Bok Tower Gardens: Magic in the middle of an orange grove

The wind transports the sound of 60 bronze bells across Bok Tower Gardens, and it's hard to say which is more inspiring – the music or the scenery.

The Singing Tower's carillon, with 60 bells that vary from 16 pounds to almost 12 tons, seems to attract the most attention worldwide. Especially, these days, as an international search is on for a new carillonneur to replace the retiring William De Turk.

Only three carillonneurs have held the position in 84 years. And the carillon, constructed by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd. in Loughborough, England, is considered one of the finest instruments of its type.

The tower itself is a national historic landmark, the legacy of Edward W. Bok, publisher of the famous Ladies Home Journal magazine. Just before the Great Depression, Bok decided to build one of the largest carillons in the world. It is just one of four carillons in Florida; approximately 200 exist in the United States and only 500 worldwide.

The tower was inaugurated in 1929 by President Calvin Coolidge, and its design was inspired by European gothic churches as well as the Art Deco movement. Its construction materials include coquina -- a native stone -- and pink marble brought in train wagons from Georgia.

All this built in the middle of an orange grove in the heart of Central Florida.

Located in Lake Wales, 60 miles east of Tampa, the beautiful gardens transport the visitor to a different time. At the turn of the 20th century, many wealthy families purchased land and property in Florida to build their winter homes. That's exactly how Bok, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and philanthropist, came to be part of this small charming town in the heart of Florida.

The scenery, too, will be going through some changes over the next few years, with an initial emphasis on restoring the tower and rejuvenating the gardens, according to the 2011 Master Plan. (For a full copy of the Master Plan, go to boktowergardens.org.)

The beautiful and expansive gardens that surround the tower reflect the flora and fauna of Florida. It's definitely worth a trip, whether you're a plant or a music lover.