GARDENS OF THE CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY

Transcription

1 GARDENS OF THE CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY Sunday, May 15 (Lunch/Dinner) We will be met at the San Francisco Airport and board our mini coach to make our way to Tiburon. Our first visit will be to the Greenberg Gardens, a contemporary plantsman s garden. Roger and Mary Greenberg started this garden some 18 years ago, slowly amending the clay soil and planting drifts of ornamental grasses, lavender and succulents. The plantings were paired for color and texture, and to give year round interest. After our visit we will continue to beautiful, historical Sonoma, named the happiest place in California. Here we will check in to our rooms at MacArthur Place for our 6 night stay. MacArthur Place is a luxurious hotel and spa recognized in Conde Nast s 2014 annual reader s Choice Award as one of the "World's Best" Hotels and as one of the "Top 10 Hotels in San Francisco and Northern California". The Gardens at MacArthur Place are extraordinary. Filled with original sculptures and fountains, many of the majestic old trees and plantings date back more than a century. We will gather this evening for a Welcome dinner at the hotel s Saddles Steakhouse. Monday, May 16 (Breakfast /Lunch) Today we will visit some of the most beautiful gardens in the Napa Valley and since this is wine country, we can expect some of the loveliest gardens to be at wineries. After breakfast at our hotel, we will drive to Round Pound Estate. After years of producing organic fruits and vegetables in the family garden, the winery now invites special guests to their 200 x 50 organic vegetable garden, enclosed with a unique fence made from recycled grape stakes and pine teepee poles. We will tour the gardens and then a have a tasting of some of the estate s specially made olive oils and wines and some small appetizers. Our next stop will be the Hill Family Estate in Yountville where we will take The Secret Garden tour, an exploration of Jacobsen Orchards, an idyllic, 1.3 acre oasis hidden in the middle of a residential community. The verdant plot brims with more than 120 different kinds of fruit trees plus hundreds of vegetables, herbs and culinary flowers. Of course we will also have a guided tasting of some of the Hill Family wine. After a brief stop for lunch in town, we will stop at Villa Ragazzi. This small family owned winery is most famous for bringing Sangiovese to the Napa Valley. We will have a private tour of the gardens and a tasting of their Sangiovese which we will definitely want to take home with us. We continue on to the town of St Helena for a visit to the gardens at Newton Vineyards, a lovely vineyard with formal English Gardens set on top of a mountain. After our tour here, we will stop in the

2 charming town of St Helena, home to the famed Culinary Institute of America where we ll have some free time to browse the shops along the main street and have dinner on our own in one of the many restaurants in town. Tuesday, May 17 (Breakfast) Our day begins with a tour of the Quarryhill Botanical Gardens in Glen Ellen, a very short drive from Sonoma. Quarryhill Botanical Garden is recognized as one of the best Asian botanical gardens in the world. With 25 acres of mature, flowering trees and shrubs including magnolias, dogwoods, maples, birches, roses, lilies and rhododendrons, the garden is laced with paths and hidden places to sit and relax, while surrounded by ponds, waterfalls, and lovely vistas. Our next stop will be a tour of Benzinger Biodynamic winery. Our tram tour will take us into the vineyards as our guide explains how this biodynamic vineyard does everything without using any fertilizers or pesticides of any kind. Our tour will end with a tasting of their exceptional wine. Our next stop will be Cornerstone Gardens. The Cornerstone Garden complex encompasses tasting rooms, home and garden shops, art galleries and the Park 121 Café & Grill where we will stop for lunch. After lunch we will tour the unusual gardens, an ever-changing series of small, walk-through gardens showcasing new and innovative designs from 17 of the world s finest landscape architects and designers. We return to Sonoma where the weekly Farmer s Market starts at 5:30 and goes until dusk. There s fresh produce, locally made artisans displaying their wares, live music and several local food items to taste. It s a festive event that seems to draw almost everyone in town! Dinner will be on our own tonight in Sonoma. Wednesday, May 18 (Breakfast) Today we are venturing out of the immediate area of Napa and Sonoma to visit some exceptional gardens in the Walnut Creek and the greater Berkley area. Our first stop will be the Ruth Bancroft Garden which occupies a former walnut grove. It is here that Ruth began planting a dry garden unusual for its time of cactus, succulents, and other water-thrifty plants from Mediterranean climates all over the world. Following our visit here, we will stop for lunch on our own and then continue our tour with visits to beautiful private gardens in the area. Before returning to Sonoma, we will make a stop for a casual dinner on our own in one of the towns en route.

3 Thursday, May 19 (Breakfast/Lunch) Our day is filled with visits to some lovely private gardens in the area where we will be warmly welcomed and given tours by the owners. We will have three visits including a lunch before going go on to Western Hills Garden. Since new ownership took over, the garden has undergone a true renaissance. At one time the New York Times described Western Gardens as the Tiffany of plants. The hummingbirds have returned, as have ducks, turtles, fish, and an occasional heron in the big pond. Next, we visit the charming town of Healdsburg. Set on a plaza, similar to Sonoma, but larger, Healdsburg has many unique boutiques, independent bookstores and so much more. We will have time to shop and then have an early dinner on our own at one of the many excellent restaurants around the square. We return to MacArthur Place for our overnight. Friday, May 20 (Breakfast/Lunch) After breakfast this morning, we head to a private garden in Novato, with an amazing combination of specimen conifers, maples, perennials and grasses that flow together. We continue to another private garden surrounding the home on a private horse ranch, with an emphasis on foliage, bark, and form. Our day continues with a visit to Garden Valley. From the long flower, to the Pond Garden to a hydrangea/magnolia border to yet another garden, the Fragrance Garden, complete with a beautiful fountain and plantings of fragrant flowers and the amazing cut rose fields, there is something blooming all through the year. Before returning to Sonoma, we will have a final stop at Cottage Garden Nursery. This eclectic nursery offers a large selection of grasses, succulents and pottery plus unusual items in the garden store. We return to Sonoma this evening for our farewell dinner. Saturday, May 21 (Breakfast) After breakfast this morning, we depart for San Francisco to check in for our return flight to Philadelphia.

4 Flight Arrangements At time of printing, flights have not been posted. A group departure from San Francisco Airport will require that passengers arrive by 12 noon on Sunday, May 15, Please do not purchase airline tickets until you receive official confirmation that the minimum number of guests has been reached. Please contact Kathy Reed at Travel Answers for flight arrangements. Kathy Reed Travel Answers 828 Lancaster Avenue Bryn Mawr, PA kathyreed@travelans.com

5 Waiver Form I/we, the undersigned member(s)/guests(s) of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, do desire and intend to participate in one or more trips and/or events as the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society may, from time to time, arrange for members and/or guests. I/we hereby authorize the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and such officers, employees and agents thereof as my be appropriate, (a) to enter into and execute such arrangements, applications and contacts for the charter of buses, vans, automobiles, boats and other means of transportation as may, in their opinion, be required in connection with such trips and/or events, and (b) to make such arrangements or decisions as may be required to deemed appropriate by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society or any of them in connection with such charters and such trips and/or events. In consideration of my/our agreement to participate in such trips and/or events and undertaking of such arrangements on my behalf, I/we hereby release and discharge the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and each of its directors, officers, employees and agents from all suits, causes, claims of any kind that might arise as a result of or in the course of or in connection with any such trip and/or events, such as charters or arrangements. I/we understand, of course, that this agreement will in no way effect any liability that may arise on the part of any third party. This release and discharge shall remain in effect until revoked by me/us in writing. Please sign and date this Waiver and Release Form and return with deposit. Signature Date Name (print) Signature Date Name (print)

6 Terms & Conditions This trip has been organized by Sterling Tours, Ltd. for members and friends of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). Please read this information carefully. Contact Suzanne Betts at if you have questions. Reservations and Payments A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required at time of booking. Written confirmation will be provided upon receipt of deposit. Balance of payment will be due 90 days before departure. Number of Guests: A maximum of 16 guests can be accommodated. A minimum of 16 guests are required to operate the tour at the quoted price. Purchase of non-refundable services outside of the tour itinerary (such as airline tickets) before minimum number of guests have registered is at the sole risk and expense of the guest. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended and may be purchased through Travel Safe or another carrier. Please note that to ensure coverage due to any pre-existing medical conditions you must purchase insurance within 15 days of your initial deposit. Cancellations All cancellations must be made in writing. As noted, final payment is due 90 days prior to departure and is non-refundable. Accordingly we strongly recommended that you purchase appropriate cancellation insurance. In the event that you must cancel, your deposit is refundable (minus a $100 processing fee) up to 90 days prior to departure. Cancellations must be received in writing by February 14, After this date, no refund will be made unless a substitute participant is obtained. No refund for cancellations made less than 90 days prior to departure. There is no refund for any unused portion of the trip. Hotels Hotels are shown on your itinerary. Sterling Tours reserves the right to change any hotel through any circumstance---the substitute will be of equal or higher quality. Scheduled Activities Every effort will be made to provide such services as listed, but where unavoidable circumstances necessitate changes, the best substitute alternatives will be made at the discretion of Sterling Tours, the PHS, or the ground operator without financial compensation to tour members. Service Fees, Tips & Taxes Today there are frequently service charges and taxes imposed by hotels, suppliers, and governments. These fees and taxes are included to the extent possible, but where pre-payment is not allowed the amounts concerned must be paid locally by tour members. Driver gratuity is included. Baggage Sterling is not responsible for loss, theft or damage to your baggage---travel insurance is strongly recommended to protect against loss. Guests are responsible for airline and government-imposed baggage regulations and fees.

7 Exclusions Your arrangements exclude passports, visas, excess baggage charges, items of a personal nature such as laundry, communication expenses, room service, meals not specified in your itinerary, optional sightseeing and other excursions, and any items not listed in your documents. Travel and Trip Cancellation Insurance We strongly recommend that you purchase Travel Insurance. Physical Capabilities - The tour includes a moderate amount of walking and occasional use of stairs or steeply sloped pathways. Walking surfaces may be uneven or unpaved. Some of the places that we will be visiting can only be seen on foot with no other access possible. Smoking is not permitted on vehicles, inside accommodations or restaurants; seat rotation on the vehicle is encouraged. There are regular comfort stops during each day. Tour Price Includes: 6 nights hotel accommodations including tax Roundtrip group airport transfers Porterage for one piece of luggage at the hotel Services of tour manager???, and PHS host, Suzanne Betts Transportation by private motor coach, driver gratuity included 6 Continental Breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners Admission fees to the gardens listed, including docent led tours (except at Cornerstone) Tastings at Newton, Villa Ragazzi, Round Pond, Benzinger and Hill Family Wineries. Driver gratuity $300 tax-deductible donation to PHS. Tour Price Does Not Include: Airfare Personal airport transfers Travel insurance Meals, tours and entrance fees not specifically mentioned in the itinerary Beverages Excess baggage charges and porterage of more than 1 piece of luggage Items of a personal nature such as room service, laundry, phone and internet expenses, etc. Responsibility Clause SterlingTours the Operator,PHS, and/or their agents or representatives, act only as agents for the various companies involved in providing services.

8 They assume no responsibility or liability in connection with the service of any means of conveyance which may be used either whole or in part in the performance of its duty to the passenger. Likewise they will not be responsible for any act, error or omission or for any personal injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, irregularity or inconvenience which may be occasioned by reason of any defect in any vehicles, or through any act, neglect or default, or any company or person engaged in carrying out the purpose for which tickets or coupons are issued, whether negligent or not, including, but not limited to, any act of God, terrorism or war. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort or well-being of passengers, or for any reason whatsoever, to alter itinerary or arrangements, such alterations may be made without penalty to the Operator. The right is reserved to withdraw any or all tours should conditions warrant, also to decline to accept or retain passengers as members of the tour. Legal proceedings against the Operator may be instituted only in a State or Federal Court within the County of San Diego, State of California, and any claim involved in such proceedings shall be decided in the County of San Diego, State of California. Any legal proceedings against the Operator must be commenced within one year following the date of tour completion. Neither the Operator nor PHS shall in any case be liable for compensatory damages and you hereby waive any right to punitive damages. Sterling Tours, Ltd A California Corporation 2907 Shelter Island Drive Suite # San Diego, CA Tel: CST info@sterlingtoursltd.com While no revisions of this itinerary are anticipated, PHS and its travel partners reserve the right to make changes, with or without notice, which may become necessary.

9 Reservation Form Gardens of the California Wine Country May 15-21, 2016 IMPORTANT: Submitting this form and paying tour deposit confirms you have read and accept the Terms and Conditions for this tour. Please review and be sure you understand the terms and conditions before registering for this tour. Full Name Date of birth Name for Name badge Address City State Zip Phone (home/cell) Emergency contact Name Phone Relationship Room type Double Room one large bed Double-two beds Single willing to share Single sole occupancy ($1,288 supplement applies) Roommate s name Special Medical or Dietary Needs LAND-ONLY TOUR PRICE AND DEPOSIT INFORMATION

10 Tour Price for PHS members is $3,100 per person, land-only based on double occupancy; $3,200 for non-members. Single occupancy of a room requires additional payment of $1,288. A deposit of $500 per person is required to register for this tour. Payment Information If paying by check, please make payable to PHS Amount $ Check # If paying by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express) Credit Card # Exp Date Amount to be charged Signature