Just an idea
Posted:27 July 2012
It’s just an idea, and we’re testing the water – to find out whether our lovely gardening friends out there would be interested in going on a garden-focused holiday next year?
Following two very successful Garden House organised trips to South Africa in 2010 and Berlin in 2011, we’re thinking of Grenada for 2013! If you are interested, let us know!
Grenada is one of, if not the, most beautiful Caribbean island, and with year round sunshine and temperatures comfortably in the twenties, it is an ideal paradise island to explore.
The Garden House holiday (May 26 June 2, 2013) will be based at the award winning and acclaimed Calabash Hotel welcoming, friendly and with five star accommodation, and also a great place for the garden lover.
In 2012 the Calabash Hotel supported the award-winning exhibit created by Suzanne Gaywood at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The exhibit won Gold – this was the tenth Gold for Suzanne who says: “each year we try to convey some of the magic and much of the floral diversity of Grenada.”
She has in fact won Gold no less than 10 times with stunning displays of exotic plants that grow abundantly on this volcanic island with its fertile soil, abundant rainfall and wonderful climate, in which spice trees grow alongside tropical and sub-tropical plants of every description.
Beautiful beaches along 75 miles of coastline washed by Caribbean and Atlantic waters Grenada is an island of warm seas, lush rainforest, volcanic landscape, brilliant vegetation, outstanding flowers, and the lingering smell of fragrant spices.
The hotel has just thirty suites, all spaced round a sea-facing horseshoe within eight acres of lush tropical gardens. Each suite is beautifully decorated and has its own balcony or patio, where your room attendant will serve your breakfast.
Our stay will be half-board, so will include dining a la carte in the hotel’s exclusive Gary Rhodes Restaurant.
There is also a delightful spa, a beach bar, swimming pool, gym, tennis court, occasional evening entertainment and free wi-fi. Their service (as experienced by friends of ours earlier this year) is second to none with nothing too much trouble for the friendly and helpful staff.
Of course we will ensure that you are able to explore the wonderful vegetation and fascinating culture of the island. Example tours include:
TOUR 1 visit Noelville, where the nutmeg producers/Chelsea Flower Show coordinators are located. Then to the Grand Etang Rainforest to walk the short nature trail guided by a local plant expert and admire the outstanding plants that showcased at Chelsea including orchids, anthuriums, heliconias and gingers, and finishing at the Grand Etang Crater Lake with a picnic lunch, provided by the Calabash Hotel. On the way back to the hotel you will stop at the Annandale Waterfall, where you can dip your feet in, hire guides to jump from the top into the falls, or just observe the natural beauty of it.
TOUR 2 - dinner theatre at The Spice Basket where you’ll enjoy a musical and theatrical story told through the passion of dance, pulsating music and drama.
TOUR 4
- visit Smithys gardens, then journey up the West Coast to the town of Guoyave where the local Fish Friday is held – and where a few streets are closed off and vendors sell seafood and flowers of all sorts (check out the Smithys Garden florists)!
TOUR 5 - visit to the capital St. Georges to wander around, go to the vegetable and craft market and to enjoy lunch on the delightful waterfront, The Carenage , at the Ocean Grill Restaurant.
Well, that gives you an idea of what COULD be in store for May 26 June 2, 2013 if you’re interested, do let us know! contact@gardenhousebrighton.co.uk