HORTUS goes to Tangier: A Heart of Secret Gardens

16 May 2022

On this very special tour we will have the rare privilege of stepping into magical, private gardens; meeting their creators as well as enjoying the comfort and hospitality of the centrally located and much-celebrated El Minzah hotel.

Spend a day with ecologist and plantsman, Umberto Pasti
Sundowners with designer Madison Cox in his own clifftop garden
Exclusive entry to Tangier’s most private homes and gardens
Indulge in a lantern-lit dinner with a celebrity host

Tangier, one of the Mediterranean’s oldest and most strategically placed seaports has had a long and dramatic

history of intrigue and multicultural occupation, attractive to a fluid population of adventurers and diplomats,

spies and socialites as well as being the legendary haunt of the literary lions of the Beat Generation. Today – to

the regret of some – Tangier has shaken off its slightly seedy reputation, grown considerably smarter and acquired

a cosmopolitan confidence, perhaps more attractive to business than bohemians. But the city still has its 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 men and women have married their love of Tangier to a

love of plants and created gardens in the image of their own diverse personalities.

Day 1:
This morning we depart London Heathrow for Paris where we join our connecting flight to Tangier. On arrival we transfer to the El Minzah Hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening here. This evening we dine together at the hotel’s Moroccan restaurant.
Day 2:
Today we visit a cluster of gardens on Vieille Montagne, all enjoying sublime views over the Bay of Tangier and just a short drive from our hotel. Both lunch and dinner are hosted in the very private gardens of two of Tangier’s most distinguished residents.
Day 3:
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 an hour to the 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 the Minzah for dinner in the hotel’s French restaurant.
Day 4:
The Donabo Botanic garden is an exciting and beautifully planted new project, set on the glorious, wooded slopes of the Cape Spartel nature reserve, a short drive out of the city. After a guided visit, we enjoy a light lunch in the gardens followed by an optional guided walk from the hotel, taking in some of the city’s most important historical sites – or if you prefer, the colourful souks of the Medina are just a short stroll from our hotel.
Day 5:
After breakfast, we depart Tangier for Paris where we join our connecting flight to London Heathrow.

Return flights with Air France from London Heathrow to Tangier via Paris
Private coach transfers and excursions
Four nights’ bed and breakfast in the five-star El Minzah Hotel,Tangier
Four dinners with wine and four lunches
Guided visits to sites listed in the programme
Services of the Tour Leader and Hosts
Detailed programme and garden notes
All entrance fees, taxes and gratuities for coach drivers and waiters

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.

Virginia Affleck

Virginia Affleck was raised in country Victoria, Australia and had a desire to travel and explore the world from an early age. Following a Degree in Fine Art, a four year stint at Sotheby’s Australia ensued which furthered Virginias love and understanding of art, along with an intrigue for anthropology.

Virginia has spent time living in the Indian Himalaya, where she became familiar with the textiles of northern India, Nepal and Tibet. In 2005 Virginia worked with the acclaimed American photographer, Josephine Powell in Istanbul, during this time she gained knowledge about each and every weft and weave that Josephine had collected in her travels before she settled in Istanbul. In recent years Virginia left Australia for a sabbatical in Paris, which eventually led her to Morocco where she now resides in Tangier, the northern most point of this beautiful North African country.

Fly from London Heathrow

Return flights from London Heathrow are included in our package on our specific arrival and departure dates plus one item of checked in luggage, per person.

Transfers will also be included on our specific arrival and departure dates to take you to your holiday destination. If you choose to arrive or depart on a different day, there may be an additional supplement charged to cover your transfer costs.

Overview

The iconic El Minzah has enjoyed a flood of glamorous guests in its lifetime, Jackie Onassis, Winston Churchill and Rita Hayworth among them. One of Tangier’s grandest buildings, it sits between the Old Medina and the new city, within walking distance of several of the city’s most important sites. A sunny internal courtyard, elegant palm-lined pool (one of two) and panoramic views across the bay all set the tone for relaxation. Hotel restaurant and bar.