Blooming Marvellous

THE Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, named by Architectural Digest as one of the "15 Breathtaking Botanical Gardens to Visit This Season," presents Dallas Blooms, the largest annual floral festival in the Southwest, from February 23 to 

April 7. 

Themed "Life's A Picnic," the spring festival showcases an explosion of color from more than 500,000 spring-blooming blossoms, thousands of azaleas and hundreds of Japanese cherry trees. Presented by IBERIABANK, Dallas Blooms features an extraordinary, larger-than-life, picnic scene topiary comprised of a stunning 40'x40' picnic blanket, a vase of flowers, a picnic basket with pie and a giant picnic ant—perfect for photo opportunities.

The nationally acclaimed eight-acre Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden features 17 indoor/outdoor galleries, 150 interactive science games and an abundance of themed adventures throughout the Dallas Blooms festival.

www.dallasarboretum.org/blooms

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Hula some time away at New York Botanical Gardens

HAWAIIAN summer at the New York Botanical Garden, while Georgia O’Keeffe: Visions of Hawai‘i at The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) brings more than 15 paintings back to #NewYork City for the first time since they were exhibited in 1940. 

This landmark exhibition that runs through October 28, 2018 and also offers up a summer-long feast of Hawaiian flora, culture, music and food, along with a rich menu of programming, hula and films. For visitors to New York City, it’s an immersive counterpoint to a day of urban sightseeing, a tropical escape just 20 minutes from the bustle of midtown.

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Make and Mend Festival

MAKE & Mend Company will be taking over Preston Park Museum & Grounds, with a jam-packed programme of craft workshops, inspiring talks and wellbeing sessions. 

The festival created by two friends, Rachel Willis and Lyndsey Stephenson, is the first of its kind in the region and extols the virtues of crafting, creating and making for health, wellbeing and, of course, fun.


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Paris, a green and eco-responsible destination

IN addition to its 460 public parks and gardens, #Paris has important ecological aspects that tourists can experience. Non-motorized and public modes of transport are favoured: the creation of bus lanes, the extension of the Paris tramway, the development of self-service bicycles and Autolib’, 16 highly-efficient metro lines — despite being over a century old.

The pedestrianization of the riverside expressways (Left Bank since 2013, Right Bank since September 2016) with the creation of the Parc Rives de Seine, and the redeveloped Place de la République also contribute to making the city greener and more dynamic. The Place de la Nation is soon to be redeveloped as well as the iconic Place de la Bastille, where the lower part of the Colonne de Juillet will be open to the public, from 2018. 

The Parisian hotel sector continues to be more committed to eco-responsible initiatives — more than 460 Parisian establishments have signed the Tourist Office’s Charter ‘For Sustainable Accommodation in Paris’, and the adoption of ecological labels continues to increase. 

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Green is the colour of Berlin

BERLIN is a green experience beyond the city limits . There are also green highlights to be found in the five municipalities that are conveniently connected to the city, such as Schlosspark, Stadtkirche and Orangerie in Altlandsberg, the Schlosspark and Gutshof in Fredersdorf, the Lenné Park in Hoppegarten or the Architectural Trail and the Museum Park in Rüdersdorf. 

The "Peter Joseph Lenné - Gardens, Parks, Cityscapes" app shows you the way to the most beautiful gardens, parks and cityscapes of Peter Joseph Lenné in your area. At the heart of this app is the multimedia tour of Schlosspark Glienicke. A comprehensive portrait of Peter Joseph Lenné (1789-1866), an overview of the most important gardens, parks and urban landscapes in Germany as well as a timeline are also included.

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Head to Copenhagen for a romantic break

COPENHAGEN'S famous Tivoli Gardens is renowned the world over for its beautiful illuminations, rides and unique architecture. To celebrate its 175 anniversary next year the Tivoli Gardens will be open from 2–25 February for the first time. 

Perfect for a Valentine’s break couples can take to the ice on its skating rink, cosy up in its range of restaurants before sitting back at the Tivoli Concert Hall with tickets to see Chess – The Musical. Meanwhile, opened in late 2017, Tivoli Corner is a new development for the northwest corner of Tivoli Gardens, designed to connect the iconic amusement park with Copenhagen’s city centre. This new building will house shops, restaurants, a food hall and hotel rooms for the Nimb hotel, reconnecting Tivoli and the rest of the city.

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Gardens continue to grow in popularity

GARDENS and zoos saw the most significant growth in visitors to attractions last year, according to VisitEngland’s Annual Attractions Survey published earlier this month.

The survey, which gathered information from more than 1,500 English attractions, found that historic houses and castles reported a 7% increase in visitor numbers, and country parks a 4% increase. Outdoor attractions performed particularly well, with gardens and zoos showing growth of 8%.

In line with VisitEngland’s Great Britain Tourism Survey results, coastal and rural attractions experienced strong growth of 4% and 5% respectively.

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Studio Ghibli Theme Park to open in 2020

PLANS have been unveiled for a Studio Ghibli theme park bringing to life the world and characters of "My Neighbour Totoro" to open near Nagoya in Aichi prefecture.

The tentatively named “Ghibli Park” will be located on the former site of the 2005 World EXPO Park near Nagoya, the capital of Aichi prefecture, in central Japan. It will recreate landmarks and locations from the well-loved Studio Ghibli film “My Neighbour Totoro”, but reportedly will not feature any theme park rides.

The EXPO Park is located 30-45 minutes’ journey east of Nagoya in Nagakute city. Originally opened in 1970 as Aichi Youth Park, the spacious site hosted the World EXPO in 2005. After the end of the EXPO, the land was transferred to Aichi prefecture’s ownership and reopened in 2006 as Aichi Commemorative Park. The site will be transformed into the "Ghibli Park” by 2020, the year of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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Picture Credit: Pintrest

Find a Flower Piano in San Francisco Botanical Gardens

THIS July for 12 days only, San Francisco Botanical Garden (SFBG) once again becomes the city’s own outdoor concert hall and everyone is invited to play and listen. 

During “Flower Piano,” July 13-24, 2017 visitors are encouraged to seek out one of the 12 pianos tucked among the many flower-filled gardens within SFBG’s 55 acres and play what they like, from Bach to boogie-woogie. 

On select days, professional pianists will be scheduled to perform as well, and the public is welcome to watch the performances. Other special events associated with Flower Piano include a Summer of Love Sing-along, family-friendly performances, and more.

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Family friendly events at Wakehurst

WAKEHURST is a beautiful botanic garden in West Sussex, managed by Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and sitting in an Area of Outstanding Beauty on the High Weald near Haywards Heath. 

Set in 535 acres of country estate, Wakehurst is home to ornamental gardens, stunning woodlands, a nature reserve, and a spectacular Elizabethan mansion. Learn about the amazing conservation work of Kew's Millennium Seed Bank, natural play spaces for children including new log trail (Treetrunk Trek) and mud kitchen.

Some of the family friendly events coming up:

Woodland secrets Easter egg trail: April 8 – 17
Stunning bluebell displays from late April to mid-May
Wild Wood festival: May 27 – 29

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Art at Kew

FLORA JAPONICA a new exhibition at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew opened in September and runs until March 5, 2017.

Featuring intricate and detailed botanical paintings by 35 of Japan's best contemporary artists will fill The Shirley Sherwood Gallery,.These stunning watercolours have been painted from specimens collected all over Japan, as well as a couple of works which have been painted from specimens collected within Kew Gardens. Also on display will be works never before seen outside Japan, including historic drawings and paintings by some of Japan’s most revered botanists and artists, such as Dr Tomitaro Makino (1863 – 1957), Sessai Hattori and Chikusai Kato (Edo period artists).

After Flora Japonica comes to an end in March 2017 it will move to the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo (September 12 to December 3, 2017), and Tokyo University Museum. Kew Gardens is also delighted to announce that The Japanese Embassy in London will hold a small satellite display of Flora Japonica this autumn (October 24 to November 30) highlighting the lasting relationship between Kew Gardens and Japan.

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Picture Credit: 55Laney69 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42875184@N08/6203616740">Maple</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com

Wakehurst family fun

WAKEHURST botanic garden in West Sussex has a series of family events coming up in October for everyone to enjoy. Set in 535 acres of country estate, Wakehurst is managed by Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and is home to ornamental gardens, stunning woodlands, a nature reserve, and a spectacular Elizabethan mansion.

Bountiful Botanics – Harvest Festival, October 8-9

Join in and celebrate family friendly fun with traditional apple pressing, vintage tractor display and rides, tree climbing, cider blending, autumn apothecary - herbal health for the family, harvest taste zone, hedgerow brews, plant alchemy – pigments and dyes, giant seed swap, foraging tours, mud kitchen and potting shed or simply browse our lovely harvest produce and stalls. 

Free entry to festival with garden admission ticket. Kids 16 and under go free.

Glow Wild – Winter Lantern Festival, December 2-4, 9-11 & 16-18

Experience Wakehurst after-dark on an exquisite lantern and fire lit journey through the gardens and meadows, flotillas of fire and star lit ponds to beautiful lantern laden midnight gardens. Marvel at the UK’s tallest living Christmas tree and enjoy toasting marshmallows or chestnuts over giant fire bowls.

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Belfast parks retain Green Flag status

ONCE AGAIN, 15 of #Belfast City Council’s parks have achieved prestigious Green Flag status for consistently maintaining high quality standards.

The UK-wide Green Flag status is awarded to parks that show excellence in management and maintaining clean, aesthetic open spaces. It’s also awarded to parks promoting conservation and heritage, environmental sustainability, safety, and community involvement.

The parks that have retained their Green Flags are: Belfast Botanic Gardens; Barnett Demesne; Grove, Belmont; Cavehill Country Park; Dunville; Lagan Meadows; Musgrave; Ormeau; Falls; Roselawn Cemetery; Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park; Woodvale; Knocknagoney and Waterworks Park.

Councillor Matt Garrett, chair of the People and Communities Committee, said: ‘To retain Green Flag status in so many of our parks is fantastic news for Belfast. The hard work and dedication shown by our parks staff on a daily basis is brilliant and I’m delighted that these awards give proper recognition to their efforts.

‘Parks right across our city provide fantastic open spaces for local communities and visitors to enjoy and are always a hive of activity.’

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Westonbirt Arboretum opens UK’s longest treetop walkway

THE LONGEST treetop walkway in the UK has opened to the public at the National Arboretum at #Westonbirt, Gloucestershire.

The walkway starts and finishes at ground level using the topography of the land, rising 42ft as it follows the valley floor.

c. Paul Groom

The sinuous elevated 320-yard route meanders through the arboretum, offering the chance to get up close with trees and the canopy, as well as views across the historic landscape.

Architect Glenn Howells said: ‘We are very proud to have designed this unique treetop walkway for the historic and internationally renowned arboretum at Westonbirt. The walkway allows all visitors, regardless of age or ability, to experience the site from the treetops for the first time. Focusing on visitor needs and materiality, the walkway is designed to disappear as a sinuous silver ribbon that meanders between trees and canopies. The aim is that this new feature will greatly enhance visitor experience and help to ensure Westonbirt's popularity for many years to come.’

www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

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Welcome to Moscow!

DIPLOMATIC Anglo-Russian relationships are currently – well, let’s be frankly undiplomatic, rubbish – but Moscow’s tourism department says the city is more than ready to welcome British tourists. 

These are just some of the things that they say Russia’s capital can offer:

273 hotels, 319 hostels, and 203 mini hotels, with the total number of rooms in the city numbering almost 50,000.

Three international airports, nine railway stations, and 10 inter-regional bus terminals.

More than 270 museums, 170 theatres, and three UNESCO World heritage sites. 

A tourist police force, providing security and assisting visitors.

400-plus parks and estates.

The Official Moscow Guide, providing information about attractions (http://en.travel2moscow.com).

Holidaymakers planning a winter break in #Moscow should be aware that in January and February, the average temperature is 16F. The first snow normally at the end of October and remains until April.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/102159906@N08/16871607672">Исторический музей / State Historical Museum</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Capability Brown at Blenheim

2016 MARKS the 300th anniversary of the birthday of the landscape gardener, Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. #BlenheimPalace, Oxfordshire, is one of the best places to see his extraordinary work; it has 2,000 acres of landscaped parkland, which the gardener spent 11 years creating. 

The landscape setting he devised in the 1760's provided such a sublime form of beauty and harmony that every generation of the Marlborough family has endeavored to preserve it. 

Many landscape historians state that the landscaping at Blenheim Palace is the finest example of Brown's work. The 2,000-acre park delivers beauty across all seasons; from lawns brimming with daffodils in spring, greens of the trees transforming into a myriad of warm tones from summer to autumn, to the blanket of frost and mist rising from the lake in winter.

Blenheim has a 2016 calendar of activity planned to celebrate Brown’s work, from specialist garden tours, a temporary exhibition, a self-guided trail and guided walks.

The exhibition, open in February, reveals Brown's work at the palace across the 11 years he was commissioned (1763-1774) through detailed accounts of how he designed and executed such a masterpiece through to photography, drawings, equipment, and costumes.

Brown’s nickname came about for his common phrase: ‘This garden has capabilities to improve.’

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Online calendar for free family-friendly activities

THE rising cost of leisure activities is limiting families from spending more quality time out together, according to a report commissioned by car rental firm #HertzUK, which has created a digital calendar of free #family-friendly activity events.

Families which took part in a survey revealed they are spending an average of £440 per year on days out, with two-thirds of British parents saying the cost of activities has put a stop to them going out with the kids.

Olivier Lecocq at Hertz International, said: ‘After compiling this customer research, we learned that people in the UK are struggling for inspiration and the funds to enjoy memorable family days. We developed Hertz Together to allow families to discover a number of free activities in various cities across the country, putting parents’ minds at rest about the expense of days out.

‘Parents on the hunt for stimulating fun activities for the family will certainly find fresh ideas in our comprehensive list, which contains some of the country’s most-visited museums, galleries, and parks and gardens – and all are free of charge.”

A quarter of those surveyed said it’s too expensive to take their children out regularly.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/47737490@N03/5853831812">kidical mass | june 2011 | fancy pants6724</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Global gardens

THE Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has unveiled a collection of garden-themed holidays for 2016-17. Developed in partnership with garden tour experts Brightwater Holidays, the programme features 26 escorted tours to destinations including Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and the Azores, Sweden, South Africa, Japan, New Zealand, Chile, and Sri Lanka … plus the UK and Ireland.

The itineraries showcase horticulture in its widest sense, from private, botanic, and historic gardens to wild landscapes, and national parks to vineyards, nurseries, and charitable gardening projects. Wherever possible, exclusive access has been secured as well as private openings and a welcome from the garden owner or curator.

The timing of each tour has been planned to ensure that destinations can be enjoyed when looking their best. The South Africa tour is timed to coincide with the country’s array of wildflowers in the spring, while the visits to the French Riviera will include the Menton Lemon Festival in February and the International Rose Festival in Grasse in May.

All of the trips will be led by experienced tour managers and in addition, on some there will be an #RHS host with expert horticultural knowledge.

Commenting, Sue Biggs, Director General, RHS, says: ‘From Carl Linnaeus' research garden in Uppsala to Lady Walton's garden on the island of Ischia and Beverly McConnell's Ayrlies Garden in New Zealand, we want to celebrate inspirational and pioneering gardens and horticulturists who changed the face of gardening through their personal vision and determination.'

www.rhsgardenholidays.com

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39427725@N00/6279290400">Montreal - botanical gardens 4</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), Kirstenbosch botanical garden - fynbos - cape town by Abu Shawka - Own work. Licensed under CC0 via Wikimedia Commons

When in Adelaide …

THE three-hour Feast On Foot food and street art tour takes in the sights of #Adelaide while sampling the city’s most mouthwatering food. Departing Saturdays at 10am, the tours start from the Stag Hotel, one of Adelaide’s oldest pubs, and from there walkers will experience everything from Middle Eastern snacks to gourmet chocolate to dumplings.

See Adelaide offers half and full day tours that explore the city and surrounding areas, including Glenelg, the Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula, and the Barossa. Half day tours with morning departures give visitors the option of including a leisurely afternoon in the historic township of Hahndorf, while those choosing afternoon tours can have dinner in Glenelg or a Temptation Sailing Twilight cruise.

Down To Earth offers 90-minute, easy-paced walking expeditions that bring to life the stories of Adelaide’s heritage and culture. There are six tours to choose: Around the Square; East End Escapade; Cultural Caper; Stately Swagger; Grand Mansions and Sub-divisions; Hills, Squares & Parklands.

Adelaide Sightseeing gives sports lovers a behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic Adelaide Oval. Other new tours for the 2015/16 season include Adelaide’s South Coast and McLaren Vale Tour which explores the city’s southern coastline before visiting the McLaren Vale wine region for tastings.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/46018453@N06/10082703583">Port Noarlunga Street Scene #dailyshoot #Adelaide</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/29530712@N06/8252607250">brighton-201212-01</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/48557354@N03/13553449105">ID: AA-1406</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

When in the Cairngorms …

Two things to do when in the Cairngorms, the UK’s largest national park:

A reindeer is for life, not just for Christmas.   

Take the kids on a guided hill visit at the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre in Glenmore, available daily from 11am. 

An experienced reindeer herder leads guests up the mountainside to where the centre's main herd live all year round. This walk is followed by the feeding of the herd. A range of tickets is available including a family ticket costing £40. www.cairngormreindeer.co.uk 

The Strathspey Steam Railway is offering a Easter Special (4 & 6 April) with a difference. Meet the Easter Rabbit at Aviemore station, get your chocolate egg and solve Easter riddles on board a traditional steam engine on either day, and visit the mini animal farm at Broomhill - see those cuddly bunnies up close. There will also be dining experiences available on both days to treat the family on the trip through the Cairngorms. Standard fares apply - www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk/easter-special-4-6-february/

The Cairngorms National Park is accessible by road and rail from all over the UK. For people flying to the area, the western side of the park is served by Inverness Airport while the eastern side is served by Aberdeen Airport. See more: www.visitcairngorms.com


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Picture Credit: GoHoliday; "Reindeer" by Susannah Muldoon via Wikimedia Commons; strathspeyrailway.co.uk