This week has been particularly cold in London, we even had a little snow! As a born and bred Italian, from a small coastal town, I do not fare well in the cold, so when I had to pick a destination for this month’s Spring Awakening Series, my mind flew to tropical, sunny places. Thailand is a country close to my heart and back in the days of my 9-5 office career I was lucky enough to travel to the country a couple of times a year. So, it is no surprise that I have chosen Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Gardens for today’s highlight.
Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens, located in Pattaya, officially opened in 1980 and remain to this day a family tradition. Back in 1954, Pisit Tansacha and his wife Nongnooch Tansacha bought the land the gardens sit on to start a fruit plantation. However, after traveling through Europe and visiting various flower gardens, Nangnooch decided to turn the land into what is today one of the most gorgeous gardens in the world. It is also prized for its research, educational, and conservational efforts on top of its stunning beauty.
Nong Nooch is the largest botanical garden in South-East Asia and hosts one of the biggest private collections of plants in the world.
The gardens cover an impressive 600 acres, which would make for several days of exploration if one had the time to do so. There are over 20 themed, intricately sculpted gardens, each designed to take you on a journey around the world:
Depending on how much time you have at your disposal you could take a leisurely stroll or rent one of the bikes available on site. The gardens also offer cultural shows and there are plenty of restaurants to stop for a relaxing meal.
Why not experience an aerial view of the gardens by taking the 1.9-mile-long skywalk?
The gardens are also home to an exhibition center where you can immerse yourself in Thai culture by watching traditional Thai dances, martial arts, and Thai boxing performances.
Take a break from strolling around and rent a paddleboat, you can see the gardens from a different point of view and get a chance to feed the Arapaima and other fish in the lake.
You might be surprised to know that amongst the plants and flowers, you can also find an impressive garage host to a collection of over 40 sports cars. This is a private collection belonging to Nong Kooch.
You are really spoilt for choice when it comes to food, not only you can taste delicious traditional Thai food, but the gardens offer an incredible array of international cuisine, sure to please even the fussiest of eaters.
Have you been to the Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens? Let us know what you thought!
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