Blooming Marvelous!

The Gardens of Britain and Ireland

By: Noreen Bowden, CIE Tours

The splendid gardens of Britain and Ireland are treasure troves of history and heritage. Many are located on the grounds of the most magnificent castles, palaces, and stately homes, offering a wonderful natural counterpoint to the grand architecture nearby. Let’s explore some of the most intriguing.

*Kensington palace and gardens, London, UK*
*©Shutterstock*

Kensington Gardens: Kensington Palace in the heart of London has been a royal residence for centuries – and the garden is one of Britain’s most beloved. This beautiful oasis includes The Sunken Garden, with elaborate plants and an ornamental pond. The Serpentine Pavilion features the latest architectural innovation in gardening. Don’t miss the Elfin Oak sculpture, made from the hollow trunk of an ancient tree and carved with figures of fairies, elves, and animals.

Leeds Castle Gardens: Leeds Castle is one of England’s most romantic castles. The fragrant and colorful gardens reward visitors with something wonderful to see in every season. The Culpeper Garden, a wild oasis inspired by a cottage garden, is full of rustic, fragrant blooms. The Lady Baillie Garden is full of succulents, with plenty of park benches to relax on.

*Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the farmhouse where the wife of William Shakespeare lived as a child, is in the village of Shottery, Warwickshire, England, about 1 mile west of Stratford-upon-Avon.*
*©iStock*

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage: Anne Hathaway’s Cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon is a thatched-roofed cottage, surrounded by 12 acres of grounds, that was once the home of William Shakespeare’s wife. The picture-perfect garden was largely designed in the 1920s, and features many plants mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays. It also includes many heritage plants that have been grown in England since the 17^th century. An ornamental orchard blooms with spring bulbs.

Blenheim Palace Gardens: Formal gardens surround the magnificent Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill. The majestic Water Terraces, the Italian Garden, the delicate Rose Garden, and the tranquil Secret Garden with its hidden treasures, all offer their own unique beauty and charm.

Inveraray Castle Gardens: The fairytale Inveraray Castle features two acres of formal gardens with a stunning collection of flowers, including rhododendrons, azaleas, and bluebells. Visitors can take a stroll through the gardens, see the many fine trees, and enjoy the breathtaking views of Loch Fyne, Scotland’s longest sea loch.

*Castle of Glamis in the highlands of Scotland*
*©Shutterstock*

Glamis Castle: Like the 650-year-old Glamis Castle, the gardens are full of stories. The Italian Garden is reminiscent of the Edwardian era, with a thrilling kaleidoscope of color, a stone fountain and gravel walks. The Walled Garden, with its bridge set among rows of shrubs and perennials and a large central fountain, was inspired by Monet; it has supplied the castle with fresh fruit and vegetables for centuries. The Nature Trail offers spectacular trees planted by the 13^th Earl in 1870; many are among the tallest of their species in Scotland.

Abbotsford House Gardens: The gardens at Abbotsford House, the home of Sir Walter Scott, could come straight out of one of the famed writer’s historical romances. The South Court includes fabulous Gothic details. The Morris Garden is a sunken garden with old roses and peonies among the paths. The Walled Garden, where Scott grew his fruits and vegetables, includes a rare glass house. Visitors can also enjoy the breathtaking views of the River Tweed, flowing along the scenic border region between Scotland and England.

Mount Stuart House Gardens: Mount Stuart House on Scotland’s Isle of Bute is an innovative Victorian home inspired by astrology, art, and mythology. The 300 acres of gardens include collections of global significance, with plants that have been introduced over centuries. The mix includes unexpected tropical plants, winding woodlands, and The Pinetum, home to more than 800 towering conifers. It’s all set against the striking Firth of Clyde.

©*Blarney Castle and Gardens*
*Courtesy Blarney Castle and Garden*s

Blarney Castle and Gardens: Ireland’s Blarney Castle is famed for its legendary stone that bestows the gift of the gab, but visitors shouldn’t miss the 60 acres of gardens and arboretums. They are full of surprises, including the Carnivorous Courtyard, with plants that lure their victims with colorful leaves and pungent scents only to trap them with glue or tentacles. The Poison Garden includes plants that are used in modern medicines. The Rock Close is said to be the site of an ancient Druidic settlement.

*Irish National Stud and Gardens*
©*Failte Ireland*
*Courtesy Failte Ireland*

Irish National Stud and Gardens: Located in the heart of Ireland’s horse country in County Kildare, the National Stud is the home of thoroughbred champions. The gardens are equally winning, with a splendidly serene Japanese garden that traces the journey of a soul from birth to the beyond. St. Fiachra’s Garden, named for the patron saint of gardeners, was inspired by the lives of medieval monks; it is designed with a focus on rocks and water to create a tranquil atmosphere for reflection and contemplation.

About CIE Tours

Travel with CIE Tours, the premier tour operator into Ireland and Britain – offering dozens of expertly crafted vacations to Ireland and Britain to suit every travel style and taste, from the camaraderie of coach tours and custom group travel to a variety of independent adventures, small group tours and personalized private driver experiences.  See CIETours.com for more information.

Noreen Bowden is the Content Manager for CIE Tours. She is a writer and editor who has lived and worked in Ireland and traveled extensively throughout Ireland and Britain.

The images above are being shared solely for the promotion of CIE Tours and may not be used or distributed for any other purpose.

Solo Travel

By: Lion World Travel

Is travel to Africa on your bucket list, but not on your partner’s? Do you and your partner take vacations at different times? Do you like to travel with your friends, but prefer to stay in your own room?

Solo travel offers new opportunities and fantastic experiences. There is nothing quite as energizing as a trip to Africa, to go to the places you want to visit, meet new people, experience new cultures, try the local cuisine, go on a safari, and return with memories of a lifetime.

“Single passengers make up a fair amount of the leisure travel to Africa, and they tend to be a forgotten demographic,” says Lucille Sive, (CEO TTC Africa). “Passengers traveling on their own should not be penalized. We want to change that by serving our clients better by offering some of our incredible deals that have either no single supplement fee, or a significantly reduced single supplement fee.“

Here is a list of travel tips that can help you on your next solo adventure:

When you check your bags make certain that the airline baggage tag on your luggage is labelled with the airport code for the right destination before the bag is put on the conveyor belt.
Use a Bluetooth or GPS tracker for your luggage.
Request an airport Meet and Greet. A local representative will welcome you on arrival at your first point of entry into the country. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have and get some initial tips and information.
Location is of utmost importance. Book a hotel that is in close proximity to shopping and restaurants.

Always leave your cash and valuables in your hotel room safe, or if you are at a safari lodge with no safes, have the lodge manager store your valuables for you.
Be street savvy. Always be prepared with cash, and a map or guidebook so that you are self-sufficient.
If you need to withdraw cash from an ATM, do so during daylight hours and be aware of who is loitering around you.
Stay connected. Make it a habit to update family and friends back home about your itinerary.
Try to meet other travelers with small conversation starters like “Where are you traveling from?”

Lion World Travel has tried to make solo travel within everyone’s reach by offering a great selection of itineraries where no or low single supplement is applied.

If you’ve been putting off a trip because you’re waiting for someone to travel with, it’s time to just go. In Africa a smile or greeting from the locals is a common sign of friendliness. The warm people, exceptional wildlife, and breathtaking scenery will be your welcome. Relax and enjoy Africa – it is a great place to travel, even – or especially – on your own.

About Lion World Travel:
Lion World Travel is the leading tour operator from North America specializing in group and individual tours to Southern and East Africa and is a member of the renowned TTC , which also includes: Trafalgar Tours, Contiki, Brendan Vacations, Insight Vacations, The Red Carnation Hotel Collection and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection. Clients continue to benefit from Lion World Travels’ destination knowledge, expertise, and emphasis on customer service. With their Africa Specialists all having first-hand knowledge of Africa, Lion World Travel confidently assists clients in creating an African adventure that fits their interests and budget. Extraordinary service, affordable luxury and value for money are what keep clients coming back to Lion World Travel.

USTOA Travel Blog

Blooming Marvelous!