Testimonials

Some of the many comments received from our previous tour guests...

• ‘Dear Donna…While downloading a few hundred photos of Tuscany I couldn't get over the sheer beauty of it all. That view of Florence from Michelangelo Square was breathtakingly awesome.It will stay in my memory forever.The whole tour was so well planned and we all fell in love with Marco. What a wonderful guide he was...so informative, witty, attentive and easy on the eyes too! The food was great and dining al fresco up at Montecatini Alto was a delight on a warm evening. So many great memories to cherish of a truly special area of Italy shared with a friendly group of traveling friends. Thank you for all your planning and attention to details.’ Barbara, Italy 2011
   
• ‘I’m glad that particular bird was so co-operative. It was nice to share such a beauty with the tour group; a few of them actually appreciated him! For the few like you and Shirley who do have an interest in birds, it was nice to share a life bird with you. You can remember that sighting and the fact that we shared it, for a lifetime. We had a great time. I’m almost back to a normal sleeping pattern, and looking forward to finally catching up with the rest of my life and maybe spending some time editing my photos. The nice thing about that is that I can re-live the adventure, and thrill again over all the great new stuff we saw and experienced.’ Walter, Italy 2011
   
• ‘Shirley and I both agreed that we had a wonderful time and enjoyed everything. The food, the tours, the guides, Marco and his wonderful sense of humour, the driver and all the other travellers. I will certainly be travelling with you again and I think Shirley will also. I will also continue to sing your praises to anyone who asks about my travel experiences.’ Lynda, Italy 2011
   
• Thank you so much for the wonderful tour of Tuscany! Tuscany is a magnificent area (Marco taught us well) and I would never have seen such a range of places and experienced so much of it without your tour. I definitely would like to put my name down for another of your tours. I loved visiting Villa Petriolo. I really felt the passage of time in a family business there and loved seeing the layers of time in the old villa from before the current family's arrival. The beautiful expanse of land with the grapes and olive trees and distant views was just incredible. I could have stayed there much longer especially if there had been time to go walking on the property. I also loved seeing the hilltop and the elderly lady's garden at Monsummano Alto. Pauline seemed to win her over so we were welcomed as visitors and she seemed to enjoy our enjoyment of her garden. Looking back, I can't honestly think of anything that I wouldn't have wanted to see. I knew before I came that big Italian gardens are very formally laid out which, if you saw my garden, is not my style but I was there to see and experience something different and I did! I was fascinated by the nurseries that we saw from the bus with rows and rows of clipped and potted shrubs and trees. Instant formality! Having lunch in the Bardini was great (in spite of the deluge) and gave time to sit and gaze over the landscape towards Florence. I loved their hydrangea walk.’ Margaret, Italy 2011
   
• ‘Thank you for putting this Tuscany tour together. The town and services were great, train included. Shopping was good also. Loved the topiary displays and the "hands on" by us. Alto Montecatini was wonderful, much so that we went back for sunset. Our guide, Marco was great, informative, funny, patient and very willing to help anyway he could. He was well versed in history and a very proud Tuscan. Our trip to Vinci was memorable. it was a wonderful trip, well organized and lots of fun. Montecatini was just the right size for strolling at night, gelato, eating in restaurants, ATM's, shopping and feeling safe.’ Joan, Italy 2011
   
• ‘Great tour, I really enjoyed it. I really liked the Hotel and the location. The staff were very friendly and assisted us by booking tickets to the Uffizi Museum. The town was a perfect mix of tourist resources and Tuscan atmosphere. If I was traveling to that area again I would stay there and make day trips to other areas in Italy via the train - I would not stay in Florence. I enjoyed the gardens, growers and horticulturalists very much, it was great seeing the producers and growers and learning first hand their business methods. It was a nice variety of gardens, producers and individuals in the nursery business. I enjoyed the public gardens we visited. As we were traveling on the bus I was able to glimpse views of private gardens and balconies that local residents were growing for their own enjoyment. The Giadino Bardini - was my favorite, it was an oasis of calm in a bustling, busy city, with beautiful spaces and vistas. I enjoyed the day spent at Tenuta di Capezzana, it was nice to see up close the workings of a winery, after seeing all the groves along the hillsides. It was also a very personal tour, something that we would never have seen on our own -- a real connection to the local residents. The perfumery was also enjoyable, something I knew little about - and the experience was very unique. The guides and driver were all wonderful, they were welcoming, accommodating and true Florentines, I think we all felt very touched by their generous hospitality. I think I am on your list for future tours. I may be interested in the France/England tour in 2013 if it available and a tour of Ireland if it is planned for a future date.’ Charlene, Italy 2011
   
• ‘We enjoyed our tour very much and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to friends. The gardens were all on my wish list, so I was happy with the selection, and the time allotted for each was plenty. We liked being able to roam on our own, but also really enjoyed the guided parts, at Versailles and Great Dixter. Our guide at Versailles, Sylvana, was wonderful; her knowledge and enthusiasm enriched the experience a lot! Chelsea was a little overwhelming at first; figuring out where to go and how much there was to see, even with the map of the grounds, was a bit daunting. We were glad to be there early, though, before it got really crowded, and have as much time as we wanted. Also it was a good tip to get sandwiches ahead of time (good for the dual garden day as well). It was an amazing experience in all. If I had to pick from such an illustrious group, I'd say Great Dixter was my favourite. Perhaps because of the scale (less grand), or the combination of buildings and gardens, or because I knew the least about it so had fewer expectations. But I'm so glad to have seen them all. They were all fabulous! We figured out that you can buy an Oyster card (6 pounds deposit) for the London transit system, and load it up with as much money as you want, and when you leave you get a refund on both the card deposit and any unused money you have put on it. What a great system! I mention it because it wasn't clear to me that I would be refunded everything left over, so I was trying to put in just what I thought we might need. Of course we were always running out. We did feel like we were well taken care of, transport and accommodations and meals and tours were well organized, and the mix of gardens great. We haven't really had time to sort our (too many) photos, but when we do, we'll send along anything we think is special. Promise not to send more than a few! Thanks for a great holiday,’ best to you, Anne and Bob, Paris/Chelsea 2011
   
• ‘I wanted to write to you and tell you what a wonderful time Bobby and I had in France/England. I've been swamped since my return to Chicago, but with fresh ideas and inspiration. Veronica was awesome. I was very unsure about going on an 'tour' type trip as we had never been on one before, however, I would not hesitate again. Everything was great. You organized things very well and we so appreciated your efforts once we had a look at all the crowds. We would have spent half our time lost and the other half in line waiting to get into places. Thanks again so much for your efforts. We totally appreciated all you did to make our first trip to Europe a wonderful memory.’ Debbie, Paris/Chelsea 2011
   
• ‘Sissinghurst was absolutely a joy. Wisley was difficult to take in in one day but there was something for everyone. Giverny was magical even with all the people. Overall I think it was a good mix of famous gardens and I wouldn't pass on seeing any of them. Chelsea was in a class of its own and better than I thought it would be and I had high expectations. My husband went on the tour just to be with me but he enjoyed it very much as well and we both think we might be interested in the Morocco in 2013.’ Sharon, Paris/Chelsea 2011
   
• ‘Trip was great! Good mix / balance re the garden visits with the 2 free days. All were great gardens to visit. Favorite garden - Great Dixter.’ Diana, Paris/Chelsea 2011
   
• ‘I enjoyed both Great Dixter and Sissinghurst for different reasons, the house at GD was very interesting (Brits go to great lengths to preserve their structures) and being a farm lass I liked the farm atmosphere at Sissinghurst. It was also a great time to be in England if you are a lover of Roses. Veronica did a great job of looking after our group. Overall a great trip.’ Margaret, Paris/Chelsea 2011
   
• ‘Loved the Paris Hotel. It must be doing something right if so many airline personnel stay there. It was quiet, yet even though it was a ways from main Paris it was such an easy Metro ride to central Paris that it didn't matter. The room sizes were great and the amenities very nice. It was nice to be able to walk around the 'burbs just near the hotel - you got a good sense of ordinary Parisian life. There were plenty of places to eat nearby with a variety of cuisines represented. The Hotel's restaurant also had great food. If needed, local grocers, patisseries and chemists were within easy reach too. The yellow tourist buses stopped practically outside the Hotel so if you purchased one of their 2 day tickets you not only got a good guided tour of Paris and the ability to hop on - hop off at different tourist attractions, but a ride 'home' as well. The London Hotel was handy being so close to Waterloo Station and its assorted food outlets (especially Marks and Spencer's food outlet for those sandwich lunches). The pub across the road from Waterloo (can't think of its name) also provided good meals at a reasonable price- but I would avoid Fri/sat nights as it gets crowded and boisterous, especially when there was a footy game on. The map we were given was EXCELLENT. It had all the tourist places clearly marked and was very easy to navigate with. To see Monet's garden was a longtime wish of mine and I was delighted to be able to wander its grounds. The numbers of visitors on the day were reasonable and it was not overly crowded (I am glad we got there early). Lunch was fine and the gardens at the lunch spot were definitely worth a look. I loved Chelsea and, despite the bad weather, felt I got to see everything I wanted . Being able to leave when we had enough was a good way to 'do' Chelsea. Donna, thank you for organizing the trip. I met such interesting, friendly people and saw so many wonderful gardens that I came home quite inspired.’ Jenny, Paris/Chelsea 2011
   
• ‘I enjoyed the tour very much. The hotel in Paris was excellent and I would highly recommend it. My favorite garden was Monet's in France and the wonderful town of Giverny with all the roses. In London, the Chelsea flower show was amazing and I loved Great Dixter and Sissinghurst. I would recommend the tour and in fact my husband and I are booked with you next April for Floriade.’ Gloria, Paris/Chelsea 2011
   
• ‘Successful trip with many highlights to be remembered. Enjoyed the coast at Casablanca and Tangiers, the cooking school, the Majorelle garden, the company. Land arrangements excellent – hotels, food, bus, travel personnel.’ Marilyn, Morocco 2011
   
• ‘I can’t choose a highlight, because all was so good! I know we really enjoyed the cooking class, and the meals were excellent. The hotels were extremely glamorous, Food was fabulous, culture was educational, bus drive through the countryside was an eye opener (for me, the agriculture) and yes, I would recommend the tour. I know we would very much like to go on another’ Linda, Morocco 2011
   
• 'Firstly my thanks for the "magic carpet ride" through Morocco, have so many memories and stories to relate to family and friends, who seem quite surprised and envious that I chose this mystical country to visit. The hotels were all first class with excellent rooms and friendly staff.
  
  The food was wonderful, but for myself I did feel that having two large meals (most days) at those wonderful locations was too much, although I realise I have rather a small appetite and one has to plan for the majority. Our guide was very knowledgeable and although the pace was a little more strenuous than I had expected it was wonderful to learn and see as much of the history and country as we did. I was struck by the contrast of the wealth and poverty , the beautiful faces of the young women clothed in those colourful silks contrasting to their male partners, who mostly were in western style clothing. The shepherds tending their small flocks in the fields for miles and miles, really intrigued me.
  
  I would recommend the tour to anyone who I thought would enjoy to learn about an entirely different culture and learn more about a country who is trying to live peaceably with all races and religions. Thank you again for everything, was fun meeting up with some of the people we enjoyed on our trip together four years ago’ Marina, Morocco 2011
   
• ‘I had an absolutely wonderful time. I`m glad I went with you. The group was wonderful and we did have some laughs. I was glad to meet up with some old friends and make some new ones. Hopefully I will see some of them again next year either in the Netherlands or South Africa. I thought all the hotels were wonderful. My room in every case was great. I had wonderful views, excellent service, great beds and quiet rooms. I didn`t need to use my earplugs until one night in Marrakech. Wonderful. The food was unbelievable. My only regret is that I have not the will power to eat only small portions of all that was served. I enjoyed every meal. The service was good in the hotels. I do think North Americans do not make allowances for different ways of doing things which may have been an issue for some but I thought everything was good. I really enjoyed going into the Medina and shopping. I would have liked to see the snake charmers in Marrakech but there was so much going on I just ran out of steam. Our guide was very good. I think he may have found us a little like herding cats, but despite that he showed good humour and was helpful at all times. His helpers were also very good. I enjoyed the travel with them very much indeed. I also really enjoyed the carriage ride in Marrakech. It was really interesting to see the city from the carriage. The horses and drivers were wonderful. I have recommended your tours to many people and Morocco will be up there with all the others. I think that you look after your clients well, provide good accommodation and meals and have very good guides. I know there are always some glitches along the way but you and your guides resolved the issues quickly and efficiently which speaks well of you interest and consideration of client needs. I think this is why I would never hesitate to recommend your tours to anyone and can personally vouch for the quality and high standards you set for all aspects of your tours.’ Lynda, Morocco 2011
   
• ‘On the whole, the trip was amazing! Yes, there was glitches, but in my experience on tours that always happens, and in every instance you (and Omari) were able to work your way around these. Your choices were stellar and I am thrilled to have been part of this marvelous adventure. The hotels, the food, the places we visited -- all spectacular and wonderful .... never been on a tour with such first-class hotels; the food was exceptional. Loved the cooking lesson, loved Volubilis, loved Tangier, Rabat, Fes, Marrakech (Casablanca not so much, but wouldn't have missed it for the world). The combination of excursions chosen were of great interest (pity that some of the venues were closed, but that happens). Omari and his team were professional, helpful, always smiling, and an asset to the tour group. I would certainly recommend this tour to others’ I've been on many trips of this nature and applaud you for putting together a great "adventure" -- perhaps a wee bit ambitious, but as I said before, wouldn't have missed it for the world! Thank you for all your efforts on our behalf’ J. Barbara, Morocco 2011
   
• ‘it was a spectacular trip that remains in many wonderful memories. Just wanted to thank you again for such a spectacular trip! It was exceptional: the food, the hotels, the scenery, the shopping, the Moroccan people and my co-travelers. I can't thank you enough for such a wonderful, fantasy tour!’ Rochelle, Morocco 2011
   
• ‘Each meal was in a unique restaurant and they were all fabulous settings. I am glad the French colonized Morocco and left behind their baking tradition. I really enjoyed the scenery, and the opportunity to visit the medinas and especially the Riads. The cooking school was a lot of fun. The food and hotels were spectacular so I felt very pampered the whole time. There was good variety of events and scenery so I feel that I have seen all that I need to see of Morocco. Omari was an excellent guide - knowledgeable and patient. I had a wonderful time and hope to see you again in Holland. Thank you for all your hard work – you did a great job.’ Cathy, Morocco 2011
   
• ‘Your tour was excellent. Rosalind and I had a wonderful time and plan to join you again. Please put us down as very interested in Morocco. I've recommended you to a number of friends for your impeccable taste and superb organization. I could not have asked for more. Thank you and looking forward to the next outing.’ Michele, Thailand 2012
   
• ‘The tour was well organized, packed full of new excitement every day - we kept saying 'it couldn't get any better' but each day was more memorable than the last. Donna I really enjoyed your company and would go with you again anytime. Carlson Wagonlit - Michael and Brittany were great, answered all our questions and arranged our extended trip to Vietnam that turned out to be just what we wanted. Thanks again.
  
  I would recommend your tours definitely, in fact I am interested in South Africa 2012. Thanks for a wonderful trip and a lifetime of memories.’ Rosalind, Thailand 2011
   
• ‘You do an excellent job, well organized and the opportunity to see the salient tourist sites. The Flower Parade was definitely something to see and experience So glad I rode the elephant- memorable for me, enjoyed the elephant show. As well, the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden was delightful—so many wonderful experiences in Chiang Mai!! Hotel Phu Chaisai Mountain Resort was a perfect finish to our trip which touched the soul and created a peaceful ambiance.’ Sonia, Thailand 2011
   
• ‘I enjoyed the tour very much...I've already recommended it to several people. Donna, you were very easy to be around, I felt "taken care of" yet not smothered. There was plenty of time to do what we wanted and venture out. Cambodia-loved the people.....they were happy and very friendly. Angkor Wat-I still cannot believe that we could touch the carvings and walk through the entire temple with no one guarding the place.’ Katie, Thailand 2011
  ‘I loved Chiang Mai and would go back it was overall just a great place to visit and spend more time. The whole tour was memorable. The lanterns after dinner were a special treat.’ Deborah, Thailand 2011
   
• ‘I found our visit to the Royal Grand Palace quite fascinating and so very different to everything we know architecturally but what was
  even more amazing that similar ornate temples are found in quite small communities. I was blown away by the craftmanship we saw at the Art of the Kingdom Museum. Cambodia: This was a highlight for me from the moment we arrived and were given such a warm welcome, a beautiful gift of a silk scarf and taken to the Artisans Angkor Centre, my sort of place to shop. I thought Long did a great job and was very knowledgeable on the temples, and pleasantly enthusiastic about his country. The hotel was delightful - great choice. I enjoyed the Elephant farm much more than i thought i would, lunch in such a beautiful spot followed by the visit to the Queen Sirikit Garden made a great day. Chiang Rai - Our boutique hotel in the hills was quite the most lovely place to end our trip.’ Gay, Thailand 2011
   
• ‘The trip was wonderful! Very well planned and executed, good variety, lots to learn and experience, so glad the group was small and people so interesting and easy to travel with. I've finished the book "Very Thai - Everyday Popular Culture" (Second Edition) that I got in the Bangkok airport and I highly recommend it. It is available at Amazon. Thanks so much.’ Phyllis, Thailand 2011
   
• ‘I would recommend the tour. I saw parts of the gardens I would never have seen otherwise. The choice and variety of gardens were great. I got a good understanding of the gardening industry in the UK – so different from ours. I especially liked meeting the owners/head gardeners and staff. Thanks so much for your great organization and efforts in pulling this all together! Thanks for getting Sue and I together – a great roommate. I have not started to organize my pictures – when I do I will send the special ones on to you.’ Cathy, Blooms 2010
   
• ‘Hampton Court Flower Show This was a great experience. If you have done Philly and Chelsea - you have to do Hampton. Although very commercial, I found a plentitude of wonderful ideas to discuss at home - perhaps even to implement in my own garden. The tour was well balanced with free time and garden time. The accommodations were excellent and the food was equally so. (No bad English food anywhere to be had.) I would certainly recommend your trip Donna! I think that the details were well worked out - which is a huge component of a successful trip. Thank you for a wonderful trip Donna and as I said before, I would certainly recommend your trips to anyone. I have already passed some of your future trips along to my friends in the UK. Best of all - you were punctual and keep the other members of the group together when the need arose.’ Eva, Blooms 2010
   
• ‘It was a great trip. Fun folks, great sights and well planned. Hyde Hall and of course The Old Vicarage were fabulous. Loved the Angel hotel - great food, great staff, great rooms. Nice baths. The location was also great, Loved the ambiance. The NH Harrington Hall Hotel room was nice size-wise, as was the bathroom. The food was also great Loved the tour. Would recommend it to anyone.’ Blooms 2010, Nancy
   
• ‘The Angel Hotel - Wonderful. Very beautiful and centrally located for walking. Will Giles was an example of how diverse the climate is. However a variety of garden themes were well displayed everywhere. The sheer AGE of some of the architecture in and around the area was wonderfully apparent. Great photo ops. The courtyard gardens when we walked around... Gardening on every scale. England should be first on your list of places outside the US.’ Blooms 2010, Rita
   
• ‘I really liked everything about the tour. In particular I liked staying in just two hotels. The choice of gardens we visited was excellent. I was a little concerned about the fact that the participants would be mostly people with a professional interest in gardens, but I found the group very compatible. I enjoyed meeting you and hope to take part of another of your tours one day.’ Blooms 2010, Marion
   
• ‘Hotels were very comfortable - The Angel more than met my expectations (for England) Enjoyed all the gardens, however the visit to Bressingham was of particular interest to me because I work in the retail side of Hort. I was also pleased to see how successful Thompson Morgan has become ( we know that from sales but hearing their business goals/plans from the Director was more meaningful). Bus Drivers: Well you just have to take your hat off to them particularly dealing with London traffic. Hampton Court: You have to see it at least once - enjoyed it but for the heat - my preference is still Chelsea. I shall be watching the "Jack Dunkley" story with interest as it evolves.
  
  I found the tour well-organized. "Thank you" for an excellent tour. It met all my expectations in every regard. I will certainly recommend the tour to others and hope to take more of them myself.’ Blooms 2010, Margaret
   
• ‘The gardens were very nice with plenty of time at each. I specifically wanted to go to Hampton Court, Adrian Bloom's, and Beth Chatto's. Wisley was the best bonus. The highlights for me were the small restaurants in Bury St Edmunds, the vendor tent at Hampton court, meeting Beth Chatto and Will Giles, picking up rocks on the North Sea.’ Blooms 2010, Sharee
   
• ‘The Angel Hotel for me was a dream. I had one of those big Victorian rooms with the high ceilings. This was also the best meal I had the whole time I was in England. The meet and greet meal was sumptuous. I also loved the breaky and the ability to have a take away sandwich due to my hypoglycemia. I also loved the town of Bury. Cathy and I(another successful roommate!!) walked around, went to a great pub for supper and enjoyed it immensely. The gardens were phenomenal. I know you usually have a day for your break but I really appreciated the extra day of visiting gardens. Thank you. I really liked the break as well when we went on the punt to recharge my batteries. I would have liked to see the Claire gardens at Cambridge but I know I wouldn’t have enjoyed them because I was too tired. So good idea about the punt and looking at the gardens as we sailed by was enough. I found that Will Giles was so very personable. He was out in the garden the whole time with us. It was also great to have Beth Chatto talk to us and her Head Gardener taking us around. Isn’t she amazing. Her garden was unbelievable. What a joy to saunter around and her café was a nice spot as well. Of course Bressingham Gardens were wonderful. Walking around with Adrian Bloom, listening to the history of his garden was a real treat. He is so enthusiastic. Isn’t it great to love your work. I hope he can do it for another 20 years just like his Dad did. I was blown away by the Old Vicarage. The garden rooms around the house were so colorful and bold and I got some great ideas from the veggie garden too.(supports).
  I also got some great ideas about plant supports from RHS Wisley. I took pics of all of them. I also enjoyed the Botanical Gardens at Cambridge. I got some good ideas there, most of the flowers they grew in their perennial borders I could grow in my garden. I also loved their scent garden. I loved the long sweeping borders around the outskirts of RHS Hyde Hall. Thompson and Morgan are one of my favorite seed companies and I loved the tour of the plant and the trial gardens. Hampton Court Palace was very impressive. What a building. And the grounds gorgeous. The Flower Show was a lot like Chelsea, larger and with a lot more shopping, wish that I would have had more room in my bags. I really enjoyed meeting Jack and seeing his and all the gardens. All the people at the gardens were very talkative and informative. All in all Donna, I would say this tour has been another success for you and why I continue to go on your tours. I can say I enjoyed myself totally and I thank you again for the opportunity to attend with the garden writers and see a different side of the gardening world.’ Blooms 2010, Sue
   
• ‘Yes I would recommend it to other garden enthusiasts as you see many different types of gardens. I love not having to do so much planning and enjoy being driven around – it’s effortless!’ Blooms 2010 Judy
   
• ‘The Angel and NH Harrington Hotels were great and breakfast was delicious. I especially liked the Angel Hotel and setting across from the Abbey Gardens/Ruins. Coaches were much, much nicer and comfortable than expected! Drivers were very cordial, too, and did a good job in navigating the buses on narrow, busy streets. Meeting Jack Dunkley was the highlight of the show. His design and the work that went into the garden were amazing…and to think he is so young. Most of the other show gardens were impressive and innovative, too. Although focus at the show seemed to be more vendors than gardens. Thus, it was enjoyable to be able to tour the Hampton Court gardens and palace. The great vine is quite impressive to see in person. This may sound biased, but I thought the Bressingham Gardens looked the best – lush and fresh looking. Growth since my last visit 5 years ago was incredible and Adrian has made changes to the Foggy Bottom plantings, and the new connecting garden, Adrian’s Wood. It is interesting to note that about half a dozen people on the tour commented to me that they liked the Foggy Bottom garden better than the Dell garden because of the conifers and planting schemes with perennials. Beth Chatto’s garden looked good, too, and it was wonderful that she was able to meet with the group. RHS Wisley was also interesting because of the scope covered, from the mixed perennial borders to the model gardens, vegetable gardens and expansive trial site. Especially liked the Family model garden concept, the herb garden and the vegetable garden planting edged in flowers. Our guide was very knowledgeable and explained that some of the garden art and plantings were strategically placed to draw visitors in to explore somewhat “hidden” garden features, such as the large upside down roots at the entrance to the vegetable garden. Wisley’s approach as a learning/teaching facility with ever-changing attractions was very strong but in a subtle way. Another unique thing that our guide called out was the use of unobtrusive supports to keep tall plants from falling over, particularly the use of intertwined vine/twig structures , black poles and green wire grid frames that could be raised as plants grow. As the garden filled in, they disappeared…a neat trick! Will Giles exotic garden was a surprise in such a small area and with the remarkable tree house.’ ’ Blooms 2010, Chris
   
• ‘The Angel Hotel was lovely, the food delish and we appreciated taking a 'to go' breakfast sandwich on the road in the a.m. Most appreciated was the courtyard to sit and relax, bring our own wine and visit with others on the tour. We loved the dinner in the 'cave'. All food was fabulous which is really unusual for a hotel. Top drawer, go back there. We will, as we have already advised other travelers. Fabulous planning, packed in a lot and we enjoyed everything. Hampton Court - great job in getting us to Jack's garden, his intro and later distributing the tickets to the Privy Garden. That was not easy and you made it seamless.. Old Vicarage - not prepared for such a mind blowing garden. We were all blown away. Ruin gardens at Bury St. Edmund's Cathedral were lovely, touching and we thoroughly enjoyed the evening prayers. Also listening to the choir practice while we toured the gardens was unforgettable. Hyde Hall was surprising all the way through. It didn't appear to be what it ended up to be. WE LOVE THIS GARDEN. Many pix taken here. Beth Chatto - amazingly wonderful to meet Beth and hear her speak. She looks fabulous!!! Hampton Court Flower Show FABULOUS! What fun to participate. Very nice touch meeting Jack Dunckley. He seems like a genuinely nice fellow and as we see him grow into the future, we will have fond memories of that day. Well planned, and executed. Action packed! Bravo Donna! We had a great vacation. Thank you for all of your efforts.’ Blooms 2010, Eric and Julia
   
• ‘I did like meeting Jack - he's so young to have done what he has. I enjoyed the gardens and the palace. I was very glad the palace was included - I went around it -enjoyed the 2 different eras of it. Bury St Edmonds was a highlight. It was lovely to have the gardens and ruins to wander in, to get a feel of history and enjoy the beauty of the gardens and the cathedral. I would definitely recommend this tour to others.’ Blooms 2010, Barbara
   
• ‘Hi Donna, I had a terrific time….the best group trip I have ever been on!!! Absolutely wonderful!! I would not drop one garden. ? Yes, I most definitely would recommend this tour and I loved the schedule, how organized it was, the accommodations, and the people. Having several professional horticulturists/garden writers on the trip made for good networking for me. The Gardens are why I wanted to take this trip but adding some local items like punting and the pub was wonderful. I’d do it all again and would love to take another of your trips. You are very good at what you do Donna. Thank you for a terrific and memorable trip!’ Blooms 2010, Sue
   
• ‘Gardens - just amazing & so unlike those we see here. Liked RHS gardens the best - Hyde Hall & Wisley. Even better than what I'd hoped for. Hampton Court - total madness, but wouldn't have missed it for the world. Appreciated meeting Jack - and after seeing the other gardens - think he might have been done out of a deserved gold. Really enjoyed being able to run away to see the palace and take a speedy tour to get away from the mobs. Beth Chatto's garden (and for me meeting her was as good as meeting the Queen) was just lovely. Bought a couple of books from her store and am looking forward to getting into them. Old Vicarage - Loved every minute it of it - from the moment we couldn't get in, until they said so and we ended up at the beach, the flaming welcome complete with pink pointy boots, and a garden that was over-the-top crazy with a surprise a minute. Never seen anything quite like it, and I doubt I ever will again. We both loved the punting on the River Cam - our Captain was a real charmer - and so unlike any kind of water stuff I've ever done. (Beats the heck out of the Ottawa canal tour....) and the Eye was remarkable. Excellent tour - highly recommended!’ Blooms 2010, Barbara and Kevin
   
• ‘First, we wish to thank you for your efforts and attention to detail. It would have been daunting for us to attempt to see all that we did as solo tourists. Touring as a group added immensely to the enjoyment—everyone one was so friendly and kind. We are looking forward to taking another tour at some point in the near future.’ Blooms 2010, Jim and Patti
   
• ‘It was such fun getting to know everyone on the trip. That was a real plus. I enjoyed the trip and would not hesitate to recommend or go on another of your trips.’ Blooms 2010, Faye
   
• ‘I think visiting England at that time of year was magnificent. Everywhere one looked, the countryside, the villages, Chelsea and the English Gardens were at their best. Vibrant shades of green in the fields, flowering shrubs and trees and vines were dressed in their most brilliant attire. I'm sure even the Crown Jewels couldn't compare to what nature has given us. What an up-lifting adventure I had.’ Marg, 2010 Chelsea
   
• ‘Donna, just got my photos back from the garden tour! What great memories!! There were so many nice people on the tour. As far as on overall joyful thought........ As a very busy gardener I don't think I ever really stop take in everything around me. This week was one in which I could stop and smell the roses for the whole week!! The tour had so many beautiful views and lovely sights that I could sit and appreciate each and everyone, and then look forward to the next day’s beautiful gardens. You did a fabulous job, so many nice touches, the right number of free days with garden days. What a fabulous week to be a gardener! Donna, thanks for the memories!!’ Mark, 2010 Chelsea
  
  
• ‘I’m not a gardener, but I lived the trip and beauty of English flowers through Mark – very well planned, great job!‘ Debra, 2010 Chelsea

• ‘Just a quick email to tell you how much Gladys and I enjoyed our trip with you. It was just the right amount of preplanned activities mixed with the right amount of freedom to enjoy London on our own. Thanks Sincerely, Helen, 2010 Chelsea
  
  
• ‘I knew before the tour that I would see amazing gardens, but it was far better than anything my imagination had come up with. At the end of each day my "eyes were full", I had to download them for the next day. I am thankful that I had started using my treadmill a few months before the tour in order to get in shape for the walking I did. Thanks Donna for all the work you did for me. Hopefully I'll be able to tour at least once a year with you.’ Allison, 2010 Chelsea
  
  
• ‘If you can't find inspiration from all we saw, you must have not been awake! Although many of the plants may not grow in Texas, I still picked up design ideas that I can use. It was a great trip!’ Sandra, 2010 Chelsea
  
  
• ‘When you said pack light, you were correct. I really enjoyed seeing how growing conditions of plant varieties we grow in N.J. differ in the U.K. Loved meeting new people, making new friends. The itinerary was marvelous, stupendous! This was the first tour I had ever been on and what a glorious first experience, thank you!’ Sandy, 2010 Chelsea
  
  
• ‘It was an excellent visual tool for me expanding my current hort. Knowledge for the Judges course I am currently attending. Enjoyed all gardens, each had something different. Nice to have free days too! I really liked the fact that we stayed in one hotel and travelled out from there’ Marguerite, 2010 Chelsea
  
  
• ‘ Wonderful gardens, thanks Donna! Superb again!’ Bev, 2010 Chelsea
  
  
• ‘First tour I’ve ever done, you impress as being organized…and great name tags!’ Gwen, 2010 Chelsea
  
  
• ‘I appreciate the level of organization from a well planned daily agenda to all the ‘little’ things like keeping us up to date with email, nice gifts like lunch containers, upgraded name tags and all the rest. Excellent choice of gardens, and hotel location’ Kathy, 2010 Chelsea
  
  
• ‘Thoroughly enjoyed the tour, loved the hotel and area’ Dianne, 2010 Chelsea
  
  
• ‘Thank you so much for sharing your passion for travel and gardens, you’re a cool chick!!’ Donna, 2010 Chelsea
  
  
• ‘Hi Donna I really was happy with all aspects of the tour. Although it's hard to choose a highlight, I guess for me it would be Sissinghurst. Over the years I have read about that garden and have always planned to see it one day.I was afraid that it might not live up to all my expectations but it was all that I thought it would be and more. It was magical and I have to return sometime with Brian.Many thanks for a wonderful over-all experience.’ Dianne, 2010 Chelsea
  
  
• ‘The tour was a perfect length. We were able to do a lot, and to finish before we got too punch-drunk. Leisure time was about right; particularly welcome when it happened later in the day. In the mornings, when we were fresher, we could have gone on a short (maybe optional) expedition instead of having a whole morning to kill. But I suspect those free mornings were more necessary than we realized at the time. We never felt rushed, and the time was used well. The Taj Mahal, believe it or not, was more than expected. AS for the others, I deliberately came with no expectations one way or the other, and found it all interesting. If I had to name a favourite besides TM it would be the fort at Jodhpur. I liked the mix of modern and traditional hotels very much. Jaipur was perhaps the best overall (with Delhi a close second) but they were all in different ways good. Hemesh our guide was excellent. Clear, well-informed, and interesting. And his sense of humour helped. Overall impression: excellent. A fascinating sample of a fascinating (and sometimes disturbing) country. I'd certainly recommend it.’
  Sandy, India tour 2010
   
• ‘Both Dianne & I were very pleased with the experience & most happy we went. The hotels were superb, palatial indeed. The food was very good everywhere. The length of tour was probably right given our ages!! We appreciated the bus rides as it gave one a better look at the real India. The coaches were fine. Our "Bussy" & his co-pilot were excellent & it was nice to have them along throughout. The shopping, well what can I say? As the prize winners for amount & frequency of purchases!! We tended to view it as a contribution to the people in India who do not have what we do while at the same time getting something back. It happens to us in NA with artisans as well I must say. The trip to the farms/co-ops by jeep was a real treat & could even have included a couple more stops? Hemesh was very good, a real professional & quite accommodating. His personality does indeed fit his job! Our visits to the artisans were a positive as it gave us a wee glimpse of the vibrancy of the people. As indeed did the "hawkers" even if a bit intrusive at times. In sum, we had a super time & would not have missed it.’ Brian and Dianne, India tour 2010
   
• ‘I liked everything about the tour. I did miss having the chance to go to Connaught Circle in Delhi as there was a jewellery store there I wanted to visit. I realize that Delhi was in even more chaos than when I was last there.
  It was a great group and a perfect size. The food was fine and I have been making mango lassis. The leisure time was fine and we would have swum more often if there weren't pigeons in the pool. It was very interesting to have guest speakers. I thought the tour was long enough and the shopping opportunities just fine. The hotels were all good. Particularly enjoyed Shiv Niwas at the end. Hemesh was a good balance of entertainment and information. The driver, his assistant and the coach were all excellent. I never felt at risk. Thanks Donna for all your good planning. It was an entertaining and thought provoking trip.’ Jan, India tour 2010
   
• ‘I thought it was well thought out. The travel days when we flew, we had lots of time, but we were in interesting locations. I never felt rushed. I thought we had plenty of time at each spot except at the places where we were not allowed to stop because of traffic. My only expectation was about the Taj Mahal. It was much more than I expected. The others were always a pleasant surprise. Hemesh went way out of his way to make sure that we all found the things we wanted shopping. The hotels were great, very interesting. They all were clean, comfortable and had plenty of bottled water. The freedom to pick our own time and just have a light dinner or an "international dinner" was always appreciated when we had our free evenings. Having the luggage sent on ahead was a great convenience. Hemesh was a gem. He was easy to understand and had a delightful perspective on Indian life. This tour was beyond my expectations. India is a place I don't plan on going back to soon, so it was great doing it right the first time.’ Steve, India tour 2010
   
• I had an awesome time with everyone. I wish we could have stayed in Cuenca a little longer and explored. A very interesting city and one I will suggest that my daughter and grand-daughter stay in and indulge themselves in "Spanish culture and language" and orchids. The food was well thought out for us. Very good, interesting and tasteful. The meals at the plantations were outstanding. I had no idea that we would be served such unique food and treated like very important guests. It was very obvious that we all enjoyed the welcoming of each host with their unique setting and style, and love of what they do. It was a fast paced trip and we saw and enjoyed so very much. I would like to suggest maybe a free afternoon or morning added. Thank you for all the beautiful gardens, time organizing and planning and all the people involved in organizing such a remarkable trip. Peter, Sebastian, you and all the special guides did a wonderful job. It was wonderful.!!!!!! Joan, Ecuador 2010 tour
   
• ‘After a long flight back home to Margarita (spending Sunday all-night at the Caracas airport....) I arrived safe and sound Monday morning. I am still sort of in a daze.... as the last 10 days in Ecuador have been an incredible experience for me! I found the trip was very well organized (thanks Peter & Sebastian!) and the choices of places to visit and stay overnight were well thought-out! Even though I knew the itinerary beforehand, there were plenty pleasant surprises that showed up along the way! The private growers were excellent hosts, including their delectable lunches! This trip allowed me an inside look at a beautiful country and its proud and lovely people, that you would normally not get when traveling on your own. I would highly recommend this qualified and trusted team of garden tour organizers (ICanGarden & EcuadorTraveler) and would definitely consider a future tour!’ Tineke, Ecuador 2010 tour
   
• ‘The tour was fantastic and I'm home now with great memories (and a bad cold)! The food, tour leaders, educational experience, fellow travelers, weather and shopping were all wonderful As far as future tours, I want to be on the list for Morocco and Floriade. It was a pleasure meeting and traveling with you, Peter and everyone else.’ Rochelle, Ecuador 2010 tour
   
• ‘Donna, a sincere thank you for a wonderful tour of Ecuador. I have so many memories of the sites I saw, the people I met and the adventures we shared. The trip was better than I expected and the country of Ecuador blew me away. I have tons of ideas for quilt designs as a result of what I saw, and my "gardening" will consist of little pieces of coloured fabric sewn together to make a whole instead of little plants sunk into the earth to create a garden in the traditional sense. It's all Art, and if you appreciate design and colour and fulfill your creative urges, it does not matter which medium you choose to work in! I'll email you pictures of any quilts I make as a result of the tour! Thanks again for all your work to create a top-notch tour!’ Susan, Ecuador 2010 tour
   
• ‘Yes the tour was wonderful, just by looking at the photos on your website we knew it was going to be good. I really appreciated that we had guides everywhere we went and so much information! It’s hard to pick a favorite, we loved Pakakuna Gardens, the Rose Plantation and of course the Orchid Plantation was much more than we imagined. We enjoyed them all. The cruise was a nice surprise! Hotels were great with comfy beds. Nice variety of food for breakfast. The pineapple and melon was so-o-oo-good. I LOVE fruit and cheese!! The dinners (lunches) were much more than we expected. Pictures don't do justice. We really enjoyed the gardens . It’s amazing how big the plants grow that we only think of as house plants. We also enjoyed the markets! Donna, once more , a BIG THANK YOU for all the work you did in putting this tour together. Ecuador is a beautiful country with friendly people.’ Len & Clara, Ecuador tour 2010
   
• ‘Hi Donna, well... I’m still in recovery mode, and living on the high of such a fabulous trip. Every day was a new adventure!!! the flowers and the trips to the plantation were an obvious highlight, but the travel and the cultural exposure was also very well done. Peter was wonderful, but so were all the city and tour guides, as well as the plantation operators who welcomed us so warmly, and were so willing to share their knowledge and passion with us. Another day in Cuenca, would be my only request. I would like to be on your email address, to keep me posted on future trips. Thank you so much again for such a wonderful trip. Take good care in India. Best wishes.’ Deb
   
• ‘Donna, a sincere thank you for a wonderful tour of Ecuador. I have so many memories of the sites I saw, the people I met and the adventures we shared. The trip was better than I expected and the country of Ecuador blew me away. I have tons of ideas for quilt designs as a result of what I saw, and my "gardening" will consist of little pieces of coloured fabric sewn together to make a whole instead of little plants sunk into the earth to create a garden in the traditional sense. It's all Art, and if you appreciate design and colour and fulfill your creative urges, it does not matter which medium you choose to work in! I'll email you pictures of any quilts I make as a result of the tour! Thanks again for all your work to create a top-notch tour!’ Susan, Ecuador 2010
   
• The trip was the perfect length. All of the gardens were wonderful. I especially enjoyed Dixter and Sissinghurst. You were great. I loved how you planned so much for us to do. I feel like we really got a lot for the money we spent.’ Babs, 2009 Chelsea Tour
   
• We've been busy making changes and adding plants to our yard. Wonderful tour, got great ideas. Trying to track down a few plants we saw. Found a few substitutes that look similar but will grow here. Inspiring gardens, our favorites were the personal ones like Stevington Manor House, Great Dixter and Sissinghurst. My husband is thinking about building hypertufa sinks, he was intrigued by the stone sinks and alpines.’ John & Marilyn, Chelsea 2009
   
• I really enjoyed the tour. I liked the relaxed pace and the ability to see as much or as little of each garden as I desired. Even being a single participant worked well for me and I did not feel out of place or awkward. The direction that you offered was just right.’ Charlene, 2009 Chelsea
   
• the hotel was great – much better than I expected, being London!! Our room was just fine – for 2 people there was more than enough space. We did not find the waits for breakie long at all – once in a while, just a few minutes. It was central – to the tube and to nearby restaurants. I would recommend it to anyone. The gardens were wonderful. Thanks so much for the pleasure of the tour – it was wonderful to see the gardens that we only read about!’ Wendy, 2009 Chelsea
   
• Thank you again for organizing this tour. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The hotel was very good. The location is good, and it is quiet. There are a lot of restaurants nearby and it is close to the tube. The rooms were clean and well-equipped. The gardens were all wonderful, and I liked that you included some smaller ones and they weren't all the big public ones. The time at the gardens was just about perfect. All in all, it was a wonderful trip. Sometime in the future, my husband and I will travel to India, and I was very interested to see that you have gone there. I don't know that I will be able to convince him that a garden tour is right for him, but maybe... If I can convince him of that, we will certainly consider any tour you offer when we are ready to go. Thanks again.’
  Susan, 2009 Chelsea
   
• The trip - it was fabulous Donna. I do believe that the location played a big part in the success. I arrived 6 days early and had an extensive list of London places to see - alone. I had never been in London before. The concierge team made it possible for me to achieve most everything I needed. The central location of the hotel was another great piece. The fact that the breakfast was included was a real gift. Because it was served buffet style one could slip in and out so quickly. I also found that with my extended stay I became known and was treated quickly and in a friendly manner. Shirley and I did encounter a problem one day of no towels in the room. The problem was remedied within 15 minutes of notification. The length of the tour was most appropriate. It sounded short but I was tired by the end. There was no garden that I would delete. I loved them all - and thank heaven for the bus drivers! The gift bags as name plates was such a lovely idea, and the food was excellent! You could not have failed to notice how well we connected by the last supper - the laughter was a good gauge. It is important for me to note too, just how much was included in the tour. In total, I could not have asked for a better trip. I have been watching your web site for years Donna and finally was able to participate. Thank you so much for such a wonderful time! Ann (2009 Chelsea)
   
• I thought the tour was great. I've stayed in this hotel before and I quite liked it. The location of the hotel is FABULOUS, as access to the tube is vital for our 'own' days. Liked that it was well located for walking to stores-esp. for food / take aways etc. The hotel was clean--a big plus and the staff always courteous and very helpful--esp. the staff manning the concierge desk. The tour was just the right mix of garden sizes-- from the very large to the well loved. Staying in London for the full time meant being a bit more grounded for me--I don't mind staying in different places but this meant much more time to explore the fantastic city that it is. Getting to Sir Richard Branson's roof top garden was a thrill! All in all it was wonderful. Next time how about Scotland? or Italy? or Spain? All places I'd like to visit. Cheers, Shirley (2009 Chelsea)
   
• Hi Donna, Loved the tour. Lots of variety in the gardens. Chelsea was even better than I had imagined. Thanks, too, for getting us there so early. It really let us see the gardens without massive crowds! The hotel was comfortable, the meals great, and centrally located, so close to the Circle Line. I would use it again. All the best, Sincerely Pat (2009 Chelsea)
   
• Donna, I thought that the hotel was a good one. We had no problems with wake up calls, the staff was most helpful with any questions we had and I thought that the location was quite central. I loved having Pret (for fresh and excellent soup, salads & sandwiches) so close and also M&S. The room was quite large enough compared to other hotel rooms I have stayed in on trips to Europe. Of course, the underground and bus just 5 minutes away. I would definitely not be disappointed if a tour was out of this hotel in the future. We actually managed our luggage on and off the underground to Heathrow. OK, Denise did help me up one flight of stairs coming and going! Thanks so much for all that you did to make this such a special trip for all. Everything seemed to run smoothly and Hilda (I think that was her name) was terrific at giving us a lot of history which I enjoy. Thanks once again for being such a terrific "leader and planner". I am sure that I just cannot imagine all that goes into putting something like this together. A job well done. Sincerely, Karen (2009 Chelsea)
   
• The post tour rate was great for London, the room was quiet and comfortable, the breakfasts were very hearty and kept us going well into the afternoon, and the location was dandy within easy walking distance of the tube, Hyde Park, groceries stores, shops, and restaurants, and the Natural History and V&A museums. I enjoyed the variety of gardens we visited. It would have been nicer to have more time at some (esp. Kew), but I realize that is sometimes difficult to do given the number we visited in a limited number of days. This was my mother's first trip to England, and I believe she enjoyed the experience very much. I know I did. Thanks for putting on such a great tour. Jim (2009 Chelsea)
   
• 'That was a wonderful trip to Chelsea and all those amazing gardens!!! Thanks for all the planning and care that went into it and all those thoughtful extras. I have many, many fond memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you so much' Barb (2009 Chelsea Tour)
   
• 'I thought the hotel was excellent. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The location was perfect...so close to tube station and food courts. The breakfast was also excellent..no waiting and lots of variety to suit all tastes. I enjoyed everything about the tour...the weather was a bonus! Thanks for everything' Barbara (2009 Chelsea Tour)
   
• 'Wonderful tour, Donna. I had never taken a tour before.. I so much appreciated having all the details taken care of by someone else! I will very likely be a repeat customer. The hotel was great. Staff were very knowledgeable and helpful. The beds were very comfortable. ( but I was so tired at the end of each day, I think I could have slept anywhere.) The breakfast was good, lots of variety. no waiting. The location of the hotel was also great. So near Hyde Park, good shopping, the V&A and science museums. (Whole Foods Restaurant was a fast and wholesome supper place and very close )The Chelsea show was a dream come true. I will recommend your tours to every one and forward some of my pictures of the trip to friends at Orchid society, the Cactus and Succulent society, and the Rock and Alpine garden society. They would probably all enjoy the tour.' Pat (2009 Chelsea Tour)
   
• 'Lots of great memories for us to enjoy and share as well as some great ideas. Thank you, once again, for another wonderful tour.' Sherry & Ron, (2009 Chelsea Tour) repeat guests
   
• 'Thanks again for the wonderful "memory in time" that you arranged for all of us. The gardens were amazing, and definitely the hotel added to the comfort of the trip.. The central London position allowed us to see many attractions and do some shopping in places we had only heard about. Service and food were also very good. I definitely liked your choice of gardens and this was the deciding factor to join you on this tour. I can't begin to tell you how much we enjoyed this adventure!' Marg (2009 Chelsea Tour)
   
• 'Truthfully I can state that the entire tour represented a longtime dream come true in every aspect; exceeding all my expectations!!!!! Certainly the ideal weather conditions served as a contributing factor!!!!! In short; tonight, I want to sincerely thank you for making such a trip so easy for all us travelers with no rushing; excellent organization; always affording us ample time for viewing every garden, and for all your much appreciated personal touches!!! I'm very very grateful to you for this most enjoyable experience, never to be forgotten!' Erdmute (2009 Chelsea Tour)
   
• 'Everything about the hotel was great. The tours were also enjoyable because they were each so different from the other. The times of touring them was also adequate. Thanks for a great week and wonderful memories.' Bettianne (2009 Chelsea Tour)
   
• I did have a good time with you all and so pleased in meeting you. (China 2009 tour) I was bragging over here all the beautiful gardens we visited. Hope I can go with you in October but we’ll see. Thank you for the opportunity and the experience for the trip. Lynda emailed me also and nice to hear from her. She’s a sweet, happy lady. Take care and hope to hear from you again. Keep in touch. Lydia, Baghdad
   
• China (2009) was gloriously beautiful with all their new plantings everywhere--and all the new roads! the gardens were exquisite-even I M Pei's overcrowded one! They are about 4 weeks back of our blooming cycles...I took 890 pictures to get thru-will keep working ...off to run errands. Blessings on your successful journey ! Marilyn, CA
   
• I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing (China 2009) The food, hotels, sightseeing, guides, shopping, everything. I’ve just spent the last hour on the phone with one of my friends telling her about it all. I could have talked longer but I have to get ready to go out this afternoon. Hopefully I will be able to go on one of your tours to the other parts of China. Keep in touch and thanks for everything, it was a thoroughly wonderful and enjoyable experience.
  Lynda, ON
   
• Chelsea- There is no way that I’ll ever forget any of you as wonderful and fun touring buddies . We packed an incredible amount of sites and wonders and fragrances into the time we were together touring. And Donna, you said you couldn’t do anything about the weather, but it was grand and then the day everyone leaves, Ann and I got the windy and rainy day, but we still enjoyed our day trip. As Ann said we got oodles of pictures and Marks & Spencer and Herrods have our mark in their stores; for that matter, so does every garden shop we visited on tour. I have a digital picture frame and as I watch my photos slide by, I get a rush of awesome wonder at the beauty of the places we’ve been and I’m glad that you were all there to be a part of my super holiday. Bouquets of roses to each of you. Great gardening for the year and I love my new gardening gloves from the Chelsea Flower Show ….. how did I do without them?
   
• Ecuador - it was a wonderful tour!! We thought it was a great privilege to go behind the scenes with the three growers. They were all such fine human beings, and, apparently, are doing business the way it should be done.
   
• We did love what we did do while in Ecuador and are grateful for the wonderful experiences we had. Many, many thanks.
   
• Great opportunities to take lots of photos. Guides and hosts very accommodating to those of us wanting to capture the experience on film or digital camera.
   
• Very good concern for participant enjoyment from the tour leaders while in Ecuador (rubber boots, sunscreen, insect repellent, water, bartering customs, what not to eat or drink, sharing bios before we arrived, etc.)
   
• Thanks to our Quayaquil local guide for his interest in birds and enthusiasm for sharing this information
   
• The generosity shown by Hans Peter in opening up his house, serving us breakfast, letting us tour his garden (and cave) and taking a full day to show us his BellaFlora operation.
   
• Ecuadorian food- loved the 5 star restaurant meals!
   
• Loved the mixture of artisan, cultural, historic, religious and horticulture. A great mix of diverse sights to see in Ecuador
   
• Wonderful to see the smaller villages and experience their traditional handicrafts. Lots of shopping opportunities too. Although I would have like a few more minutes in some destinations, but my wallet would have suffered more. It was a nice surprise to find more shops at the Quito airport to get more last, last minute scarves.
   
• I thought the trip to China was fantastic!
   
• The arrangements in China were well done, enjoyed the different meals and particularly the dim sum, the Silk factory and Jade factory.
   
• It's hard to pick a highlight as so many to choose from. For me, probably the great wall - especially with the spring flowering trees all around the site. A nice plus. Garden wise, the Peony Festival was wonderful.
   
• I really enjoyed the tour. Will look forward to hearing what you are organizing in the future.
   
• Every day was a highlight! There were so many "wow" moments; like seeing the wall in the distance -- absolutely phenomenal and amazing and of course actually walking in the same footsteps on the wall as millions before have done. "wow" ditto for the Terra Cotta Warriors, Shanghai Pudong skyline, the amount and size of building construction, the number and size of the Buddha temples and pagodas (very surprising for us), the grottos, etc. After the hectic days, I really enjoyed the tranquility of the 'sacred walk' of the Ming Tombs. Even though some of the temple/pagoda sights were crowded, I never got 'templed out'.
   
• The GARDENS of China - What an inspiration! When you consider the dense population of China, what a retreat and sanctuary these gardens would be for the people, of course, mostly the rich people. The Botanical gardens were beautiful and would be well used by the common people these days. I never tired of our visits to the gardens - they were all different. The peony show was certainly a highlight and has inspired me to grow more peonies.
   
• We found the arts and crafts factory demonstrations and tours very interesting and made the shopping experience so much more informed. Too bad the silk factory tour was so short! Tea Plantation was great.
   
• The food was a banquet three times a day. Every day was different and delicious.
   
• The Tang Dynasty show was excellent, as was the Shanghai Acrobatic show.
   
• The train trip was a nice experience, as was the canal boat ride in Suzhou, and the lake cruises were also pleasant. We enjoyed our bus rides as we were able to see the countryside and the local people.
   
• It was a trip of a lifetime. We saw a lot of world heritage sights, historical and modern China. We were inspired and encouraged by the magnitude of the Buddhist presence, the beautiful and peaceful gardens, scenery and cleanliness of the country, and felt very safe and welcome by the people of China. I certainly have much more respect and empathy for the hard life the people have had.
   
• It couldn't have happened without you Donna, Coco, our excellent local tour and bus guides, and of course Ricky Poon. . . . . . thank you very much. I would definitely recommend China travel to others, and would love to go again, perhaps to the southern areas.
   
• Your tour to China was very well done and I know we got to see a lot more than anyone. I also know that if you gave the tour, the accommodation and the food would be good as you did such a great job on my Chelsea tour. The train ride was great, surprisingly went by very quickly. Doing Thai Chi with the locals and the group was fun. We had a great group for chatting, very lucky that way. The evening Tang Dynasty show and dumpling supper was the best.
   
• I really liked dealing with Ricky, he was very prompt in answering all my questions. All the tour guides were great. Thanks again for a great tour!
   
• There was so much it is hard to "highlight". I enjoyed the food, even though I was expecting not to. The restaurants were well chosen. The dumpling dinner and show for Dorothy's birthday, Suzhou with its tree lined streets and canals and garden, and Shanghai museum are other highlights.
   
• For me the terra cotta warriors were the most interesting and not just because we had an amusing photo-op! I thought the arrangements in China were very well done with unexpected snags dealt with quickly. Friends have asked whether we would go to China again. Without hesitation, we say that we certainly would. We thought that the language barrier would inhibit meeting Chinese people but this was not the case. We found them friendly and eager to meet us and have photos of their kids and families. China is at the same time historically stunning and dynamically modern. It would take a lifetime to explore it in detail and by that time, it would likely have changed beyond recognition. We saw what we expected to see and a whole lot more. Having gardens as a principal focus was a great idea. There are simply too many diversions possible unless there is a meaningful focus such as we had on this tour. Overall value for time/money.... excellent. I enjoyed the cultural aspects (temples, tea plantation, crafts shops etc) as it helped me understand the gardens, why things are the way they are.
   
• I appreciated being paired up with an excellent roommate. I appreciated the optional evenings as I was able to pick and choose, depending on how I felt at the time.
   
• Coco was excellent, and the great local guides added specific knowledge. The drivers were impressive (!!!!)
   
• I have a new found respect and admiration for your capacity to travel so often as I must say the ``airport`` experience left me more tired than all the walking we did on our garden tours. I thought about our vacation in Florence and Nice and thought I should express my appreciation for all of the wonderful places we were able to see and the great guides you arranged for.
   
• Both Stephanie and Ria (I think this was her name) were great and gave lots of good background information which helped me understand and appreciate more of what we were seeing.
   
• The hotel in Nice was fabulous! What a thrill to be on the Mediterranean and certainly the service and attention to details was superb!
   
• I enjoyed the gardens at Eze and Menton, the most. The Boboli was fine, the view from the top terrace was lovely - Florence is such a beautiful city. Our suppers together were the best I have ever had on a tour. You really did a great job of making the meals a great experience, both from the food and the seating arrangements so we could ``visit`` each other.
   
• The size of the group made it easier to get to chat and get acquainted. I personally like smaller groups as there is less chance of having to wait while you `find the rest of the group who have not yet made it to the bus or whatever.
   
• Just wanted to let you know that Julie and I had a great time and really enjoyed our Mom/Daughter time together. The tour was really stress-free as all arrangements were taken care of, most meals provided and the pace was not too hectic! Believe me, my work life is so crazy that despite our daily outings, I came home feeling refreshed and relaxed. I certainly look forward to joining you again soon. Thanks for a lovely tour and keep up the great job!
   
• It was a great garden tour and I am enjoying my pictures. I know this is you by your new Italian bag!
   
• Hi Donna, just a little note to let you know Cobie and I are back home. We had a good time in Rome, but it felt kind of lonely without the group. We had a very good time in Nice and Florence, Loved the garden in Eze, Villa Rothchild and the private garden of William Waterfield..
   
• I thought the trip was just wonderful--I thoroughly enjoyed each and every day--the variety, the various climatic conditions the area enjoys, the variety of landscapes, towns and cities, and I was prepared from your emails for the change between Nice and Florence--I am not sure the whole group picked up on that one..I think some folks were expecting a lot more English color...I was not and thus held no such expectations. I truly think you go the second mile in organization, communication, and many other things! Many,many thanks.
   
• Hi Donna, sorry I have not been in touch sooner, did want you to know how much I enjoyed our wonderful trip. Thank you so much for all your planning and organization which made the tour work so well, thank you too for all those extra little gifts and attention to detail. Thanks again for everything...............have been reading "Under the Tuscan Sun" while recuperating and relieving many of the memories.
   
• I thought the choice of hotel in Nice was great - superb location, nice accomodations and excellent food. I enjoyed seeing the coast along the Cote d'Azur, most of the gardens and Eze.
   
• I think those of us who pay attention to our driving appreciated that extra sense of comfort one gets when riding with someone you recognize to be a safe, cautious and courteous driver.
   
• Would I go on another Donna Dawson Extravaganza ? In a heartbeat. I felt the time we were allotted at each garden was perfect (though I personally would have liked more time at Kew) , and I thought the garden selection could not have been better.
   
• Chelsea is in a class by itself. You have to see it to believe it. Your advice to get there early was the only way to go.
   
• The garden tour was everything we expected and more. It was so well organized and we had an opportunity to see so many beautiful gardens. The Chelsea Garden Show was a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you for all that you did to create a wonderful experience for us all.
   
• Donna, you do a topnotch job...the guides were good and Tony was just wonderful...and then it was up to the rest of us to be interested and to get along...which we did!
   
• I can't stop thinking about the garden tour and how wonderful it was in spite of the weather! Christine and I both felt that we should have added two days at the end as well as the two days we added at the very beginning, but, no doubt, we'd still have wanted more time!
   
• You have a nice, easy going presence that makes you ideal for what you do.
   
• I really loved it.....every bit of it. It just filled me up!
   
• Everything was perfect! Thanks Donna - Excellent job!
   
• Thank you so much! All the personal touches and gifts were so appreciated.
   
• I loved the garden in Eze, Villa Rothschild and the private garden of William Waterfield
   
• We totally enjoyed ourselves on this tour and will look for opportunities to join you again
   
• I truly think you go the second mile in organization, communication, and gift giving! Many, many thanks
   
• We enjoyed each and every garden, they were all unique in their own way, not always to my taste and my lack of knowledge but always informative and a great display of different influences, designs and teaching methods.
   
• Thank you so much for all your planning and organization which made the tour work so well, thank you too for all those extra little gifts and attention to detail
   
• I really enjoyed meeting you, and the group itself was a pleasure. I especially enjoyed getting to know Jan so thanks to you for finding me a room-mate
   
• As to our trip-fabulous, as to your leadership and organization-fabulous. We had a ball and even Michael, who is not a gardener, was inspired to be thinking up new landscaping ideas.
   
• Villa Ephrussi - both the villa and the gardens are a dream--we have never seen anything like them, and over the years we have seen a lot of gardens. We could return tomorrow, the aliveness of both gardens and design was exquisite. It really did feel like Paradise-and it smelled so good
   
• The trip could not have been better. We do look forward to being with you again.
   
• As Sherry told you earlier--we had a wonderful time on our France/Italy garden trip. In particular, the group was great fun--you Canadians are so witty and charming. Furthermore, the gardens were both interesting and beautiful.
   
• Donna, thank you so much for all of your organizing, gifts, hints, tips, fun, laughter, stories, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and can safely say my mother did too. Absolutely topnotch, exceeded my expectations
   
• Beautifully balanced between gardens and London
   
• Each day got better but all days were wonderful!
   
• Well organized and most enjoyable
   
• Excellent in all respects
   
• I really had only the expectation of seeing flowers, so everything else was a bonus!

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