Anne Van Dyke - Blooming Travel: Gardens of the World

Right now we're all in bloom..fiery pohutekawa flowers to the North and brilliant pink and blue lupin down South. Many travel just to witness nature's bounty so if flora and fauna are your thing the gardens of the world will delight. There are thousands of options but there are those that take pride of place.


New Zealand:
We're fortunate to live in a country that whether it's winter or summer there are almost always blooms on show.

Well worth a visit are:

• Heritage Park, Manawatu..known for it's splendid rhodedendron gardens
• Auckland Botanical Gardens..lovely ornamental gardens, wild native bush, sculptures and vintage glass houses filled with exotica.
• Larnoch Castle,Otago Peninsula..both traditionally pretty and quirky
• Arrowtown Autumn Festival..not a garden as such but where nature turns on a splendid show.of reds and golds.

Overseas:

• Australia: The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show gets better every year and it's only a few hours flight away.
• Singapore: National Orchid Garden..many exotic varieties combined with refreshing water features.
• Japan: Apart from the famous Cherry Festival there's a multitude of beautifully designed gardens providing a sense of calm and respite whether staying in the city or countryside.
• England: The epitomy of stately and cottage gardens that all seem to converge at the annual Chelsea Flower Show. For something completely different visit Cornwall's Eden Project, home to the world's biggest indoor rain forest.
• France: Home to two historic masterpieces..the exquisite Tuileries Garden within Paris and the ornamental gardens at Versailles.
• Netherlands: An endless floral display of exquisite tulips in the Springtime. For an explosion of colour visit the Keukenhof gardens.
• USA: Both Central Park, New York and Golden Gate Park, San Francisco enjoy acres of flora and fauna providing a welcome reprieve from a busy city stay.
• Canada: Last but not least are the Buschart Gardens located on Victoria, Vancouver Island. Once a quarry these breathtraking gardens are heaven on earth ever changing with the seasons...even when there's snow on the ground.

Anne's Tips:
Do your homework to ensure your visit coincides with the gardens' best times. Also, book early for shows as tickets and hotels can sell out way in advance.It may be easier and less expensive to join one of the many group tours on offer.



To book your well planned adventures visit: www.annevandyke.com