Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a true gem, decorating metropolitan Miami. Here you can walk beautiful garden paths surrounded by nature’s beauties and wonders and enjoy the breathtaking sight of butterflies and birds flying all around you. Moreover, you get the chance to meet with some of the best of their kind in science, conservation and horticulture and also enroll in classes on practically everything in the garden world, from grafting to photography.

South Florida has a chance to provide stimulating educational opportunities for its young citizens, while visitors can connect music with a natural wonder. Among the numerous events that take place in a heart-stopping place like the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is the Fairchild Garden Music Festival. Here you can indulge yourself in fascinating chamber music that will take you back in time and relax you. At last year’s Fairchild’s Garden Music Festival attendees were left with a sweet taste and memorable experiences.

The combination of music with the idyllic setting of the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden creates an enchanting effect to visitors, and many grab the educational opportunities given to them throughout the festival’s duration (March 25th – May 4th 2013). In events like the Fairchild’s Garden Music Festival one can get both food for the mind and soul in a strong balance, given the opportunities springing up during the event.

What is more, there are «surprise» concerts for the visitors to enjoy that are unknown until the festival starts and you can treat yourself with some fine chamber music through open rehearsals that are held outdoors. Meeting with the musicians and connecting with them is an engaging experience that will trigger your creativity and allow you to experience the music on a more personal level. Other than that, you can just take delight in the magnificent surrounding while it blends with the musical experience of high-quality chamber music.

South Florida will be abloom from Friday, March 8 to Sunday, March 10 at the 11th Annual International Orchid Festival at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. The gardens are the perfect setting to exhibit more than 10,000 traditional and rare orchid plants ensuring the event will be a visual and fragrant delight.

The event has something of interest for everyone including walking tours of the Orchid Plaza in the Rain Forest, Wings of the Tropics and the Tropical Fruit Conservatories, along with garden workshops, expert tips on growing orchids and a poetry reading by Jo-Anne Gardner, author of Butterfly Words on Saturday and Sunday.

During the three day festival, you have access to Interactive discussions and lectures by guest speakers from the American Orchid Society, University of Florida, Orchid Society of Coral Gables, Coalition of Orchid Species and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. There's something for the children, too. OrKids at the Kidway has educational displays, discussions about the mysteries and products of the rain forest, face painting and arts and crafts projects.

Entertainment

While perusing the delicate colors, scents and textures of available orchids offered by vendors from all parts of the world, you will see live performances each day from several groups as well as music from the Seraphic Fire's Miami Choral Academy from 10:00 am to 11:30 am on Saturday.

At the quaint Orchid Tea Room, enjoy live music while sipping a cup of your choice of tea from a delightful selection of flavors along with fresh scones and specialty desserts. Reservations are accepted for the tea room.

After shopping for new orchid plants and a stop at the tea room, make your way to the Edible Garden featuring vanilla orchids where you can learn from an expert all about how to grow your own vanilla plant and its many uses. Be sure to save room for a delectable vanilla smoothie.

The International Orchid Festival provides three days of expert tips, workshops, entertainment, food and drink and thousands of orchids set amid an eco-friendly landscape designed for garden enthusiasts.