BLOOMING MARVELLOUS IDEAS FROM THOMAS COOK - Inspiring gardens stretching from Chelsea to the rest of the world.
For the green-fingered who want to look beyond the delights of this year's Chelsea Flower Show, Thomas Cook recommends the best trips abroad to inspire your garden design at home.
With more and more people seeing a foreign holiday as essential, travelling the world is increasingly influencing our taste in garden design, plants and flowers. For those who fancy giving their garden an international makeover, why not let Thomas Cook, who know the world better than anyone, share its pick of the bunch.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Town - www.sanbi.org
South Africa's unique vegetation at the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Nestled against the steep and rugged slopes of the famous Table Mountain they include South Africa's national flower, the Protea, which is just one of the thousands of beautiful, unique plants on display.
Thomas Cook Signature has five nights in Cape Town from £939 per person staying at the 3 star Cape Town Hollow Hotel on bed & breakfast, departing London Heathrow on South African Airlines for departures between 1st June and 18th July 2008.
To book: 0870 443 4447, www.tcsignature.com, or visit the nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places
The Palazzo Parisio, Malta - www.palazzoparisio.com
The Palazzo Parisio in Naxxar is unique in Malta and its magnificent interior and splendid Baroque gardens have been described as a miniature Versailles.
Airtours has seven nights in Malta from £405 per person staying at the 4 star San Antonio Hotel & Spa in St Paul's Bay on bed & breakfast, departing London Gatwick on 24th June 2008.
To book: 0871 664 7625, www.airtours.co.uk, or visit the nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places
The Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech - www.jardinmarjorelle.com
Marrakechis are particularly fond of gardens with perfumed flowers, fruit trees, water and shade and see them as an earthly reflection of paradise. The Jardin Majorelle is a beautifully manicured oasis garden with plants from the five continents exposed in an enchanting framework.
Panorama has three nights in Marrakech from £487 per person staying at the 3 star Hotel Oudaya in Marrakech on bed & breakfast, departing London Gatwick on 20th October 2008.
To book: 0871 664 7931, www.panoramaholidays.co.uk, or visit the nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places.
Casa Caruncho, Madrid - www.fernandocaruncho.com
No visit to Madrid is complete without a visit to the private garden of Spain's most important landscape architect and gardener, Fernando Caruncho. His garden focuses on elements of light throughout and is said to be a magical and enchanting place.
Cresta Holidays has two nights in Madrid from £172 per person staying at the 3 star Cason Del Tormes Hotel in Madrid on bed & breakfast, departing London Gatwick on British Airways on 10th July 2008.
To book: 0844 800 7020, www.crestaholidays.co.uk, or visit the nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places
Prices based on 2 adults sharing, correct at time of issue however subject to change. Optional extras may be applicable at the time of booking.
