Design and Bloom in Belgium

& The Netherlands

June 15 through 27, 2014

Presented by The Garden Club of America Visiting Gardens Committee

itinerary

Dear Travelers,Visiting Gardens is delighted to offer you an opportunity to explore Belgium, The Netherlands and their gardens in an exceptional way.

Susie Orso, our popular guide, has arranged an excellent itinerary, especially designed for the Garden Club of America. You will visit many stunning private gardens, some world renowned, which have been opened just for our group. Knowledgeable guides will enhance your understanding along the way. In addition, many kind hosts will welcome GCA to special meals and receptions in their homes and gardens. Chateaus, hunting lodges, a castle, manor houses and a mid-17th century royal palace will round out the trip.

Of special note are an optional early morning visit to the flower auction at Aalsmeer, attending an annual flower festival, and a visit to the private garden of the illustrious Piet Oudolf.

GCA travelers will also sample the remarkable art and architecture that make this region legendary. Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, Brummen, Delft, and Amsterdam are celebrated cities where you will visit and sometimes stop for a few days. Comfortable lodging (primarily five stars) is ensured for the weary nights.

Experiencing the Low Countries in mid-June guarantees that you will enjoy gardens full of summer bloom. We feel sure you will find this trip to be the best of the best!

Wickie PlantVisiting Gardens Chairman

G A R D E N C L U B O F A M E R I C A

Design and Bloom in Belgium & The Netherlands

JUNE 15 thROUGh 27, 2014

SUNDAy, 15 JUNE

Depart the USA for Belgium

MONDAy, 16 JUNE

Arrive Brussels and transfer to Hotel Amigo (www.hotelamigo.com), centrally located near the Grand Place

Lunch independently

3.00pm Afternoon guided coach and walking tour of Brussels, the new capital of Europe, to see the exterior of the build-ings of the European parliament, the Grand Place and Galeries de St. Hubert

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G A R D E N C L U B O F A M E R I C A

Design and Bloom in Belgium & The Netherlands

JUNE 15 thROUGh 27, 2014

PROGRAM (subject to amendment)

4.30 Visit the Van Buuren House and Garden

Return to the hotel

7.00 Drinks and dinner with Diane Adri-aenssen, President of the Ouverts Jardins de Belgique Association at Restaurant Maison du Cygne

tUESDAy, 17 JUNE

10.00am Guided visit of the highlights of the Museum of Ancient and Modern Art with an art historian

11.45 Continue by coach to Grimbergen

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Visit the gardens of ter Eiken by kind arrangement with Diane Adriaenssen | The front of the elegant château is framed by a natural landscaped garden while a more intimate garden with a series of garden “rooms” with borders extends behind

1.15pm Buffet lunch in the garden (weather permitting)

Continue to Wespelaar and visit the garden of herkenrode (by kind arrangement with Vicomte Philippe de Spoelberch) | An exceptional arbo-retum and botanical collection of plants – hundreds of varieties of rhododendrons, magnolias, Cornus, Stewartia and Styrax as well as herbaceous borders close to the house

Visit the private garden of Vicomtesse Sybille de Spoelberch (subject to confir-mation) A walk from Herkenrode leads to this beautiful garden created by the owner whose taste in color and shape are reflected within it.

Return to Brussels

Dinner independently

WEDNESDAy, 18 JUNE

8.30am Leave by coach for the area of Limburg

Visit the garden of Dina Deferme near hasselt | This romantic garden created by the landscape architect owner is inspirational in its use of mixed borders, varied colors and shapes, and architectural form which blends into the surrounding countryside

Continue to Heks and visit Kasteel hex | The 18th century hunting lodge was built by the Prince Bishop of Liège

1.30pm Lunch privately (by special arrangement with Comte Ghislain d’Ursel)

Visit the gardens | Today the gardens are among the most famous in Belgium but only open by appointment. Renowned for the formal French garden, the superb rose garden is protected by a hedge; the potager with its retaining wall for espaliered pears and cellars is where fruit is stored in the winter months

Return to Brussels and en route visit a private garden in Waterloo (by kind arrangement with Mme Donatienne de

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Séjournet) | The well-maintained garden has been created around a neo-gothic pavil-lion and features a sunken garden, grottoes, waterfalls and follies. Refreshments will be served at the end of the visit

Dinner independently

thURSDAy, 19 JUNE

8.45am Leave with luggage in the direction of Schoten near Antwerp

10.00 Visit the garden of Château de ‘S Gravenwezel (subject to arrangement with Mr Axel Vervoordt, art dealer and interior designer) | Designed and restored according to the original drawings by Jacques Wirtz, leading Belgian landscape architect who has assisted the Duchess of Northumberland with the gardens of Alnwick

12.00 Visit the studio and the garden of Jacques Wirtz, Botermelk (subject to confirmation)

1.30 Lunch at Restaurant Kleine Bareel in Schoten

Continue to Antwerp

Visit the Cathedral with superb paintings by Rubens

Leave for Bruges

5.30 Visit the private garden of ter heyden by special arrangement | The garden has been created in the last 10 years and it features several gardens which include a woodland garden, mixed borders and a potager

Continue to the Hotel de Tuilerien (www.hoteltuilerieen.com)

Dinner at Restaurant den Dyver or other

FRIDAy, 20 JUNE

9.00am Early morning canal excursion by private boat in Bruges, also called Venice of the North with its canals, beautifully preserved medieaval houses and art works

Guided walk in the town

Lunch independently

Time at leisure

5.30pm Continue to Oostekerk and visit the gardens of Château de Oostekerk

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Drinks and buffet dinner (subject to arrangement with Baronne François van der Elst | The garden was designed by the Dutch landscape architect Mien Ruys. The four herbaceous borders represent the seasons. A remarkable allee of trees leads one’s eye into the countryside of meadows and grazing cows.

Return to Bruges

SAtURDAy, 21 JUNE

9.00am Leave for Essen (north of Antwerp)

11.15 Visit the garden of hemelrijk (by kind arrangement with Madame Diane van Strydonck) including seeing the draw-ings by garden designer Russell Page who played a part in the design and planting of Hemelrijk which not only boasts a fine arbo-retum, but has a secret Italian garden, a pergola of whisteria and pink, white, yellow and blue “rooms” separated by bushes of Ilex crenata

12.45pm Buffet lunch at Hemelrijk with Diane van Strydonck de Belder

Continue to Brummen near Arnhem in the Netherlands and stay at the Relais Château Hotel Kasteel Engelenburg (www.engelenburg.com)

7.30 Dinner in the hotel

SUNDAy, 22 JUNE

9.00am Leave for Apeldoorn

Visit the Royal Palace of het Loo and the formal parterre garden which dates from the mid-17th century and has recently undergone a major restoration project based on the original drawings. The elaborate box parterre with broderies, the fountains, stat-uary and the symmetry make this a formal garden par excellence

11.30 Continue to the hoge Veluwe National Park which covers a vast area of over 12,000 acres of woodland, heathland, peat

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bogs and drift sand and enjoys a wide variety of plants and animals

12.00 Guided visit of the Kroller Mueller Museum Sculpture Park and Museum

There are superb works by Vincent van Gogh, Braque, Cézanne, Fantin-Latour, Gris, Klee, Leger, Monet etc. The parks contain a vast sculpture collection by artists such as Rodin, Moore, Bourdelle and Rosso carefully positioned in natural surroundings amongst the trees.

1.30 Lunch in the cafeteria of the Kroller Mueller museum

2.30 Continue to Huis Bingerden and attend the annual Flower Festival

4.30 Return to the hotel

6.30 Leave for De Steeg

Visit the gardens of Kasteel Middachten | The castle is contemporary with Het Loo and by the same architect. The garden is a cruciform design with an open area opposite each façade of the moated castle and more intricate and enclosed gardens in the corners. As you walk around the garden there is constant progression from space to enclosure.

Dinner privately in the castle (by kind arrangement with Count Franz Orten-burg-van Aldenburg Bentinck)

10.00 Return to the hotel

MONDAy, 23 JUNE

9.00am Leave (with luggage) for Vorden

Visit the gardens of De Wiersse (subject to arrangement with Mr and Mrs Peter Gatacre) | Several distinct and charming gardens have been laid out around the moated manor house: an 18th century pleasure garden, a French style rose garden, an English sunken garden and a woodland park. Erythroiums, camassias and trilliums flower with the fruit trees in May followed by rhododendrons, azaleas, dicentras and trollius, clematis, roses and geraniums.

11.30 Continue to Keppel and visit Castle Keppel (by kind arrangement with Baron and Baroness van Lynden), followed by lunch

Continue to hummelo

Visit the private garden of Piet and Anya Oudolf (by kind arrangement with the

owners). Piet Oudolf needs no introduction as he is considered one of the most highly regarded landscape architects on an inter-national scale. His ability in design and use of hardy herbaceous plants and grasses has earned him commissions in public parks and private gardens world-wide.

Continue to Amsterdam and stay at the Hotel de l’Europe (www.leurope.nl)

7.30pm Evening private canal boat cruise with drinks

tUESDAy, 24 JUNE

9.00 Leave by coach for the newly-renovated Rijksmuseum for a highlights tour with an art historian

Continue to a privately owned canal house garden with garden designer Robert Broekema

Lunch independently and afternoon at leisure

7.00pm Leave by coach for dinner at Restaurant de Kas, created inside the former munic-ipal greenhouses

10.00 Return to the hotel

WEDNESDAy, 25 JUNE

9.00am Leave for the hague

Visit the Panorama Mesdag, a circular painting of the Hague and Scheveningen painted by Hendrik Mesdag

11.00 Visit the Japanese Garden

12.00 Continue to Wassenaar for lunch privately at het Baljuwhuis and see one of the first gardens designed by Mien Ruys (by arrangement with Mr Claas Conijn)

Continue to Delft for a walk in the town

Return to the hotel in Amsterdam

Dinner independently

thURSDAy, 26 JUNE

7.00am Optional departure for Aalsmeer to see the flower and plant auction

Return to Amsterdam

10.30 Visit huis Van Loon and the gardens with the curator

Visit two private canal house gardens by kind arrangement with garden designer Robert Broekema | Canal house gardens reflect the intimacy of a small personal

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garden with box and careful planting of chosen flowers and botanical varieties to make the most of a limited space

Lunch independently

Afternoon at leisure for individual visits or shopping

6.30pm Drinks privately on a roof terrace garden overlooking the Amstel (subject to arrange-ment with Charlotte Bentinck)

8.00 Farewell dinner in the hotel

FRIDAy, 27 JUNE

Leave for the airport for return flights

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IMPORTANT TOUR INFORMATION

Design and Bloom in Belgium & The NetherlandsJUNE 15 thROUGh 27, 2014

Rate: $7850 per person, double occupancy $9750 for a single room (a double room for single use is an additional $1900)

Included in the Tour Cost: Transfer to and from the airport IF arriving June 15 and departing June 27; accommodations at three five-star and one-four star hotels; transportation by private motor coach and two private boat excursions; all buffet breakfasts and seven lunches and dinners (including private meals) with wine, water, and coffee; two drinks receptions; entrances to gardens and museums; porterage at hotels; gratuities in restaurants and for guides and bus drivers; and services of a Special/Ultimate Tours escort.

Not included in tour cost: Round trip airfares (Please note: Arrival in Brussels and departure from Amsterdam) and individual transfers between accommodations and airports if arriving and departing on dates other than June 15 and June 27; excess baggage charges; personal items at the hotels (such as beverages, laundry, room service and communication fees); any meals indicated as independent and alcoholic beverages that are not included with group meals; and emergency medical insurance and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

GCA Charitable contribution: In addition to the tour fee, we encourage each participant to make a tax-deductible contribution to The Garden Club of America in the amount of $300 per person. This separate check, made payable to The Garden Club of America, should be sent with your final payment to Wickie Plant, 313 Chattolanee Hill Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117-2113.

Travel plans: We need to know your arrival and departure times as soon as you have your reservations. However, do not make your reservations until you have been confirmed as a tour participant. Please send to Wickie Plant via email: wickmacplant@comcast.net. She will notify our guide, Susie Orso.

Deposit: A deposit of $1100 per person (of which $850 is non-refundable) must be accompanied by signed Application and Terms and Conditions forms for each participant. Please make all checks payable to GCA Visiting Gardens and include “Design & Bloom 2014” on the memo line.

Final Payment: $6750 per person for a shared room ($8650 for a single supplement) is due January 20, 2014. A reminder will be sent out January 5, 2014.

Cancellation Policy: $850 of the above-mentioned deposit is non-refundable in the event of cancellation before the final payment due date, January 20, 2014. If cancellation takes place after final payment is due but on or before March 1, 2014, $3775 ($4725 for ss) will be refunded; for cancellation after March 1 but before March 15, 2014, $1887.50 ($2362.50 for ss) will be refunded; after March 15, 2014, there will be no refunds. (For those paying single supplements, the refunded amounts are in brackets).

Emergency Medical Insurance: For your personal safety, GCA VG requires that each participant purchase emergency medical insurance. You may find that in certain circumstances you can purchase this insurance only as part of the travel insurance recommended below and that some insurance plans require you to enroll within a limited time (usually 10-21 days) after your initial deposit to exclude pre-existing medical conditions. You should submit an application for this insurance as soon as you have been confirmed as a trip participant.

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Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: GCA VG also strongly recommends that each participant purchase trip cancellation/interruption insurance coverage. This insurance provides reimbursement of non-refundable, unused, prepaid travel arrangements and additional air transportation costs if you are forced to cancel or interrupt your trip due to unforeseen injury, sickness or death to yourself, a traveling companion, immediate family member or business partner.

Please mail deposits and final payment checks as follows:

• Tour deposits and final payments made payable to GCA Visiting Gardens (Design & Bloom 2014 on the memo line)

• Charitable contributions are made payable to The Garden Club of America

• Mail all checks to: Wickie Plant, 313 Chattolanee Hill Road, Owings Mill, MD 21117-2113

PLEASE DO NOT MAIL ANY CHECKS DIRECTLY TO GCA

Tour participants are accepted on a first come basis by postmark on the deposit’s mailing envelope. Signed Application and Terms and Conditions Forms MUST accompany the deposit.

No faxes, email or phone reservations are accepted.

The trip will be limited to no more than 31 GCA members. (A GCA member is entitled to bring either a spouse or immediate family member with whom she shares her room.)

TOUR CONTACT:Wickie Plant, Tour Host and TreasurerGreen Spring Valley Garden Club, Zone VI313 Chattolanee Hill RoadOwings Mills, MD 21117-2113Phone: 410-654-8635Email: wickmacplant@comcast.net

GCA VisitinG GArdens Mission stAteMent

The Visiting Gardens Committee plans trips both in the United States and abroad

to educate members of GCA clubs in garden history and design, horticulture,

and the environment.

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Design and Bloom in Belgium & The NetherlandsEach participant must sign and return one copy of this form

(Please keep a copy for your records)

The undersigned clearly understands that The Garden Club of America (GCA) as sponsor of the tour is in no way responsible, and can assume no liability of any nature whatsoever, for this tour and any acts, omissions or negligence by the GCA, its members, or companies and persons with which the GCA may contract. The undersigned has carefully read the list of activities, requirements and conditions as listed in the accompanying itinerary, the Important Tour Information, and the registration materials for the tour and is aware that the trip and its activities could involve the risk of personal injury and damage or loss of property. In consideration of the benefits to be derived from participation on the tour, the undersigned voluntarily accepts all risk of personal injury and property damage or loss arising from participation on the tour and hereby agrees that he/she and his/her dependents, heirs, executors and assigns do hereby release and hold harmless the GCA from any and all claims, including claims of illness, bodily injury, death or property damage or loss, however caused, arising from or related to the tour. The undersigned has read carefully this agreement and will abide by the conditions set by GCA Visiting Gardens as described in the accompanying Important Tour Information and registration materials and in the Terms and Conditions of this and other sections as stated herein or elsewhere published. GCA has contracted with the Ultimate Travel Company of London to provide services in connection with this tour, and the provisions of that contract, a copy of which is available upon request, are incorporated into and made a part of these Terms and Conditions. The GCA, its members, and its cooperating agents make every effort to select reliable suppliers and contractors to provide ground transportation, and hotel, guide and other travel related services, but the GCA does not assume responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any loss, damage, accident, expense, delay or injury to property or person in connection with such services. The undersigned agrees not to hold the GCA, its members, employees, agents or representatives liable for any loss or injury, expense, or damage which results directly or indirectly from any act or omission of any person or firm which is to or does not provide goods or services in connection with the tour or any available option. The GCA and its cooperating agents shall not be liable for circumstances, delays and/or expenses arising as a result of: Acts of God; weather; detention; annoyance; quarantine; strikes; theft; pilferage; war; force majeure; military, political or terrorist action; civil disturbances; government restrictions or regulations; failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled; and/or discrepancies or changes in transit over which they have not control.The undersigned agrees not to sue the GCA, its members, or its participating agents. On payment of the deposit, the undersigned agrees to be bound by provisions contained in the Important Tour Information and the Terms and Conditions as herein stated. The GCA reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour at any time before departure or during the tour.The undersigned certifies that he/she has not been treated for, nor is aware of, any physical or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/her or other members of the tour.The undersigned has read and agrees to the Important Tour Information and the Terms and Conditions for this program, especially noting the policy on cancellation, and has not received or relied on any oral or written representation of the GCA as a basis for executing this release.This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and this Agreement and all matters arising out of or relating in any way whatsoever to this Agreement (whether in contract, tort, or otherwise) shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York.

Name (please print)

Legal Signature Date 10

APPLICATION FORM

Please complete and sign one application for each traveler.

Name _____________________________________________________________________________

Name for nametag __________________________________________________________________

Street ____________________________________________________________________________

City ______________________________________________ State & zip code _________________

E-mail ____________________________________________________________________________

Home phone _____________________________ Cell _____________________________________

GCA Club ____________________________________________________ Zone ______________

Hotel accommodation Single_____ Double_____

I will share accommodations with ______________________________________________________

Medical information

Allergies __________________________________________________________________________

Medications ________________________________________________________________________

Emergency contact (name, address, and phone) ___________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

I attest that I am in good physical condition and should have no problems with walking normal distances or other physical requirements of this trip.

Signature ____________________________________________ Date ______________

Sign and mail this Application Form, the Terms and Conditions Form, and your deposit to:GCA, Visiting Gardens, Design & Bloom TripWickie Plant, Tour Host and Treasurer313 Chattolanee Hill RoadOwings Mills, MD 21117

It is wise to make copies of these completed forms for your personal records.11

Design and Bloom in Belgium & The NetherlandsJUNE 15 thROUGh 27, 2014