Open Gardens in Brno, Czech Republic
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Gardens
‘Secret Gardens of Venice’
On the private “Secret Gardens of Venice” walking tour, you will see three gardens in the Italian lagoon city not normally visited by tourists. Led in English by a member of a Venetian garden association, the 2-hour tour visits two convent gardens and one palace garden.
You must book in advance. The tour cost of €32 (near $38) per person does not include garden entry fees. Avventure Bellissime (5043 San Marco, 30124 Venezia; phone +39 04 197 0499, www.tours-italy.com/tour/private-venice-secret-gardens-walking-tours_124).
INDIA’S GARDENS & PALACES
12-day, 10-night deluxe, gluten-free tour, Sept. 21-Oct. 2, 2018. Highlights: In New Delhi, sound-and-light show at Red Fort/express train to Chandigarh for Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, Le Corbusier Centre/in Jaipur, Hawa Mahal (Pink Palace), Jantar Mantar observatory/Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary/ghost town of Fatehpur Sikri/Taj Majal in Agra. From JFK (on Emirates), $5,880 ppdo, or, land only, $4,900 ppdo. Single supp., $1,995. Pacific Delight Tours (Flushing, NY; 800/221-7179, www.pacificdelighttours.com).
Hiking Table Mountain
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A longtime resident of Cape Town, South Africa, I have the following suggestions for anyone planning a visit.
Brigit’s Garden in County Galway, Ireland
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Brigit’s Garden in County Galway, Ireland
“GARDENS & VILLAS OF THE ITALIAN LAKES”
7 days, 6 nights in ITALY, April 19-25 & Sept. 20-26, 2018. Led by historic-garden specialist. Highlights: Drive from Milan to Bellagio at Lake Como to visit 16th- to 18th-century villas/in Bisuschio, Villa Cicogna Mozzoni/Isola Bella island garden in Lake Maggiore/in Pallanza, Villa Taranto botanical gardens. £3,090 (near $4,145) ppdo; land only, £2,960 ($4,005). Single supp., £400 ($541). Martin Randall Travel (Washington, DC; 800/988-6168, www.martinrandall.com).
“PEONY FESTIVAL GARDEN TOUR”
14 days, 13 nights in CHINA, April 12-25, 2018. Group minimum, 10. Highlights: In Beijing, Forbidden City and the Qianlong and Beijing Botanical gardens/Summer Palace imperial garden/Ming Tombs/in Xi’an, Terracotta Army/high-speed train to Luoyang for Longmen Grottoes, 35th Luoyang Peony Festival/in Suzhou, Tiger Hill garden, silk factory. $4,566 ppdo. Single supp., $1,800. Gardening Tours (Miami, FL; donna@icangarden.com, www.gardeningtours.com).