The only surprise here is that this beautiful quiet oasis is situated in downtown Orlando just a few minutes from the I4 and is only a stone throw away from the theme parks, shopping malls and other visitor attractions. The easiest route we have found is to leave the I4 at exit 85 taking Princeton Street east to the intersection with Mills Avenue. Turn right here and then left on to Virginia Drive at the next major intersection. The road curves to the left into Forest Avenue and the entrance to Leu Gardens can be found on your right.

Harry P Leu Gardens is set in fifty acres of land backing on to Lake Rowena. In a previous incarnation it was the lakefront estate of a local citrus entrepreneur before being bought by Harry P Leu in the late 1930s. He then scoured the world for exotic plant species and dedicated the next twenty-five years to completing the transformation of the grounds into the wonderful gardens to be seen today.

Originally the grounds were designated as a drive-through garden but over time it became more obvious that the visitor would rather take their time and get closer to nature. As a result numerous foot trails were laid to complement the existing paved walk-ways and a gazebo together with additional seating areas were provided, all encouraging a more sensory experience to the garden lover.

The paths lead through a canopy of giant oaks, camphors and palms, all of which protect the dazzling displays of camellia from the burning heat of the Florida sun. There is a formal rose garden, home to seventy-five different varieties, as well as separate collections of orchids, azaleas and perennials.

Also, don’t miss the herb and butterfly gardens or, for that matter, the impressive fifty foot high floral clock.

In the Garden House  there are light refreshments, a library full of gardening books and a well-stocked gift shop.

Admission at around seven dollars is extremely good value for money, and if you should be planning a trip to Central Florida then a visit to Harry P Leu Botanic Gardens comes highly recommended.

It is a delightful place that appeals to all those who have an appreciation of plants and flowers, be it the horticultural professional or the keen amateur gardener.

The climate in central Florida is conducive to growing a vast array of tropical and temperate varieties that allow an abundance of all year round displays. However, the scorching summer heat and mild winters means that many native American plants, common in suburban gardens further north, would be unable to survive in this environment.

After Harry P Leu bought the site from a local citrus entrepreneur back in the 1930s he spent a number of years travelling the world to bring back some of the exotic plants that are on view today. Discover palms, cycads, azaleas and orchids. Enjoy the sight of those annual favourites including seventy-five varieties of wonderfully scented roses and the world’s largest collection of camellias numbering over two thousand specimens.

When to visit is very much down to personal preference, as there is always something in bloom. The camellias, shaded from the harsh Florida sun by varieties of oak, elm and camphor trees, are in flower between November and March but they are considered to be at their best during the winter months of January and February.

Don’t miss the azaleas, red maple, japonica and amaryllis, to name but a few of the enormous varieties that are also in bloom at the same time of year.

The rose garden, which is very much the centrepiece attraction, looks a picture from April through to November but to see it at its perfect best, visit during the winter (December and January), spring (April and May) or during the fall (September and October).

Irrespective of the time of your visit Leu Gardens will showcase a range of seasonal displays, which include some magical winter blooming annuals as well as more drought tolerant varieties during the summer.

This really is a horticultural paradise at any time of year, and being located so close to the downtown Orlando why not take a couple of hours out to enjoy Harry P Leu’s stunning creation.

A leisurely stroll through the magnificent gardens will take on average around one and a half hours, but for those with a little more time on their hands there is so much more to do and see. In the Garden House you can sit a while over a coffee or browse through a plethora of informative gardening books in the custom-built library section. However, the purpose of this article is to look at the early history of Leu Gardens and, in particular, the part Harry P Leu played in its development.

At the heart of the the gardens in The Leu House Museum which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Guided tours, illustrating turn of the 20th century living, are available to visitors and last around twenty minutes.

Originally The Leu House was simple farm-house with five rooms built in 1888 by the first landowners, the Mizell family. Subsequent owners made further additions to the property and Joseph Woodward completed the house as it is seen today.

After Woodward’s wife died in 1928 the estate went into trust and was rented out until it was bought by Harry P Leu in 1936 for the pricely sum of $40,000.

Harry P Leu was born in Orlando in 1884 and became an extremely astute and well-respected businessman. After graduating from college he worked locally for a boiler repair company called Cain & O’Berry. Leu worked his way up through the ranks before taking time out in New York to develop his business acumen even further.

On returning to Orlando, Leu eventually gained control of Cain & O’Berry and changed its name to Harry P Leu Inc, which then became an industrial supply company with offices in Miami and Tampa.

He bought Leu House in 1936 and set about major renovation work, which included the installation of central electricity and plumbing.

Away from the house Harry Leu had a great interest in plants and flowers. With his wife they embarked on several trips around the world bringing back many of the exotic plant varieties seen in the gardens today.

In 1961, the house and their beautiful gardens were given to the city of Orlando. This was Leu’s way of giving something back to the community where he had made his fortune.    The deed stipulated that the estate would always remain a botanical garden, for enjoyment and education of the people.  

The Leus hoped the house and gardens would attract people from all over the world. If they had been around today they would have seen that dream become reality.

However there is a lot more to see, and Leu cleverly designed the gardens into separate zones to maximise their impact on the visitor.

On arrival a path leads to the Tropical Stream Garden, which was completed in the year 2000. Follow the meandering stream down to the shore of Lake Rowenta and marvel at lush vegetation and babbling natural spring. Here Harry P Leu has created a garden with the look and feel of the tropics with plantings of banana, ginger, tree ferns, and palms to name but a few.

The Wetland Garden and Wycoff Overlook on Lake Rowenta was replanted with native aquatic plants around ten years ago. Today it is teeming with all sorts of wildlife including wading birds, dragonflies, turtles, and even the occasional alligator.

From the boardwalk the visitor will come across not only native Florida aquatic plants but also water lilies and lakeshore mangrove.

For the amateur gardener there are two zones dedicated to plants native to Florida.

The Home Demonstration Garden showcases different plant groups including annual and perennial flowers, vines, ground covers, fragrant flowers, ornamental grasses and textured plants. For those short of space the Urban Patio Garden features tub plants and vines that can thrive in courtyard settings.

Then there is the Bird Garden with plants that attract a range of migratory and native birds including the Florida Scrub Jay and Hummingbird.

The Butterfly Garden is planted with flowers and plants that supply nectar and attract many different types of butterfly.

Additionally there is the Enabling Garden, which features a variety of plants on raised beds ideal for wheelchair users and the Evening Garden is full of highly scented flowers and herbs in pale hues which stimulate the senses.

There also separate sections for vegetables, wildflowers, grasses and herbs.

In summary Harry P Leu has created a horticultural masterpiece so diverse that it is guaranteed to attract all types of garden lover from all over the world.

A visit is highly recommended.

Since those early days Celebration has grown in size with several new property phases being added, each with their own individuality and style. Names such as North Village, West Village and Evalyn Lake enrich the community with homes ranging from small condominiums to great mansions. Whether Disney’s original values still hold good is, I guess, a question for today’s residents to answer.

At first glance the Disney influence is very apparent, a hotel very much in the Floridian style, an Art Deco cinema that could easily have been transported from Hollywood Studios and a lake with walking trails reminiscent of Disney’s Boardwalk area. It is hard to come to terms with the fact that this is a working community with its own infrastructure including all emergency services and local amenities including schools, libraries and leisure facilities.

At the far end of Water Street, along a beautiful tree lined avenue is the entrance to Celebration’s very own championship golf course and back in downtown, just a ten-minute stroll away are the chic boutiques and elegant restaurants that can be found dotted around the lake.

Try Sherlock’s, which is a quintessential English teashop that also specialises in fine wines, or sit outside in the evening sunshine and enjoy Spanish tapas at the Colombia restaurant.  A tad cheaper is the Market Street Café, which does ‘the best breakfast’ in Celebration according to many reviewers. The Front Porch is an ice cream parlour with pavement seating, and is an ideal place to rest on a hot summer’s day with your favourite ice cream concoction in hand.

The visitor can be forgiven for thinking they have stumbled upon a perpetual movie set as Celebration is so far removed from the ‘real world’ yet only minutes from hustle and bustle of the US192 corridor. There are no chain stores or recognisable fast food outlets here and Disney has been clever enough to link Celebration Boulevard to World Drive so that residents can reach the theme parks and return home without having to venture on to any other major roads or thoroughfares.

So can the visitors…but don’t tell everyone!!

There was no respite as the earthquake worsened, and now the tanker was leaking fuel. Soon the power lines could resist no longer and came crashing to the ground sending sparks dancing in all directions. Rivers of gasoline were ignited and within seconds the truck exploded in a huge fire ball.

The rain had been relentless and without any further warning a flash flood hurtled down the canyon walls towards us. The foaming wall of water threatens our very existence but mercifully stops just short of our tram. As the cascade subsides we can see that the fires have been extinguished and the ground is no longer shaking…but it had been a close call.

This was Catastrophe Canyon, the highlight of Hollywood Studios Back Lot Tour.

The excitement begins after exiting the Harbour Attack special effects movie shoot and as you board the tram there is no inkling of the terror you are about to face.

In fact, at this time, your knowledgeable guide is happy to point out photo opportunities for the iconic Earful Tower and bombard you with a plethora of mesmerising statistics about its height and weight.

Even moving on through the Boneyard which is home to a number of props from some major film successes such as Star Wars, Herbie the Love Bug and Pirates of the Caribbean,  there was still no indication of what dangers lay ahead.

Then we slowly turned the corner and entered through the narrow walls of the canyon ….you know what happened next.

The fascinating thing, after the flash flood subsides, is to watch the whole set reset itself ready for the next tram load of unsuspecting guests.

Our ride continues around the back of Catastrophe Canyon where the huge tanks and water canon are housed. Another chance for our guide to shower us (forgive the pun) with more mind blowing facts and figures. But it was interesting to understand how the special effects were performed.

Towards the end of the ride the tram passes an old Dakota aircraft affectionately known as ‘The Mouse’. This, we are informed, was the original plane that Walt Disney flew in when looking for the ideal location in Florida to build his theme park dream.

We are returned to our start point and guide bids us a cheery farewell.

It had certainly been an eventful trip.

Like most resort areas on Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach is blessed with miles of sugar white sand that gently slopes into the warm coastal waters. The Gulf side of the beach is a favourite for just strolling along the water’s edge, picking shells and swimming under lifeguard supervision.

The bay side tends to offer more in water craft activities that include parasailing, and jet ski riding. Here you are also likely to find several boat charters that specialize in deep sea fishing.

There are a couple of small parks in Bradenton Beach, worthy of note only because one, Herb Dolan Park, offers great views across to Sarasota and Tampa Bay whilst the other, Katie Peirola Park, is a great spot for sunsets.

The City Pier has recently reopened following hurricane damage in 2004 and is popular for fishing. It was interesting to hear that when the old wooden bridge connecting Bradenton Beach to the mainland was replaced the island side of the bridge was retained as a fishing pier. Today, after its two million dollar refurbishment the pier is home to a restaurant, tackle shop and restrooms.  Whether you are into fishing or not, this is a lovely spot for a stroll and to watch the catch coming in.

Bridge Street is the historic centre of Bradenton Beach and, as it was directly at the end of the old wooden bridge linking it to the mainland; it became a thriving and prosperous community. When the old bridge was replaced it lost some of its appeal and many businesses closed down. However, today after a major restoration project, Bridge Street has rediscovered its charm and can offer the visitor quaint little shops selling antiques, paintings and a variety other crafts. There are some lovely pavement cafes as well as more up market restaurants and bars.

At the end of the day, if the weather is good, head back to the beach, the pier or Katie Peirola Park, and be prepared to witness a spectacular sunset across the Gulf of Mexico. There is nothing better to lift the soul after an enjoyable day exploring this little piece of paradise in central Florida.

During October the Food and Wine Festival is in full swing and gives the visitor the opportunity to sample speciality dishes from, not only the cuisines of countries permanently represented in Epcot but also from several other guest countries whose temporary stands, dotted around the lagoon, cannot fail to attract those with an appetite to try something a little different.

We tend to enter the park via the International Gateway and stroll in an anti clockwise direction in the hope of timing our visit to coincide with a performance from the Japanese drummers whose energetic and rhythmic routines are truly exquisite.

This spot is also provides a great photo opportunity with the Japanese arch set against a red sky with the familiar Spaceship Earth globe as the backdrop.

We’ll probably get a quick bite to eat from one of the temporary stands, the Australian Kangaroo steaks can be recommended, and then walk towards the American Garden Theatre which probably holds around a thousand people. This is located adjacent to the Great American Adventure and is attractively set amongst trees with fairly lights suspended from their branches.

The concerts last for half an hour appeal to all tastes. Artists such as Sheena Easton, Sister Hazel and David Cassidy were all performing during the Food and Wine Festival.

The culmination of the day’s events is the Illuminations, Reflections of Earth firework spectacular which takes place every evening at nine o clock and visitors tend to claim their favourite vantage spots up to an hour before. In our opinion this just isn’t necessary because viewing all around the lagoon is more or less unobstructive.

We tend to ease our way around the United Kingdom pavilion which not only provides great views of the lagoon but also givers us the opportunity to slip quietly out of the park once the fireworks have finished.

If there is anybody reading this that hasn’t yet seen Illuminations then we can tell you that, in our opinion, this is the best firework display in Disney and should not be missed.

It was one of those places that we had read about but hadn’t really put at the top of our priority list to visit, but a chance meeting with a couple of Americans while we were waiting for the Illuminations, Reflections of Earth firework display in Epcot  helped us to change our minds.

The two Bradenton residents enthused about Anna Maria Island so vehemently that they persuaded us to take the two hour drive to the south of Tampa Bay the very next day.

This was a world away from the Orlando theme parks and really was a paradise in the sun with just about every conceivable water sport attraction within easy reach. For us, the starting point was a leisurely stroll along the pristine white sands with the occasional paddle in the crystal clear water to cool the feet. The Americans had told us this was once one of Florida’s best kept secrets and it’s not difficult to understand why.

There is a distinctly private feel to the island, almost as if you are invading the space of some of the luxury mansions complete with immaculately manicured lawns that sweep majestically down to the beach.  We were happy to mind our own business and enjoyed a period of quiet solitude amongst the sea turtles and the playful dolphins who, it seemed, were putting on a special performance just for us.

Unfortunately the secret’s well out and although you can still find your own piece of paradise, the island is now a Mecca for day trippers seeking outdoor activities and a popular destination for honeymooners and film crews. 

We certainly found walking to be quite a gentle pursuit and it enabled us to explore not only the shell lined shoreline but also to get close up and personal with a variety of tropical birds and other wildlife, all within the city limits of Anna Maria on the northern most tip of the island.

Of course, there are alternatives. The island runs a free trolley service between the three main towns of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach so it is very easy to get around quickly. More sedate forms of transport include bike rentals which are plentiful, or if you prefer to sightsee from the water, canoes and small charters are readily available.  

We really were impressed with what we had seen and could only thank our American cousins for their recommendation. We will definitely be coming again.