NOVEMBER 2021

Day 1:   Home/Blenheim

Wednesday 03:  (D)

We are picked up from our home anywhere in the greater Auckland, Wellington, Tauranga or Christchurch areas and taken to the airport to join our flight to Blenheim.  On arrival we are met and taken to our hotel.  Join Tour Manager for dinner tonight at the Chateau Marlborough.

Day 2:  Gardens Galore

Thursday 04: (B -MT-AT-D)

After breakfast this morning we join our  coach and meet our local guide.  Our First Garden is Woodend—the blue agapanthus-lined driveway leads to the wedding avenue and to plants of Oak, magnolia and dogwood. Irises, camellias and Flowering Cherry are also       featured. Hortensia House is a romantic garden of massed flowers in hazy pastels and is bisected by the astonishing Spring Creek, its bridge inspired by Claude Monets garden at Giverny adds to the  European  flavour. Redheugh:  A much-admired country garden on the town boundary with its extensive sweep of lawn flanked by trees and herbaceous borders  Time  to enjoy a lunch break before heading to Neil & Juliet Mackinnons Garden:  A town garden with rhododendrons, camellias and roses.  Moira Tolan This pretty garden features      traditional borders of roses, hydrangeas and an abundant edible garden.  Secret Garden:  Private and secluded, this gardens high walls and lush greenery have created a secret oasis with plants chosen for their structure and texture.   Our last garden of the day Whitney: Developed from 1935,   significant mature trees , flowering and birdsong combine to create a lovely atmosphere in this traditional  garden. Craft sales are available here too.  Time to freshen up before enjoying dinner  at the Chateau Marlborough.

Day 3: Wairau Plain

Friday 05 (B-MT-L-AT-D)

Bordered by the Richmond Ranges and Wither Hills, the Wairau Plain is the primary vineyard area of Marlborough and where we will find a range of creative and inspiring gardens.

Burnlea:  Features a pristine aquifer-fed creek framed by impressive large trees above the variety of interesting plantings. A property full of surprises with an avenue of Himalayan cedar, an ancient peppertree,   kauri and exotic flowers and a sunken garden. Upton Oaks: a significant  and romantic country garden with the much-photographed and intricate knot garden and rustic olive grove leading to Gazebo gardens. The Watershed uses hedges to shelter garden areas encircling the house. Featuring climbing plants, and semi-woodlands of exotics and natives.

Myersdale: This structured garden of trees, hedges and a courtyard and pool area was developed for easy care and low        maintenance. An inspiring example of what can be achieved in a relatively short time.

Westgrove features a striking approach over a bridge crossing a large pond.  Its established garden includes a charming formal courtyard, water features and    abundant flower beds with stunning views.

Lyn and Rob Hammonds garden has Italy as its inspiration with its grand formal garden , statues and fountains and Corinthian         columns reminiscent of Tivoli, brick walls and hornbeam hedges creating many garden rooms with old fashioned roses, citrus,      lavender and olives  alongside an English Orangery.  Dinner at the Chateau Marlborough.

Day 4: East Coast & Awatere Valley   

Saturday 06:          (B-MT-L-AT-D)

Today our garden visits feature a selection of large gardens, diverse in climate and scattered amidst the background of spectacular scenery, from the rolling Pacific to the rugged Kaikoura Ranges. We enjoy a gorgeous lunch at the Store at Kekerengu.  Our first garden of the day is  Barewood recognized as “Garden of National Significance” A classic Potager with brick paths framed by box and lavender dividing beds of fruit, vegetables and  flowers. The garden was planted to complement the   century-old homestead with rambling roses encircling the verandah.  Then we head to Winterhome, another  Garden of National Significance. Featuring mass plantings, an Avocado Grove and sensational Pacific Ocean Views.   Paripuma is 5 hectares of an increasingly diverse range of plants and a vista across Cloudy Bay to Port Underwood. Winner of a Marlborough Environmental Landscape award.   Our final garden of the day is Ellerton.  Established 11 years ago from two hectares of farmland and still a work in progress, this garden shows off Mediterranean plantings, a hillside of lavender, intriguing nooks and crannies and breathtaking views.  A lovely way to finish .

Day 5: Garden Fete/Wither Hills

Sunday 07            (BL)

This morning we visit one of Marlborough’s largest free community events, the STIHL shop Garden Fete which concludes Bloom in the Boom weekend and brings together a fabulous collection of plants people, artisan vendors and garden product stalls.

Then its off to one of our  renowned wineries—Wither Hills, where we    enjoy a farewell lunch along with a glass of their  famous Sauvignon blanc. What a perfect way to finish the tour. Cheers!

Dinner tonight is on own arrangements. So many places to choose from close to the hotel.

Day 6:  Homeward Bound (B)

We enjoy a nice breakfast this morning and depending on flight times we can enjoy the shops before being transferred to the airport.

 

LOOK WHATS INCLUDED!!!

• Return airfares from Auckland Tauranga, Wellington or Christchurch 
• 4 nights at Blenheim Palms, Blenheim
• Cooked Breakfasts daily
• Dinner each evening
• Garden Visits including Morning and afternoon teas and gourmet lunches on Day 3 & 4
• Local guide for garden visits
• Visit to the Stihl Shop Garden Fete
• Lunch & a glass of Sauvignon Blanc at Wither Hills Winery
• Services of a Tour Manager Auckland back to Auckland
• FREE home pick up and return in the greater Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington or Christchurch areas (25k radius from airport)

 

Meals noted:

B =   Cooked Breakfast

MT =   Morning Tea

L=   Lunch

AT=   Afternoon tea

D=   Dinner

 

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT:

We have a limited number of single rooms available at a supplement of $380.00

 

TRAVELLING ALONE ?

If you book on a twin share basis and we are unable to match you with another person of the same gender WE will pay the single supplement.

 

DEPOSIT:

A deposit of $500 per  person is payable to hold a seat on the tour with the balance payable no later than 30 September 2021.

 

LOYALTY DISCOUNT:

Previous travellers receive a $30 discount off the brochure price (not combinable with any other offers)

 

CANCELLATION CHARGES:

Deposit: Non  refundable

30 Sept—02 October 2021: 70% of tour cost

03 Oct—03 Nov 2021: 100% of tour cost.

 

INSURANCE:

We strongly suggest you take out domestic cancellation insurance to cover for cancellation due to illness etc.    Please phone us for further details.

 

HEALTH:

This tour requires a moderate level of fitness. You need to be able to walk around gardens unaided.  Some areas can be uneven and we suggest comfortable walking shoes.

 

NOTE:  We may change the order of the garden visits dependent on timings and weather conditions.

 

Please note that if the tour is cancelled due to any Government regulation we will  refund all monies received back from our suppliers so you can book with confidence.  Should you cancel for any other reason, normal              cancellation fees will apply.

 

Tour is subject to normal booking conditions of Supreme Tours & Travel Ltd