Arrive
UK Tuesday May, 8, 2012.“Oh, to be in England now that spring is here”
Spring in South East, England
Counties of Kent, Sussex and Surrey
May 7-15, 2012
Join Lady Elaine Coleman on an adventure to South East England to view the most celebrated and interesting part of the country. These counties are known as The Garden of England. The wealthiest region since the Romans invaded. Stately homes, world famous gardens and magnificent royal castles add to the impression of power and royal beauty. Experience them all next May.
Itinerary (subject to amendment)
Monday, May 7, 2012
Morning departure from Kansas City on Delta Airlines to London/Gatwick UK.
Arrive
UK Tuesday May, 8, 2012.
Upon arrival, travel by private motor coach to Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent. We will be staying at The Spa Hotel for the length of our trip.
The Spa Hotel was built in 1766 as a country mansion situated on 14 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens and grounds, just a short walk from Royal Tunbridge Wells town center. Guests can enjoy full use of Spa Health which includes an indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam rooms, two gymnasiums complete with high quality fitness and exercise equipment, floodlit tennis court and half mile jogging trail.
After time to relax and unpack, we will be traveling a short distance to Sissinghurst Castle. (Photo Left) Sissinghurst Castle Garden is one of the world’s most celebrated gardens, created in the 1930’s by the poet Vita Sackville - West and her husband Harold Nicholson. Time for lunch on your own at the garden. Lady Elaine will then give you a guided tour.
Return to The Spa Hotel for your included gourmet, dinner. The remainder of the evening is free with time to explore the town with its great choice of English pubs.
Quote for the day: “There is no gardening without humility. Nature is constantly sending even the oldest scholar to the bottom of the class for some egregious blunder.” Alfred Austin, English poet, (1835-1913)
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
After our English breakfast, the day begins with a visit to one of the liveliest seaside resorts in England. Our destination is Brighton, and a tour of The Royal Pavilion. The Pavilion began in the late 18th century when the Prince Regent, later King George IV first visited and started a trend for seaside holidays and sea bathing. The King’s astonishing palace (1815-23) is an oriental extravaganza bristling with Indian-style minarets and onion-domes, surrounded by gardens. After our tour, we then head for lunch at The Regency Restaurant one of the best seafood, fish & chips and sea front restaurants in Brighton. After lunch, a visit to The Lanes. These are a warren of narrow streets and alleys that have smart antiques, gifts, galleries, pubs and pavement cafés. Here we have a guided tour. Then with your free time you can return for that object you might need to buy. We now head back to our hotel, where the evening is free for your personal dining choice.
Quote for the day: If I am reborn, I want to be a gardener - there is too much to do for one lifetime!” Karl Foerster, garden writer, plantsman (1874-1970)
Thursday, May 10, 2012
After our English breakfast, we explore the Royal Horticultural Society, whose gardens opened as a place of gardening excellence in 1904. The RHS garden in Wisley, Surrey demonstrates British gardening at its finest, offering a blend of landscape gardens and horticultural tips for the avid gardener. The RHS is an excellent place for a lunch of your choice with three different restaurants to choose from and with time to relax. After our tour, the garden shop should not be missed.
Onward to Wych Cross Garden Centre, Forest Row, East Sussex. One of those surprisingly rare Garden Centre that specializes in plants! View a variety of Shrubs, hedging, fruit, and seasonal bedding plants, roses their specialty. If you grow roses this is the place to get the answer to all those nagging questions. The staff boasts qualifications from The Royal Horticultural Society, Tresco Abby Gardens, the renowned horticultural colleges of Persho and Merrist Wood. We return to our hotel with time to select your place for dining in Royal Tunbridge Wells and for an after dinner stroll in The Pantiles.
Quote for the day: “There is no such thing as an ugly garden - gardens, are like babies, all - are beautiful to their parents.” Ken Druse, The Collector’s Garden. 1996
Friday, May 11, 2012
Today’s adventure after breakfast, takes us to Dover Castle, England’s oldest fortress, whose history spans from the Iron Age to the cold war. Perched on the famous White Cliffs and on a clear day you can see the coast of France. Within the ramparts of this Iron-Age fort, the Romans built a lighthouse, which still stands, while in the Saxon period the earthworks were reused for a town. The Church of St. Mary in Castro within the castle walls is one of the most complete Saxon churches in southern England. The Castle saw dramatic action during World War II. In 1940, it was the underground tunnels here that Vice Admiral Ramsey and Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill masterminded the evacuation from Dunkirk of 388,000 troops in operation Dynamo. A tour of the Secret Wartime Tunnels re-creates Britain at war through sounds, smells and archive film clips. We stop for lunch here at the Castles restaurant with views of the sea.
This afternoon, we continue to Canterbury with its magnificent cathedral. Despite the damage of WW II bombing raid in 1942, much remains of the medieval city that grew up catering to millions of pilgrims who journeyed each year to the shrine of the English saint, Thomas á Becket. Becket was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral (where he was Archbishop) on the orders of the King Henry II in 1170. Poet Geoffrey Chaucer (c1342-1400) in The Canterbury Tales immortalized the pilgrims’ journey. This is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury (head of the Church of England). The Christ Church Gate dates from around 1070. Its main glory is the 12th and 13th century stained glass featuring pilgrim scenes. The Cathedral is marvelous place to sit and reflect. We return to our hotel for the dinner of your choosing. The Hare and The Barn are excellent choices.
Quote for the day: “Light fragrance: You have to crush it and shove it up your nose to notice. Provides winter interest: Is stultifying boring the other three seasons. A challenge: Will die. Spectacular: Gaudy and tasteless.” Duane Campbell - Catalog Come-Ons 1989/1990
Saturday,
May 12, 2012
After our hearty breakfast, our quest today takes us to the double moated 13th century castle and part manor house Hever Castle and Gardens. The childhood home of Anne Boleyn (1501-36) second wife of HenryVIII and mother of Queen Elizabeth I. American-born British newspaper magnate William Waldorf Astor bought the Castle. The Astor family adorned the grounds with formal Tudor, rose and Italian gardens, yew topiary in the form of chessmen, a yew maze and water maze. Your tour will be conducted by Lady Elaine.
We now journey to Chartwell. This Victorian house was the country home of Britain’s prime minister during WW II, Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965 from 1924 until his death.) Lets break at this time for lunch on your own. Here Lady Coleman’s friend, Viscount Adams will give us a tour. The rooms look as if Churchill has just stepped outside. This is a most interesting home, as Churchill had a close relationship with the USA. This will be very evident on the tour. We now have time to view the gardens and relax. We return to our hotel with dinner of your choice and perhaps a visit to your now favorite Pub.
Quote for the day: “Defect! Behave dangerously! Why not go in for floral mutiny? Chuck out our tastefulness, decorum, restraint, moderation and protocol and be outrageous with red hot pokers.” Mirabel Osler, In the eye of the garden, 1993.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
After our wonderful English breakfast, we head for Great Dixter, the garden of Christopher Lloyd, (1867-1933). This highly respected gardening author has created one of the most experimental, exciting and constantly evolving gardens of our time. Yew topiary, riotous mixed borders, an exuberant Exotic Garden, carpets of meadow flowers, formal pool and natural ponds contribute to the overall effect. We now travel to Haskins Garden Centre for lunch on our own. Haskins has been family owned since 1882 and has a fine selection of seeds and other interesting plant selections that you may be able to obtain in the US. Plenty of ideas, small gardening tools with other gardening items abound here along with gifts you might wish to take home. We return to our Hotel with dinner on our own.
Quote for the day: “I enjoy our garden in my mind. I have been in it, thought about it, planned it so often and so long that I know it like the proverbial back of my hand.” Michael Dower, “Living with the garden,” The Countryman, Summer 1974
Monday, May 14, 2012
Our visit today is to a private garden belonging to Mr. & Mrs. M. Neal. Legsheath Farm which has panoramic views in all directions over Weirwood reservoir. Exciting 10-acre garden with woodland walks, water gardens and formal gardens. This is the time of year for rhododendrons, magnolias, primulas and blossom trees. A spring rises in the upper parts of the garden and transforms itself into a stream with a series of falls, which feed three large ponds. Wild orchids have naturalized in the wetter areas. The fee for our entrance, which is included, goes to charity.
We continue on to Nymans in Handcross, property of The National Trust. In the late 19th century an unusually creative family bought the Nymans estate, in the picturesque High Weald landscape of Sussex, to make a home in the country. Inspired by the setting and the soil, the Messels created one of the great gardens, with experimental designs and new plants from around the world. Here they entertained family and friends. This was one of Lady Coleman’s mother’s favorite gardens. Here we lunch on our own at our leisure. We return to The Spa Hotel for our last night’s dinner.
Quote for the day: “Beautiful things, perhaps, are never quite so perfectly beautiful as when they have passed beyond the untrustworthy criticism of eyesight into the safe guardianship of memory.” Reginald Farrer, Among the Hills, 1911
Meet Lady Elaine Coleman
Lady Elaine K Coleman was born in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, England.
The Family’s Scottish Highland Estate comes with right to Title.
She descends from a heritage where her horticulturist mother, Kathleen, entertained many avid UK listeners on her BBC gardening radio program in the mid-1950s. In the mid 70s, her mother was honored with a visit from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen mother, who came to see her London garden. Lady Elaine has some interesting anecdotes of the Queen mother’s visit.
Lady Elaine spent many hours with her mother gaining a true appreciation of gardening. This learning experience has translated into prompting her to pursue an avid horticultural career. During these years, she has visited countless gardens, some as far away as South Africa, as well as hundreds in the US and Europe.
An accomplished author, she is also a horticulture lecturer and teacher at Powell Gardens in Kingsville, Mo. She is a Master Gardener Emeritus, Cornell University
Extension N.Y. and Kansas City, Missouri.
She was a buyer of perennials, bulbs and roses at Winkler’s Nursery N.Y. for seven years.
Lady Elaine works for an orchid grower, David Bird of Birds Botanicals. At this Kansas City underground growing facility, with more than 10,000 orchids, she often conducts tours, and teaches classes.
Land Price: $2,357.00 per person, based on two people sharing a room, and a minimum of fifteen participants. Single Supplement: $520.00
Delta Airlines Group Airfare from Kansas City: A special group airfare of $815.92 per person has been negotiated for roundtrip air transportation. Restrictions apply.
Payment: Deposit and final payment may be made by major credit card or check payable to Travels With Taste Holding Account.
Deposit: $500 per person Deposit Deadline: Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Cancellations and refunds: All cancellations are subject to a $75 administrative fee. Deposit (less administrative fee) is refundable up until Friday, Wednesday, February 1, 2012. Cancellation after February 1, 2012 will result in loss of deposit. Refunds for cancellations received on or after March 9, 2012 will be dependent upon monies recovered from suppliers. Airline tickets are non-refundable after April 7, 2012. The price is also subject to increase due to imposition of taxes or fuel surcharges not in effect at the time of pricing, an increase in the exchange rate of more than 3%, or should the number of participants fall below fifteen.
Insurance: Trip cancellation, baggage, emergency medical evacuation, accident and sickness insurance protection is highly recommended. Full information will be provided by Travels With Taste upon receipt of deposit. Pre-existing conditions are waived if insurance is purchased within 14 days of deposit and for the full value of the tour.
Final Payment Due: Friday, March 9, 2012
Travels With Taste
5921 W. 88th Terrace
Overland Park, KS 66207
Phone: 913-648-0858 or
E-mail: Travelberg@travels-with-taste.com
Spring Gardens in South East, England
Counties of Kent, Sussex and Surrey
May 7-15, 2012
To secure a reservation for ______ person(s) for “Oh, to be in England now that spring is here”, I/we authorize the deposit of $500 per person to be charged to the credit card listed in Item III. Yes_____ No _____. Checks payable to Travels With Taste Holding Account are also accepted.
I. Name (as it appears on your passport):
(Mr./Mrs./Ms)_____________________________________________
Please Print (Last) (First)
(Mr./Mrs./Ms)_____________________________________________
Please Print (Last) (First)
II. Mailing Address:
Street____________________________________________
City______________________ State_______ Zip_________
E-mail Address:____________________________________
American Express – Discover - MasterCard – Visa (Circle One)
Card number_________________________________________
Expiration _________________
Card holder Signature
____________________________________________________
Travels With Taste
5921 W. 88th Terrace
Overland Park, KS 66207
913-648-0858