THE PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW

MARCH 1-5, 2008

 

The Minnesota State Horticultural Society is pleased to present a tour to

the Philadelphia Flower Show, a must for all gardeners!

 

Philadelphia is one of our country’s most historic cities, with much to offer a visitor. Our tour will include a full day at the Flower Show, which will celebrate the gardens and atmosphere of New Orleans with the theme “Jazz It Up”. We’ll also visit Longwood Gardens, considered to be one of the foremost botanical gardens in the U.S. Longwood was once the country estate of Pierre du Pont, and today encompasses 1050 acres, including 20 outdoor gardens and a four-acre conservatory. Additional highlights of the trip include the Barnes Foundation, which has one of the world’s finest private collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, and a city sightseeing tour with a local guide.

 

The 2008 Flower Show is called “Jazz It Up!” and will celebrate

the gardens and atmosphere of New Orleans.

 

This is the oldest and largest flower show in the world. First presented in 1829, the Philadelphia Flower Show encompasses 10 acres of exhibits and attracts over 250,000 people over its eight-day run.

 

Besides incredible displays sponsored by landscapers and nurseries, the Show includes unbelievably beautiful competitive entries from amateur growers in many categories and 140 Marketplace vendors. Also part of the Show are daily lectures and demonstrations, Garden Teas, culinary presentations, a large bookshop of garden related books, and much more. The exhibits are large and elaborate, with many featuring stone walls, ponds and fountains, in addition to plants, trees and shrubs. The star of the competitive section may be Mrs. Samuel M. V. Hamilton, the heir to the Campbell Soup fortune, who with her seven greenhouses and staff of gardeners takes many of the first place ribbons each year. You won’t want to miss her topiaries, orchids and prize succulents.

 

COST OF TOUR $1590.00 double occupancy; single supplement is $386.00 additional. Non-Members of MSHS add $100.00 to the tour cost. Cost includes a $50.00 contribution to the Minnesota State Horticultural Society. Airfare is additional.

 

 

SATURDAY MARCH 1

Depart this morning for Philadelphia, with arrival mid-afternoon. Transfer to Loew’s Hotel, conveniently located just across the street from the Convention Center site of the Philadelphia Flower Show, and near restaurants and museums. Relax this afternoon, then enjoy a Welcome Dinner together at one of the city’s fine restaurants.

 

SUNDAY MARCH 2

This morning we visit the Barnes Foundation, which only recently opened its fabulous collections to public view. Previously accessible only to scholars and students, the Barnes recently lost a court battle to remain in suburban Philadelphia, and may eventually move downtown. Visits are restricted to Friday through Sunday only, to maintain the original atmosphere of the museum. One of the world’s finest private collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, the Barnes has an extraordinary number of masterpieces by Renoir, Matisse and Van Gogh, as well as many other works of art. Our visit to

 

the Barnes is followed by a tour of Philadelphia’s major sights with a local guide. We’ll see the sites of the historic district, including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, National Constitution Center, the Franklin Museum in Franklin Court, and the First Bank, as well as Broad Street, Rittenhouse Square, and the museum district on Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The evening is free.

 

MONDAY MARCH 3

Today the entire day and evening are free to enjoy the Philadelphia Flower Show. Admission is included in the tour price, and you may leave and re-enter as you please.

 

 

TUESDAY MARCH 4

This morning we have an excursion to Philadelphia’s famous Longwood Gardens, formerly the country estate of industrialist Pierre du Pont. Today the gardens encompass 1050 acres, including 20 outdoor gardens, woodlands and meadows, and a four-acre conservatory housing 20 incredibly lovely garden rooms. Considered to be the foremost garden in this country, you will long remember this visit to one of our horticultural treasures.  We return to the hotel about 3pm, so that you can, if you wish, make a return visit to the Flower Show (entrance not included in tour price). Or visit one of the city’s two major art museums, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art or the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This evening a Farewell Dinner together at a nearby restaurant.

 

WEDNESDAY MARCH 5

The morning is free. Afternoon flights back to Twin Cities or home city.

 

 

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

INCLUDED IN THE TOUR

·         4 nights hotel accommodation

·         Transportation between hotel and airport (if on group flights)

·         Two dinners

·         Entrance to Philadelphia Flower Show

·         City sightseeing with local guide

·         Barnes Foundation and Longwood Gardens

·         Baggage handling at airport and hotel

·         All gratuities to guides and drivers

·         Services of experienced tour escort (and gardener)

·         Tax-deductible contribution to the MSHS

                                                                                   

AIR FARE IS NOT INCLUDED

 

COST OF TOUR $1590.00 double occupancy; single supplement is $386.00 additional. Non-Members of MSHS add $100.00 to the tour cost. Cost includes a $50.00 contribution to the Minnesota State Horticultural Society.

 

 

Travel arrangements can be made independently or through Ovation Tours and Travel One, Inc. and can be charged to your credit card. Departure can be from any city. If air arrangements are made through Ovation Tours, cost will be $295.40 per person.

 

 

REGISTRATION, PAYMENTS AND CANCELLATION

To register, mail form on following page to address below.

Deposit is $500.00 per person

Balance is due January 19, 2008

Payment by personal check only

Deposits are fully refundable until January 2, 2008

 

 

This tour is conducted for the MSHS by Ovation Tours, Inc.

 

 

For further information contact:

Arlene Alm

Ovation Tours, Inc., 1696 Scheffer Ave., St. Paul MN 55116

651-699-1105 or 800-365-7691

Email: arlene@ovationtours.com

THE PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW

MARCH 1-5, 2008

 

 

REGISTRATION FORM

 

Please include the full name and address of all persons for whom you are making a reservation.

 

NAME________________________________________________________________________

 

ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________________

 

CITY/STATE/ZIP________________________________________________________________

 

EMAIL________________________________________________________________________

 

 

PLEASE RESERVE ________ PLACE(S) FOR THE PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW TOUR

MARCH 1-5, 2009.

 

      Member of Minnesota State Horticultural Society

      Non-member of Minnesota State Horticultural Society

(Contact Lisa Williams-Hardman at 651-643-3601, ext. 204 for membership information)

 

       Departure from the Twin Cities

       Departure from _________________________________________________________

 

       Double occupancy at basic tour price ($1590.00)

       Single supplement at $386.00 additional

 

       Hotel room – non-smoking                                    Hotel room – smoking

 

Enclosed is a deposit of $500.00 for each reservation.

(Make check payable to Ovation Tours, Inc.)

 

Signature______________________________________________________________________

 

Mail to:

Ovation Tours, Inc.

1696 Scheffer Ave.

St. Paul MN 55116

 

For further information contact Arlene Alm

651-699-1105 or 800-365-7691

Email: arlene@ovationtours.com