Travel Thursday looks at Gardens and Galleries on Newstalk

It’s that time of year that our attention turns to the garden and what better way to get inspiration than to travel to see some of the loveliest. Many of the finest gardens are on our our doorstep and there is usually the opportunity to see some of the best galleries in these places. Probably the most famous flower show of all is only across the water in London and it also is home to some of the finest galleries in the world – The National Gallery and the Tate.

London Chelsea Flower Show

The RHS Flower Show at Chelsea is always popular with Irish visitors and it’s not too late to get tickets and a travel package to attend. Keith Prowse are specialists in this area and I’ve a nice package here.

http://www.keithprowseattractions.com/en/index.htm

See the latest gardening in trends and fashions, witness spectacular gardens from some of the world’s best designers and marvel at dozens of spectacular gardens & floral displays from around the world.  Every May the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea are transformed into a patchwork of show gardens, inspirational small gardens and vibrant plant displays as the great and the good of the gardening world gather for the UK’s most famous flower show. Set in 11 acres, this is the most prestigious flower show in the gardening calendar showcasing all the latest in garden design innovation, with over 550 exhibitors all striving for the horticultural prize of prizes, a Chelsea Gold Medal.  The Great Pavilion is the centre piece, housing a vast exhibition of displays by growers from all over the world, the Floral Design Studio showcases some of the best, most creative and technically accomplished floral designers from around the UK and overseas, while the Show Gardens incorporate tranquil water features, sculptures and carefully conceived plantings, making them an annual highlight and the talking point of every show. With so many exciting exhibits to see, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is an essential date in any garden lover’s diary.
Plants, Flowers & Floristry: From the 3 acre Great Pavilion with hundreds of exhibits from the world’s best nurseries, growers and florists to the drama and buzz of the award-winning Show Gardens, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is all about the plants and flowers

Shopping, help and advice! At Chelsea, you will find many unique and hard to find gardening products with  industry professionals on hand to answer all your questions.

Tickets:  You will have pre-bought tickets for the Chelsea Flower Show floral extravaganza.  If this is your first visit, you will be never have seen anything like the grand show gardens of all shapes and sizes, quaint and wonderful courtyard gardens, and of course the heart of the show the Great Pavilion where nurseries and professional growers inspire the garden lovers of the love year after year. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is truly the best garden related event in the world.

Day 1

Arrive in London and have the day at leisure for independent sightseeing

A opportunity to visit one of the city’s galleries – The National Gallery https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/

The Tate London http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain

Both galleries offer free admission

Day 2
Attend the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. With a huge range of designs, plants and plots, there are ideas here for every taste and growing space, whether you have a small yard or a wild flower meadow. There are plenty of refreshments on hand too, everything from cafés, farmers’ market stalls, wood-fired pizza and seafood restaurants to a real ale bar and champagne lounge. Or you might want to picnic and relax to the sound of live music at the Gardens bandstand. By the end of the day, you’ll have so many creative ideas you will be raring to get home and dig up your window boxes!

Day 3

Day at leisure for independent sightseeing before heading to the airport for return flight

 Price Per Person Includes:

• Return flight to London (fly from Dublin, Cork or Shannon at a time convenient to you)
• Two nights in the 4* Deluxe Royal Lancaster London Hotel (Thursday and Friday or Friday and Saturday)
• Breakfast daily
• Ticket to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the Friday or Saturday

plus airline taxes and charges

***AIRLINE TAXES & CHARGES NOT INCLUDED IN ABOVE PRICE*** TAXES VARY ACCORDING TO AIRLINE***                                                                                  

Flying with City jet into London City, taxes are approximately €90

Flying with Aer Lingus into London Heathrow, taxes are approximately €124

Single Supplement €253 for 2-nights

Extra night Twin €143, Extra night Single €269

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Dallas Art and Gardens abound

When you mention Dallas to most people a few things come to mind. Perhaps the popular soap from the 1980’s or most notably it is the city where JFK met his untimely assassination. Today Dallas is a wealthy city with a big focus on the arts. I’ve picked out the gardens at the Dallas Arboretum as one of the most eclectic mixes of any I’ve visited in the united states. With lots of events all year round – ranging from concerts on a Thursday to Art Exhibitions

Check out the site here http://www.dallasarboretum.org/

There’s so much to do in Dallas I’ve written a review on my website and you can click to see it here.

Dallas for shopping, JFK and JR!

One of the best art galleries I’ve visited is in Dallas and there are so many. They are also free as there is an eclectic art scene in this wealthy city. https://www.dma.org/

Tour America

New York is a natural fit for art – as the melting pot of the western world of course there are wonderful gardens and galleries

Cruise and Maritim Voyages

This is a three-star cruise and not suitable for families. Ideal for those looking for special locations that you won’t see with the larger cruise lines.

Visit some world-renowned gardens, full of colour. Opt to see Tresco’s Abbey Gardens in the Isles of Scilly, Monet’s Garden in Normandy and the beautiful coast and countryside of Guernsey. Cruise the River Seine for an overnight stay in Rouen to follow in the footsteps of Joan of Arc and Richard the Lionheart. A call in vibrant Liverpool completes this delightful cruise. Cruise from Ireland with no flights required!

7 Night Cruise. Departing Dublin 21st July 2019

7 Nights from just €675 pp

Price Includes:

• 7 nights onboard 3* CMV Magellan, based on 2 adults sharing
• Return coach to Dublin Port (call for details)
• Delicious full board cuisine
• Big show entertainment on board
• Afternoon tea & late night snack
• Taxes and unlimited baggage

Itinerary:

– Dublin, Ireland – St. Mary’s Isles of Scilly -St. Peter Port, Guernsey – Cruise River Seine to Rouen, France – Honfleur, France – At Sea – Liverpool, UK – Dublin, Ireland

Call us today: 01 294 1000

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ITALY has beautiful scenery and galleries all over the country

topflight cover the entire specturm and have a five day sale that ends tonight so get on the website quickly – lots of value to be had.

Save up to €450 in Topflight’s 5 Day Sale!

Thinking of what to do for your summer 2018 holiday, the Topflight 5 Day Sale might be just what you need! Topflight’s 5 Day Sale kicks off on Sunday 22nd April. There are super savings for everyone with discounts across the board on a wide range of Italian holiday options departing from Dublin, Cork & Belfast. With savings of up to €450 per person, you simply cannot go wrong. There are particularly good savings for early season dates.

Here are a few to whet your appetite, there are many, many more –

Flights from Dublin

• 29th April, Sorrento, 4* plus Hotel Bristol, H/B was €1249 now from €799pps
• 26th May, Lake Garda, 3* Hotel Eden, Torbole, B&B was €779 now from €599pps
• 26th May, Sicily, 3* Hotel Tysandros, Giardini Naxos, B&B was €761 now from €599pps
• 26th May, Venetian Riviera, 3* Hotel Bolivar, Lido di Jesolo, B&B was €749 now from €549pps
• 1st June, Tuscan Countryside, 3* Fattoria Castiglionchio, S/C was €779 now from €499pps (based on 4 persons sharing)
• 8th June, Adriatic Riviera, 3* Camping Cesenatico, S/C was €637 now from €429pps (based on 4 persons sharing)

Flights from Cork

• 15th September, Lake Garda, 3* Hotel Eden, Torbole B&B was €789 now from €599pps
• 15th September, Venetian Riviera, 3* Hotel Bolivar, Lido di Jesolo, B&B was €759 now from €549pp

Flights from Belfast (savings up to £300!)

• 12th May, Lake Garda, 4* Hotel Majestic, Malcesine, H/B was £840 now from £540pps
• 22nd September, Lake Garda, 3* Hotel Eden, Torbole, B&B was £671 now fr £419pps
• 15th September, Venetian Riviera, 3* Hotel Bolivar, Lido di Jesolo, B&B was £684 now from £499pps

All prices include return flights, accommodation for 7 nights (based on 2 persons sharing, unless otherwise stated), return transfers, all taxes and the services of a Topflight Representative in resort.

To book visit www.topflight.ie/ www.topflightholidays.co.uk, call Topflight on 01 240 1700 / 028 9752 1168 or visit your local travel agent

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Northern Ireland

If you don’t want to travel too far to see some special gardens then pop up the road to our friends in the north.

Mount Stewart is frequently featured in the top ten gardens of the world and it’s a little over two hours up the road.

Stay at the North of Ireland’s first five star hotel in  Hastings Culloden or closer to the city centre at Stormont.

ENJOY A SPRING BREAK WITH HASTINGS HOTELS 

Spring into the new season at the Stormont Hotel from only £55pps* for luxurious overnight accommodation, cocktail on arrival and full Irish breakfast the following morning. Located in the suburbs of Belfast the hotel overlooks the beautiful grounds of Stormont Estate and is only a short drive from the city centre. The hotel boasts a fantastic selection of dining options including the La Scala Bistro which offers a wonderful menu of dishes made from the very best of fresh local produce and a cocktail lounge which boasts mouth-watering snacks and Afternoon Teas.

Enjoy a spring break at Northern Ireland’s most prestigious 5-star hotel, the Culloden Estate & Spa with overnight accommodation, cocktail on arrival and full Irish breakfast the following morning from only £100pps*. Located just six miles from Belfast, visitors can indulge in an ESPA Spa treatment and enjoy the very best of local produce in The Mitre Restaurant and Cultra Inn.

Guests can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi and parking at both hotels. To book one of these delightful spring offers call 048 9047 1066 or go to www.hastingshotels.com.

 For more information visit https://discovernorthernireland.com/