Boston Flora

Tag: Hidden Treasures Tours

  • Sunday, May 19 – Saturday, June 1 – Northern Italian Gardens

    Join Susan Mahr and Hidden Treasures Tours for two weeks in Northern Italy on May 19 – June 1, 2019.  Arrive in Milan, tour secret palaces and gardens, enjoy a full day Milan fashion tour, then head to Lake Como and Villa del Balbianello and Villa Carlotta. The next day, a boat trip to Bellagio will cover tours to Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi.  On day 6 you will visit the Borromee Islands on the Maggiore Lake, and Isola Pescatori and Isola Madre. Further travels include Santa Margherita Ligure, Cinque Terre villages, Genova and La Cervara, and the Riviera gardens, ending in Arezzo and Rome. The full, and amazing, itinerary may be found at https://hiddentreasurestours.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/NORTHERN-ITALY-GARDENS.pdf  $9,930 per person, double occupancy, with a single supplement of $2,425. This tour is one of the most complete garden tours of Northern Italy you may find.

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  • Tuesday, March 26 – Saturday, April 6 – Awe Inspiring New Zealand Scenery

    Explore breathtaking New Zealand next spring, March 26 – April 6, with Hidden Treasures Tours. Tour extravagant gardens, delve into the beauty of the fjords, and enjoy decadent food and local wine while enjoying the company of your fellow travelers. This tour is perfect for the novice or experienced New Zealand traveler. Tour highlights include Ayrlies Garden in Auckland, one of the most celebrated private gardens in New Zealand, Totara Waters Garden, the private garden of Jocelyn Coyle, and the Auckland Botanic Garden. Then, travel to the South Island to the Dunedin Botanic Garden, Larnach Castle, and a wildlife tour on the Otago Peninsula where you will see the world’s rarest penguins, fur seals, and Stewart Island Shags. Wylde Willows Garden in Dunedin and an optional excursion to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves are next, then enjoy an overnight cruise of Doubtful Sound deep in Fjordland National Park. In Queenstown, you will visit the private home and gardens of celebrated artist DaVella Gore, The Stoneridge Chapel and Water Garden, and historic Arrowtown. There will be a stop at Gibbston Vallery Winery and an evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the steamer TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station to dine at the Colonel’s Homestead. Traveling north over Lindis Pass into Mackenzie Country, you will pass along the shores of Lake Pukaki to Mt. Cook Village in the heart of the South Alps, home to New Zealand’s tallest peak – Aoraki Mt. Cook. Lastly, two nights in Christchurch include a visit to Ohinetahi, the famous private garden of Sir Miles Warren, and the Giants House in Akaroa. There is actually much more, all of which may be found at https://hiddentreasurestours.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/New-Zealand-2019-1.pdf. $5,999 per person based on double occupancy, $1,550 single supplement.

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  • Thursday, April 5 – Friday, April 13 – Gardens of San Diego & Anza Borrego Desert

    Susan Mahr and Hidden Treasures Tours will take you to San Diego and the Anza Borrego Desert April 5 – 13.  The tour will start with a visit to a private garden set on a hillside with several levels and a lot of steps, followed by a welcome dinner. The next day will be spent in Balboa Park, one of the most lushly planted urban parks in America, which includes the famous San Diego Zoo. On Saturday your day will start at the Little Italy Mercato Farmers Market and then on to the San Diego Horticulture Society’s annual spring garden tour in the Encinitas area north of the city. A multi course dinner at the Wine Vault & Bistro will complete the day. Sunday you’ll drive north again, through a section of Torrey Pines State Park, to the San Diego Botanical Garden and Mission Trails Regional Park. Dinner will be at Ironside Fish & Oyster in Little Italy. Monday will focus on the coastal environment with a trip to the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, and Tuesday will begin the optional desert extension, stopping first at The Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon and Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, then after lunch on to the Imperial Valley floor and Anza Borrego Desert State Park. There will be some optional hiking to see ocotillo, beavertail, barrel, fishhook, and other cacti before heading to Borrego Springs Resort Gold Club and Spa. On Wednesday drive past the Salton Sea into the Coachella Valley, with lunch at Shields Date Garden in Indio and a tour of The Living Desert, a remarkable combination garden, zoo, and natural history museum. In late afternoon you’ll arrive at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage, with two outdoor pools, before dinner at The Steakhouse. Thursday features a drive over the coastal range to Temecula, San Diego’s wine country. For complete itinerary visit http://hiddentreasurestours.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/San-Diego-2018-Itinerary-Final-1.pdf

  • Monday, April 9 – Monday, April 16 – Imperial Gardens of China

    Hidden Treasures Tours presents a spring tour of the Imperial Gardens of China on April 9 – 16, 2018.  Arrive in Beijing, then tour the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, followed by a visit to the Summer Palace. You will see Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, take a full day excursion to Chengde-Imperial Summer Mountain Resort, and then fly to Shanghai. While there, you will tour the 16th century Yu Yuan Gardens, the Shanghai Museum, and enjoy a full day in Suzhou Gardens before flying home.  The land coast is $1,895 per person based on double occupancy, with a $450 single supplement. Visa cost is $175.  Your tour guide will  be Mary Kroening, the founder of Hidden Treasures Tours. For complete information go to http://hiddentreasurestours.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/GARDENS-OF-CHINA-2018.pdf

  • Monday, December 4 – Thursday, December 14 – United Arab Emirates: Gardens, Wetlands and Wildlife

    Hidden Treasures Tours will offer a unique garden tour to the United Arab Emirates December 4 – 14, 2017.  After flying in to Abu Dhabi International Airport and check in at the Royal Rose Hotel, you will visit Al Wathba Wetland Reserve and Mangrove National Park. Additional sites you will see include the Sheikh Zayed mosque, afternoon tea in the Emirates Palace garden, the Arabian Wildlife Park, Sir Bani Yas Desert Island, the Al Ain Oasis (pictured below), Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Center in Fujairah, Friday Market, the Dubai Miracle Garden (the world’s largest natural flower garden), Green Planet (a tropical bio-dome), and the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. For a complete itinerary visit http://hiddentreasurestours.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Middle-East-2017.pdf.  Pricing begins at $5,695. For information and registration, contact Kari Harper at Hidden Treasures Tours, 573-303-2872 or email kari@hiddentreasurestours.com.

  • Thursday, October 5 – Saturday, October 14 – The Gardens of Spain

    Hidden Treasures Tours is offering an exclusive trip to Spain October 5 – 14, 2017, and a few spots have opened up. Download the complete itinerary at:
    http://hiddentreasurestours.com/upcoming-tours/spain_gardens/ Password: clients

    Day 1: Arrival Barcelona

    Independent arrival in Barcelona
    Welcome drinks and dinner in a characterful restaurant in the Gothic quarter

    Day 2: Full day in Barcelona

    Tour of Ciutat Vella
    Tour of Eixample
    Tour of the Gothic Quarter
    Market tour and cooking class
    Free evening

    Day 3: Excursion to gardens on the Costa Brava

    Tour of Costa Brava
    Lunch in Tossa del Mar
    Marimurta Botanical Garden
    Free evening

    Day 4: train to Sevilla, capital of Andalucía

    High-speed train ride to Sevilla
    Tour of the House of Alba

    Day 5: full day in Sevilla

    Tour of Real Alcázar, an official royal residence
    Tour of the Murillo gardens
    Parque Maria Luisa, a favorite recreation spot for the sevillanos
    Dinner this evening in a bar in the oldest quarter of the city, Santa Cruz, and a chance to see the imposing Cathedral floodlit at night

    Day 6: coach to Córdoba, visiting two gardens en route

    Tour of “El Arboreto”, which offers us more than 600 species in its four hectares of landscaped gardens
    Travel to Córdoba with a stops in Carmona and a stop at the Palacio de Moratalla
    Free evening in Córdoba.

    Day 7: full day in Córdoba

    Historical tour
    Free afternoon
    Group dinner

    Day 8: coach to Granada, private olive grove visit en route

    Visit with Antonio and Coco Zafra who farm a hectare of olive groves on the edge of the village of Zuheros, in the Sierra Subbética mountains
    Arrive in Granada in the late afternoon
    Visit Alhambra and Generalife
    Free evening in Granada

    Day 9: full day in Granada

    Tour of Carmen de los Cípreses
    Tour of Carmen Aljibe del Rey
    Lunch in a small garden
    Free afternoon and evening

    Day 10: coach to Málaga, garden visit and lunch en route

    Stop in Velez de Benaudalla
    Visit to Italianate villa of Casa de los Bates where, surrounded by lush gardens dating from c.18 & 19, we will enjoy a relaxed Farewell Lunch before continuing our journey to Málaga.
    The Tour ends in central Málaga, from where one can connect via the high-speed AVE rail system with Madrid and Barcelona, or take a taxi to Málaga airport, which has a wide range of domestic and European flights.

  • Saturday, October 7 – Monday, October 16 – Taste of Tuscany Tour

    Hidden Treasures Tours is very excited to announce our Taste of Tuscany Tour. This incredible experience will allow the traveler the opportunity to utilize all their senses; the sights of the Tuscan countryside, the smells of working vineyards and cheese farms, the sounds of the locals enjoying the fruits of their labors, the touch of historical botanical gardens and buildings, and most certainly, the tastes of wine, cheeses, olives and olive oils, and much more.

    We will lodge in authentic 18th century Tuscan villas that are located on working farms and experience true Tuscan cuisine with the opportunity to sample the best Tuscan wines; all produced on the working farms – this tour will be a paradise of flavors, fragrances and relaxed country living. Space is limited as each villa so get your reservations in early! Priced from $3,875 per person.  Contact Kari Harper at 573-303-2872 or email her at kari@hiddentreasurestours.com.

    Oct. 7 Arrive Florence

    Welcome dinner

    Oct. 8 Florence at leisure

    Oct. 9 City tour Florence & Private Tour of Torrigiani Gardens

    Recently open to the public, Torrigiani Gardens is the largest privately owned garden in Europe.

    Oct. 10 The Orcia Valley & Siena

    Gardens of Villa Vico Bello & olive oil tasting
    Walking tour of Siena
    Winery visit & tasting in Montalcino

    Oct. 11 Castello di Celsa and Villa La Foce

    Today we will have a full day excursion to the magnificent gardens of Siena.

    Oct 12 Pienza and Palazzo Piccolomini – Montepulciano (B,L, D )

    Visit to the historic center of Pienza and the Palazzo Piccolomini and gardens
    Visit with an organic cheese maker
    Transfer to Montepulciano for leisure time

    Oct. 13 to Florence Villa di Maiano & Villa Gamberaia

    Tour of Villa di Maiano Gardens (pictured below) and the ground floor of the Villa (Fiesole)
    Olive oil tasting and lunch at Fattoria di Maiano
    Tour of Villa Gamberaia in Settignano

    Oct 14 Florence Gardens

    Full day excursion for the visit of the Florence Gardens & Farewell Dinner

    Villa Corsi Salviati
    Villa Medici di Petraia
    Giardino di Boboli

    Oct. 15 Florence at Leisure

    Oct. 16 Depart

  • Wednesday, June 28 – Thursday, July 6 – Highlights of Scotland

    Join the Friends of Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical garden, and visit awe inspiring gardens of Scotland June 28 – July 6.  The tour is coordinated by Hidden Treasures Tours & Brightwater Holidays.  The complete itinerary may be found at http://hiddentreasurestours.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Scotland-2017.pdf.

    In Edinburgh you will stay at the Jurys Inn, and will visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, Holyrood Park, then on to Aberdeen and the garden at Pitmuies House and Brechin Castle. Continue north to Dunnotar Castle, Leith Hall House, Kildrummy Castle, and a private garden of Tillypronie.  Further destinations are Crathes Castle, the Explorer’s Garden, Drummond Castle, Branklyn Gardens (pictured below), Glendoick Garden Centre, and the Gardens of Falkland Palace.  You will also visit Crawick Multiverse and the Garden of Cosmic Speculation.  This is truly a splendid trip.  Prices are from $4,150 per person, air not included.

    Contact kari@hiddentreasurestours.com, or call her at 573-303-2872 to register, or for more information.

  • Sunday, February 21 – Tuesday, March 1 – Garden Tour of Costa Rica

    Costa Rica, ‘rich coast’ in Spanish, has a wealth of natural diversity and wildlife — over 10,000 plant species and more than 850 species of birds, including many endemics found nowhere else on earth. This 10-day study program February 21 – March 1, 2016 will expose you to some of this stunning array of exotic tropical plants and animals, the ecology of the rainforest and other ecological habitats, and tropical horticultural production.

    Join Susan Mahr, Wisconsin Master Gardener Program Coordinator, on a special trip as we leave the typical tourist route to visit some of the most exclusive areas of this stunningly beautiful country to discover the vast array of endemic plants in the rainforest, learn about tropical horticulture and crops, see abundant wildlife — monkeys, butterflies, birds, frogs and more — in their natural habitat, and much more.  See the complete itinerary at http://hiddentreasurestours.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/CR2016regbrochure.pdf. For more information call 573-303-2872 or email kari@hiddentreasurestours.com.

  • Friday, November 6 – Sunday, November 15 – The Galapagos Islands

    Hidden Treasures Tours is conducting a land-based history, conservation, and cultural approach to the Galapagos Islands November 6 – 15, 2015. This trip is designed for travelers to understand Galapagos through its history. Learn how the first humans inhabited the Islands and the way in which they bonded with this very fragile environment. You will learn about the damage caused by the first settlers, the current programs to preserve this delicate ecosystem and how local population is engaged in conserving the Archipelago. Visit Galapagos’ most important islands, kayaking and snorkeling through crystal clear waters filled with colorful, tropical fish, sea turtles, dolphins and reef sharks. Walk through amazing volcanic landscapes filled with candelabra cactus and awesome lizards, and finally, learn how to make ceviche, a tasty dish from Ecuador’s coastline – fresh fish or shrimp marinated with lime, onions and delicious herbs. Explore the full itinerary and receive more information by emailing kari@hiddentreasurestours.com.