THE HARDY PLANT SOCIETY OF OREGON HPSO GARDEN TOURS
The Alhambra, Granada From Aragon to Andalusia: An Iberian Winter Warmer November 7—20, 2018
Tour Extension: A Taste of the Algarve November 20—23, 2018
Combine the hor cultural gems of Spain’s Mediterranean provinces with an array of architectural and ar s c treasures and you have all the key elements of this extraordinary 2018 HPSO garden tour. Encounter the fantas c worlds of Gaudí and Dalí amid the buzz of Barcelona; enjoy the sun and sea washing upon charming coastal villages; cross the rugged Sierra Nevada and experience the refined splendor of Moorish Granada, Cordoba and Seville. Visi ng public and private gardens, cathedrals, castles and museums, sharing fine meals, and enjoying treats including a flamenco performance, this 14‐day, 13‐night journey offers tour members a richly balanced explora on of Spanish gardens, culture and history unavailable to the independent traveler. As an added feature, the off‐season travel permits accommoda on at hotels of excep onal levels of quality and comfort.
For tour members looking to make the most of this journey, a four‐day, three‐night tour extension into southern Portugal is available over Thanksgiving with “A Taste of the Glorious Algarve,” also described in this brochure. ‘ARAGON TO ANDALUSIA’ TOUR TINERARY
Day 1: Wednesday, November 7, 2018 Day 2: Thursday, November 8 Arrive at the airport at Girona (GRO) or Barcelona (BCN) and We visit the seaside gardens at Cap Roig before having lunch at con nue to a rendezvous at our stunning seaside parador in leisure in the village of Calella de Palafrugell and con nuing to a Begur, where we meet our fellow tour members at a sumptuous one‐ me home of Salvador Dalí. On a cliff with impressive views welcome dinner. Dinner included. Stay the night at Parador de of the sea, we also tour the magnificent, Italian‐influenced Jardí Aiguablava, Begur. Botànic Santa Clo lde , designed in 1919. Breakfast included. Stay the night at Parador de Aiguablava, Begur.
Day 3: Friday, November 9 We check out of our parador this morning for a full day of touring, stopping at private gardens including the one at Castell de Peralada, where wines have been made since the Middle Ages (we sample them, of course). We share a group lunch in the resort town of Blanes, where we also visit the Marimurtra Botanic Garden and the Pinya de Rosa Tropical Botanical Garden. A er one addi onal stop at a private garden, we reach our hotel in the heart of Barcelona. Nearby restaurants and tapas bars offer an authen c taste of Catalan cuisine. Breakfast and Lunch included. Stay the night at Hotel Duquesa de Cardona, Barcelona.
Day 4: Saturday, November 10 Sights in and around Barcelona fill our agenda today, including the Na onal Museum of Catalan Art, atop Montjuïc, with its commanding views of the city, and four gardens: Jardin Botanico de Barcelona, Laribal, La Tamarita, and the Palau de les Heures. Breakfast included. Stay the night at Hotel Duquesa de Cardona, Barcelona.
Jardí Botànic Santa Clo lde, Lloret de Mar Day 5: Sunday, November 11 No visit to Barcelona is complete without seeing two architectural masterpieces of Catalan modernist Antoni Gaudí. A guided tour of the fantas c Sagrada Familia basilica, begun in 1883 and s ll under construc on, helps us fully appreciate his work. We also see his equally striking Casa Batlló nearby. Lunch, and the remainder of the day, our last in Barcelona, are at leisure. Breakfast included. Stay the night at Hotel Duquesa Cardona, Barcelona.
Day 6: Monday, November 12 We depart Barcelona a er breakfast and drive southwest to the port of Tarragona to see Parc Samà. In Valencia, we enjoy lunch in the historic center prior to visits at Jardí Botanic and Jardí de Mon ort. Then we con nue to the Costa Blanca, where our hotel overlooks the sea. A group dinner rounds out the full day of travel. Breakast and Dinner included. Stay the night at Parador de Jávea, Jávea.
Day 7: Tuesday, November 13 This morning we tour the Jardín de l’Albarda, founded in 1990 to conserve Mediterranean flora and promote sustainable gardening techniques. In the nearby Jalon Valley, we stroll Casa Batlló,Barcelona among thousands of lavender plants at Finca la Cuta, a garden Day 8: Wednesday, November 14 known—not surprisingly—for its fragrance, where the owners A er breakfast, we con nue our travel southwest to L’Alfàs del prepare a lunch for us. We return to our hotel for an a ernoon Pi to see the Klein‐Schreuder Sculpture Garden, featuring at leisure. Breakast and Lunch included. Stay the night at permanent and temporary art exhibits, as well as plants from Parador de Jávea, Jávea. Mediterranean climates worldwide. Nearby, we also visit one or more private gardens before con nuing to Alicante, where our five‐star hotel is steps from the Explanade de España, one of Spain’s most beau ful promenades. Breakfast included. Stay Huerto del Cura, Alicante the night at Hotel Hospes Amérigo, Alicante.
Day 9: Thursday, November 15 Depar ng Alicante a er breakfast, we make two stops before heading inland: at Huerto del Cura, set in the largest concentra on of palm trees in Europe, and at a private garden in the Moorish style. In historic Murcia, we have lunch at leisure. Con nuing our journey, mountains tower over both sides of the highway as we pass the rugged Sierra Nevada range before reaching Granada. Breakfast included. Stay the night at Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula, Granada.
Day 10: Friday, November 16 We explore Granada’s treasures, ascending a er breakfast to the fabled Alhambra, the most emblema c building of Islamic Spain, described by Moorish poets as “a pearl set in emeralds.” A guided tour helps us comprehend its significance. A er returning to town for lunch at leisure, we walk along the narrow lanes and alleys of the Albaicín, a neighborhood with fine Moorish architecture and walled gardens (“carmenes,” in Spanish). One deligh ul private garden we visit is Carmen de los Cipreses, with drama c views to the Generalife. We also make a short drive to the Lecrín Valley to see Jardín Müller before returning to Granada late in the a ernoon. Breakfast included. Stay the night at Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula, Granada.
Mezquita, Córdoba
Day 13: Monday, November 19 Our journey through Spain—southward, just like the migra ng swallows this me of year—culminates today in the Andalusian capital of Seville. We visit the Seville Cathedral, the third largest church in the world, and the neighboring Alcázar, a gem of Moorish architecture and the oldest royal palace s ll in use in Europe. Though its gardens have evolved over centuries, they s ll delight visitors with their palms, ponds and pools. Tonight, we mark the final evening of the main tour with a farewell dinner in the historic center of the city. Breakfast and Dinner included. Stay the night at Hotel Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza, Seville.
Day 14: Tuesday, November 20 With a morning transfer to the Seville Airport (SVQ), tour members concluding their tours can make connec ons back to the United States, or on to other des na ons in Europe or elsewhere. Breakfast included.
For a descrip on of the i nerary for the tour extension to the Algarve, please see the next page.
Day 11: Saturday, November 17 We check out of our hotel and travel to Córdoba, the Carthaginian and Roman city that became, as capital of the Umayyad emirate, one of the most advanced and important ci es of the world. We explore sites built during Islamic and Chris an eras, including the Mezquita, the city’s remarkable mosque‐cathedral, where we have a guided tour. We also see the Alcázar de los Reyes Cris anos and the Palacio de Viana, with it’s 12 marvelous pa os. Breakfast included. Stay the night at Hotel Hospes Palacio del Bailío, Córdoba.
Day 12: Sunday, November 18 With the doors of our hotel opening to the second largest Old Town in all of Europe, a day at leisure in Córdoba lets you stroll, shop and dine on your own during the day. Take a siesta, too— you’ll want to be well rested for a flamenco performance in the evening! Breakfast included. Stay the night at Hotel Hospes Palacio del Bailío, Córdoba.
Alcázar, Seville ‘A TASTE OF THE ALGARVE’ TOUR EXTENSION ITINERARY Algarve Coast, Portugal
Day 1: Tuesday, November 20, 2018 Day 4: Friday, November 23 A morning taxi transfer brings us to La Casa de Pilatos, a classic Our Algarve sojourn comes to an end, and we transfer to Faro Andalusian palace, with its artwork and glazed ceramic lework, Interna onal Airport (FAO) for flights home, or to other its courtyards and its well‐kept gardens. You are free in the des na ons. a ernoon to explore some of the many treasures of Seville on your own. Breakfast included. Stay the night at Hotel Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza, Seville.
Day 2: Wednesday, November 21 We check out of our hotel and board the coach for the Algarve, mainland Portugal’s southernmost region, renowned for its beaches. Our base is Tavira, a port acclaimed for its authen c Portuguese charm. A strong gardening community, including many expatriates, is centered here, too. We visit a couple of private gardens and hear a talk by Rosie Peddle, a founding member of the Mediterranean Gardening Associa on. Breakfast included. Stay the night at Pousada Convento Tavira, Tavira.
Day 3: Thursday, November 22 More private gardens are on our i nerary today, before we cap the day, and our tour, with a very special group Thanksgiving Dinner. Breakfast and Dinner included. Stay the night at Pousada Convento Tavira, Tavira.
Tavira, Portugal TOUR PRICES The tours are priced in Euros, the value of which may fluctuate, HPSO tours are open to HPSO members only. A one‐year HPSO up or down, against the US Dollar, un l final tour payments are membership will be added to your tour price if a nonmember is made to our tour provider. A minimum of 25 par cipants is accompanying you. required for the main tour, and 15 for the Algarve extension. INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICES Aragon to Andalusia: Hotel accommoda ons: Sharing a Room: 3,270 Euros Per Person 13 nights on the Aragon to Andalusia main tour (Approx. US $3,941*) 3 nights on the Algarve extension Single Room: 4,140 Euros Per Person Meals: (Approx. US $4,989*) Breakfast daily on the main tour and Algarve extension Two Lunches & Three Dinners on the main tour Tour Extension to the Algarve: Thanksgiving Dinner on the Algarve extension Sharing a Room: 938 Euros Per Person Services of an English‐speaking tour guide, Gavin Bade (Approx. US $1,130*) Comfortable motor coach with professional driver Single Room: 1,118 Euros Per Person Admission to all gardens and other a rac ons included in (Approx. US $1,347*) i nerary Gratui es for included meals and services, including guide *Prices based on conversion rate of 1 Euro=US $1.20 (Jan. 2018) and driver Accompaniment by two HPSO escorts Tour deposits and payments, when required, may be made by check or VISA/Master Card. Credit card payments are subject to NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICES: a 3.5% processing charge. A $260 contribu on to The Hardy Airfare and other transport to and from start and finish Plant Society of Oregon, a tax exempt charitable organiza on, points of the tours will be added to the base price of the main tour. An addi onal Travel insurance (highly recommended) $60 is added for the tour extension. Your contribu on may be Items of a personal nature, including some beverages, tax deduc ble. laundry, telephone calls, and room service, among others
Court of the Myrtles, Alhambra, Granada T
TOUR GUIDE TOUR ESCORTS Experienced professional Gavin Bade has lead fi een previous Barb Christopher, a Vice President of HPSO, is a former museum HPSO tours. He is fluent in three languages and proficient in two curator and director, and she con nues to consult for museum more. His broad experience with European gardens, and his collec ons and exhibi ons. She has traveled on numerous HPSO deep knowledge and understanding of the con nent’s history tours and escorted HPSO tours to England, Wales and Scotland. and culture make him an ideal guide for this tour. Jo Ann Bones is a Director‐at‐Large of HPSO. Jo re red from the State of Oregon a er more than 30 years of service in execu ve, management, and administra ve posi ons. She has traveled on numerous HPSO tours TOUR CONDITIONS, TERMS & ADDITONAL INFORMATION
Confirma on of Tour Par cipa on Cancella on and Refunds Tour reserva on requests are processed in the order received. Regardless of the reason, cancella ons impact tour planning You will be no fied by the tour escorts once your reserva on nega vely. The long lead mes required to schedule a tour, request has been accepted. The main tour is designed for a including prepayments by our Agent to hotels and other tour minimum of 25 par cipants, and a maximum of 30. If the tour suppliers, mean that tour money may not be refundable. To does not fill to the minimum, it will be cancelled or postponed, offset any nonrefundable payments and/or lost revenue, the or tour members will have the op on of agreeing to a change in following cancella on fees apply to this tour: pricing. Likewise, the tour extension requires a minimum of 15 If the minimum number of par cipants for the tour has not par cipants. If the tour fills, a wait list will be created in the yet been reached, then an administra ve fee of $50 may be order in which reserva ons are received. Please do not book incurred to process a refund. any nonrefundable airfare un l you have been no fied by your If the tour is full and if the space is subsequently filled from tour escort that the tour has reached the minimum required a wai ng list, then a $100 fee will be incurred. level of par cipa on. If the tour is full and the space cannot be filled, the en re $500 deposit plus any installment payments made up to Deposit, Payments & Invoicing that date may be forfeited. A $500 deposit is required to hold your reserva on once your If the tour is canceled by HPSO because the minimum par cipa on in the tour is confirmed. The remaining cost of the number of par cipants is not reached by the Agent’s tour will be invoiced in two payments, a schedule for which will deadline for payment, HPSO will refund in full the deposit be presented to tour members when their registra on is and any installments made by tour members. confirmed. While the tour is priced in Euros, tour members will be invoiced in US dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the Tour Agent me. If any overpayment caused by fluctua ons in the exchange The Agent/Company for this tour is Pathfinders/ STITA Tours of rate occurs, such overpayment will be refunded to in a mely Cheltenham, UK. The Hardy Plant Society of Oregon acts only as manner, or addi onal tour features and benefits added to the representa ve for the tour par cipant with respect to i nerary as compensa on. Conversely, any shortage will be communica ons with the Agent. billed on a supplemental invoice. Travel & Cancella on Insurance Late payments of installment invoices in excess of 21 days will As unforeseen situa ons do arise from me to me, par cipants be subject to a 10% penalty. If final payment is not received by are encouraged to consider purchasing travel and/or the Agent’s deadline, all prior payments may be forfeited and cancella on insurance. Neither HPSO nor Pathfinders/STITA the reserva on canceled. As the tour is priced at cost, payments Tours provides travel or cancella on insurance. However, by credit card will incur a 3.5% service charge to cover bank informa on regarding many third‐party companies providing processing fees. this coverage is available on the Internet.
Condi ons for Par cipa on Addi onal Informa on The tour par cipant must submit a signed Liability Waiver & Please contact Barb Christopher at [email protected] or Jo Release to HPSO within 30 days of acceptance of the tour Ann Bones at [email protected] if you have any applica on. ques ons regarding this tour.
The success of the tour depends on each person’s ability to THE HARDY PLANT SOCIETY OF OREGON par cipate and to cooperate with other tour members, the tour 4412 SW Barbur Blvd, Suite 260 guide, and escorts. This tour is rated “Moderate.” Its physical Portland, OR 97239 demands on par cipants may include long travel mes and www.hardyplantsociety.org walking up to 5 to 7 miles a day, in increments of 1 to 2 miles. Much of the terrain, even in urban streetscapes, includes uneven surfaces (cobblestones, dirt or gravel paths, stairs, etc.). Many of the sites make no accommoda ons for access by disabled persons.
This is a non‐smoking tour. Smoking is not permi ed on the coach, or during group ac vi es or group meals. Local prac ces may make it impossible, however, to prevent exposure to smoke by others at mes during the tour.