive shrub collections and wall plants are some of the other attractions which draw tourists from all over.

History of the Garden

Thomas Tickell, a poet, owned a house and small estate in Glasnevin. These were sold to the Irish Parliament in the year 1790, and later given to the Royal Dublin Society for them to establish Ireland’s first botanic gardens. The current garden has a double line of yew trees, named as “Addison’s Walk” which is reminiscent of that era.

The garden was created with the intention to advance knowledge of plants for agriculture, medicine and dyeing. In fact, the gardens were the first location where infection responsible for the 1845–1847 potato famine was identified. The gardens were placed into government care in 1879.

Even though the main object of the botanic gardens is to maintain a collection of plant species, it proves to be an enjoyable and enlightening place to visit. It is a riot of colors during spring and summer. And thanks to Turner’s glasshouses, summer seems to extend even into the cold winter months, when the bamboo, orchids and giant water lilies provide the “wow” factor to many visitors.

Visitor InformationTimings

Summer: Sun 11:00-18:00 & Mon – Sat 09:00-18:00

Winter:  Sun 11:00-16:30 & Winter Mon – Sat 10:00-16:30

Glasshouses are closed between 12:45 – 14:00 everyday unless otherwise specified.

Getting Here

The gardens are located 3.5km north from centre of Dublin, off Botanic Road. There are no rail stations nearby. Tour buses also do not generally ply here. You will either have to take a public bus or drive down yourself.

Suggested Length of Visit

1hr 30mins

Admission

No Admission Fees

Facilities and Amenities

Restaurant: Yes

Car Park: Yes, a small fee may be applicable for parking

Coach Park: Yes

Disabled Access: Glasshouses and Gardens are accessible for people with disabilities but there are some steep gradients.

Paris has always been a poet’s delight. Frequented by couples who walk hand along the Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower, it is perhaps not wrong to say that Paris is perhaps one of the most romantic places on earth.

Located some 80 miles from Paris, on the border between the province of Normandy and the Île-de-France, is a quaint but equally beautiful village known as Giverny. This village became famous thanks to internationally acclaimed artist Claude Monet’s garden and home.

Monet came to reside in Giverny way back in 1890. He bought the land to realize his dream of creating the magnificent gardens he wanted to paint. The artist continued to stay there until his death in 1926.

Giverny

Giverny is located on the “right Bank” of the River Seine. The village is situated on the border between the province of Normandy and the Île-de-France.

It is interesting to learn about how Monet came to reside in this quaint village. He saw this village while traveling on a train. He fell in love with this place, and decided then and there, to move there.  He rented a house and the area surrounding it. After saving enough money, he would buy the house and land surrounding it in the year 1890. He then set out to realize his dream of creating the wonderful gardens he wanted to paint.

Living in Giverny is like opening a pandora’s box, only that the box is full of magnificent surrounding area such as exotic gardens, beautiful parks, luscious rose gardens, and imposing castels. This village still has a medieval atmosphere.

About Monet Garden

For nature lovers, a garden is God’s creation of heaven on earth. The full bloom of flowers, the towering luscious green trees swinging to the tune of the wind, and the chirping of the birds are a feast for the eye. And when we speak of gardens, how can we overlook the Monet Garden in Giverny, France?

Monet’s Garden is located in Giverny, France – about fifty miles west of Paris in the Euro Department in Normandy. Named after Claude Monet, this garden is visited not only by tourists, but is also frequented by the locals as well. Claude Monet was a founder of French impressionist painting. He was extremely fond of painting controlled nature. He was also the most consistent and prolific practitioner of the movement’s philosophy of expressing one’s perceptions before nature. In fact, the term ‘Impressionism’ is derived from the title of one of his paintings – the Impression, Sunrise.

Giverny is a commune of the Euro department in northern France. It is best known as the location of Claude Monet’s garden and home. Giverny was also home to Claude Monet and his family. Monet spend the years between 1883 until his death in 1926 in Giverny. Some of his most famous paintings, such as his water lily and Japanese bridge paintings were of his garden in Giverny.

The Beauty of the Garden

Monet’s Garden is the colorful garden of an artist, by an artist. One look at Monet’s garden and you would also want to paint the lilies and its reflections. The garden is made up of two parts; the flower garden called Clos Normand which lies in the front of the house, and a Japanese inspired water garden which lies on the other side of the road. Access between the parts is through a tunnel. Dazzling drifts of color greet the eye as one enters the flower garden. Here one can find a kaleidoscope of flowers of all kinds. Violets and daisies blend well with tulips, irises and poppies. The pansies, crocus, chrysanthemums, and forget-me-nots provide a riot of colors to the eye.

Monet’s garden has a colorful characteristic of its own. The garden is made up of a riot of flowers of all colors and variety, which became his favorite model for painting.

The garden had several areas, each unique in its beauty and charm. The entire garden comprised of the walled garden, which was planted in accordance to Monet’s own design, and the Water Garden, covered by weeping willows. The Japanese Bridge, with its pond and water-lilies, added to the charm and beauty of this section.

Monet loved flowers and this showed amply in the beauty of his garden. The garden had six bridges, and it was the biggest bridge that Monet painted most often. This garden was a source of inspiration for some of his well-known and internationally acclaimed paintings such as the water lily and Japanese bridge paintings. Monet spend hours just gazing at the water, and admiring the ever changing color of nature.

In the spring season one can witness a riot of colors as the Japanese cherry, apple and apricot trees are in full bloom. The yellow Mermaid, which was Monet’s favorite climber, adorns the walls reaching his bedroom window, and fills the air with a heady perfume. The autumn witnesses a rich hue of colors consisting of red and orange dahlias, and violet asters. The saucer sized sunflowers presume the center of attraction.

The garden is divided into flowerbeds. Cluster of flowers of various heights are used to create volume. Fruit trees or ornamental trees dominate the landscape. The central area is sheltered by iron arches on which climbing roses grow. Rose trees can also be found along the railing along the house. Monet mixed the simplest flowers such as daisies and poppies, with the rarest varieties, to create a spectacular effect. Monet’s garden has a special appeal for artists and photographers.

The Water Garden

Visitor Information

Perhaps the best time to visit the garden is during the months of April to October. Flowers of all types bloom as if vying for attention.  It is during this time that the garden is filled in hues and shades of ever-changing colors of rich foliage. In summer, one can witness the spectacular beauty of all the annual flowers as well as of the well-known Nympheas (Water-lilies).

The autumn months of September and October adds its own charm as the gardens is flooded with huge giant flowers of splendid colors.

The Water Garden

One of the most spectacular sections is the Water Garden. Here, Claude had a dock decorated by arches of climbing roses. The Water Garden, on the other side of the road and railway, consists of a pond and a Japanese bridge.

When Monet created his water garden, he imagined a pond with floating islands of colorful nympheas. During summer in late June and early July, this section grows in beauty as the roses are in full bloom, adding shades of pink to the green foliage. The area has a wide array of flowers and plants such as water lilies, weeping willows, wisterias, bamboos and herbaceous plants. For a place so famous, it is surprisingly small. The pond is extremely photogenic, and a painter’s delight! The apple green bridge and boats can be seen in some of Monet’s paintings.

During Monet’s stay, a boat used to be anchored at the dock. The boat was used by the gardener, who was devoted to the water garden. This gardener had an exceptionally unique job; he had to wash the water lilies every morning as the road nearby made them dusty. Monet wanted his lilies to be spotless when he painted them.

The gardener used to get up very early in the morning, before the master would come, and tour the pond in the boat to push the flowers under the surface with the row to clean them.

Getting There

Address:

Musee Monet, Giverny, Haute-Normandie, France, 27620

There is no train service that goes directly to Giverny village. However, you can take the train service available from Gare St. Lazare in Paris to Vernon. You would need to take the Rouen-bound train and get off at Vernon. The ride to Veroon takes 45 minutes. Giverny is around four miles from Vernon. Local buses and taxis are available here. You could even rent a bicycle (Cafe du Chemin de Fer) and ride to Giverny. Alternately, you can enjoy a long walk all the way to Giverny, halting at one of the scenic spots for a picnic.

Visitor Information:

The garden is open to public daily between 9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. from April 1st through November 1st. The last entry is at 5.30 p.m.

Hotel Accommodations

There are a number of hotels and B&B accommodations available. One can find accommodations from as low as 55 euro to 150 euro.

Tours

‘Giverny and Monet’ Tour

There are several guided tours that one can take to explore the wonders of this garden. The ‘Giverny and Monet’ tour is a half day tour on which you will see Monet’s restored home, garden and workshop at Giverny. This tour will also include a ride through the scenic Normandy countryside, and the charming country village of Giverny. The tour is available from April 1 to October 31, and leaves on all days except Sunday and Monday. The tour which takes around 5 hours, commences at 1.45pm.

Inclusions/Exclusions

The tour price includes transportation by AC coach, enterence fees, and a professional guide. It does not include hotel pickups, food and breverages, and any gratuities (which are optional).

Giverny and Monet’s Garden Bike Tour

This tour is a wonderful way to explore the beauty of the area. For this tour, you would first have to travel by rail and pass along the luscious sunflower fields of Normandy, along the lazy Seine river, all the way to the village of Vernon. At Veron, you could buy a scrumptious picnic meal from one of the farmers, and pedal across the banks of the river to enjoy the same. A recommendation – you must sample the local drink, the cidre.

After the meal, you can start your 5 km ride to the village of Giverny and the world-famous gardens of Claude Monet. Once you arrive at the garden, spend about an hour and a half, exploring the beauty of Monet’s gardens, his house and the famous water lily pond. Ensure that your camera, and extra batteries as you may want to capture every aspect of beauty of this spectacular garden.

This tour is available between April 01 to May 15 every Wednesday and Saturday.

From May 16 to September 30, the tour runs every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The tour reverts back to its twice weekly schedule of Wednesday and Saturday from October 1 to October 31. The tour leaves at Gare St. Lazare 10:00am, and lasts for approximately 8 hours.

Inclusions/Exclusions

The tour price includes the use of bicycle, helmet, and local guide. It also includes roundtrip train tickets to and from Paris, and the entrance to Monet’s House and Gardens. It does not include gratuities (optional), hotel pickup and drop-off, and food and drinks.  Rain gear is available for an additional nominal fee, and is refunded if not used.

This garden is the perfect setting for a wedding, or a romantic evening with a loved one. It is a show garden in the truest sense of the word. The entire area is made up of charming gardens and open areas providing the most scenic and exotic backdrop for parties, weddings and much more.  The rock falls, the new conservatory, and the gardens themselves are a sight to behold. The flowers in full bloom in a variety of colors are a feast for the eye.

Minter Gardens Attractions

Minter Gardens first opened in the year 1980. Since then, it has gained a reputation of becoming one of the most beautiful gardens.

Over the years, Minter Gardens is just gets better with age. Brian Minter and his staff truly love this place and it reflects in the way they care for it.

This garden is open seasonally. The garden spans across an impressive 32 acres, all situated at the foot of Mount Cheam. It boasts of an array of fantastic floral, color and fragrance.The garden is very artistically arranged in 11 themed show gardens. The Japanese show garden and the Alpine one are worth a mention. The Fern Garden, a Lake Garden and a Fragrance Garden are also a must see. There is always something in bloom from spring until fall at Minter Gardens.

In addition to the gardens, the place also houses two restaurants as well as a gift and plant shop. If you don’t find the plants you particularly wish to purchase at this shop, you may want to walk a little way up to the road leading to the Country Garden Store. This store also belongs to and is managed by the Minter family. With an impressive 18 acre area, one is sure to find what one is looking for. The site has its own visitor attractions including a seasonal garden train, miniature village and suspension bridge.

The Enchanted Gardens Christmas Light Show

Winter in Vancuvar is spectacular and breathtaking. Brian Mister makes it even more beautiful with the Enchanted Gardens Christmas Light Show held at the garden. During the show, the grey, dull, cold Canada winter is transformed into a dazzling riot of colors.

A Venue for Every Occasion

Minter Gardens is the perfect location for any event. Be it a wedding to a family reunion, a anniversary or a birthday party, your event will be a memorable one with scrumptious food and an astounding surrounding as the backdrop.

Dining Options at the Garden

Trillium Restaurant

This restaurant offers a very popular Nutcracker Buffet Brunches, every Sunday between 11am-2pm between November 22 & 29 and December 6, 13 & 20. These are extended buffets featuring appetizing options such as home baked goods, roast vegetables, crisp salads, eggs benedict, fresh platters, seafood and much more.  It offers a delicious Buffet Brunch on Sundays from 11am-2pm during our regular operating season.

Visiting the Garden

Address

Minter Gardens

52892 Bunker Road, Rosedale, nr Chilliwack

Vancouver, B.C.

604-794-7191

Seasons & Hours at Minter Gardens

Minter Gardens is open seasonally from March to mid-October, subject to weather and climate conditions. For the 2009 season, we welcome you to visit us between March 29 and October 12. The hours of operation are:

March & April – 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

May – 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

June – 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

July & August- 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

September – 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

October (until Oct. 12) – 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tickets

Regular tickets and season passes are available.