Country Life: Tangier's Secret Gardens
Tangier, one of the Mediterranean’s oldest and most strategically placed sea-ports, has a long and dramatic history of intrigue and multicultural occupation, attractive to a fluid population of adventurers, diplomats, spies, and socialites as well as being the legendary haunt of the Beat Generation’s literary lions. Tangier has grown considerably smarter and acquired cosmopolitan confidence. But the city still has secrets and the best of these are its private gardens, hidden within the heart of the old city or behind the high walls of the fashionable Vieille Montagne. Here, a wonderful cast of people have married their love of Tangier to a love of plants, creating gardens that reflect their own diverse personalities. On this very special tour, we will have the rare privilege of stepping into these magical places and meeting their creators, as well as enjoying the comfort and hospitality of the centrally-located historically important El Minzah Hotel. Our tour includes visits to some gardens, so private that they cannot be named.
Your Tour Includes
- Return economy class flights with British Airways from London Heathrow
- Return ferry crossing from Spain to Tangier
- 4 nights' accommodation at the El Minzah Hotel
- 2 dinners at the hotel and 2 as guests in private homes with local wines included
- 2 lunches
- Detailed programme and garden notes
- Services of the Tour Manager and Hosts
- Guided visits to sites listed in the programme
Kathryn Bradley-Hole
Kathryn is a lifelong gardener and inveterate traveller and was for 18 years the Gardens Editor of Country Life. She is the author of numerous gardening books, including the acclaimed English Gardens from the archives of Country Life, Villa Gardens of the Mediterranean and, newly published, The Naturally Beautiful Garden, which explores contemporary naturalistic gardens across the world. For some 30 years a popular garden writer for the national and international press, she enjoys growing food and herbs for the kitchen and flowers for wildlife enhancement.
Kirsty Fergusson
Kirsty exchanged a career in academia (she is a PhD specialising in French philosopher-novelists) for a life in gardening. Trained at Capel Manor, she was head gardener at Mapperton in Dorset during the early nineties, where a series of fortunate encounters opened the door to garden writing. As well as writing a weekly column for The Express, for many years she was a frequent contributor to Gardens Illustrated, House and Garden, Country Life, The Times, The Telegraph and The Independent. In 2003 she moved to SW France, where she continues to explore the possibilities of her own (very forgiving) garden – when not travelling, writing or leading tours.
Itinerary
Flight BA2594 departs from London Heathrow at 07:55, arriving in Gibraltar Airport at midday. We continue by fast ferry directly into Tangier port from where it’s just a five-minute transfer to the El Minzah Hotel; afternoon tea will be served on arrival.
This evening, we dine together with invited Tangerine guests in the delightful garden of a recently restored villa, just a short step away from our hotel.
Includes Dinner
Today we visit a cluster of gardens on Vieille Montagne, all enjoying sublime views over the Bay of Tangier, just a short drive from our hotel. Among these we include Gazebo, the Tangier residence of celebrated interior designer, El Foolk, home of the late antiques dealer Christopher Gibbs, and the elegant Villa Josephine, where immaculate gardens and a celebrated restaurant occupy a glorious vantage point overlooking the Bay of Tangier. Dinner this evening will be in the newly opened Villa Mabrouka.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Umberto Pasti hails from Milan, but for the past thirty years has spent much of his time both in Tangier and Rohuna, a small village close to the Atlantic coast and an hour south of the city. Ecologist, writer, and gardener extraordinaire, Umberto’s passion for plants, especially those native to Morocco and in danger of extinction, is legendary, and we have the great privilege of visiting both his gardens in his company as well as enjoying lunch with him at Rohuna.
We return to Tangier with time to relax before dining together at our hotel.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Lunch
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
The Donabo Botanic Garden is an exciting and beautifully planted new project, a collaboration between Princess Malika El Alaoui and British artist Paul Belvoir, set on the glorious, wooded slopes of the Cape Spartel Nature Reserve, just a short drive out of the city. After a guided visit, we enjoy a light lunch in the gardens followed by an invitation to discover the lovingly-tended gardens surrounding St Andrew’s church and the weavers’ workshops close to the souks of the Medina – all just a short stroll from our hotel.
In the evening, we head out to the Marchane district for a lantern-lit dinner in an exquisite private house and its sumptuous courtyard garden.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Lunch
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
We drive to the port of Tangier to take the ferry to Gibraltar. From Gibraltar, we will then take the 10:45 flight with BA to London Heathrow, arriving at 15:00.
Includes Breakfast
Accommodation
You will stay for 4 nights at the El
Minzah Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis with two evening meals.
El Minzah
El Minzah Hotel Tangier is an iconic and prestigious hotel situated in the vibrant city of Tangier, Morocco. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar, this grand hotel has been a symbol of luxury and elegance since its establishment in 1930. El Minzah Hotel's gardens also feature a charming outdoor terrace, overlooking the vibrant city of Tangier. This elevated vantage point provides breathtaking views of the cityscape, the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, and the distant hills.
Hotel Facilities
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Room
- Safe Box
- Air Conditioning
- Fridge
General
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- Indoor and Outdoor Swimming Pool (Seasonal)
- Sauna or Steam Room
Service
- Room Service Available
- Free WiFi (Public Areas)
- Gym
Hotel
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
