From Saving Points to the Hills of Italy - Hoek Exclusive

Inside Hoek

5 min

30 Jan 2024

by Lianne

One of the big advantages of being a Hoek Exclusive member? I would say: Hoek Flower Trips! Meeting florists, growers and discovering the ins and outs of flower business in another country. This time our journey brought us, together with an amazing group of florists, to the gorgeous Riviera dei Fiori, aka The Flower Coast.

This informative and fun trip is all about discovering the origin and cultivation method of the Mediterranean products we offer in our web shop. A mixed group of florists from the UK, Northern Ireland, Ireland, and the US gathered to join the Hoek team on this great adventure.

Flowers of France

We started off in Nice (France), where we faced blue skies and calmingly swaying palm trees. A perfect start of this trip. The first stop: Antirrhinum. Probably the tallest we’ve ever seen! After a great lunch we headed our way to the eucalyptus fields. What’s a better way to explore the incredible hills of France filled with baby blue than driving a 4x4?

The setting sun on our right-hand side while we’re driving from the hills of France to the coast of Italy. The classic L’italiano is blasting through the speakers, and we’re all tired… but so ready for part two of this adventure.

Arma di Taggia

A relaxed start in one of the cutest Italian towns, called Arma di Taggia. Our host Alberto is excited to see us again and serves our breakfast with the biggest smile. We started the day by visiting the gorgeous farm of Paola & Stephano. After seeing their amazing, dried flowers operation, we continued to their farm that is located on the slope of a mountain and situated towards the sea. We now know why their poppies are the best in the market… who doesn’t like a sea view and rays of sun all day? After popping their friend’s home-made Prosecco at 11AM, we said goodbye and continued our journey to the Ranunculus fields.

The Italian flower Passion

The Parodi family is receiving us with the same passion and enthusiasm as always. Growing exclusively for Hoek, it’s an absolute delight to walk over this aesthetically appealing Ranunculus farm. Being able to see quality and such passion with your own eyes changes your perspective forever. After a fun night in the city of San Remo, and another great breakfast we unfortunately had to leave this gorgeous part of Italy. We made a final stop at breeder Biancheri – where we were able to have a look into future Ranunculus, Anemone and Poppy varieties – to see where the ‘chain’ of flower production starts. Back in Nice we toasted for the last time on an amazing trip full of laughs, insights, memories and most importantly… new (floral) friends!

“Flowers connect people around the World“

A Special Thanks

A special thanks to: Gary and Emma (Memento Floral Design), Elena (Arugula Tango), Gill and Becca (Flower Thyme), Allison and Darren (Mad Lilies) and Olga and Sean (The Flower Shed). You made this trip one to never forget!

Love, Lian.

Not a Hoek Exclusive member yet? Sign up for free at hoekexclusive.com and automatically save points with every purchase at Hoek flowers. Use them up for free gifts or to join our amazing flower trips!

P.S. Stay tuned next week for our coming Spring trip ;)

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