TOUR GARDENS OF THE WORLD

BY CLAY LARROY

Traveling can be an important part of your life, whether for business or for pleasure. You need to do all of your research so that you don't forget to pack something important, see what the best methods of transportation are, etc. Avoid crowds and save money by visiting in the off-season. If you want to be able to enjoy your vacation without having to battle a crowd of people everywhere you go, learn when the popular months are for the location and plan your vacation for the less popular time. Be aware, while it can save you money, in some locations you may have to contend with less than ideal weather. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Tour operators typically employ guides that are very familiar with the terrain and the local gardens. Your guide will act as a contact, an expert, a translator, a chauffeur and historian. Good garden tour operators place great importance in the knowledge and preparation of all their tour managers and local guides, who are of vital importance to maintain high standards. An experienced, professional and friendly tour manager should be on hand to handle tour logistics and background information on the villas, gardens and sites of interest to be visited during the tour. It’s usually best if the guides are local residents. Often, operators say, guides at garden tours become friends for life. They also are helpful if you want to plan some pre-and post-tour travel as well. Ask your travel consultant to determine if the tour operator’s protocol is for the tour guide to be tipped at the end of the tour.

If going on a group tour, consider the typical client for the tour operator. Most travelers prefer to accompany traveling companions of a similar age, travel experience and habits. Most groups are mixed ages with both male and female travelers, some traveling with companions and others as singles. Most tour operators will arrange appropriate roommates upon request or the single traveler can request private accommodations for a single-rate surcharge. Consider the pace you want to enjoy on your trip and have your travel consultant inquire about the typical itinerary day. The best tours combine travel days and free days so that you have the time to truly enjoy the area and taste for yourself the flavor that is unique to different parts of the world. Your group should be small so you have the ability to know other members and to make travel easier. Many garden tours change every year, so be sure you have an up-to-date brochure or other information detailing a possible trip.

You want your itinerary to be relaxed to allow you adequate time to visit the gardens and surrounding area. Your itinerary should also include stops in villages or towns for lunch and other meals to savor the experience of being there: the local theater, a scenic walk, village pub, or some special local attraction. The best tours focus on at least a few hidden ‘niches’ -- areas that have yet to be discovered by tourists. Often, these are gardens with few visitors that seldom open their doors to the public. Some of these hidden gardens have been owned by families for centuries, handed down from one generation to another. If a tour involves a privately owned garden, participants often get a bonus: the chance to meet with an individual who can detail the history of the garden.

Since you are on a garden tour, operators will often be booking hotels that have gardens that are an attraction by themselves. This is sometimes the case for smaller hotels, but there are a variety of well-known hotel gardens everywhere that tour participants might expect to visit. Manor houses and estates are often used as accommodations. As you and your travel consultant plan your trip, be sure to investigate the type of accommodation used by your tour operator. The cost of the trip, and more importantly the value of the trip, will greatly depend on the quality of the accommodations. Tours typically last anywhere from three to ten nights.

No doubt your tour operator will provide you with a list of clothing and gear to bring along. As usual, the best advice is to lay out everything you think you will need and then to take ½ of that to ensure you have packed light. Taking into account the climate of your ultimate destination, dress in layers. The days can start out cool and end up warm. Check the weather before you go. Always bring comfortable walking shoes as a good part of every garden tour involves a bit of walking. An umbrella is always handy, as well as a plastic bag to store a wet umbrella. Your camera should be with you at all times as you will certainly want to shoot some gardens. Many travelers like to take along a journal and pen or perhaps a tape recorder to keep notes. If you wear glasses, bring along an extra pair just in case and any prescription drugs should be packed in your carry-on in their original container. Finally, sunglasses and sunscreen, as well as a good hat, are always good traveling companions.

Garden lovers are some of the most enthusiastic of travelers, and you and your traveling companions are sure to have the best of times with a little planning and the assistance of a good tour operator! Soon, you will be back home with a new appreciation for your own gardening enterprises, garnered from some of the great gardens of the world.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

“Let the sea breeze blow your hair, let the sunset bring tranquility to your heart, let the distant places you travel allow you to explore yourself.” 
― Somya Kedia

Enjoy life and travel often, the more you travel, the more memories you create!