Spring Garden Tour of England, Post # 5

RESERVATION DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2012


"OH TO BE IN ENGLAND NOW THAT SPRING IS HERE"


This is the fifth in a series regarding this very special garden tour in England led by Lady Elaine Coleman.


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

All details of the travel programcan be found at Travels With Taste web-site

Call Mariann Vandenberg 913-648-0858

E-mail travelberg@travels-with-taste.com

FACE BOOK Travels With-Taste or Mariann Vandenberg

Spring Garden Tour of England, Post #4

This post is the fourth in a series regarding the details of the English garden tour "Oh to be in England now that Spring is here"





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

All details of the travel program can be found at Travels With Taste web-site

Call Mariann Vandenberg, 913-648-0858

E-mail travelberg@travels-with-taste.com

FACEBOOK ... Travels With-Taste or Mariann Vandenberg

Spring Garden Tour of England, Post #3

This post is the third in a series regarding the details of the English garden tour "Oh to be in England now that Spring is here"

May 7-15, 2012

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.

All details of the travel program can be found at Travels With Taste web-site.

Call Mariann Vandenberg, 913-648-0858

E-mail travelberg@travels-with-taste.com

FACEBOOK ... Travel With-Taste or Mariann Vandenberg

Spring Garden Tour of England, Post #2

This post is the second in a series regarding the details of the English Garden Tour.

"Oh to be in England now that spring is here"

May 7-15, 2012

Join Lady Elaine Coleman on an adventure to South East England to view the most celebrated and interesting gardens of the country. The counties of Kent, Sussex and Surrey 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.

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

Second full day of the tour is 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 ... a warren of narrow streets and alleys that have smart antiques, gifts, galleries, pubs and pavement cafes. Here we have a guided tour, then free time to return for that object you might need to buy. In the late afternoon return to the hotel where the evening is free for your personal dining choice.

All details posted on Travels With Taste web-site

Call Mariann Vandenberg, 913-648-0858

E-mail Travelberg@travels-with-taste.com

Spring Garden Tour of England

This begins a series of posts with details of the English Garden Tour

"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 gardens 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.

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)

Monday, May 7, 2012
Morning departure from Kansas City on Delta Airlines to London/Gatwick 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
landscaped 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.
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.

All details are posted on TRAVELS WITH TASTE web-site.

or call Mariann Vandenberg, 913-648-0858

travelberg@travels-with-taste.com

New Orleans...Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler

JOIN CHEF JASPER MIRABILE
March 18-21, 2012
4 DAYS IN NEW ORLEANS

Come with Chef Jasper and friends to New Orleans to celebrate St. Joseph’s Day and the culinary traditions of New Orleans. Many Italian-Americans came to the United States by way of New Orleans, and left their cultural and culinary heritage for all of us to enjoy!

Included Features:

v Roundtrip air from Kansas City
v 3 nights Hotel Monteleone, 125 year old “Jewel” of the French Quarter
v Welcome Jazz Brunch at Commander’s Palace
v “Mixology Class” at Carousel Bar, featuring The Sazerac
v Half day tour of St. Joseph’s Altars with lunch
v Culinary History Tour of the French Quarter
v Dinner with John Besh at his award winning restaurant AUGUST
v Visit to Oak Alley Plantation with Cajun/Creole Lunch
v Free time to explore the sites of NOLA at your leisure
v Private transportation as needed for group events
v Hosted by Chef Jasper J. Mirabile, Jasper’s Ristorante
v Escorted by Mariann Vandenberg, Travels With Taste

Group size will be limited to 25 people

Price per person: $1723.00 based on 2 people sharing a room

For more details, or to confirm a space on this very special program contact

Mariann Vandenberg, CTCTravels With Taste
Phone: 913-648-0858
E-mail: Travelberg@travels-with-taste.com

Spring Gardens of England

“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.

Gardens and venues you will not want to miss…
Sissinghurst Castle Garden (Photo left)

Brighton, and a tour of The Royal Pavilion

Royal Horticultural Society Garden in Wisley

Wych Cross Garden Centre, East Sussex

Dover Castle and Canterbury Cathedral

Hever Castle and Gardens (Photo below)

Chartwell, home of Winston Churchill

Great Dixter, the garden of Christopher Lloyd

Legsheath Farm, private garden of Mr. & Mrs. M. Neal

Nymans in Handcross, property of The National Trust

















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.

Deposit: $500 per person Deposit Deadline: Wednesday, February 1, 2012

INCLUDED FEATURES
•Seven nights at the historic Spa Hotel in Royal Tunbridge Wells, double occupancy
•Full English breakfast, 7 mornings
•Lunch at The Regency Restaurant, Brighton
•First night and last night dinners at The Spa Hotel
•Entrance fees into all gardens and castles in the itinerary
•Private motor coach for all sightseeing and transfers
•All taxes, admissions and gratuities for the planned itinerary
•Baggage handling at the hotel
•Escorted by Lady Elaine Coleman

For a detailed itinerary and additional information visit
http://travels-with-taste.com/Program.htm

Contact Mariann Vandenberg
phone 913-648-0858
e-mail travelberg@travels-with-taste.com

ABOUT 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.




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 7 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.