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In the south west corner of the Ring of Kerry on the Iveragh peninsula, Derrynane sparkles. We visited with the superlatives in mind, but it's hard to match words to the beauty of this place. Follow the road down toward Derrynane House from the N70, unassuming tree-lined curves, to a (free!) car park. Discover the (free!) gardens, and watch the kids delight in the giant leaves, woodland paths and unusual blooms. Walk out of the gardens to pass through the grounds of the house, across meadowland that rises over a tussocked hill and savour the moment you catch sight of the beach. There is fine golden sand perfect for sandcastles, there are rockpools perfect for sampling saltwater wildlife, there are rocks to explore and hide among, there is an invitation to paddle in the clear turquoise water. When energy is depleted, amble back to the car past the reed-filled marsh that the birds love so much and sigh as you realise the perfect day has come to an end.
Caherdaniel, Ireland
+353 66 9475113
www.heritageireland.ie/en/South-West/DerrynaneHouse/
Google map: bit.ly/pkggmr
Stunning gardens set on a mountainside overlooking the spa town of Merano (Meran). Found in an an area of Northern Italy relatively untouched by British tourists, the gardens are divided into four sections encompassing Mediterannean, water and forest themes and natural South Tyrolean landscapes (including vines and orchards). You can meander around quite happily all day and the cafe/restaurant sells excellent food and local wines. A wonderful day out and even our small children loved the atmosphere too.
www.trauttmansdorff.it/The_Gardens.html
Via San Valentino, 51, 39012 Merano Bolzano, Italy
+39 0473 235 730
Google map: bit.ly/jlViwm
It’s hard to believe that the tranquil ancient palm groves of Elche lie less than an hour’s drive from the beach bars and neon signs of Benidorm. The whole of Elche is chockablock with charming huertas that brim with citrus fruits and fig trees, but the real showstopper is the city’s magnificent palm plantation, the Palmeral of Elche. There is some evidence that Elche’s date palms were first planted by the Carthaginians in the 5th century B.C. The groves were expanded centuries later by the Moors, who also added an ingenious system of irrigation canals. The Palmeral contains upwards of 11,000 trees, including rare palm and cactus species from all over the world. The small size and lack of variety (it’s really all about the palms) may disappoint some herbophiles who prefer more varied and sprawling gardens. But think of it like a very well curated museum: each tree is well chosen and perfectly placed. A visit to the Palmeral wouldn’t be complete without a proper gawp at the 100 year-old, seven-stemmed colossus, the Imperial Palm.
www.huertodelcura.com/jardines/palmeral.php
Porta de la Morera, 49, 03203 Elche (Alicante)
+34 965 451 936
Google map: bit.ly/kT4LHo
An old favourite of ours and a fantastic day out in the north west is a visit to the terraced gardens at Rivington. Stroll around all the way up to Rivington Pike, if you have the energy. See if you can find the ornamental Japanese pool and the old tower for Pidgeons and Doves. Spot the remains of Lord Lever's grand mansion. The views across the reservoir to Liverpool are always enjoyable and if its clear you can see further to North Wales and the Lake District; we always try to be the first one to spot Blackpool Tower. On a good day, take a picnic or eat in the cafe in the splendid Great Barn. A grand day out!
www.bolton.org.uk/rivington.html. Rivington Lane, Horwich, Bolton, Greater Manchester, England, BL6 7SB
Read more: www.gardenvisit.com/garden/rivington_terraced_gardens#ixzz0vdMYwOxp
Google map: bit.ly/aafjce
Howick Hall and gardens are the home of the Grey family. It was the 2nd Earl Grey who created earl grey tea which was made specifically to balance the lime in the local well. The gardens have trees and shrubs from across the world but with special emphasis on Japan and the far east.
The estate is along the beautiful Northumberland coast.
East Lodge, Howick, Alnwick NE663LB - 01665 577 285
www.howickhallgardens.org/contact.php
The Royal Botanical Gardens situated in Peradeniya in Kandy is ideal for those who appreciate nature and flowers. The gardens attracts over 1.4 million visitors every yearand houses an array of exotic plants, flowers and wildlife. Many people enjoy bird watching at the gardens or some people simply like to take photos of the peaceful views.
The gardens offer meals and refreshments for its visitors and also has wheelchair facilities.
It is close to the town centre of Kandy which has breathtaking greenery and hills which overlook tea plantations.
+94 81 238 8088
www.botanicgardens.gov.lk
Google map: tinyurl.com/3yqrxwf
On the slopes of Black Mountain are the Australian National Botanic gardens. They are home to a variety of Australian habitats from temperate rainforest to desert plants. Admission is free (although there is a charge for parking). There are great views across the city.
There are also free guided walks twice a day.
Clunies Ross Street, ACTON
www.anbg.gov.au/anbg/
Google map: tinyurl.com/nee5p6
The finest sequoia avenue in Britain, and a fantastic cafe from where you can see the red squirrels.
The cherry ferry across the Firth of Clyde
The start of the glorious gardens of Argyll and a gateway to the west coast.
www.rbge.org.uk/the-gardens/benmore/seasons-highlights/spring-highlights
If you can be bothered hiking out of Warsaw, this huge botanical gardens is nothing as grand as Kew, but is beautiful all the same. Magnificent magnolia collection in early spring (March/April if I remember rightly), but is well worth the trek at any time between early spring to late autumn.
www.ogrod-powsin.pl/index_a.html
Apparently the 139 goes from the city centre (but annoyingly the website does not say from where exactly!).
If you have a full day free, you can take the southbound metro to Kabaty, get out at the last stop and enter Kabaty Forest (behind the ubiquitous Tesco!). Follow the signs in the forest to Powsin (it is about a 30-45 min walk through the forest), or ask the polite Varsovians if you get lost.
You can get the bus back into town if you are pooped.
The Villa itself is interesting, but oh, the gardens, the fountains and the views are superb! www.villadestetivoli.info/storiae.htm
Tivoli itself is a nice hill town. too.
Tivoli is a short train journey from Rome. You can catch a bus into the centre, or walk; the Villa is signposted.
The Musee des Beaux Arts is highly recommended as it offers a fine collection of both painting and sculpture, and furniture, set in a building of considerable beauty and architectural interest.
Highlights include an outstanding group of Italian, French and Flemish paintings from the later Middle Ages donated by a local benefactor, a group that has been strengthened by the addition of two panels by Mantegna. Other very good pieces come from succeeding centuries and include work by Rubens, Rembrandt, Boucher, Monet and Rodin. Altogether this is a first rate collection. The museum is set in a fine garden, and nearby is a huge 200-year-old Cedar of Lebanon.
Across from this tree and behind glass there is a stuffed elephant, once part of Barnum's Circus. This beast died while the circus visited Tours, just before World War I, and was promptly de-boned, stuffed and mounted. The result on show here is somewhat bizarre and looks like a very large, grey, hot-water bottle with four legs and a trunk. Worth a look, but the museum is the highlight.
Next to the cathedral in Tours city centre, 18 place Francois Sicard 37000 Tours. Note the museum is closed on Tuesdays. www.musee-beauxarts@ville-tours.fr
Excellent place to spend time in Delhi. The place offers designer stores for Indian handicrafts, restaurants, cafes in the outer and middle lane, some of Delhi's oldest bookshops and Lodhi Gardens are right next door!
One of the most charming small museums in Birmingham with a recently added visitor centre and tea room. A real Brummy gem. The house itself is very small, but taken together this is a real treat.
Opening Times:
Open from 31st March to 28th October
Tuesday to Sunday 11.30am - 4pm
Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays
Blakesley Road
Yardley
Birmingham
B25 8RN
Tel: +44 [0]121 464 2193
www.bmag.org.uk/index.php?type=element&maincat=1&subcat=2&subelement=2
The University of Birmingham's own botanical gardens. Much more interesting than the nearby Botanical Gardens.
Several acres of charming gardens and glass houses in the grounds of an old Victorian house. Adjacent to a small lake and woodland in the heart of Edgbaston. Absolutely delightful.
Winterbourne Botanic Garden
University of Birmingham
58 Edgbaston Park Road
Birmingham B15 2RT
0121 414 3832
www.botanic.bham.ac.uk/
Go early in July, when they have the Open Gardens Day festival and you can get free access to some beautiful hidden gardens belonging to private residences and institutions.
A ravine garden that snakes down to the coast and a private beach - rated as one of the top gardens in the world. Unique layout and spectacular plants.
Trebah Garden - mawnan smith, nr falmouth (short drive or bus ride), cornwall.
www.trebah-garden.co.uk/
Get out of Shanghai for a change of scene. Suzhou is a breath of fresh air from the high-energy city. An overnight stay is best as it gives you time to see parts of the old city as Marco Polo saw it... such as Ping Jiang Lu (parallel and east of the main North-South Lin Dun Lu) and at least one of the famous gardens (one garden is enough).
From the Railway Station, take a taxi from the taxi rank to the Kai Lai Da Ju Dian (Chinese for Gloria Hotel) on Gan Jiang Lu near Lin Dun Lu (10 yuan), which is a good base to catch your breath. The south end of Ping Jiang Lu is almost directly opposite the west side of the hotel; cross Gan Jiang Lu and walk north up Ping Jiang Lu alongside the canal to the second bridge where you will see the Ping Jiang Lodge, a very nicely preserved local-style inn where you can stay in historic surroundings for less than US$100 (I know - not so cheap). If you continue north on Ping Jiang Lu to the 5th bridge and turn right for 20m, you will see an equally ancient and interesting Tea House that’s well worth the visit.
If you want a cheap clean room, go over to Lin Dun Lu and walk north 500m to the China Mobile 'M-Zone' store - you will find a small hotel on the other side of the street in the small east-west side street (next to the hair salon on the corner) where you can get a room for US$30. Near here you can find Harry's Bar (150m south on Lin Dun - West side) where English speaking staff can help you! Also a great place to return to in the evening for music and good bar conversation with local expats.
Fast trains (train number beginning with 'T') run from Shanghai railway Station to Suzhou frequently and take from 40 to 50 minutes;
www.bootsnall.com/hotels/last-minute/cy/China/Suzhou;
www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g297442-Suzhou_Jiangsu-Vacations.html
Forget Cannes. Get on a train and head beyond Monte Carlo to Menton. It's where the old people go to live! Very sensible. Decent beach, pleasant atmosphere. Fabulous old town, which can be explored in an hour or so. Well worth a day trip.
If you get fed up, come back to Monte Carlo, forget all the usual rubbish about the Casino and Royal Palace and visit the Botanical Gardens. A brilliant collection of cacti and other succulents (far better than it sounds!). It costs an entrance fee but it is well worth it. Also, a superb cave system which you can go down. Very strange; the temperature underground is warm, not cold.
The view from the Gardens over Monaco and out to the Mediterranean is excellent.
Walk along Long Street to the Comany's Gardens - as good a range of cityscapes as you'll find anywhere and the gardens, while not too big, are very pleasant, and the mountain makes an impressive backdrop. Visit City Hall and see the balcony from which Nelson Mandela addressed the crowds after his release from Robben Island - another must-see. Cross the car park and sample the interesting street snacks. Move on and look round the Castle.
The Temperate House is the largest of the glasshouses at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; in fact it's the largest, extant Victorian glasshouse in the world. Despite this fact, many visitors never reach it because it's a fair way from the main gate and it's hidden from view until you're almost upon it.
This is a shame because the Temperate House contains some fabulous specimens, including the world's rarest plant - a cycad called Encephalartos woodii - and the world's largest indoor plant, the 52-foot high Chilean Wine Palm.
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