With the recently concluded International Tea Day, here’s a look at some unique and beautiful tea growing destinations from around the world.
Every year, across the world, December 15th is celebrated as International Tea Day. Top tea growing countries across the world such as India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda and Tanzania, use this to promote their tea exports as well as tea tourism to their countries. Tea plantations are much more than simple fields where tea is cultivated. They are usually located at high altitudes, with temperate climates and blessed with abundant rainfall. Tea gardens in full bloom are truly a sight to behold. Let’s take a look at some countries where you’ll unexpectedly find the most beautiful tea gardens.
1. Sri Lanka
India’s downstairs neighbour is more than an island paradise. It is home to some of the finest Ceylon tea in the world. Located in the central highlands of Kandy and Dambulla are sprawling tea plantations that blanket the hills in a lush, green, contoured blanket. The conditions in which tea thrives are also conducive to tourism. The temperate climate and moderate rainfall make destinations like Kandy, Dambulla, Galle and Ratnapura a haven for travellers and tea alike. At these altitudes, every view is a stunning vista. Drive up and down winding mountain roads, past rows and rows of neatly manicured tea plantations; this will transport you to one of the many scenes you’ve witnessed only in movies. Sign up for a tea plantation tour at any of the major plantations that dot the landscape or shop for specialty teas for you to carry back home. For chai lovers, nothing compares to the feeling of sipping on a hot cup of tea in the hills amidst tea gardens. All in all, Sri Lanka is a melting pot of flavours, cultures and natural beauty. A visit to its tea gardens is the perfect way to end any Sri Lanka tour package.
2. Japan
If minimal settings and stoicism is your cup of tea, Japan is where you must sip on it. Japan has vast tea plantations in Shizuoka prefecture in Honshu. Here, in the shadow of Mount Fuji, enriched by its volcanic soil, you will find tea plantations stretching as far as the eye can see. Add to this the plantations at Kakegawa, Kawane and Makinohara where you can sign up for tea picking and rolling classes from the masters. The best time to visit, if you want to see these plantations, are May, July and October. These coincide with the three major harvests when the hills are awoken from their slumber by the aroma of freshly cut tea. Time your Japan tour package towards the end of April which is Cherry Blossom season and you have the best of both worlds. Or how about making the gardens and the quaint towns near them your basecamp as you head to summit Mount Fuji. After touring the tea plantations, you can take part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony at one of the many old school tea houses. There’s lots to see on a Japanese holiday. You can soak in the culture and imbibe the perfectionism Japanese culture is famous for.
3. Kenya
Africa immediately conjures up images of the open savanna, wild animals and safaris. But what if we told you that Kenya, besides it’s natural beauty, is also world-famous for the tea it grows. That’s right, tea! The hot, arid Great Rift Valley splits Kenya’s tea growing regions down the middle. The western half is composed of highland areas such as, Bomet, Kericho, Kisii, Nandi, Nyamira, and Sotik. The east side has Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Meru, Muranga, and Nyeri and lies in the foothills of Mt. Kenya, the highest mountain in Kenya and the second highest in Africa. On both slopes of the Great Rift Valley in Kenya, you will find lush green foothills covered in tea bushes. Nourished by the red, mineral-rich soil, Kenya produces some of the finest ‘white teas’ in the world. When not on the tea trail, travellers can choose to trek through this beautiful mountainous oasis in the middle of Africa. Though these gardens are in bloom year-round, the best time to visit is January through early March as it is harvest season. The climate is cool and the air is crisp at this time of the year, making this the coolest place in Africa, both literally and figuratively.
4. Vietnam
With its inviting climate, friendly people and enterprising culture, Vietnam is a land of abundance. And nowhere else is this as evident than in its sprawling tea plantations. Vietnam is known for its quality green tea grown in its tropical highlands. The largest of these plantations is located in northern provinces like Thai Ngyuen, 80 km from Hanoi and central highlands like Lam Dong. With temperatures hovering between 15 to 26 degrees C, springtime is the best time to plan a visit. It just so happens to also be harvest season, so the plantations are buzzing with activity. They can also use all the hands they can find, so how about helping out with the tea harvest. You can always choose to simply observe and explore the beautiful, misty Vietnamese highlands at your own pace. Vietnam also has a unique cuisine that relies on fresh seasonal ingredients and bright flavours. Don’t forget to wash it all down with a cup of prime-grade Vietnamese green tea, the perfect digestive to your Vietnam tour package.
5. United Kingdom
Surprisingly, for a country that loves tea as much as the UK, none of it is actually homegrown. Until now. Tregothnan in Cornwall has the distinction of being the UK’s first home grown tea plantation. It is located on the grounds of a 14th century country estate. Tregothnan lies between the rivers Truro and Fal, and might as well be a utopia for tea lovers or dare we say, a tea-topia. A visit to this countryside paradise is best undertaken on a bicycle at a leisurely languid pace. Sit down to a spot of high tea with cucumber sandwiches and scones at one of the many quaint B&Bs that dot the countryside. The best time to visit is during the English summers when the weather is idyllic to say the least. Combined with light intermittent showers and verdant vistas, you might as well be among the pages of a fairytale. Though it is a private estate, Tregothnan does host visitors. Check whether your SOTC UK tour package covers a visit to Cornwall and sneak away to chai heaven.
There you have it, a list of uniquely beautiful tea gardens across the globe. Make sure to include these to the itinerary on your next international holiday. You can also beat the stress of planning and organizing an international holiday by leaving all the hard work to SOTC by booking one of our many international tour packages.
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