Headwater's Top 10 Spring Gardens

    CHESHIRE, ENGLAND, July 01, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Knowing how many of you are keen gardeners, and with the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show opening this week, we've decided to share our top 10 garden choices for summer 2011.

1. The beautiful park surrounding the Chateau de Chenonceau in France's Loire Valley hosts the International Garden Festival annually between May and October. It's a fabulous fusion of 'conceptual' gardens created by green-fingered artists and, bizarrely, philosophers! Visit on our Chateaux of the Loire Cycling holiday

2. Majorelle Gardens: designed in 1924 by French expatriate artist, Jacques Majorelle, these colourful botanical gardens are right in the centre of Marrakesh. The Islamic Art Museum here houses samples of his Moroccan watercolour scenes, as well as personal textiles and jewels belonging to the current owner, Yves Saint Laurent.

3. Mainau: customers following our Lake Constance Cycling holiday can easily hop across to the tiny garden island of Mainau. Here, surrounding the Palace, are thousands of lovingly tended flowers, a landscaped Italian rose garden and a series of gorgeous parks leading down to the water. The flowering season starts in early May and June sees the gardens at their most spectacular.

4. Mamiku Gardens: spanning 12 acres of beautiful woodland, these legendary gardens are the largest on St Lucia and are home to an amazing variety of tropical birds, fragrant flowers and colourful butterflies.

5. Alhambra Gardens: the most stunning late-medieval castle gardens in Spain belong to Granada's Alhambra Palace - sultans used to spend their summers locked away here with their harems! Entrance is included on both our Secrets of Andalucía and Highlights of Andalucia holidays.

6. Palheiro Gardens: the entire island of Madeira is full of botanical interest with the tropical gardens at Quinta do Palheiro rating among some of the finest on the island. Fressias, jacaranda and magnolia all grow freely here, together with plants brought by sailors from all over the world. The garden is especially a Mecca for camellia lovers.

7. Boboli Gardens: tucked away behind Florence's Pitti Palace, the Giardini di Boboli are some of the first and most familiar formal C16 Italian gardens. Surprisingly open, with an expansive view of the city, the gardens are home to a distinguished collection of sculptures, temples, fountains and Roman antiquities. See Highlights of Tuscany and Secrets of San Gimignano Cycling for more details.

8. The Floating Garden of Madeira offers exotic plants from all over the world. SPECIAL OFFER: Save GBP75 per person on 30th July departure. Quote GARDEN at the time of booking to qualify.*

* Offer applies to new bookings only. Holiday subject to availability.

9. Situated in its own scented garden with views across mediaeval Monforte (and even beyond as far as Mont Blanc on a clear day!) the luxurious Villa Becaris offers a tempting pool, suntrap courtyard and planty of walking/cycling chopices. Customers on our Vineyards of Barolo Walk and Gastronomic Barolo Cycling holidays spend 2 nights here.

10. Villa Rufolo: the beautiful gardens of Villa Rufolo, in Ravello, were the source of inspiration for Richard Wagner's "Parsifal" and are the perfect setting for the classical music festival that takes place here each year. The view from the terrace is simply stunning!

Order our 2011 brochures to find out more about our extensive range of holidays. Call us today on 01606 720199 or visit our website at www.headwater.com.

# # #