Gardens

Irwin Schatzman; Scottsdale, AZ

In southeastern England, a collection of rare trees and shrubs from exotic locations can be found at Borde Hill (Haywards Heath, West Sussex, England, RH16 1XP, U.K.; phone 01444 450326). In 2014, open daily 10-6, March 22-Nov. 3.

Bath was awash in Jane Austen character look-alikes. Hundreds of Mr. Darcys and Mrs. Bennets filled the sidewalks of this patrician small city in homage to her for having lived and written there for five years. It was Bath’s annual Jane Austen Festival (in 2014 taking place Sept. 12-21) and I, alas, not a Jane Austen fan, had unwittingly blundered into its midst for a 3-day stay.

14-day, 13-night festival tour of SRI LANKA, July 27-Aug. 11, 2014. Highlights: In Colombo, Cinnamon Gardens, Sea Street, Dutch Church of Wolfendhal/in Sigiriya, climb fifth-century rock fortress/elephantback safari/in Kandy, decorated elephants, performers parade under full moon/in Royal Botanical Gardens, flying foxes, orchid house, spice-and-herb gardens/in Nuwara Eliya, tea factory tour/Yala National Park. Land, $3,895. Single supp., $1,295.

Tulips, tulips and more tulips were the undisputed stars of The Butchart Gardens this day in mid-April 2013 on Vancouver Island, Canada. Tulips edged beds, outlined paths and admired their reflections in ponds, thanks to the importation of 300,000 bulbs from Holland each year.

Along with tulips galore, a bevy of other bulbs, plants, trees and shrubs were in full spring fling throughout The Gardens’ 55 acres. 

(2 of 2 on Paris) 

by Mary Beltran, Associate Editor

(Part 1 of 2 on Paris)

Two Paris museums, the Musée de Montmartre and the Musée de National du Moyen Âge (National Museum of the Middle Ages, commonly known as the Cluny), would seem to have nothing in common, save that both hold collections… until one takes note of their gardens.

It was a life-changing moment. 

Newly moved to Puerto Vallarta, Bob Price answered his door to be faced by a vendor with a tray of orchids. 

6-day/5-night tour in SOUTH AFRICA. Highlights: Cape Town/Cape Point Nature Reserve/Hout Bay/Cape Agulhas, southernmost point of Africa/traditional braai (barbecue) in Bontebok National Park/Cango Caves/Cape Floral Region on Garden Route/Port Elizabeth. Land, ZAR2,530 (near $1,512); 2-person minimum. Shield Tours (4 Kirsten St., Lorraine, Port Elizabeth 6070, Eastern Cape, South Africa; phone +27 [0] 82 381 0235).