Behind the Journeys

With its awe-inspiring red mesas and buttes standing isolated amid empty desert sands, Monument Valley in North Arizona is said to be one of the most photographed places on earth and is the most enduring and definitive image of the American West. It has been designated as a Tribal Park in recognition of its importance to the Navajo people since 1958. We take a look at the geology, myths, and movie magic of this extraordinary landscape. 

International Quilt Festival Houston is one of the largest annual quilt shows in the world, but it's origins lie in a sewing bee, a Houston antique store and the passion of a remarkable woman. As IQF celebrates its 50th anniversary, we celebrate its founder, Karey Patterson Bresenhan.

Kansas City is home to more than 200 fountains, ranging from grand, classical cascades to ornate waterspouts via the most minimal of modern water features. Scattered throughout the metro and gracing parks, plazas and shopping areas, they are integral to the culture of the Kansas City – a place also known as the ‘City of Fountains’.

Nantes' Jardin des Plantes is one of France’s big four botanical gardens. Stretching over more than 17 acres in the centre of the city, it is home 10,000 living species and sees 50,000 flowers planted each season. No wonder it has earned it the title of 'Jardin Remarquable’ !

 

According to historian and gardener Robin Lane Fox, it is the gardens of Italy with their captivating mix of rigour and informality (think neat parterres, clipped hedges of box and citrus, grand statuary and playful fountains set against flower meadows and ornamental vegetables) that underpin much of what we think of as the essential elements of formal garden design. Some of the very best of these gardens can be found on two islands in Lake Maggiore.

Home to seven million spring-flowering bulbs and popularly known as the ‘Garden of Europe’, Keukenhof Garden is the largest flower garden in the world. In this blog, we take a look at our most favourite spring garden.