What advance planning do you do prior to actually arriving at your vacation destination?   Do you research museums, theater, restaurants, zoos??  Well, one of the great pleasures and surprises I've been fortunate to experience in a lot of different places are some truly great gardens ... 

Yep, you certain readers ... and I could probably guess who you are ... don't roll your eyes just yet.  Even the hubby, who has less-than-zero interest in my particular passion (I'm known as "gardener girl" at home) has willingly gone right along with me and, I dare say, enjoyed himself!  But I'm not talking about some miniscule square yardage ... I'm talking about some dedicated and serious plots of land.

The biggest surprise in discovering some of these great treasures is the luck of being somewhere at just the right time of year.  Even the best laid plan to see fall color at the exact right moment is challenging, and, in all the trips I've made to D.C. (25+), I've yet to see a single cherry blossom!   But let me recount a few unbelievable experiences ...

Not all photos are mine but these are!

1.  Without a doubt, Keukenhof -- about an hour outside of Amsterdam -- was not only a trip highlight but a life experience.  I'd like to tell you I was smart enough to plan the trip around this visit but the truth is my big vacation is always mid-April to early May, and Keukenhof is ONLY open from mid-March to mid-May.  Many people know this truth about tulips, that they originated NOT in Holland but in Turkey during the Ottoman Empire!  Yep, that is a fact.  At Keukenhof each fall, a huge team of gardeners plant 7 million tulip, daffodil and hyacinth bulbs spread out over 80 acres to be enjoyed during the spring months, and of course the planting must be staggered so that the flowers don't all bloom at once.  This site is worth planning a trip around. 

 

2.  Butchart Gardens, located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, was the home of a very successful cement manufacturer whose wife lovingly created the garden "rooms" that exist today.  A Japanese garden, Italian garden, and rose garden are part of what Jennie Butchart created from her world travels.  What is unique about this destination is the year-around appeal.  There is always plenty to see and it has remained a family business for over 100 years.

And these are too!

3.  Powerscourt, located in County Wicklow, Ireland, could almost be a "suburb" of Dublin -- within an hour's drive at most.  This visit could only be described as "luck of the Irish" as the day had been consistently raining until we arrived ... then blue skies and sun.  What is so striking about this once-historic castle and multiple garden rooms (and now an adjacent and gorgeous Ritz Carlton Resort with golf course) is the sheer vista from the top looking down.  Nothing short of magical.  A shout out to my bro-in-law who said Powerscourt was a must-see for us on this particular trip in 2011.

Well, not this one ...

4.  Giverny ... going way back into the travel archives, I was fortunate enough to visit this gorgeous site way before I started getting my hands full of dirt at home -- on my honeymoon in 1986.  Of course this is the longtime home (and final resting place) of the brilliant Impressionist painter Claude Monet.  Serene, scenic, and full of breathtaking views, this is certainly worth the trek from Paris -- round-trip tours are offered and one could throw in Versailles as a two-fer with some brilliant gardens there as well ...

I'll discuss locations on my wish list in a future blog entry and maybe a few others previously visited!

Due to (assumed) popular demand, Travel with Teri B. is now officially in it's second year!   How about starting off 2013 with a local trip to what we Angelenos affectionately refer to as the "South Bay" ... 

Early morning view from the villa ... Catalina in the background

More specifically, I am now making my first visit to the gorgeous resort known as Terranea.  But as one who visited this area innumerable times growing up in Los Angeles, I have a hard time not thinking back to the original occupant of the site, namely Marineland.   



Marineland and I both got our starts in 1954, even pre-dating Disneyland by a year, so maybe that is why I may be a bit nostalgic.  To imagine what it was like back in the day, think about today's SeaWorld but with the added bonus of awesome Pacific ocean views.  Of course the drive undoubtedly took much longer and I doubt there were any "interactive" features but this was the original theme park that we so enjoyed.  Then, as well as now, anyone taking off from LAX and seated in a left-side window seat knows what I am talking about, this incredible perch of land on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.   Read more about Marineland's history and ultimate demise here ...  

 

Almost makes me want to cook (but not quite)

And now on to the visit at hand.  Fortunately for me, the hubby's client owns one of the 2-bedroom villas here and has given it to us for the weekend.   Shhh, don't tell the kind resort manager that our anniversary is actually in August because we so loved the cheese, wine, and cupcakes sent up with their kind wishes!  (This visit is really for my recent birthday).

This particular unit has 2 bedrooms plus den, 2-1/2 baths, gorgeous kitchen, living room, garages, laundry, and outdoor terrace with fireplace.   If one wanted to cook, the kitchen is fully equipped to do so.   What’s lovely is all the amenities of a fine resort are also included – robes/slippers/twice-daily service plus room service.   So it is really the best of both worlds!

We enjoyed their famous Seafood Buffet on Friday evening which looked to be populated both by resort guests and others coming for the meal itself.  And why not?  If you like crab legs, you'll likely tire out from eating and cracking due to the non-stop onslaught of them....

 

Saturday was our time to explore the property. The view is magnificent from everywhere, but particularly at the edge of the Ocean Lawn -- obviously an ideal spot for weddings. There were tons of dolphins quite visible diving in and out of the water. We opted to lunch at Nelson's, named as a tribute to the star character (Mike Nelson) of Sea Hunt, a T.V. series which filmed often at Marineland. Ok, all you baby boomers, who played the lead? (Answer is below if you're having a senior moment) The spa, fitness center, and pool all take maximum advantage of the views so working out is more pleasurable!

 

One brave soul was actually swimming in spite of the record low temps California is experiencing this weekend. As my friend and client notes, we Angelenos are known to get out the puffy coats when it dips below 65, but this is a bona-fide cold snap!



For dinner I researched top-rated restaurants in the area and selected Restaurant Christine, long established in the area. Full disclosure, I don't agree with Zagat's 27 food rating but they were so hospitable and welcoming and the food was fine, all making for a very nice evening. Best discovery was the ice cream served with the really delicious homemade strudel, a local brand called Dandy Don's.  Might just have to go to their location in Van Nuys and/or order some other flavors online, it was that good!

After breakfast at the Marmalade location in Rolling Hills, it was back home in no time flat. And the best news? Coming back here again in a few weeks with my business colleagues (and great friends) for our annual Spa Weekend. These very accomplished women know how to work hard and relax hard as well. Yippee ... cannot wait!




(And the answer is of course Lloyd Bridges)