Nearly three months ago, I wrote a post about Italy. I announced that a friend who provides guided tours to the land of great food and wine was interested in planning a garden tour. I posted a survey asking fellow gardeners to express their interests in such a trip.
I'm happy to report there was enough interest that we're moving forward with the planning!
Here, my dear gardening friends, are the results:
Italy Garden Tours Interest Survey
On a scale of 1 to 10 how interested are you in a garden tour of Italy?
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Rating average: 8.11
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Which
dates work best for you?
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%
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Summer 2013
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44.4
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Spring 2014
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77.8
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Summer 2014
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55.6
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Please
suggest gardens/locales you’d like to see.
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Gardens of Ninfa.
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Classic Italian gardens. New ideas in
Italian gardening.
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Mediterranean coast.
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I don’t have any in mind. I would be
flexible.
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I’d like to see Ninfa.
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Ninfa. Hanbury. Villa San Michele.
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Sicily, Sienna, Pompei…
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Amalfi coast, Tuscany, Lakes area.
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I really want to see Tuscany/Umbria
area, but am open to anything really…I do not know much about the gardens in
Italy. I also wanted to see the Venice area…I have a couple of blogger
friends there, so we might get some ideas from them if you want me to ask.
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In
addition to garden viewing, what other activities would you like included in
the tour?
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%
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Historical sites and museums
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88.9
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Wine tours
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77.8
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Cooking classes
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44.4
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Shopping
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44.4
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Hiking
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66.7
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Other comments:
A spa day.
I think shopping just happens and some
hiking, but a nasty knee and ankle limit it now…hoping to be able to hike a
bit by then.
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Which
accommodation option do you prefer?
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%
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Stay in one hotel and take day trips
to our destinations.
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66.7
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Stay in 2-3 hotels to cover several
distinct areas of Italy.
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33.3
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Other comments:
Changing hotels is no big deal if the
day trips are too long.
I had always thought about the one
hotel but that does limit you to one area…we may need to go to a couple of
hotels if we want to expand our locales.
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Thanks for this feedback, which will help us plan the trip. If you completed the survey, you'll automatically receive news and updates. If you didn't complete the survey, but would like to stay up-to-date, please send me a note at plantpostings[at]gmail[dot]com.
It's looking like the trip will occur in spring or summer of 2014. Most of the other logistics are still pending. But take a look at this video about the Gardens of Ninfa, and let me know what you think:
I still wish I could go. :( It's been a long time since my husband and I took a vacation together and that needs to be the priority. Oy vey!! Why aren't I a millionaire? That is so inconvenient!
ReplyDeleteWell, like I said before...if things change, or you win the lotto (or even simply find a small funding source), please join us!
DeleteNever heard of Ninfa, but after watching the video I'd certainly like to see it.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to meeting you and Judy! Please share the info with your friends, too. We don't need a huge group to make this work!
DeleteHow exciting! I love Italy!
ReplyDeleteI know, I've only been there once, but I know there are so many things I'd still like to see!
DeleteYou know I am in and Ninfa is a must stop...of course I may not be able to leave this garden...it is like I would imagine heaven to be...wow!!
ReplyDeleteYay! I agree--from the video, I think I could spend the rest of my days in that spot and be very content. :)
DeleteYou are going to have the best time. Wish I could join in....but life calls here.
ReplyDeleteJen
Thanks, Jen. But by all means, if things change and you're able to join us it would be fantastic!
DeleteIt would be wonderful to visit such a historically rich country. I have never been but 2014 sounds great.
ReplyDeleteDonna: It would be so wonderful to have you along on the trip! I can only imagine the incredible photographs you would capture!
DeleteWow, I must have missed the post where you started the survey ~ sounds like a great trip. Wish I could go too but I can't at this time. :(
ReplyDeleteI hope it comes together for all involved.
Your mums (in a previous post) are beautiful. Maybe ignoring some plants is the right thing to do!!!! It looks that way in this case.
p.s. Thank you for your nice comment on my election night post. I am grateful to have your friendship too. Hope you have a great week!
Hi Kathleen: More details to follow, in case things change for you. We'd love to have you along. Thanks for your kind comments, as always. :)
DeleteIt will be a fantastic experience! This week's posts are going to be about my experience with a group of Californians touring the Balearic Islands last spring. They really enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lula. Looking forward to your posts about the tourists. I always enjoy your incredible photos!
DeleteNinfa is now my hearts desire. I hope to join you.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can join us, too! It's getting exciting. I didn't know anything about Ninfa until it came up on the surveys, but after learning more about it, I'd definitely like to check it out!
DeleteI must confess I'd never heard of Ninfa before--what a fantastic place! I didn't know that you might wait until 2014 for this trip...hmmm, I might reconsider whether I can go or not.
ReplyDeleteI know, me too. Gosh, Rose, it would be so much fun to have you along on the trip! I hope we can accommodate everyone's schedules. Planning ahead should help!
DeleteI saw this program when it was first sent on the BBC, in fact I think I see all gardening related programs on BBC :-)
ReplyDeleteSadly I no longer travel anywhere, not even outside my own garden, but I really enjoy 'travelling' with Monty Don to all these lovely gardens here and abroad. Hope you have a lovely trip, looking forward to all your photos and videos!
I really like Monty Don. He's so enthusiastic and helps the gardens to come alive for the TV/video audience. Helene, I wish you could come along, but we will make sure to share photos and videos afterward!
DeleteItaly is probably the number one place on my list of countries to visit. Beautiful gardens, scrumptious food, and a splash of shopping. We've been trying to visit friends for three years in Tuscany, and failing miserably. The price of farm-livin' I suppose, it's impossible to get away! I'll be happy to visit vicariously through you though, just be sure to post lots of pictures! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure we'll all go a little crazy with our cameras. ;-) Wish you could join us! Lots of time between now and then, so maybe you'll find a way.
DeleteOh, wow, this looks like great fun. Wish I could come.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteIt would be great if you could join us, Dee. More details to follow, so we'll keep you posted!
DeleteThis is very good news, Beth. I am sure you will put together something very nice (and economical, I hope). To see Ninfa would be a dream come true. What a great idea to move forward with a plan!
ReplyDeleteCathy is a pro, so I'm sure the trip will be amazing! We'll work hard to make it reasonable for everyone. Please spread the word to your friends, too!
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