Take the tour of a lifetime through the great gardens of Southern England

WILMETTE, Ill. – A 10-day tour of Southern England’s most beautiful and romantic gardens - including privileged access to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Hampton Court Flower Show - departs from Chicago on July 5, 2010.

Tony Fulmer, Chalet’s retail manager, will lead the “Great Gardens of Southern England” tour, featuring visits to such notable English gardens as RHS Wisley, Sissinghurst and Great Dixter in London.

“England is considered the gardening Mecca of the world, and for good reason, with its vast array of garden styles. You will discover the collections, ideas and inspiration that Southern England has to offer,” Fulmer said. “And you will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend hours wandering through breathtaking gardens set among historic mansions and palaces.”   

The tour also includes Stourhead Estate and RHS Garden Rosemoor in Devon, and The Courts Garden, Hidcote, Kiftsgate Court Gardens, Lacock Abbey and Fox Talbot in Bath. Other highlights are a garden lecture by Fergus Garrett, head gardener at Great Dixter; guided sightseeing tour of London; West End theater performance; afternoon tea in a private garden in Devon; walking tour of Bath; and lunch in a traditional Cotswolds village pub.  
 
As Chalet’s retail manager, Fulmer oversees a staff of 100 in peak season. He graduated with honors from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in ornamental horticultural. He was named Illinois Certified Nursery of the Year in 2000. He also appears monthly on WGN-TV’s Midday News, is a frequent presenter for Chalet’s esteemed lecture series, and has written or been cited in numerous print, radio, television and electronic media. 
 
Cost of the tour, which includes roundtrip airfare from Chicago to London, all program fees, several meals and accommodations in a double room at four-star properties, is $5,145 per person. The tour brochure can be downloaded at http://www.chaletnursery.com/assets/uploads/ChaletUK.brochure06.sm.pdf. For more information, call Fulmer at 847-256-0561, ext. 220.