Gardens of Segovia, Toledo & Avila
A Special Tour for the European Boxwood & Topiary Society
The heart of Spain is the Meseta high plateau with Madrid at its core at 787m above sea level. The climate can be harsh, with long cold winters, short hot summers and a low rainfall, yet we will discover some of the most beautiful of gardens. The tour is based in the small, ancient cities of Toledoand Segovia, within easy reach of a wonderful palette of gardens that reflect a great variety of influence, including that of ancient Rome, of Moorish culture, and of contemporary garden design. We will meet gardeners and garden designers who work against the backdrop of this powerfully moving landscape. Helena Attlee, garden historian and author of the new highly acclaimed book ’Italian Gardens’, has worked with Boxwood Tours to create this exciting and original tour. Helena will lead the tour with the help of a local guide to introduce this rich & varied region. ITINERARYDAY 1: THURSDAY 4TH OCTOBER. |
DAY 2: FRIDAY 5TH OCTOBER
A visit to the small private garden of El Cigarral de Menores, with beds edged in box and myrtle, a pool, and a fountain surrounded by olive groves and orchards. We then travel to Aranjuez and the gardens of the 18th Century Palacio Real. The elegant, shady grounds are a favorite weekend destination for Madrilenos escaping the heat and dust of the city. Created by the Bourbon monarchs as a Spanish Versailles, the Jardin de la Isla & the Jardin del Parterre combine to form a sea of box hedging and fountains under the shade of mature trees. There will be time to buy lunch before returning to Toledo and the private gardens of Palacio de Galiana on the banks of the River Tagus. The house is built on the site of an early Moorish Palace. The gardens have been created in the last 40 years by Carmen Maranon in the Christian & Arab Mudejar styles. Tightly clipped cypress is used throughout the garden as a strong sculptural element. Return to Hotel San Juan de los Reyes with a free evening to explore Toledo and to eat at one of the many small restaurants in the old city.
DAY 3: SATURDAY 6TH OCTOBER
Leave Toledo and drive northwards for a morning visit to the monumental El Escorial before traveling on to the small ancient town of Avila, where we have a special invitation to a simple lunch from the Marquis de Pozoblanco. Afterwards, the Count will show us San Segundo, his fascinating garden. Designed in the 1920’s by J M Winthuysen, it is a garden of stone and roses nestling in the shadows of the 11th Century walls. Continue to Segovia where we visit the small garden of El Romeral, created by the late Leandro Silva, before checking in to the 4* Hotel Los Arcos in Segovia. Evening meal with wine is included.
DAY 4: SUNDAY 7TH OCTOBER
A visit to the Royal gardens of La Granja de San Ildefonso before a visit to Madrid’s Royal Botanic Garden, including the Bonsai terrace designed by Fernando Caruncho. Return to the airport for 16.30 PM flight NR3166 to London, Heathrow arriving 17.50 PM.
The price per person is £675.00 with single supplement of £80.00 per person levied by the hotels and includes: Bed & Buffet Breakfast at 4* Hotels San Juan de los Reyes & Los Arcos; 2 set evening meals (with wine); 1light lunch in a private garden; return flights from London, Heathrow to Madrid.
To book, please send a completed booking form, enclosing a cheque deposit of £100.00 p/p made out to ‘Boxwood Tours’, to:
Rhiw, Llanbedr, Gwynedd, UK, LL45 2NT;
Telephone: +44 (0)1341 241 717 Fax: +44 (0) 1341 241 712
Email: mail@boxwoodtours.co.uk
To arrange your own flight: Overseas travellers please make payments by International Bank Transfers to: This tour is operated by Albatross Travel Group Ltd., ATOL number 5116, by whom your payments are secured (see ‘Booking Conditions’ on reverse of Booking Form). |
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