This is off topic, I know, but I'll try to tie it in to gardening. My DH and I love to travel. I've just received a book on 1001 gardens you must see, so we're looking at our next trip. I lived in Holland for 2 1/2 years in the middle of the bulb fields and it was wonderful. (Met hubby there.) He's from Scotland, so we go there fairly often. We've toured lots of historic gardens all over. What would you rate at the top of your favorite vacation places, either foreign or U.S and why? And main question, has anyone on here been to Antarctica? I know that's not a common vacation destination, but I REALLY want to go there.
Travel related question
Have a friend that has worked there for quite a few years. He says it can be austere but beautiful and the photos don't do it justice. Don't think you will find many gardens there tho LOL.
I have also heard that Iceland is beautiful in the summer but Greenland was disappointing.
I lived in Italy, visited Greece, was born in Germany and lived on
Wake Island. All of those are nice places to visit. We mostly went to ruins as mom was an ancient history nut v/s a garden nut.
Aquroama (sp) springs in San Marcos has some nice gardens and the biotantical gardens here in SA are good. Other than that I have only seen Disney in florida that I can remember
We went to Buchart Gardens in British Columbia in May one year. Awsome isn't even a start. I have never seen so many flowers in one place in my life. In May you'll see tulips, forget me nots, tulips, rododendrons, tulips, dogwoods, the biggest madrone tree you can imagine, and did I mention tulips.:) June is when the roses bloom.
I also rode from Houston Tx to Georgia one year in April I think. I didn't know that azaleas grew wild in the south east. They were everywhere, not just in people's yards. We saw them along the side of the highways. I really want to do that again.
Also I think Denver has a really good public water garden.
Thanks to all for the info and to pod about the bit on Greenland being disappointing. My most disappointing trip has been to Ireland and my favorite was to Scandanavia and Russia. The Antarctic trip will include Buenes Aires and Chile, so if I find any gardens, I'll take pics!
New Zealand is a beautiful country all around. I visited there twice in the 90's and we spent most of our time in Christchurch on the south island.
They had a museum there with some lovely gardens. I'm afraid I don't remember the name, but I think if you look up Christchurch, you'll find it. It's a smallish city. Also, just driving around the countryside was fabulous, not to mention the awesome neo-gothic architecture. Everything is super clean there and the people are very laid back and friendly.
Didi, New Zealand sounds wonderful. My DH has always wanted to go there. I think we'll make that next year's plan. I bit the bullet and booked us for an 18 day cruise to South America and Antarctica this morning. I about choked on the cost, but it's someplace I've always wanted to go and I never know (well, nobody does really) when I'm going to get to the point I can't travel at all due to my lupus. I'll just pack plenty of meds and hope for the best. We've only had to back out on two trips so far. If I see any spectacular gardens I promise to post pics. Those would be S.A., not Antarctic :) Trips not until Feb, so I have a while to contain myself.
How exciting! I've never been on a cruise and really want to go on one. But, alas, the finances do not permit anytime soon.
I will look forward to hearing all your exciting stories!
Lived in Costa Rica - who place is one huge garden. Lived in Mexico - you ahve to go there... to many gardens but my favs are in Zacatecas (San Marcos Gardens) and in Mexico City - dont ask me to spell it right but it is huge with the national zoo in it - Chacpultapec I think is right.. anyway there are trees there planted by the Aztecs and the gardens are old and stunning.
Been to South Africa not really anything great from what I saw there.. Been to Swaziland and that whole place is one big garden.. jsut stunning.
Out of the US - I would say Costa Rica is a garden dream.
Mitch, thanks for that info. It's more timely than you know. My DH is doing some side work for a buddy of his setting up computer system for his new business and they need someone to go and do set up at job site in Costa Rica. DH wasn't too thrilled about it, but I said, "Hey, I'd like to go there". So he's told them in lieu of payment, pay for both of us to go with all expenses and he'll do it if he can take the time off his regular job. So, I may get to go there within the next few months.
I've been to Chapultapec (I'm not sure of spelling either), but it was years ago and you're right, I thought it was spectacular too. The desperate poverty in most of Mexico is so heart wrenching to me. It's beautiful, the people are friendly and I speak quite a bit of Spanish, but I just want to stay and save everyone from all their problems, so it's not a top spot on my vacation list. I wind up giving all my money away to the children and crying because I can't rescue them all. I've never been to Africa. I usually try to go to cool places. I'm not much into hot. I can get that here in Texas!
Thanks again.
Crow
Yes to the poverty in Mexico. It could be the most beautiful place in the world and I cannot see it for the sadness.
You said you have been to Scandanavia ~ DS and DB both say the Norwegians fjiords are worth the trip. Maybe someday...
Congratulations on your pending trip (s)! For now, I will travel vicariously thru you and the others.
Buchart Gardens is one I would lust for Silverfluter! Lucky you!
Costa Rica has my vote
I've gone to northwestern Costa Rica on two different occasions, and absolutely love the country. Good news for you, there are multiple direct flights from Houston to Liberia (capital of Guanacaste---northwest province of CR). Please go to www.tripadvisor.com to see reviews (including mine as asdf1) of casa conde del mar (hotel where I most recently stayed). I have also stayed at Playa Malia Conchal (wonderful all inclusive). For those with no limit on expenses there is a Four Season just north of casa conde del mar. www.tripadvisor.com is my favorite travel site---has a ton of info on just about any destination.
Costa Rica has diverse topography from oceans, deserts, tropical rainforests, huge waterfalls, active volcanos. Rare wildlife and fauna. Beautiful, friendly people. A few cities are westernized, but most of the country is unspoiled.
Can't wait to go back
Ooooh! Thanks for that info on all the travel sites. So many places I want to go and so little time and money! Plus that work thing gets in the way! I've already changed the cruise (my travel agent loves me). I found one that's 20 days and goes from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires then on to Santiago Chile with Antarctic penisula and all the other ports plus more on the western coast. It includes the Chilean Fijords too, which I'm really looking forward to. It departs Jan 7th. I'm so excited I could spit!
Thanks for sharing and I'll post pics for all you kind people. Costa Rica is definitely one of my next trips, thanks to y'all's info.
I just got back from Canada's Royal Botannical Gardens in Hamilton (near Toronto) and I was quite impressed. They had a variety of exhibits and the wildlife was wonderful. Chipmunks and black squirrels are almost tame.
Though 3 years ago I would have said Maui is the most beautiful place on earth, this is not the case today. I went in February and boy, was I dissapointed. The flowers weren't in bloom, a lot of plants that normally grew wild on the side of roads had simply vanished. I saw about a quarter of flowers and vegitation compared to my last visit. I can only attribute it to complete and total overcrowding of this island. The population has doubled in the past 6 years and the environmnet is simply too stressed. The locals are sick of the mainlanders and it shows (even on bumper stickers that state "Welcome to Maui, NOW GO HOME!"). I can't say I blame them at all. The fires there probably aren't helping matters either. Save your money. My vote is for Costa Rica.
Whales in the summer is simply lovely with the mustard fields and gardens full of what I consider miniature azaelas.
Great, I'm ready for vacation and just got back. Oh well, Crow, please post your pictures when you return.
I may have screwed up. I just found out that the weekend we're in Rio at the end of our trip is the last weekend of Carnival before Ash Wednesday. Can I plan or what? Some people might be thrilled with this, but I don't particularly like crowds, so this should be interesting.
Such is travel, expect the unexpected. You will have a great adventure. I forgot to answer your main question. I've never been to Antarctica (closest I've gotten would be Capetown, SouthAfrica and southern Australia).