The picturesque island of Tresco in the Scilly Isles is a haven for garden lovers, basking in a balmy climate. The wonderful Abbey Gardens is home to more than 3,000 species and magnificent vistas, colours and scents. Autumn brings beautiful golden, reds and ambers against a backdrop of proteas, aloes and flowering camellias thrown in for good measure. Brightwater Holidays offers a three night Tresco's Abbey Gardens holiday from £845pp, including B&B accommodation return trains, flights and transfers. Departures throughout September and October.
- This seven-night Adagio holiday visits some of the most elegant gardens in the region. The gardens here boast a wonderful diversity of flora and are favourites of garden lovers worldwide. Adagio offers a range of departures from April through to October 2017. Prices start at £1199, including flights, transfers, accommodation and some meals.
- This three-night tour includes a rare opportunity to visit the ancient gardens of Ninfa as well as a visit to the gardens at Castel Gandolfo – the traditional Papal residence on the outskirts of Rome. Brightwater Holidays offers a three-night holiday to Rome, including the gardens and castle (bed and breakfast plus one dinner) from £1,195 per person. Includes flights, garden entry and services of a tour manager. Departing 6 June and 5 September 2017.
Yunnan is known as ‘the kingdom of flora and fauna’ and this 14-night tour follows in the footsteps of the original plant seekers. Many of the plants we enjoy today in our own gardens originate in the Yunnan region of China. You'll visit the Stone Forest, ancient temple gardens and the botanical garden or flower and birds market, among other activities. Brightwater Holidays offers a 15-day holiday from £4,995 per person departing on 8 October 2017. Price includes full board accommodation, flights, a full programme of botanising tours.
- The French Riviera is traditionally known for the rich and famous but the real stars are the gardens of the Côte d’Azur. Nowhere else do you find such a high concentration of enticing gardens in such stunning locations. Each garden in the tour is topped off by glorious coastal views and warming Mediterranean sunshine. In addition to wonderful gardens, the trip includes visits to romantic hill towns, Roman ruins, art museums and a day trip to the Hanbury Gardens in Italy. Chapters Experience Holidays one week half board holiday starts from £775, with dinner in local restaurants. (Flights not included) Departures 14, 21, 28 April 2018.
- Titan’s 14-day ‘Essence of Japan’ tour boasts visits timed to capture the cherry blossoms and hydrangea blooms in spring and the maple trees' fiery red hues in autumn. Highlights on this tour include Kanazawa’s exquisite Kenroku-en garden (pictured). It’s considered one of Japan’s three great gardens. The Titan tour starts from £3,949pp including flights, accommodation, transport and 17 excursions and visits. Departure 16 & 20 October 2017, with many departure dates from April 2018 to November 2018.
- Whatley Manor’s impressive grounds come bursting back to life at this time of year with a dazzling display of colour and form. There are private tours with the head gardener every Tuesday throughout June and July. Summer Garden Tour (£49.50) includes refreshments, garden tour and a two-course lunch. A one-night stay at Whatley Manor costs from £315 for a standard room including bed and breakfast and use of the award-winning Aquarias Spa.
The term ‘biodiversity’ may as well have been coined specifically for Costa Rica, such is the range of different species that flourish there. You can look forward to truly spectacular scenery and a laid-back, happy people. A range of gardens are in the Brightwater Holidays tour, including the Else Kientzler Botanical Garden with its world-class collection of plants. Prices start at £3,575 for 13 days.
Marrakech has an enduring appeal, with low-rise pink and red buildings set against the magnificent backdrop of the snow-capped Atlas mountains. Marjorelle is the former home and garden of French painter Jacques Majorelle and Yves Saint Laurent renovated the garden; and the painter’s studio here has since been transformed into the Berber Museum.
A full day is spent in the High Atlas Mountains with plenty of Moroccan flora to be seen. Prices start from £2595pp for six days with Brightwater Holidays.South Africa in August sees the start of spring, when a plethora of flowers brings walking trails to life with colour. This moderate paced walking holiday takes in everything from breath-taking walks on the iconic Table Mountain to the lesser explored Overberg Coast and inland to Swartberg Nature Reserve. Ramblers Walking Holidays offers a 16 night Flowers of Cape Province holiday from £2475pp including return flights, half board accommodation, services of a dedicated tour leader and all local transport costs. Departure 22 August 2017.