Daily Archives: April 6, 2015

Tower Hill Botanic Garden and the Royal Horticultural Society are sponsoring a ten day garden tour to Portugal from May 21 – May 30.

Day 1: Thursday, May 21, 2015 Overnight Flight

Set out on a grand horticultural journey.

Day 2: Friday, May 22, 2015 Lisbon, Portugal – Tour Begins

Welcome to Lisbon, one of Europe’s oldest cities. Transfer to your hotel, home for the next three nights. Tonight, get to know your fellow travelers during a welcome dinner. 

Day 3: Saturday, May 23, 2015 Lisbon – Estufa Fria Greenhouse – Queluz Palace and Gardens – Lisbon

A brief panoramic tour of Lisbon features the Jeronimo’s Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage site), the Monument to the Discoveries, and the Tower of Belem (UNESCO). Next, visit Estufa Fria Greenhouse, one of the most important parks that exist in the city. As a living museum it has become one of the most pleasant green spaces in Lisbon; here you can spend leisure time between lakes, waterfalls, brooks, statues and hundreds of different plant specimens from all over the world. This greenhouse is divided into three different areas: “The Cold House,” “The Hothouse” and “The Sweet House.” Lunch is included at Cozinha Velha Restaurant, known as one of Portugal’s finest restaurants. Afterwards, visit Queluz Palace & Gardens, often called the “Versailles of Portugal.” An expert horticulturist provides a private tour of these formal yet intimate gardens, highlighting the work of French architect Jean-Baptiste Robillon, the Italian marble statues, and the lead statues of John Cheere. In this elegant Baroque space the most famous section is the Malta garden, where guests would enjoy concerts, and the Hanging or Pensile garden which is laid over arches. The extensive grounds contain a profusion of statues, ponds, a beautiful grotto and the azulejo-tiled canal where the royal family would go boating. 

Day 4: Sunday, May 24, 2015 Lisbon-Sintra-Quinta da Regaleira & Monserrate Palace & Gardens-Lisbon

Travel to Sintra with its mystical hills dotted with fairytale palaces and extravagant villas. The Romans and the Moors were taken by its lush landscape and later it became the summer residence of the Portuguese royal family. Poet and traveler Lord Byron called it a “glorious Eden.” Today, Sintra is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Join landscape architect Gerald Luckhurst on a private tour of the gardens at Quinta de Regaleira, one of Sintra’s most elaborate private estates. Dating back to the turn of the twentieth century, and created for wealthy landowner Antonio Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, the gardens are wonderfully laid out with terraces, lakes, grottoes and fountains, and an extraordinary ‘Initiation Well’ reached by a secret spiral stairway. Enjoy a delightful light lunch before visiting the “Palace of the Millions.” Later, visit the Park of Monserrate, one of the most significant examples of romantic gardens in Portugal. Stroll the winding paths amidst ruins, ponds and cascades. See ancestral tree ferns and the araucarias from New Zealand and Australia; agaves and palm trees recreate a Mexican atmosphere, whilst the Camellias (camellia japonica), azaleas, rhododendrons (rhododendron arborerum) and bamboos (Phyllostachys aurea) are reminiscent of a Japanese garden. See local flora such as the astonishing strawberry trees (Arbutus unedo), the now rare Hollies (Ilex aquifolium) and the imposing Cork Oaks (quercus suber) punctuate and complement the magnificent landscape. 

Day 5: Monday, May 25, 2015 Lisbon – Ponta Delgada – St. Michael, Azores – Sete Cidades – Furnas

Fly to the Azorean island of St. Michael, the largest of the nine volcanic islands that form the archipelago. Visit the twin lakes of Sete Cidades (Seven Cities), composed of two lakes inside a volcanic crater. From the edge of the crater one lake appears blue (reflecting the sky) and the other appears green (reflecting the ground). Marvel at the magnificent view of the coastal village of Mosteiros. Travel to Furnas for a delightful four night stay at the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, located at the entrance to Terra Nostra Park. Unlimited free access to the park is included during your stay. 

Day 6: Tuesday, May 26, 2015 Furnas – Terra Nostra Botanical Garden – Porto Formoso Tea Plantation

Begin your day with a fascinating talk about the creation and layout of Terra Nostra Botanical Garden followed by a leisurely guided walk to discover the vast collection of plants from around the globe. Terra Nostra Botanical Garden is home of the world’s largest collection of camellias. This stunning spot features tropical plants and trees, charming grottoes and a canal that winds through the grounds. In Furnas Valley, sample the local cuisine with a “cozido das furnas” lunch in which meat and vegetables are stewed in the heat of the volcanic earth. Next, explore Caldeiras das Furnas, a geothermal wonderland with 22 steaming hot springs, geysers and hot mud pools. Complete your day with a visit to the Porto Formoso Tea Plantation to learn about the history and horticulture of tea on the island. 

Day 7: Wednesday, May 27, 2015 Furnas РLagoa do Fogo РRibeira Grande РNordeste РPovoa̤ao

Today, look upon the fascinating landscape of Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake). Surrounded by mountains and lush vegetation, this mystical lake rests inside the crater of an extinct volcano. Visit Ribeira Grande, known for its historic 16th- and 17th-century buildings. See the city hall, Church of Our Lady, the town gardens, and the eight-arch bridge – symbol of the town. Then, stop at a family-owned distillery to taste some of the natural local liqueurs. All the liqueurs are made with 100% natural raw materials and produced following a household recipe. Continue to the highest part of St. Michael, scenic Nordeste, where you will explore the natural beauty of Ribeira dos Caldeiroes Natural Park with its waterfalls, watermills and unique vegetation. Your day ends in Povoaçao, home of the island’s first settlement and oldest church.

Day 8: Thursday, May 28, 2015 Furnas – Ponta Delgada – Three Botanical Gardens

Travel to Ponta Delgada to explore its three largest botanical gardens. Established by an avid 19th-century amateur botanist, the romantic Antonio Borges Botanical Garden is the largest and most verdant municipal garden on the island. Jose do Canto Garden was the dream of a 19th-century gentleman farmer and a lover of trees. Later, visit the Santana Garden, founded by Jose Jacome, and part of the Santana Palace (now the Regional Presidency’s headquarters). 

Day 9: Friday, May 29, 2015 St. Michael, Azores – Lisbon

Today you fly* back to Lisbon. Set against a backdrop of traditional tile-covered façades and narrow medieval streets, you may wish to indulge in exquisite shopping, exciting nightlife and interesting museums. Gather this evening for a farewell dinner. 

Day 10: Saturday, May 30, 2015 Lisbon – Tour Ends

The rates per person are $4,799, double occupancy, or $5,399 single occupancy, including round trip air from Logan International Airport, air taxes, fees and surcharges, and hotel transfers.  Complete details may be found at www.towerhillbg.org, or call 508-869-6111.