This is Florida’s hidden gem. If you want a couple of hours relaxation in a perfectly tranquil and calm place this is it – only don’t tell the tourists!!

Just South of Haines City, you need to follow the signs for Lake Wales and the Bok Tower, set amidst orange groves, it is incredibly easy to find and you will see the tower rising above the trees as you are driving along.

The Historic Bok Sanctuary was donated to the American people by a Dutch immigrant, Edward W Bok. Mr Bok used to holiday on Iron Mountain in Florida and loved watching the sunsets. He purchased the mountain and commissioned a famous American landscape architect to plan and build the Sanctuary so that its beauty could be preserved.

Later a CarillionTower was added to the gardens, and Edward W Bok is buried on the North side of the tower.

We visited mid week and at first glance, in the information center, it looked fairly busy with a school party and quite a few elderly people. After watching a short introduction video you are left to wander freely around the gardens. It is only then that you realise that no matter how busy it looks, you rarely see other people about.

The gardens are pretty large and the flowers really unusual, but the highlight is seeing the 205 foot Carillion Tower.The colours of the stonework and marble have to be seen, I have never seen pinks, blues, purples, greys etc in natural stone like they are here, and the carving and mosaics around the windows are magnificent.

The CarillionTower houses a 60 bell carillion and twice a day you can sit and listen to half hour recitals of this instrument, but be aware, the peaceful environment and pleasant sounds can start to make you feel rather drowsy!

There are several different walkways around the garden, and one leads you to the ‘Window By The Pond’, a wooden hut built facing a lake where you can see all sorts of wildlife in it’s natural environment. When we visited there were several types of bird, squirrels a plenty and a rather elegant blue heron perched right in the centre.

The views from the top of the mountain are quite breathtaking, Iron Mountain is the highest excavated piece of land in Florida, and you can see for miles around, in fact 200 million years ago, you would have been looking over the sea.

We are not great fans of gardens, but this one has been put on our list of ‘must see and do again’. The pathways are mainly bark chippings and if you are unable to walk the short hill to the Carillion Tower, don’t worry, an electric car is available to take you to the top and back down again if you don’t wish to or are unable to make the walk. I cannot recommend the Historic Bok Tower and gardens enough, it has to be one of our favourite places in all Florida, let’s hope it doesn’t change.

Once you are finished at the gardens, why not take the very short drive across to ‘Spook Hill’. There is no charge for this, and I do not wish to spoil the fun, there is an information board, read this and follow the instructions……..what do you think is happening!?

We have had received 2 enquiries recently for honeymoons but our first wedding enquiry. So we decided we had better get a little information for Wedding requests. We know the Big Operators do their Disney packages but for the couples who just want to do their own thing we decided to look into it.

We went along to the nearest Chapel from our villa, “The Stay Happy, Stay In Love” Chapel on Hwy 192 .

What a surprise we got on entering from the parking lot. It was absolutely gorgeous and not at all like we had imagined. It was completely decorated with beautiful flower arrangements around the different size alters catering for EVERY size wedding you want.

“We Say I Do” and “Just For Two” was so cute but also we felt a little sad that there was only the Bride & Groom with a stand in witness.

We were shown different Rooms from 12 up to 100 Guests. They were all as Beautiful decked out with Flowers as you could ever imagine.

We were tempted to Have Our Blessing but decided on another day!! Phew !! Seriously, it is worth calling in just to see what they offer. The Owner & his Wife were very obliging and we took away leaflets for any more  enquiries we may get and at least we do have the information now.

Non Residents do not have a “Waiting Period” to get Married but they do have to pre book their date if only by a few days. It is closed on Sundays & Wednesdays.

The US Marriage Licence costs $97.50.

Hope this helps other home owners and maybe take a Special Booking or inspires would be Holiday Guests to taking the Plunge!!

Mary & Larry