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Tag: Specialtours

  • Monday, June 26 – Wednesday, July 5 – Hampton Court Garden Festival & The Gardens of Southern England

    Join the American Horticultural Society for a wonderful tour through southern England, June 26 – July 5, 2023. The brochure with detailed itinerary and travel reservation form with pricing are available now. With AHS Hosts Tracy Ward Violette, Lecturer Garden Historian Marion Mako and Tour Manager Verity Smith of Specialtours you will have memorable experiences including:

    • Out-of-hours visit to the historic Sissinghurst Castle Gardens accompanied by the Head Gardener
    • Tour of the Knepp Estate to learn about the rewilding project and see the new garden by Tom Stuart-Smith
    • A morning at Great Dixter with the Head Gardener, Fergus Garrett, and a private lunch in the Yoemans’ Hall
    • An exploration of the historic towns of Rye, Arundel and the city of Winchester
    • Hampton Court Garden Festival, on the Members’ Day, to see the high quality of show gardens and horticultural exhibitions

    For more information and to make reservations, please contact our Development Department at (703) 768-5700 ext. 117, or email development@ahsgardening.org. Our fax number is (703) 768-8700.

  • Tuesday, May 16 – Thursday, May 25 – Greece: Antiquity, Culture & Gardens

    This splendid American Horticultural Society tour on May 16 -25, 2023, will bring us to ancient ruins, modern gardens, intriguing museums, and many sensory delights. As always on an AHS Travel Study tour, we will be given exclusive access to spectacular private gardens. Your AHS Hosts will be AHS Board member Jane Diamantis and her husband, George, and Verity Smith of Specialtours. Jane is an accomplished garden designer and owner of a landscape design company. George was born and raised in Greece, and is an avid photographer of plants and gardens around the world.

    Our trip begins in the city often called the cradle of Western civilization: Athens. Our itinerary includes the Philodassiki Botanical Gardens, lunch at the water’s edge at a marina, and a late afternoon visit to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon and its other monuments. During our stay in Greece we’ll see two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the medieval city of Rhodes, and the old town of Corfu. There will be leisure time to explore Rhodes, a mosaic of different cultures and civilizations for over 2,000 years. We’ll discover the elegant Old Town of Corfu, with its streets and squares, and tour private gardens all over the island. We’ll also be accompanied by Nigel McGilchrist, art historian and author of the Blue Guide to the Greek Islands, whose personal contacts have opened many doors on this sojourn. His insight and depth of knowledge will greatly enhance our understanding of past and present Greek culture. For complete itinerary and information visit http://ahsgardening.org//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/AHS-GREECE-ANTIQUITY-CULTURE-GARDENS-May-202385719.pdf

  • Tuesday, May 16 – Thursday, May 25 – Amazing Greece: Antiquity, Culture & Gardens

    American Horticultural Society hosts Jane and George Diamantis, with lecturer Nigel McGilchrist and tour leader Verity Smith of Specialtours will take us on a profound experience in Greece May 16 – 25. Highlights include:

    • A visit to the Parthenon, an enduring symbol of Ancient Greece and one of the world’s greatest monuments.
    • Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Nea Moni on the island of Chios and the Old Town of Corfu.
    • Visit Rachel Weaving’s private garden, author of a recently published book on the gardens of Corfu.
    • Gardens designed by Jennifer Gay, as well as private gardens that we’ve received special access to show you.
    • The New Acropolis Museum, with galleries of archaic and classical sculpture from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece.

    Accommodations include:

    • Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens, has been situated in the heart of the city since 1874. The landmark hotel is within walking distance of shopping, museums and the business district and features views of the Acropolis, Syntagma Square and Lycabettus Hill.
    • Erytha Hotel and Resort, Chios – This 4 star hotel is one of the most famous on the island due to its beautiful location and stunning views overlooking Karfas Bay. The hotel has recently been refurbished with all rooms having either a terrace or balcony overlooking the sea
    • Domes Miramare, Corfu, – Owned by the Onassis family during the 1960s this hotel re-opened in 2018 after extensive renovation. It is a luxurious adults-only resort and located 20 minutes drive from Corfu old town.
    • For more information about Travel Study Program tours, please contact development@ahsgardening.org or (703) 768-5700, ext. 117.
    • Designed with the garden-travel connoisseur in mind, the American Horticultural Society Travel Study Program offers exceptional itineraries that include many exclusive experiences and unique insights. Your participation benefits the work of the American Horticultural Society and furthers our vision of “A land of sustainable gardens, cultivated by a diverse population with a common passion for plants.

    For brochure and travel reservation form, visit www.ahsgardening.org

    From Rachel Weaving’s Gardens of Corfu (Impress Publishing London) © Marianne Majerus

  • Friday, October 1 – Sunday, October 10 – Gardens of Provence

    Join the American Horticultural Society May 3 – 12, 2021 with host Sherran Blair and tour leader Amy Kupec LaRue of SpecialTours for a picture perfect excursion to the South of France. Highlights include a stay in Nice, on of the most envied cities in the world, superb cuisine, several private gardens, a visit to Grasse, where you will be surrounded by fields of lavender, jasmine, and roses, a tour of the Villa Fort France garden (below), the city of Aix with Roman origins and center of medieval culture, and a stay in the walled city of Avignon. For more information and to make reservations, please contact Susan Klejst, Director of Development & Engagement at (703) 768-5700 ext. 127, or email development@ahsgardening.org. For complete brochure visit www.ahsgardening.org.

  • Monday, July 15 – Friday, July 26 – Summer Gardens & Castles in Denmark & Sweden

    Visit Copenhagen, Lund, Gothenburg, Stockholm, Falun, and Taby July 15 – 26 with the American Horticultural Society. AHS host Terry Hayes and tour leader Antonia Lloyd Owen of Specialtours will accompany the participants. Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, is a gastronomic power that sports 19 Michelin stars among 15 restaurants. The United Nations’ World Happiness Report ranked Denmark number one in three of the past six years. Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen’s much-loved amusement park, was an inspiration for Walt Disney. Sofiero Palace’s rhododendron gardens feature nearly 500 species. Drottningholm Palace — along with its park, theater, and Chinese Pavilion — is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gothenburg Botanical Garden, one of the largest and most stunning botanical gardens in northern Europe, is home to the rare Easter Island tree, which is extinct in its native environment. Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town, is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval city centers in Europe. The fascinating homes and brilliant gardens of two Swedish luminaries — botanist Carolus Linnaeus and artist Carl Larsson — are on the itinerary. Our superb accommodations will include Hotel Sankt Petri in Copenhagen, a former department store located in the city’s Latin Quarter. At the Grand Hotel Lund, Art Nouveau-style interiors and rooms with Persian carpets are sure to delight us. The Elite Plaza Hotel in Gothenburg blends old and new designs beautifully in a 19th-century building. Stockholm’s Hotel Diplomat is set in the city center with views of the waterfront. In Falun, Hotel Bergmastaren is a beautiful building dating from the early 1930s. For decades, Sastaholm Hotel in Taby served as the residence for many of Sweden’s retired actors and actresses, and the rooms are named after the stars who once lived there. For more information and to make reservations, please contact Susan Klejst, Director of Development & Engagement at (703) 768-5700 ext. 127, or Laura Popovich, Development Coordinator, at (703) 768-5700 ext. 132, or email development@ahsgardening.org. Our fax number is (703) 768-8700.

    Image result for frederiksborg castle denmark

  • Wednesday, September 5 – Saturday, September 15 – Gardens and Castles of the Czech Republic

    You will visit six UNESCO World Heritage Sites as part of this magnificent American Horticultural Society Central European itinerary from September 5 – 15 this fall. Expect to be dazzled by superb gardens, castles, art collections, and music. In addition to major attractions, you will enjoy the private visits to exclusive locations for which the AHS Travel Study program is known.

    Shirley and Frank Nicolai, both avid gardeners, will host this extraordinary program. In addition to previously serving on the AHS Board of Directors, Shirley has been recognized as a five-star National Garden Club member with master status in Landscape Design, Gardening Study, Environmental Studies and Flower Show School. She is a past president of National Garden Clubs. AHS President and CEO, Beth Tuttle, will join the trip and be on hand to share her perspective and garden insights.

    Our tour organizer is Harriet Landseer, who has led tours for Specialtours since 1996, including the AHS Travel Study program. A Prague resident who is fluent in Czech, she studied Art History at Yale University and has translated several books on Czech castles and country houses.

    Highlights

    Cesky Krumlov castle, a vast complex dating from 1253, is one of the top sites in Eastern Europe.
    Kromeriz Castle has a very rare and largely intact example of a Baroque garden (pictured below).
    Tugendhat Villa is an icon of modernism and Functionalist architecture.
    St. Nicholas Church, the most famous Baroque church in Prague is a superb example of High Baroque. The organ there was once played by Mozart.
    Prague National Theatre, where you will attend an opera.

    Top-rated accommodations

    The boutique five-star Aria Hotel Prague is just steps away from the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle. Inspired by music, the hotel’s rooms are dedicated to a specific style of music or artist/composer.
    The Hotel Ruze is a converted monastery and the only four-star hotel in Cesky Krumlov; it offers views of the castle and the Vltava river.
    The 5-star Comsa Palace Hotel in Brno city center was built in the middle of the 19th century and is the most prestigious address in town.

    For the complete itinerary visit http://ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/travel-study/gardens-and-castles-of-the-czech-republic

    http://www.czechtourism.com/getmedia/cf346883-5532-4e05-9628-ad36fe2b0e7a/c-kromeriz-unesco-gardens-1.jpg.aspx/?width=800&height=450&ext=.jpg

  • Wednesday, April 4 – Monday, April 17 – Springtime in Japan: Inspiring Gardens and Landscapes

    Wednesday, April 4 – Monday, April 17 – Springtime in Japan: Inspiring Gardens and Landscapes

    See iconic vistas, experience gardens that capture the essence of Japanese culture, witness rare and exclusive cultural events, marvel at bonsai masterpieces, see 1,000-year-old trees, and get an insight into the intricate landscape and design philosophies of this ancient culture this spring, April 4 – 17, with the American Horticultural Society.

    Our AHS hosts will be Holly and Osamu Shimizu. Holly is recently retired from her position as Executive Director of the U.S. Botanic Garden. Osamu is an accomplished landscape architect who spent the early years of his career in Japan. Both have traveled extensively, visiting gardens around the world.

    Frances Roxburgh, a founding partner of Specialtours, will be our tour leader. She has worked closely with Holly and Osamu over the past year to craft an exceptional itinerary exclusively for this AHS tour.

    Highlights

    Explore Tokyo’s Imperial Palace Gardens.
    Admire living masterpieces in the Shunka-en bonsai garden and museum.
    Behold the world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha.
    Experience Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s finest landscape gardens.
    Be entertained by geisha in the ancient city of Kyoto — a rare opportunity.
    Learn about traditional Japanese philosophies and landscape design sensibilities.

    Our accommodations range from highly-rated hotels like the Ana Intercontinental Hotel in Tokyo, the Nikko Hotel in Kanazawa, the Hyatt Hotel in Kyoto, the Swissotel in Osaka, and the Benesse House Hotel in Naoshima, to distinctive ryokan inns in Hakone and Takayama, where we will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy traditional Japanese hospitality and culture. For complete itinerary and registration information visit http://www.ahs.org/gardening-programs/travel-study/springtime-in-japan2017

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  • Wednesday, October 7 – Thursday, October 15 – Gardens In and Around Rome

    See Rome from a new perspective – spectacular gardens from the Renaissance to modern times.

    The American Horticultural Society itinerary for its October 7 – 15 trip includes gardens of immense importance, such as the grounds of the Villa Farnese, perhaps the greatest masterpiece of Italian landscape design. There are also some notable names in garden history featured in our itinerary, such as Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola, one of the leading Renaissance garden designers (see his work below, photo from www.myartprints.co.uk,) and Russell Page, a renowned 20th century landscape architect.

    Many of the gardens are privately owned and only open by special invitation. Enjoy this intimate experience with a small group of like-minded travelers, and the ease and convenience of a single hotel, the five-star Grand Hotel de la Minerve, in the center of historical Rome. AHS host will be Landon Reeve, AHS Board Member and owner of one of the country’s largest full-service landscape firms for over 40 years. Nicola Howard of London-based Specialtours will be the tour leader. For more information email development@ahs.org or call 703-768-5700, ext. 127. For full brochure visit http://www.ahs.org/uploads/pdfs/Rome_2015_8x10-NEW.pdf.

  • Tuesday, June 9 – Sunday, June 21 = Discovering Gardens in the Netherlands

    The American Horticultural Society announces an upcoming tour June 9 – 21 entitled Discovering Gardens in the Netherlands.  Visit the private garden of Piet Oudolf, one of the world’s most influential and innovative garden designers, whose credits include the High Line park in New York City and Lurie Garden in Chicago.  See the colorful world-famous flower auction at Aalsmeer.  Experience gardens that represent the best in Dutch horticulture, and discover how they have inspired gardens around the world.  Hosted by AHS Board member Jane Diamantis and her husband George, and tour leader Susie Orso of Specialtours, this is a journey you won’t want to miss.  For more information visit www.ahs.org/gardening-programs/travel-study, or contact Eleanor Nelson at enelson@ahs.org, telephone 703-768-5700, ext. 132. Image of Aalsmeer flower auction from www.tripadvisor.com.

  • Tuesday, June 11 – Friday, June 21 – Gardens of the Northern Italian Lakes

    Join the American Horticultural Society and host Katy Moss Warner, along with tour leader Susie Orso of Specialtours, June 11 – 21 for the Gardens of the Northern Italian Lakes. This region of Italy is well known for its great natural beauty, with lakes and mountains that are regarded as some of the most beautiful places in the world. Your travels among the Italian lakes — with excursions from Stresa (below), Verona, and Bellagio — will not only allow you to experience firsthand the works of many famous Italian architects and garden designers but will also include numerous sites of historic significance.  To see the complete tour details, visit www.ahs.org/events/travel_study.htm.