UK, European & Worldwide Garden Holidays 2017 … EUROPEAN & WORLDWIDE GARDEN HOLIDAYS 2017/2018 ... landscapes are at their best or when there is ... European & Worldwide Garden Holidays

UK, EUROPEAN & WORLDWIDE GARDEN HOLIDAYS 2017/2018

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2 visit rhsgardenholidays.com To obtain a full day-by-day itinerary of all our holidays please see back cover for contact details

Welcome to RHS Garden Holidays 2017/18I’m delighted to introduce our 2017/18 collection of RHS GardenHolidays, with a superb choice of inspiring horticultural holidaysaround the UK, Europe and worldwide, many of which are brand newand unique to the RHS.

All of the holidays are led by an experiencedand knowledgeable tour manager. Manyare also accompanied by an RHS host,drawn from various areas of the RHS, to addan extra layer of horticultural expertise.

Those of you who are familiar with ourbrochures will see some perennial favourites- classic horticultural holidays which we havekept in due to their popularity – includingRome and Ninfa; the Italian Lakes; Japanand, of course, some of the beautifulgardens of the British Isles, including RHSShows and RHS Gardens.

This year’s brochure also features someexciting new destinations and holidays withvery special RHS touches. In June 2017,there is the chance to be one of the firstever visitors to the new RHS ChatsworthFlower Show, and there are some real gemsincluded in our Private Gardens of EastAnglia holiday.

As someone who loves travel as much as Ilove gardens, this sort of brochure makes forextremely tempting reading, with pages fullof beautiful gardens, natural landscapesand garden festivals in the four corners ofthe globe just waiting to be explored.

The holidays have been created using theexpertise of a whole host of RHS staff, fromcurators, botanists and garden writers to ouradvisory team and committee members,and draw on their knowledge, expertise andcontacts around the world. We are delightedto be working once again with gardenholiday specialists Brightwater Holidays,who ensure the tours run smoothly, andwho have developed balanced itinerarieswith ample time to really enjoy the gardens,with visits planned for when gardens orlandscapes are at their best or when there issomething of specific interest in bloom.

Further afield, enjoy the elegant gardens ofFlorence and Tuscany, some fabulous newgardens in Marrakech, or perhaps try one ofour exciting range of American holidays.

My advice would be to sit down, relax andenjoy the brochure…. to see where in theworld will inspire you in the gardening yearahead. And remember, a contribution fromevery booking goes towards supporting thecharitable work of the RHS here in the UK,from the Campaign for School Gardening toour invaluable scientific research.

With warm wishes and happy travels,

Sue BiggsRHS Director General

Call today on 0203 735 1855 UK, European & Worldwide Garden Holidays 3

Babylonstoren, South Africa

The RHS Difference What Makes Our Holidays So Special?As RHS Director of Horticulture, it’s been a pleasure to advise on thesenew RHS Garden Holidays. More than ever before, the 2017/18collection demonstrates what is special about the RHS - how we canintroduce unique experiences to those who travel with us and inspireand educate gardeners, both at home and abroad. To follow are a fewpersonal favourites.

hear about the latest developments he isworking on – what better opportunity forsome expert tips!

And finally, the beautiful city of Marrakech.Having helped lead a small group for theRHS myself in 2016, I was enthralled byboth the historic and new gardens beingdeveloped including the exciting Le JardinSecret designed by Tom Stuart-Smith,located in the Medina. The holiday is basedat the beautiful Jnane Tamsna in thePalmeraie, a private garden created byethnobotanist Gary Martin and his wifeMeryanne Loum-Martin. It provides abeautiful and peaceful base surrounded byaromatic herb gardens, olive groves anddate palms. Gary, who has coordinatedbotanical and horticultural initiatives inMorocco for over 15 years, has helped put

For any garden-lover the Chatsworth andPeak District holiday, featuring the new RHSChatsworth Flower Show, will be anabsolute treat. Who couldn’t be excitedabout being amongst the first to visit thenew RHS flower show in 2017? The showpromises to have a unique contemporaryfeel and encourage new designs and ideas.It is combined with some of the lovelygardens in Derbyshire and our very ownRHS Garden Harlow Carr and should makefor a thoroughly enjoyable break.

Another highlight is our Private Gardens ofGuernsey holiday. The island itself hasplenty of horticultural interest, but the realbonus here is the opportunity to meet withone of the country’s truly exceptionalnurserymen, Raymond Evison VMH OBE –winner of some 28 Chelsea Gold medalsand one of the world’s leading experts onclematis. Enjoy a tour of Raymond’snursery with the great man himself and

together an itinerary which draws out thebest of the country, from classics such asthe Badi and Bahia Palaces and therenowned Jardin Majorelle, to thefascinating flora of the High AtlasMountains, as well as an inspirationalproject at a local school helping local girlsand young women through horticulture.

Whichever holiday you choose, I hope itenhances your enthusiasm about gardensand gardening – as well as possibly givingyou a few ideas to try at home!

Dr Tim UpsonDirector of Horticulture

RHS Membership OfferEvery booking qualifies for a reduced RHS membership rate of 12 monthsfor the price of 9. Membership benefits include:� Enjoy more than 175 great family days out for free at RHS gardens

and Partner Gardens

� Get priority on RHS Show tickets

� A monthly copy of the RHS magazine, The Garden

� Free, personalised garden advice just for you from the RHS – byphone, email or in person

For full details of this membership offer contact RHS Membership on 0203 176 5820, quoting your special offer code.


RHS Garden Holiday Hosts

Sabatino UrzoSabatino comes from a farming familywhere his passion for gardeningstarted at a very young age. Followinguniversity he trained at the BotanicGardens of Kew and Edinburgh andhas been at RHS Wisley since 2010,where he is currently involved in trials.

Paul Hervey-BrookesA well-respected designer who possessesan immense plant knowledge. He workson a diverse range of public landscapesand private gardens, both in the UnitedKingdom and internationally. He won‘Best in Show’ at RHS Tatton Park FlowerShow in 2015 and the Gardening WorldCup 2014 in Japan.

Tim UpsonTim Upson is Director of Horticulture atthe RHS. Based at RHS Garden Wisleyhis role includes responsibility forhorticulture across all RHS gardensincluding the recently announced fifthGarden, RHS Bridgewater in Salford. Heis well travelled and has led tours toMorocco on many occasions.

Tracy FosterTracy is a member of the Society ofGarden Designers and during hercareer has won numerous RHS awardsfor her garden designs including fourGold medals, two ‘People’s Choice’awards and three ‘Best in Category’awards.

Wherever possible RHS holidays offer exclusive access, privateopenings and a welcome from the garden owner or curator.All of our holidays will be led by one of our experienced tourmanagers, who make the holidays come alive.

In addition, on certain overseas departures there will be anRHS host with expert horticultural knowledge, some of whomfeature below, who will be on hand to answer your personal

gardening queries. Our hosts come from across the RHS andinclude gardeners, plant committee members, gardendesigners and horticultural journalists.

With a group size limited to a maximum of 28 passengers wehope that your every wish will be catered for. Holidays withRHS hosts are indicated on each page and more will beannounced in due course on the RHS website.

Christopher BailesChristopher spent 22 years as Curatorat RHS Garden Rosemoor until 2010.He is still very much involved with theRHS as a member of the GardensCommittee, the Orchid Committee andas a Show Garden Judge. Christopheris a regular host visiting gardens allover the world.

Ian Le GrosIan came up through the ranks at RHSHyde Hall since joining the garden asan untrained gardener in 1992 andwas recently promoted from Curator toHead of Site. Ian will be one of thehosts on our new holiday to EastAnglia – very much Ian’s patch.

Start YourHoliday a DayEarly or ExtendYour Stay

If the transfer to your chosen pick-up point is tight on time, why not consideradding an extra night either before or after your holiday? From as little as£55pp we can offer bed and breakfast accommodation in hotels convenientto all our departure points – why not ask us to arrange this on your behalf?

For travellers from outside the United Kingdom we are happy to help witharrangements should you require additional accommodation and transportservices – it may be possible to combine two tours together to offer a longerholiday – please ask for details.


or by downloading from our websitewww.rhsgardenholidays.com

As a guideline – holidays heading westfrom London commence in centralLondon (Westminster) and pick up inReading, Swindon and Bristol.

Holidays heading north from Londoncommence in central London(Westminster) and usually pick up inLuton (Parkway), Northampton andBirmingham.

Scottish holidays pick up from Dundee,Perth, Kinross, Dunfermline, Edinburgh(Marriott Hotel) and Glasgow.Occasionally Montrose, Arbroath andAberdeen are available depending oncoach routing – check with ourReservations Department or ask for thedetailed day-by-day itinerary.

For our worldwide destinations allgroups will assemble at a LondonAirport in time to comfortably check-infor the outbound flight. Our Europeanpackages will include a flight from aLondon airport however since manyregional airports offer goodconnections using the low-cost airlinesthere may well be a more convenientdeparture point at an airport closer toyour home – do ask for details andconfirmation of any applicablesupplement. The same applies to ourUK and Irish holidays. If, for example,you would like to participate in one ofour Scottish holidays and you live inthe south of England or vice versa, doask us to quote for connecting travel,either by rail or air. Remember it is yourholiday, so why not treat yourself to anupgrade?

Pick-up points and approximatedeparture times for every holiday aredetailed in our full day-by-dayitineraries, available on request bycontacting our office on 0203 735 1855

Departure Points &Further Information

ATOL All the flights andflight-inclusive holidays arefinancially protected by theATOL scheme, and when you

pay you will be supplied with an ATOLcertificate.www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate.

ABTOT As a member ofABTOT Brightwater Holidayshas provided a Bond to meetthe requirements of the

Package Travel, Package Holidays andPackage Tours Regulations 1992 inrespect of non-flight inclusivepackages.www.abtot.com

AITO The Associationof Independent TourOperators represent

Britain’s leading independent touroperators and encourages highstandards of quality and service.www.aito.com

Peace of MindWhen You Book

5020

Overseas Garden Holidays 7

Gardens of the French Riviera 8

Architecture and Gardens of Andalucia 9

Gardens of Florence and Tuscany 10

Villas & Gardens of the Italian Lakes 11

Rome, Ninfa and Castel Gandolfo 12

Gardens of Normandy 13

Marrakech and Flowers of the Atlas 14

Alpine Flowers of Wengen 15

Seasonal Gardens of Japan 16

Gardens and Wildflowers of South Africa’s Western Cape 17

Oregon: In the footsteps of David Douglas 18

Wildflowers and Gardens of Austin, Texas 19

Historic Gardens and Plantations of Charleston 19

Chile: A Botanical Adventure 20

Burle Marx Gardens of Rio & Brazil's Natural Wonders 21

Sri Lanka: The Pearl of the Indian Ocean 22

Yunnan: In the footsteps of the Plant Hunters 23

Wildflowers of Western Australia 24

6 visit rhsgardenholidays.com To obtain a full day-by-day itinerary of all our tours please see back cover for contact details

UK and Irish Garden Holidays 25

Private Gardens of Guernsey and Sark 26

Gardens of Devon and Cornwall 27

Tresco’s Abbey Gardens 27

The RHS Chatsworth Flower Show and Gardens of Derbyshire 28

Cornwall’s Spring Flower Show 29

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 29

Gardens of Cheshire and RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 29

Highgrove and the Cotswolds 30

Gardens of the Lake District 30

Gardens of North Wales 31

Gardens of West Wales 31

Gardens of the North of Ireland 32

Southern Ireland’s Gems 32

Gardens of Surrey and Hampshire 33

Gardens of Kent and Sussex 33

Private Gardens of East Anglia 34

Gardens of Dumfries and Galloway 35

Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Gardens of the Clyde 35

Lake Maggiore, Italian Lakes

Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore

RHS Garden Holiday Collection


OverseasGarden HolidaysPlants will always be centre stage onour RHS Garden holidays be it thestunning mountain flora in Yunnan, theunique coastal flowers of WesternAustralia or Sri Lanka’s fragrant spicegardens. We also highlight theinspirational designs of Burle Marx inRio; the Moorish influence at theAlhambra and enjoy the timelesscharm of the Italian Lakes. We shallmeet the proud gardeners ofCharleston, see the latest gardens inMarrakech and walk in the footsteps ofRHS plant hunters from bygone years.


Bamboo forest, Japan

Gardens of theFrench RivieraWith elegant gardens, dazzling azureskies and a stunning coastline whichinspired a generation of artists, theFrench Riviera has retained itsglamorous allure for over a century. Wevisit some of the finest gardens thatwere created here in this sun-kissedplayground of the rich including thoseof Thomas Hanbury and theRothschilds. The mild climate enablescacti to thrive all year round.

Clos du Peyronnet in Menton is a private gardenreflecting the passion of its owner who takes fulladvantage of the climate to nurture exoticplants, South African bulbs being a speciality. AtSt Jean Cap Ferrat we visit the exquisite gardensof the Fondation Ephrussi de Rothschild whichcontain many interesting plants and aresurrounded by marvellous sea views. Just overthe border in Italy are the incomparableHanbury Gardens, arguably the greatest of allthe Riviera gardens, in the richness of theircollection and the unforgettable power of theirpresence. We shall also visit Jardin Exotiqued’Èze, which offers the chance to discover exoticplants and the history and traditions of thevillage of Èze (Feb only).

We also visit the Villa Thuret at Cap d’Antibes,Serre de la Madone in Menton, the exoticgardens of Monte Carlo and the tranquil gardensof La Mouissone. In February, Menton hosts thecolourful Lemon Festival, where elaborate floatsand imaginative sculptures in dazzling shades oforange and yellow are paraded through thePromenade du Soleil in Menton.

On our May departure, the Lemon Festival isreplaced with a visit to the International RoseFestival in the pretty hill town of Grasse, a trulymagical event filled with colour and fragrance,while in September we visit another fine gardenin Grasse, the Villa Noailles.


Exotic gardens of Monte Carlo

Villa Rothschild

Feb 23, May 4, Sep 4, 2017Five nights from £1,195ppSingle room supplement £325May and Sep supplement £100

� Five nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-starHotel Grimaldi, Nice

� Dinner and welcome drink on first evening

� Return scheduled flights between London andNice (other airports on request)

� Visits to the gardens of Clos du Peyronnet,Jardin Exotique d’Èze (Feb only), FondationEphrussi de Rothschild, Exotic Gardens of MonteCarlo and Hanbury Gardens (La Mortola) andVilla Thuret

� Visit to the Menton Lemon Festival including agrandstand seat (replaced with a visit to theGrasse Rose Festival and Les Cèdres in May)

� Services of a professional tour manager

What’s includedDepartures

RHS Host: Alison Findlay

“The Riviera has suchinspirational and wellestablished gardens which canbe enjoyed all year round.”

Architecture and Gardensof AndaluciaAndalucia is unrivalled in Europe for its wealth of history, culture, Moorisharchitecture and gardens, all set against the backdrop of the snowcappedmountains of the Sierra Nevada. Visit the classical gardens which complementthe adjoining palaces and churches perfectly and discover the wild mountainlandscapes.

More famous for its busy, popular coastline,Andalucia has a wonderful hinterlandscattered with exotic palaces and gardens leftbehind by the Moors, the most famous ofwhich are the Alhambra and the Generalife.On a tree covered slope it commandsexceptional views down towards the old city,the Albaicin, and the great snow-fringedmountain range of the Sierra Nevada.

Indeed, in addition to a full day in Granadawe will enjoy a day out from the heat andhubbub of the city as we tour these highlyscenic mountains.

Moving on to Córdoba we will visit the GreatMosque, one of the most ancient continuouslygardened sites in the world, and the Alcázarde los Reyes Cristianos with its characteristicterraced pools.

We then travel to the beautiful city of Seville,where we visit the Cathedral and the OrangeTree Courtyard that belonged to the oldmosque; the amazing Royal Palaces of theAlcázar; the Patio de la Yesería, the Old JewishQuarter of Santa Cruz and some of itsbeautiful courtyards; the Maria-Luisa Park, the

Plaza de España and the Gardens of Murillo.There is also a free day here, an opportunityperhaps to enjoy some ‘tapas’ in a local bar,attend a spectacular Flamenco show or take agentle cruise along the Guadalquivir river,which once shimmered with gold and silverfrom the Americas.

We conclude in the dramatically situated townof Ronda, with visits to the Alameda del TajoGardens and the old Palace of the MoorishKing, set high on a cliff on the edge of aspectacular gorge, with stunning views allaround.

On our May departure we have the addedbonus of a visit to the Patio Festival inCórdoba, a highly colourful local event.

In view of the fact that it can get unbearablyhot in the high summer months our departuredates should be at a time when the climate isat its most comfortable for enjoying afascinating collection of gardens andarchitecture.

DeparturesApr 4, May 10, Sep 19, 2017Seven nights from £1,275ppSingle room supplement £210May supplement £50

What’s included� Seven nights’ accommodation on a bed and

breakfast basis: three nights at the four-starSenator Granada Spa Hotel, Granada; threenights at the four-star Tryp Macarena Hotel,Seville; one night at the four-star HotelMaestranza, Ronda


� Return flights from Luton or London Gatwick toMálaga (other airports on request)

� Visits to Alhambra Palace, Great Mosque andRoyal Palaces (Córdoba), Cathedral, Alcázar,Maria Luisa Park and Gardens of Murillo(Seville), Alameda del Tajo Gardens (Ronda)

� Services of Michael Gill as tour manager

Alhambra view


What’s included

Departures

RHS Host: Christopher Bailes

“The elaborately decorated wallsof the Alhambra simply exudehistory.”

Caption

Gardens ofFlorence andTuscanyThe Italian heartland of Tuscanyrepresents perhaps the archetypalimage of Italy with its walled towns,hilltop villages, rolling vineyards and,of course, the beauty of RenaissanceFlorence itself. Stretched along bothsides of the River Arno, with a skylinethat has inspired countless artists,Florence needs little introduction asone of Europe’s most popular citydestinations.

We begin in the tranquil surroundings of theGiardino Corsini, which is off the main touristtrail and tends to be less crowded. Dating backto 1594, the garden was commissioned by anaristocrat with a passion for botany and laterskilfully adorned with statues which make itseem larger than it is. We continue with thegardens of Boboli, which contain a collection ofsculptures set against many fine trees andformal gardens, and Bardini, with its great flightof steps leading to a belvedere with expansiveviews over Florence.

Travelling out into the rolling hills of Tuscany,we visit Fiesole, where our visits include VillaGamberaia, one of the most celebrated Italiangardens with its box hedges, topiary, yew pillarsand stunning flower beds. Back in Florence wetour a fine nursery with the afternoon at leisureto explore some of Florence’s celebrated artgalleries and churches, followed by another dayin the Tuscan hinterland as we visit the VillaCentinale and tour a Chianti vineyard.

Our spring departure is timed to coincide withthe Iris Festival (dependent on floweringconditions), which we visit along with the VillaMedicea di Castello, while our Septemberholiday includes a wander round the Murabiliagarden festival, paired with a visit to thebotanical garden in Lucca.

Giardino Bardini

Boboli Gardens

May 9, Aug 31, 2017Six nights from £1,795ppSingle room supplement £420

� Six nights’ bed and breakfast at a four-starhotel in Florence


� Flights from London to Florence (other airportson request)

� Visits to the gardens of Corsini, Boboli, Bardini,Gamberaia and Centinale; Pistoia InnocentiNursery; Chianti vineyard tour; Villa Mediceaand Iris Festival (May); Murabilia and Luccabotanical garden (September)



RHS Host: Sabatino Urzo

“I have very much enjoyedhelping create this holiday aroundmy favourite gardens in Tuscany.”



Villas & Gardens of the Italian LakesThe fabulous scenery and benign climate of the northern Italian lakes haveattracted aristocrats and the wealthy for years, and today their elegant villasand lush gardens perfectly complement the natural landscape.

Apr 19, May 1, Jun 19, Sep 25, 2017Seven nights’ half-board from £1,795ppSingle room supplement £385Jun and Sep supplement £100

� Four nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at a four-star hotel on Lake Maggiore; three nights’dinner, bed and breakfast at a four-star hotel onLake Como

� Flights from London to Milan (other airports onrequest)

� Exclusive visit to the private garden of thePresident of the Italian Camellia Society

� Visits to Isolas Bella, Madre and Pescatori andthe gardens of the villas Taranto, CicognaMozzoni, Carlotta and Balbianello, privategardens and a local plant wholesaler

� Services of Kate Williamson as tour manager

Villa Melzi

Villa Carlotta

From our bases on the Gulf of Borromeo onLake Maggiore and at the foot of Lake Comowe will explore a succession of villas and theirgardens, all set against the breathtakingbackdrop of snow-capped mountains andglittering water.

We begin with a real treat as we visit theprivate garden of the President of the ItalianCamellia Society, which is home to aremarkable collection of over 500 plants.

Nowhere captures the extravagant spirit of thelakeland gardens better than the threeBorromean islands, Bella, Madre and Pescatori,which feature sumptuous terraced gardens,

shaded woodland walks, flowered terraces andelegant statuary. Other highlights during ourstay on Lake Maggiore include a fascinatingwholesale specialist plant nursery, Villa Tarantoand other gardens around Locarno over theborder in Switzerland.

On Lake Como we will have a private tour withthe owner of Villa Cicogna Mozzoni. Azaleasand rhododendrons will put on a dazzlingdisplay at Villa Carlotta while the manicuredVilla Balbianello, whose garden is impeccablymaintained, will be an undoubted highlight.

In addition we enjoy a free day to relax andshop in Como town, or visit Villa Melzi d’Eril.

What’s included

Departures

Paul Hervey-Brookes

“The gardens that surround thenorthern Italian lakes reflect thegrandeur of their setting.”

Rome, Ninfa and Castel GandolfoOpen by special arrangement, we are delighted to offer this rare opportunity tovisit the ancient and beautiful gardens of Ninfa. Equally rare is the opportunityto follow in the footsteps of the Popes as we visit the gardens of CastelGandolfo, the traditional papal residence just outside Rome.

The romantic flower-covered ruins at Ninfa,just to the south of Rome, are as close togardening perfection as you can get. Scentedroses, hydrangeas and jasmines curtain whatremains of the walls of medieval buildings andpaths meander beside a crystal-clear river.

Castel Gandolfo is the papal residence to thesouth of Rome, whose gardens Pope Francisonly recently ordered should be opened to thepublic. The view from the balcony overlookingthe Giardino del Belvedere, with its strictgeometric parterres, edged by towering

cypresses and umbrella pines, is a sight thatwill stay long in the memory.

The Villa Lante is a study in geometry andsymmetry dating back to the 16th century,with many water features including a huge,balustraded fountain which is a superbexample of late Renaissance style. The 16thcentury gardens at Villa D’Este, romanticallyovergrown with tall pines, evergreen oaks andcedars, are renowned for their use of waterfeatures and the garden seems to be full ofsparkling spray.

DeparturesMay 9, Jun 6, Sep 5, 2017Three nights from £1,195ppSingle room supplement £330

What’s included� Three nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star

centrally located Hotel Michelangelo, Rome


� Flights from London Heathrow to Rome (otherairports on request)

� Visits to the gardens of Ninfa, Castel Gandolfo,Villa d’Este and Villa Lante; guided tour ofViterbo


Villa Lante

Ninfa


Departures

What’s included

Departures

RHS Host: Marco Schrang

“Ninfa is indeed as close togardening perfection as you canget. It never disappoints.”


Gardens of NormandyWith its tranquil setting on the RiverSeine, its beautiful 14th CenturyCathedral, its cobbled streets andtimber fronted houses, theatmospheric medieval city of Rouen isthe perfect base for a holiday inNormandy, a region which is home toa broad range of disparate andbeautiful gardens.

The most notable gardens are those atGiverny, situated between Rouen and Paris onthe banks of the Seine. It is here that ClaudeMonet designed a garden ablaze with flowersand colours which would become his favouritesubject for painting, and which continues togive great pleasure today. Japanese-stylebridges festooned with wisteria and thedraped fronds of willow frame the iconic waterlilies - Monet’s paintings brought vividly to life.

In addition to Monet’s Garden, we will visit aselection of gardens in the region. One of thebest known is Le Bois de Moutiers, in partinfluenced by Gertrude Jekyll, featuring whitevalerian, iceberg roses and white irises. Nearbyis Le Vasterival, a magnificent garden in anatural style which was started in 1957 byPrincess Sturdza, a talented plantswoman. Twoof our gardens are set around châteaux datingfrom the reign of Louis XIII: the Château deMiromesnil and the Château de Bosemelet,both of which feature stunning kitchengardens or potagers, where beds of vegetablesof every description are offset by colourfulannual flowers.

Rounding off our holiday are the Jardind’Angélique, an impressive rose garden with arelaxed atmosphere typical of Normandygardens; Jardin Agapanthe, an experimentalgarden, created by a landscape architect witha passion for antiques which decorate thegarden and the Jardin Plume, a contemporarygarden making generous use of grasses andperennials.

Le Jardin Plume

Giverny ©Eric Sander

May 12, Jun 16, Aug 31, 2017Four nights from £695ppSingle room supplement £200Jun and Aug supplement £30

� Four nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-starMercure Champ de Mars, Rouen

� Welcome drink and dinner on the first evening

� Return Eurotunnel shuttle crossings Folkestone-Calais

� Admissions to the gardens of Le Bois deMoutiers, Le Vasterival, Château de Miromesnil,Château de Bosmelet, Jardins Agapanthe,Fondation Claude Monet, Jardin Angélique andthe Jardin Plume



RHS Host: Tracy Foster

“Le Jardin Plume is seven acres ofswaying textured grasses andgeometric marvels.”


Marrakech andFlowers of theAtlasThe timeless city of Marrakech,which gave its name to Morocco, hasan enduring appeal, with its low-risepink and red buildings set againstthe magnificent backdrop of thesnow-capped Atlas mountains. Herewe will explore some fine gardens,contrasted against the stark beautyof the surrounding landscape.

Perhaps the best known garden is Majorelle, theformer home and garden of the French painterJacques Majorelle, who came to Marrakech inthe 1920s and was enchanted by the villagesand people living in the High Atlas Mountains.The late Yves Saint Laurent renovated thegarden and the painter’s studio within thegarden is now the Berber Museum, which has anamazing collection of decorative arts andartefacts. We also visit the abandoned gardensof the 16th century Badi Palace; and the 19thcentury Bahia Palace, which features aremarkable riad garden and Moorish-Andalusianarchitecture.

We then have a full day in the High AtlasMountains, where we explore a native plantgarden and have a specialist overview ofMoroccan flora and important plant areas aswe pass through conifer woodlands dominatedby Tetraclinis articulata and various Juniperusspecies. This afternoon we will see apermaculture garden at Dar Taliba, a boardinghouse in Ourika that offers girls from Amazighvillages the opportunity to continue their formaleducation while valuing their own traditions.

Back in Marrakech we visit some of the excitingnew gardens that are being created here,including Le Jardin Secret, designed by TomStuart-Smith and the André Heller garden.Further visits include the Nectaromebioaromatic garden, rich with the heady scentsof North Africa.

Majorelle

Apr 19, Oct 12, 2017Five nights’ half board from £2,595ppSingle room supplement £500

� Five nights’ dinner, bed and breakfastincluding wine at the Jnane Tamsna Hotel

� Three lunches and drinks at Bab Ourika

� Return flights from London to Marrakech(regional airports on request)

� Visits to Majorelle Gardens, Badi & BahiaPalaces, Le Jardin Secret, two private gardensand a full day in the Atlas Mountains

� Services of Tim Upson as RHS host/guide andethnobotanist, Gary Martin, as local expert


RHS Host: Tim Upson

“Jardin Majorelle is an oasis ofblue calm in a lively city of colourand sweet scents.”

DeparturesJun 27, 2017Seven nights’ half-board from £1,895ppSingle room supplement £140

What’s included� Seven nights’ accommodation on a dinner, bed

and breakfast basis at the Hotel Bellevue,Wengen

� Return flights from London to Zürich (regionalairports on request)

� Eight-day Swiss Rail Pass

� Visits/walks to Schynige Platte and the AlpineBotanic Garden, Kleine Scheidegg,Wengeneralp, Mürren, Schilthorn, Grindelwaldand First

� Services of Julia Corden of the ExplorersGarden, Pitlochry, as tour manager and SimonCruse as RHS host

Primula farinosa

Lauterbrunnen


Departures

What’s included

DeparturesAlpine Flowers of WengenLying in the Bernese Oberland region at the heart of Switzerland, Wengen, at aheight of some 1,274 metres, is ringed by some of Europe’s highest and bestknown mountains including the Eiger and Jungfrau. With breaktaking scenery,rich green alpine meadows and spruce forests below, it is a superb destinationfor a range of native flora as well as bird and butterfly spotting opportunities.

Once the snow retreats, the native flowers canbe seen from the valleys and meadows right upto the high tops. We will hope to seecampanulas, gentians, primulas, aquilegias andanemones to name but a few as well as enjoythe spectacular mountain vistas.

Timber framed buildings and Belle Epoquehotels transport the visitor back to anothercentury, an experience enhanced by Wengen’scar free policy. In the summer months, it is apopular choice for walkers and climbersattempting some of the higher peaks, but with500km of walking trails and 15 mountainrailways, accessing the alpine meadows is easy.

Each day we will walk a different route of up to5 miles, sometimes taking a mountain railwayto the starting point. We will also take the rackrailway to Schynige Platte where we will visitthe Alpine Botanic Garden which has 600different species of local plants.

Due to the nature of this tour, participants willneed a good level of fitness and suitableclothing including walking shoes or boots.

RHS Host: Simon Cruse

“To get to the best botanisingsites it will mostly be easy walksand making use of the excellentlocal rail network.”

Seasonal Gardens of JapanThere is something uniquely fascinating about Japan, with its mixture ofmodernity and antiquity and, of course, the serenity and perfection of itsgardens. Gardens and nature hold a key place in Japanese culture which we willexplore along with temples and the more modern aspects of life in Japan. Thisholiday aims to provide a rounded introduction to this truly fascinating country.

Many of the most notable gardens are in andaround Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, andwe will have three full days exploring bothpublic and private gardens here. We haveincluded a variety of different styles: landscapegardens, stroll gardens, pond-and-island, eachwith its own particular charm and beauty. Oneof the best known is Kinkaku-ji, with the threetiered Golden Pavilion at its heart.

From Kyoto we travel by Bullet Train to Tokyo,where there will be further garden visits. Thereis, however, so much more to Japan thangardens and we have also included a widerange of other visits and excursions reflectingthe unique culture of the country. Highlightsinclude the historic town of Omi Hachiman,the Imperial Palace Garden in Tokyo and acruise on Lake Ashi, beneath the snow–cappedpeak of Mount Fuji.

We also offer a full day to nearby HakoneNational Park and an optional excursion toHiroshima and the Peace Memorial Park.

Our final full day is in Kamakura, whichincludes a visit to the Great Buddha and HaseTemple and is rounded off with a farewellJapanese-style dinner at a local restaurant.

This is a wonderfully balanced escortedholiday, ideal for the first time visitor to Japan.An exhilarating sequence of visits, all setagainst the dazzling backdrop of autumnfoliage or beautiful blossom, provides anunforgettable experience and the uniquenessof the Japanese culture will stay with youforever.

DeparturesMar 28, Apr 18, Oct 24, 201712 nights from £4,795ppSingle room supplement £990

What’s included� Six nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star

ANA Hotel, Kyoto and five nights’ bed andbreakfast at the five-star Prince Park TowerHotel, Tokyo (or similar)

� Dinner and welcome drink on first evening, onelunch and farewell dinner

� Flight from London Heathrow to Osaka,returning from Tokyo (regional flightconnections and flight upgrades available at asupplement)

� Transfer by Bullet Train from Kyoto to Tokyo

� Visits to a wide selection of gardens in Kyoto,Nara and Tokyo; full day excursions to Shiga,including Lake Biwa-ko; Mount Fuji includingcruise on Lake Ashi; Kamakura, including theGreat Buddha and Hase Temple


Japanese blossom


Departures

What’s included

Departures

The Golden Pavilion, KyotoRHS Host: Jon Webster

“Gardening in Japan is such aninfluential element of thenation’s character.”

Gardens and Wildflowers ofSouth Africa’s Western CapeSouth Africa is world renowned for its stunning scenery, cultural diversity, richvariety of wildlife and in particular its indigenous flora. Our holiday is at a timewhen the wildflowers should be putting on a dazzling spring display and we willalso enjoy a mixture of famous and private gardens, estates and vineyards.

We fly from London to Cape Town where we willbe based for the first three nights. Here we willenjoy a cable car to the top of Table Mountain,whose flora encompasses some 1470 speciesincluding South Africa’s national flower, theProtea. We will have a full day at KirstenboschBotanical Gardens, truly one of the world’s topgardens, where we will have an exclusive guidedtour. We continue with a visit to the Cape ofGood Hope Nature Reserve where we shouldsee an array of wild flowers.

We then begin our tour around the WesternCape by travelling north to the small town ofClanwilliam in time to visit the annual FlowerShow (the later departure date will coincidewith the Darling Flower Show). We will also beguided through the wildflower lands ofCederberg, Niewoudtville and the BiedouwValley.

Our journey continues through the lesser knownWest Coast National Park and the small town ofDarling. Wildflowers, wild birds, stunningscenery and wine tastings – all that is goodabout the Western Cape is there to be enjoyed.

At Karoo National Botanical Gardens we willenjoy its wide variety of desert and semidesertplants along with its large succulent collection.We will then wind our way at a relaxing pace viaa most interesting charitable project at FlowerValley and thence to Hermanus and the coastonce more. Here we should be in perfect time tosee the spectacle of the Southern Right Whalemigration.

Our holiday finishes on a high with a string ofwonderful gardens around the Stellenboscharea including the Harold Porter BotanicalGarden, Vergelegen, Helderberg, Arderne andthe stunning Babylonstoren.

DeparturesAug 24, Sep 10, 201715 nights from £4,395ppSingle room supplement £520

What’s included� 13 nights’ accommodation on a bed and

breakfast basis: three nights at the Cape TownHollow Hotel; two nights at the PiekenierskloofResort; one night at the Buffelsfontein GameReserve; two nights at the Cumberland Hotel,Worcester; two nights at the Windsor Hotel,Hermanus; three nights at the StellenboschHotel (or similar)

� Dinner and welcome drink on the first eveningplus three additional dinners

� Scheduled return flights from London Heathrowto Cape Town (regional flight connections andflight upgrades available at a supplement)

� Exclusive guided tour of Kirstenbosch

� Visits to Table Mountain, the Cape of GoodHope Nature Reserve, Clanwilliam FlowerShow/Darling Flower Show, wine tastings andwildflower botanising, private garden visits ofKlein Openhorst, Karoo Botanic Gardens, HaroldPorter, Vergelegen, Babylonstoren and ArderneGardens; whale watching boat trip

� Services of a professional tour manager andRHS host

Vergelegen

Kirstenbosch tree-top walkway

Departures

What’s included

Departures


King Protea

“The unique flora of South Africacombines with its stunninglandscape to make a trulyspecial destination.”


Oregon: In the footsteps ofDavid DouglasScottish botanist David Douglas was sent by the RHS on aplant hunting expedition to the Pacific Northwest in the 1820swhich led to the introduction of several notable species andtransformed the appearance of the British landscape. Amidstthe rugged scenery of Oregon, we will follow in his footsteps.

We begin in the elegant city ofPortland where we will tourselected private gardens andenjoy the Grand Floral Parade,part of the Portland Rose Festival.

We then journey to the Pacificcoast through the diverselandscape of Oregon, with itsfarms, forests, mountains andbeaches. Sitka spruce (Picea

sitchensis), one of Douglas’sdiscoveries, feature in the BobStraub State Park and in

Darlingtonia State Park we willfind the rare and carnivorousDarlingtonia californica.

There will be surprises in store at‘Oregon’s Secret Garden’ beforewe head into the mountains onthe trail of the Sugar Pine (Pinus

lambertiana).

We conclude in the unparalleledscenery of the Columbia RiverGorge, where there are majesticexamples of Douglas firs.

Jun 8, 2017

12 nights from £5,595ppSingle room supplement £1,155

� Daily breakfast and welcome dinner;visits to selected private, publicgardens and State Parks; the PortlandGrand Floral Parade. Flights fromLondon


America's great outdoors


Chris Bailes

Mount Hood

Japanese garden, Portland

America theBeautifulThe RHS sent a number of notablebotanists, including theremarkable Scotsman DavidDouglas, to cross the wide plainsand high mountains of Americaand seek out new species, many ofwhich have since transformed theBritish countryside.Our three American tours take usfrom Oregon’s mighty redwoodsto Charleston’s historic plantationgardens and Austin’s wildflowermeadows.


Wildflowers and gardens of Austin, TexasAs Texas’ capital city, Austin offers urban gardens andhiking trails, legendary barbecue and farm-to-table cuisineand historic attractions. With more than 300 days ofsunshine, Austin plays host to a variety of outdoor activitiesfor visitors including botanical gardens, bat-watching atsunset and exploring fruit orchards.

We have included visits to anumber of gardens including theLady Bird Johnson WildflowerCenter, home to rare andendangered species. We will seenative and exotic plants at theZilker Botanical Garden and enjoythe stock and display gardens ofthe award-winning NaturalGardener Nursery.

Further visits include the MayfieldPark and Nature Preserve with its

towering palm trees, the PlantResources Center at theUniversity of Texas and theSunshine Community Gardens.Travelling to Fredericksburg wehave included visits to anorchard, a winery and a historicPioneer Museum.

Back in Austin, we conclude withthe Inside Austin Gardens tour, achance to meet local gardenersand compare notes.

Apr 25, 2017

Nine nights from £3,695ppSingle room supplement £920

� Daily breakfast and welcome dinner;visits to selected private and publicgardens in Austin; Vogel Orchard,Wildseed Wildflower Farm, GrapeCreek Vineyard and Pioneer Museumin Fredericksburg. Flights from London


Wildseed Farm, Fredericksburg

Zilker Botanic Garden


Historic Gardens andPlantations of CharlestonThe historic city of Charleston, South Carolina, is a wonderfulplace to be in the spring, with the azaleas in full bloom andthe fragrance of wisteria wafting through the warm air.

With the help of a local expert wehave arranged a holiday that takesus to some of the key places inCharleston including many privatehouses, gardens and plantations.

A guided walking tour of OldCharleston will give us anintroduction to the city that wasfounded in 1670 and named inhonour of Charles II, touching onarchitecture, gardens and history,while a boat tour of the harbouraffords a view of the city from adifferent perspective.

In addition to carefully selectedprivate gardens we visit largergardens such as Middleton Place,reflecting classical European style,and Magnolia, the oldestunrestored gardens in America.Here we enjoy a further boat tripthrough old flooded ricefieldsalong the Ashley River, whereegrets stalk fish and frogs amongcattail-fringed canals.

Apr 2, 2017

Nine nights from £4,695ppSingle room supplement £1,000

� Daily breakfast and welcome dinner;visits to selected private gardens andthe gardens of Middleton Place andMagnolia; walking tour of OldCharleston; boat tour of CharlestonHarbour; private tour of Lowcountryplantations. Flights from London


Garden of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Lenhardt

Spring colour, Charleston


Chile: A Botanical AdventureChile is often described as a bio-geographical island, as it is enclosed to thewest by the Pacific Ocean, to the east by the high Andean mountain chain andto the north by the Atacama Desert. As a result, the flora has become isolatedand the physical, climatic and biological factors found within the country havecontributed to a unique flora with high levels of endemism.

We fly to Santiago for two nights in Chile’sbustling capital and visit La Campana NationalPark to the north west of the city for our firstintroduction to the native flora. Moving on tothe coastal resort of Zapallar we will explorethe reserve at Los Molles, one of the bestpreserved areas of coastal vegetation withcolourful low shrubs, herbs and bulbous plants,and enjoy an uplifting walk through the lastremaining coastal forests at Quebrada delTigre. We then head for the ski resort of Portilloin the higher altitudes of Parque AndinoJuncal, an area used for ecologicalconservation and sustainable tourism wherethe stunning scenery is complemented byexquisite flowering alpine plants, such as

Peruvian lilies (Alstromeria), and, if we arelucky, majestic condors soaring overhead.

We then move south to the Lakeland area ofChile on a short flight to Temuco where thelandscape changes dramatically. One of thehighlights in this section of our tour will be theopportunity to see Monkey Puzzle trees(Araucaria araucana), the iconic national treeof Chile. We then travel to Puerto Varas forthree nights, perched on the shores of LagoLlanquihue with extraordinary views across tosnow-capped Volcano Osorno.

Our grand botanical adventure concludes witha flight further south to Punta Arenas and theTorres del Paine National Park. Here we willhave three nights in the heart of the parkwhere we will explore the wonderfulPatagonian steppe landscape, home to a greatarray of plants endemic to this dry region, suchas Guanaco Bush (Anarthrophyllum

Desideratum), Streaked Maiden (Olsynium

Biflorum) and Paramela (Adesmia

boronioides). On the wildlife side we canexpect to see herds of Guanaco (a relative ofthe Llama), Andean Deer and Culpeo Foxes.

At the end of our stay we fly back from PuntaArenas to Santiago for a final night in Chile.

DeparturesJan 10, 2017, Jan 9, 201816 nights from £6,225ppSingle room supplement £840 (for 2018 £980)2018 supplement £300

What’s included� 14 nights’ accommodation on a bed and

breakfast basis: two nights in Santiago, twonights in Zapallar, two nights in the ski resort ofPortillo, two nights in Curacáutin, three nights inPuerto Varas, three nights in Torres del PaineNational Park

� Dinner and welcome drink on first evening, 10 additional dinners and 10 lunches

� Return flights from London Heathrow toSantiago (regional flight connections and flightupgrades available at a supplement)

� Internal flights: Santiago to Temuco, PuertoMontt to Punta Arenas and Punta Arenas toSantiago

� All visits and excursions

� Services of Martin Gardner of RBGE as tourmanager in Jan 2017

Martin Gardner Conguillío National Park

Torres Del Paine


Departures

What’s included

Departures


Caption

Burle MarxGardens of Rio& Brazil’sNatural WondersStarting in the vibrant city of Rio wewill explore the extensive legacy ofrenowned Brazilian designer, RobertoBurle Marx and discover a number ofhis public and private works includingthe Copacabana beach front and hisprivate estate. We will also visit theBotanic Gardens which have over6,ooo plant species and see the keysites of Sugar Loaf Mountain andChrist the Redeemer.

We will venture off the well-worn tourist trail ofRio, with exclusive guided visits to some of theprivate gardens designed by Burle Marx, one ofthe most important landscape architects of the20th century, including the Fazenda Marambaia,set against the backdrop of the Serra dos Órgãosrange (Organ-pipe Mountains).

After five nights in Rio we travel along the coastto Paraty, once the main port for shipping goldto Portugal and now a charming and wellpreserved colonial town. Two full days oftouring here gives us the opportunity to visitfurther gardens and sites of botanical interest.

From Rio we fly on to Iguaçu and our hoteladjacent to the awesome waterfalls, seventimes the size of Niagara. An excursion intoneighbouring Argentina is included here as weview the falls from a number of vantage points.

For a thrilling conclusion of our tour we travelinto the interior to explore the Pantanal, theworld’s largest continuous wetland area. Fromour base at the comfortable Caiman Lodge wewill have an in-depth tour of the region and itsdiverse natural inhabitants, from trees and florato an astonishing profusion of birds andaquatic wildlife.

Burle Marx Garden, Rio

Sep 26, 201716 nights from £6,395ppSingle room supplement £910

� 11 nights’ hotel accommodation on a bed andbreakfast basis; three nights’ full board in thePantanal

� Welcome drink and dinner on first night

� Return flights from London to Rio de Janeiro(other departure airports on request)

� Three internal flights

� Full programme of visits and excursions includingprivate gardens associated with Roberto BurleMarx and the Fazenda Marambaia

� Services of a professional tour manager andJohn Hughes as RHS Host


RHS Host: John Hughes

“Burle Marx’s style and influenceis all around wherever you lookthroughout Rio de Janeiro.”Iguaçu Falls


Caption

Sri Lanka: The Pearl of theIndian OceanLike a pearl earring set in the IndianOcean, Sri Lanka is a perfect jewel of anisland, with a wonderfully warm climateand a rich and varied culture. Sri Lankais also home to lush vegetation,colourful flora, amazing wildlife and astunning collection of gardens.

Our itinerary has been designed to lead youthrough the horticultural highlights of thisbeautiful island, including national parks, spicegardens and rich public and private gardens.Combined with some of the cultural highlightsand relaxed way of life, it should be asrefreshing as a cup of finest Ceylon tea.

We begin in Kandy where we visit a spicegarden and the splendid Royal BotanicalGardens of Peradeniya, both of which will giveus an insight into the spectacular flora thatthrives here. We then move into the cooler hillcountry and the old colonial town of NuwaraEliya we will visit the garden at Hakgala –smaller than Peradeniya but with a different,upland flora – and tour the outstandingnature reserve at Horton Plains.

Another fine reserve awaits us at the YalaNational Park where we go on a jeep safarifeaturing elephants, bears and monkeys,tropical birds and fragile butterflies. A coupleof days on the beach, in the south west nearGalle, follows along with visits to Bevis Bawa’sfamous Brief Gardens and Lunuganga Estate.

One of the highlights of this holiday will beour stay in Sinharaja, the country’s last viablearea of primary tropical rainforest, where wewill have the most wonderful experiences offlora and fauna with which to conclude ourcircular tour of this glittering island gem.

Tea Plantation

Garden Island in Kandy Lake

Oct 12, 201712 nights from £2,995ppSingle room supplement £715

� 11 nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation:one night at the Jetwing Beach Hotel, Negombo;two nights at the Ozo Hotel, Kandy; two nights atthe Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya; one night at theCinnamon Wild Hotel, Yala; two nights at theHikka Tranz Hotel, Hikkaduwa; two nights at theRainforest Eco Lodge, Sinharaja and one night atthe Ozo Hotel, Colombo

� Dinner and welcome drink on first evening, twoadditional dinners plus farewell dinner

� Flights from London Heathrow to Colombo(regional flight connections and flight upgradesavailable at a supplement)

� Visits to Sacred Seed Sanctuary, Temple of theTooth, Peradeniya Botanic Garden, guided tourof the gardens at the Grand Hotel, visit to HortonPlains, Hakgala Botanical Gardens, Yala NationalPark, Lunuganga Estate, Brief Gardens andguided tours in the Sinharaja Rainforest



An optional beach extension is available forthose who wish to extend their holiday – askfor details. RHS Host: Caroline Holmes

“The ancient name for Sri Lanka isenticing – Serendip – whosehorticultural threads are spicy,alluring, historic and fascinating.”

DeparturesOct 8, 201714 nights from £4,995ppSingle room supplement £585

What’s included� 13 nights’ accommodation on a full board

basis: three nights Jinjiang, four nightsMenglun, three nights Lijiang and three nightsZhongdian (Shangri-la)

� Return flights from London to Kunming (otherairports on request)

� Three internal flights

� Full programme of botanising tours and visitsincluding Kunming Botanical Gardens, WildElephant Valley, Lijiang Alpine Research Centreand Shika Snow Mountain

� Services of a professional tour manager andDuncan Coombes as RHS host

Gentiana Sino-ornata

Black Dragon Pool, Lijiang


Departures

What’s included

DeparturesYunnan: In the footsteps of the Plant HuntersIn 1904, a 31 year-old herbarium assistant called George Forrest set off fromthe Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for a great adventure to the other side ofthe world – the remote, mountainous region of Yunnan in south-west China.

Now, over a hundred years later, travel to Chinais not as daunting as it was in Forrest’s day, andwe are delighted to announce the opportunityto travel to Yunnan in the expert company ofbotanist and horticulturalist Duncan Coombes,who has undertaken several plant hunting tripsin the hope of finding a plant new to science.

Yunnan encompasses a vast range of climaticand temperate zones from the high mountainsof the Himalayas to the lush valleys borderingLaos and Burma. Many of the plants we enjoytoday in our gardens originate in this region andto see them growing in the wild is a privilege.

We begin our holiday in Kunming where theRHS have a great relationship with theBotanical Gardens ensuring a special tour. Whilehere, we will also visit the Stone Forest and seesome ancient temple gardens. We will fly southto Xishuangbanna, a tropical environmentwhere wild elephants live. Travelling north viaLijiang where we will visit the Alpine ResearchCentre and the Tiger Gorge, we will reach theHimalayas around Shangri-La, today known asZhongdian, and botanise in the mountains.

RHS Host: Duncan Coombes

“We will be treading where someof the pioneering plant collectorsexplored in days gone by.”

Wildflowers of Western AustraliaWith an area of 2.5 million kilometres, the vast state of Western Australiacovers one third of the Australian continent and a significant percentage of itsunique flora and fauna thrive here. As well as being home to iconic animalssuch as red kangaroos and crocodiles, WA has more than 12,000 species offlowers, making it the largest collection of wildflowers in the world.

Covering such an extensive region in a shortspace of time is something of a challenge butthe rewards are great – a constantly changinglandscape and countless new species offlowers to discover each day.

After a relaxing 2-night stopover in Singapore,we arrive in Perth, and visit the WA BotanicGardens, where 3000 species of the state’sflora are displayed.

Then we set off on our journey through aterritory which has only been settled byEuropeans since 1826, though people havelived here for over 50,000 years.

In Yanchep National Park we will seekangaroos, koalas and birds as well as endemicspecies such as Tuart trees, Banksia,parrotbush and Yanchep rose. We enjoy anevening walk through the amazing display ofthe Pinnacles in Nambung National Park andthere are further delights in store at theNational Parks of Lesueur and Coalseam.

At Koolanooka Springs we will enjoy a colourfulpicnic among orange pomegranate flowers,purple Darwinia and yellow bells, before takinga look at the iconic Wave Rock. Fitzgerald RiverNational Park offers a dramatic landscape ofrolling plains, rugged peaks and stunning bays,along with its own unique flora. Wildflowerwalks led by local experts feature in StirlingRange National Park and in Pemberton beforewe continue along the south-west coast toMargaret River, the wine capital of WesternAustralia, where we will sample the local wineat the Cullen Vineyard.

Back in Perth we will have our farewell dinner, achance to reflect on the many wonders ofWestern Australia.

DeparturesOct 1, 201722 nights from £6,895ppSingle room supplement £1,360

What’s included� 20 nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation

including two nights stopover in Singapore

� Dinner and welcome drink; two further dinnersand a farewell dinner; two picnic lunches

� Return flights from London via Singapore toPerth (regional connections and flight upgradesavailable at a supplement)

� Visits to a wide selection of National Parks andNature Reserves including wildflower sites;Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay

� Services of a professional tour manager andChristopher Bailes as RHS host

Photo: Tourism Western Australia

Fitzgerald River National Park Photo: Tourism Western Australia


Departures

What’s included

Departures

Kangaroo paw

“60% of Western Australian wildflowers are found nowhere elseon earth.”

UK and IrishGarden HolidaysIt will be an honour to visit the RHSPresident Sir Nicholas Bacon’s privategarden in the flatlands of East Anglia.How will it compare with HRH ThePrince of Wales’ Highgrove in theCotswolds, or Sir Clough William-Ellis’Plas Brondanw in Snowdonia, orindeed Charles Jenks’Garden ofCosmic Speculation in Scotland?Gardens in Great Britain and Irelandare among the finest in the world,and are complemented with the RHSFlower Shows throughout thegardening year.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show


Private Gardens of Guernsey & SarkThe island of Guernsey, just 20 miles off the coast of France, flourishes in thewarmth of summer and is home to some wonderful private gardens.

On our first day in Guernsey we visit twoprivate gardens in St Peter Port, a large towngarden with good planting and another setover three terraces with fine sea views, as wellas the public Candie Gardens, a Victorian gem.

Next we visit La Petite Vallée, where we find arange of traditional and exotic planting, spendsome time botanising among the orchidmeadows of the west coast and visit theinspiring garden at Guernsey Prison.

On our third day we will seek out more wildflowers, followed by visits to a private garden

with some unusual plants and the GuernseyClematis Nursery, where Raymond Evison willgive an insight into his nursery and thedevelopment of new varieties of clematis.

Then we make the short sea crossing to thetranquil, traffic-free island of Sark where wevisit the wonderful garden of La Seigneurieand wildflower meadows.

We stay overnight here, an opportunity toenjoy the wonderful night skies that thisunspoilt island offers, before returning toGuernsey for our flight home.

DeparturesJun 1, Sep 21, 2017Four nights’ half-board from £1,195ppSingle room supplement £220

What’s included� Four nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast; three

nights at La Barbarie Hotel, St Peter Port,Guernsey and one night at Stocks Hotel, Sark

� Flights from London Gatwick to Guernsey(regional flights on request)

� Return ferry crossings from Guernsey to Sark

� Visits to selected private gardens on Guernseyand Sark


South Coast Cliffs, Guernsey Raymond Evison, clematis expert

La Seigneurie Gardens

What’s included

Departures


“Raymond’s tally of 28 Chelseagold medals is an impressive anddeserved tally.”

Gardens of Devon & CornwallThe words Devon and Cornwall go together like ‘peachesand cream’, ‘Morecambe and Wise’ and ‘Chelsea andFlower Show’. Their wonderful gardens are as good as anyin this country and fuse together in a cocktail of WestCountry magic.

Our holiday begins in Bristol, as wehead south and west having asplendid afternoon visit to thegardens of Hestercombe in the hillsabove Taunton.

Of course we could not come toDevon without visiting RHS GardenRosemoor, in the heart of theDevon Countryside, which is worldfamous for its roses and itsexcellent collection of trees andshrubs. We will also visit the picturepostcard village and gardens ofClovelly.

Travelling into ‘Kernow’ we visit the

Apr 19, Jun 22, Sep 7, 2017

Five nights’ half-board from £795ppSingle room supplement £175Jun and Sep supplement £20

� Admissions to all gardens and theBarbara Hepworth Museum. Our tourcommences from Bristol TempleMeads Railway Station.


Tresco’s Abbey GardensTresco lies just 28 miles from the Cornish coast yet basks ina balmy climate where spring comes early, autumn stayslate and winter hardly exists at all.

A sub-tropical paradise, this tinycorner of England has remainedunpolluted and unspoilt fordecades. Abbey Gardens is hometo more than 3,000 species,magnificent vistas, colours andscents. There is certainly no othergarden like this in the world andwe will be privileged to learn ofthe garden’s hidden secrets, bothpast and present, with apersonally guided tour.

In spring you will see flowers herethat are weeks ahead of those onthe mainland - the perfect way tolift your spirits after a cold, dark

winter. Autumn, too, is a stunningtime to visit, with the beautifulgolden, red and amber tints ofthe seasonal foliage set against abackdrop of proteas, aloes andflowering camellias thrown in forgood measure.

Aside from visiting AbbeyGardens there will be time towander around the islands andenjoy the relaxed atmosphere.

Autumn 2016 dates stillavailable - please ask fordetails.

Mar 17, 24, 27, 31 Apr 3, 24, May 3, 13, Sep 15, 18, 29, Oct 2, 9, 2017

Three nights’ half-board from £845ppSingle room supplement £75April & September supplement £80May supplement £130

� Three nights’ half-board at the NewInn, Tresco, return train fare LondonPaddington/Penzance (other stationson request), return flight from Land’sEnd to St Mary’s, boat transfersbetween St Mary’s and Tresco; entryto Tresco’s Abbey Gardens.

Tresco

Abbey Gardens



A five night package by air is available from Edinburgh (other airports onrequest) from £875pp.

RHS Garden Rosemoor

Sleeping Giant, Heligan

splendid garden at Lanhydrock andthe privately owned estate ofTrewithen, acknowledged as anInternational Camellia Garden ofExcellence.

We visit the stunning privategarden of Lamorran and the multiaward-winning restoration gardensof Heligan; have an invigoratingmorning at Trebah and spend arelaxing afternoon in St Ives at theBarbara Hepworth museum andsculpture garden. Our last garden isTrelissick, a superb garden set on itsown peninsula.

Caption

The RHSChatsworthFlower Show andGardens ofDerbyshireThere could be few finer settings thanChatsworth House for the latestaddition to the RHS flower showcalendar, and this holiday will allow youto be one of the first to experience it.

Set against the classic landscape shaped byCapability Brown and Joseph Paxton, the showaims to present the best in British design andinnovation. The themes of Mediterranean,jungle and woodland will be explored andinterpreted by garden designers in a recreationof Joseph Paxton’s Great Conservatory. In thespacious grounds, a new show garden categoryentitled ‘Free Form’ will allow designers to usethe breadth of their imagination and createsomething previously unseen. As with all RHSshows, the country’s best nurseries will be inattendance with stunning displays.

By contrast, the holiday will also include visits tosome of the region’s classic gardens includingFelley Priory, with its beautiful herbaceousborders, old fashioned roses and white garden;Hardwick Hall known for its woodland, anorchard and romantic rambling roses andHaddon Hall, which although an ancientresidence, has had areas of the gardenredesigned in the past few years.

We will conclude our holiday with a visit to RHSGarden Harlow Carr, where we will have aspecial tour. Set on the outskirts of Harrogate,the garden is divided by a stream into a maturewoodland area which has a wide range ofmature trees, rhododendrons and specimentrees and the herbaceous area where differentstyles of gardening can be seen. The fruit andvegetable gardens will inspire keen gardeners totry something new and the Alpine house alwayshas interesting and beautiful plants to see.

Chatsworth Photo: Chatsworth House Trust

Jun 9, 2017Three nights’ half-board from £495ppSingle room supplement £90

� Three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at thefour-star Derbyshire Hotel, Derby

� All-day visit to the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show

� Visits to the gardens of Felley Priory, HardwickHall, Haddon Hall and a tour of RHS GardenHarlow Carr



RHSCHATSW

ORTH

FLOW

ER SHO

W

7-11 June 2017


Rail/air connections and overnight accomodation in London before or after the tour available on request.


The Royal Horticultural Society willonce again bring a spectacularcelebration of flowers andgardening to the north-west ofEngland with the RHS Flower ShowTatton Park, with colourful displaysand exciting show gardens.

Gardens ofCheshire & RHSFlower ShowTatton Park

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park

It is also possible to join this tour at Crewe railwaystation - ask for details.

Jul 19, 2017

Three nights’ half-board from £495ppSingle room supplement £90

� Visits to the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, thegardens of Arley Hall, Mount Pleasant, StonyfordCottage and Ness Botanic Gardens. Based at theQueen’s Hotel in the centre of Chester


What’s included

Departures

While we are here in Cheshire we will visit fournotable gardens. The herbaceous borders atArley Hall are one of the great garden sightsin England, beautifully maintained andalways delightful. There are also old walledgardens with good mixed borders and asimple terraced walk above a ha-ha.

Mount Pleasant boasts thousands of varietiesof plants in a tiered garden with outstandingviews over the Cheshire Plain. Here we willenjoy 10 acres of landscaped gardens as wellas the new sculpture trail.

Ness Botanic Gardens has a host of featuresincluding herbaceous borders, climbing plantsand lush water gardens and finally there isStonyford Cottage, an informal naturalgarden and specialist plant nursery.

The Cornwall Spring Flower Show isone of the first events of the Englishgardening year, a colourful treat tolook forward to at the end of winter.

Cornwall’sSpring FlowerShow

Mar 31, 2017

Three nights’ half- board from £415ppSingle room supplement £75

� Visits to the Cornwall Flower Show and the gardensof Trewidden, Tremenheere and St Michael’sMount. Based at the Penmere Hotel, Falmouth

� Escorted throughout by Mike Nelhams, curator ofTresco’s Abbey Gardens

What’s included

Departures

Hosted by Boconnoc Gardens, the show is anexuberant display of camellias, daffodils,rhododendrons and ornamental shrubs andproduces a brilliantly colourful spectacle. Wealso visit three gardens which will be in theirfull spring flowering glory - Trewidden, ahistoric Victorian garden with magnolias,camellias and tree ferns; TremenheereSculpture Gardens, a major new attractionwith dramatic vistas which provide a perfectsetting for large scale exotic and sub-tropicalplanting, interwoven with contemporary artinstallations, and St Michael’s Mount, theiconic island whose terraced garden is hometo tender exotics from around the world.

Trewidden bloom

This tour combines the colourand excitement of the RHSChelsea Flower Show with someof the south of England’s finestgardens, affording theopportunity to enjoy a widerange of horticultural excellence.

RHS ChelseaFlower Show

A six night package by air is available from Edinburgh(other airports on request) from £1,195pp.

May 25, 2017

Six nights’ half-board from £1,095ppSingle room supplement £180

� All day ticket to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show;visits to the gardens of RHS Garden Wisley,Sissinghurst, Great Dixter, Hestercombe, IfordManor, Wilton House, Stourhead and Tyntesfield;Bath and The Bishop’s Palace, Wells


What’s included

Departures

This two centre holiday includes visits to thefamous RHS Chelsea Flower Show, theinspiring RHS Garden Wisley and the gardensof Sissinghurst and Great Dixter.

We then head west, breaking our journey atthe beautiful gardens of Wilton House andthen at ‘Capability’ Brown’s famouslandscape garden of Stourhead.

From our hotel in the west country we visitthe ancient Bishop’s Palace in Wells, theHarold Peto designed garden at Iford Manorand Hestercombe, one of Gertrude Jekyll andSir Edwin Lutyens’ greatest masterpieces.

We also have some time in the town of Bath,famous for its Roman baths and elegantGeorgian terraces.

We conclude with a wander roundTyntesfield, a fine National Trust Victoriancountry house with a glorious walled gardenbefore returning to London.

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Please note transport to and from Cornwall is notincluded.

Highgrove & the CotswoldsOur tour of the Cotswolds features an exclusive visit toHighgrove House, the country home of HRH The Prince ofWales. This will be a rare opportunity to see thesefascinating gardens which are cultivated using whollyorganic methods.

This is a very private and personalgarden and we are honoured thatThe Prince of Wales is soaccommodating as to let thegeneral public view his gardenwhen he is not there. Since buyingthe property in 1980 PrinceCharles, with the help of friendsand horticultural experts, hascreated a stunning garden tosurround his family home.

In addition to Highgrove, we visitsome of the splendid gardens tobe found nestled among the greenand rolling hills of Gloucestershire.Our tour begins at the calm andsoothing Abbey House garden at

Malmesbury, home to a stunningrose collection.

Hidcote Manor’s contrastinggarden rooms and Kiftsgate’sfamous rambling rose are justlyfamous. Misarden Park wasredeveloped by Sir Edwin Lutyensin his famous Edwardian style andits elevated position allows for aterrific view over the five goldenvalleys of Stroud.

Our final visit is to Westonbirt, theNational Arboretum and theForestry Commission’s showpiece. Westonbirt constantlychanges with the seasons but isalways a joy to behold.

Apr 21, May 5, Jun 23, Aug 11, Sep 1, 2017


� Visits to the gardens of Abbey House,Misarden, Hidcote Manor, Kiftsgate,Westonbirt and Highgrove House(subject to succesful application).

Highgrove House

Abbey House


Gardens of theLake District As well as being an area of outstanding natural beauty, theLake District has some stunning gardens. More often thannot, the lush planting of the gardens is offset by a gloriousnatural backdrop of lakes or fells.

We begin among the top-classtopiary of Levens Hall beforecontinuing to the historic gardensof Dalemain and Hutton-in-theForest.

Few gardens can match thesetting of Holehird Gardens, tenacres of vibrant planting within anoutstanding landscapeoverlooking Lake Windermere,though Brantwood, reached by an

elegant steam gondola on LakeConiston, comes very close.

Further visits include Windy Hall,which has NCCPG collections ofFilipendula and Aruncus, andHolker Hall, whose extensivegardens date from the late 18thcentury and are notable for anenormous Lime tree.

Jun 12, Sep 18, 2017

Five nights’ half-board from £795ppSingle room supplement £175

� Visits to the gardens of Levens Hall,Holehird, Dalemain, Hutton in theForest, Windy Hill, Brantwood andHolker Hall.

� Services of a professional tourmanager


30 visit rhsgardenholidays.com To obtain a full day-by-day itinerary of all our tours please see back cover for contact details

Travel by rail is included from London to Oxenholme. A reduction of £90pp applies ifrail is not required. Holker Hall

Gardens of North WalesWith glorious scenery that includes mountains, seascapesand castles, North Wales is home to some outstandinggardens.

One of the best is Plas Cadnant,which 18 years ago was anovergrown, abandoned wildernessof ivy and decrepit fruit trees. Itscurrent owner has brought it backto life and now, rather like Heliganin Cornwall, Plas Cadnant hasemerged as a gem of a garden,full of interest.

Further highlights include thenursery at Crûg Farm Plants,specialists in a broad range oftemperate forest plants; Bodnant Garden, with a range of

beautiful plants from all over theworld; Portmeirion, the eccentricand rather surreal Italianatevillage designed by Sir CloughWilliams-Ellis, which has beenenhanced in recent years withimprovements made to thegardens, and Plas Brondanw, Sir Clough’s own delightfulgarden which is packed withinteresting plants. Anotherhighlight is Arley Hall Gardens,home to a pair of herbaceousborders dating from 1846.

Jun 9, Sep 15, 2017


� Visits to the gardens of Bodnant, PlasBrondanw, Portmeirion, Plas Tan yBwlch, Plas Cadnant and Crûg FarmNursery; the informal woodlandgardens of Dorothy Clive in Shropshireand the gardens of Arley Hall inCheshire. Services of horticulturalistTony Russell as tour manager.

Plas Tan y Bwlch


Gardens of West WalesTucked away in the rolling countryside of Carmarthenshireand Pembrokeshire are some fine parks and gardens, bothlarge and small, ancient and modern.

The centrepiece of our holiday isthe National Botanic Garden ofWales, the first garden of its typeto be created in the UnitedKingdom for 200 years. Thisspectacular re-interpretation ofthe historical garden includesNorman Foster’s GreatGreenhouse, the largest singlespan glasshouse in the world.

By contrast Aberglasney is asuperb 16th/17th century garden,which was discovered after 50years of neglect and has beenrestored to produce a garden withimmense appeal, including a

unique Elizabethan/Jacobeancloister and parapet walk. DyffrynBotanic Gardens have also beenrecently restored to ThomasMawson’s original 1904 design.We visit two superb woodlandgardens, at Picton Castle andUpton Castle along with Cae Hir,which has established itself asone of Wales’ best loved gardens.

We also visit some interestingprivate gardens, includingDyffryn Fernant and The Cors,both exceptional in their ownway.

Jun 19, Sep 4, 2017

Four nights’ half-board from £625ppSingle room supplement £120

� Visits to Dyffryn Botanic Gardens,Picton Castle & Gardens, UptonCastle Gardens, Cae Hir, Aberglasney,the National Botanic Gardens ofWales and the private gardens ofDyffryn Fernant and The Cors.Services of horticulturalist TonyRussell as tour manager.

Dyffryn Botanic Gardens

National Botanic Gardens Wales



Gardens of the North of IrelandThe north of Ireland offers a rich feast of horticulturalexcellence, set against an ever-changing backdrop of lushgreen hills, fertile fields and glittering seascapes.

The dazzling and idiosyncraticgarden of Mount Stewart,enveloped in a benign micro-climate on the shores ofStrangford Lough, is truly one ofthe great gardens of the world.

Further highlights include romanticRowallane, a fine walled garden atGreenmount College and thehistoric gem of Antrim Castle. A journey along the highly scenic

north Antrim coast by way of theincomparable Giant’s Causewaytakes us to Derry/Londonderry,from where we venture into therugged countryside of Donegal,visiting Glenveagh National Parkas well as a couple of fine privategardens.

Jun 26, Aug 14, 2017

Four nights’ half-board from £755ppSingle room supplement £140

� Four nights’ half board at four-starhotels: two nights at the DunadryHotel, Co. Antrim; two nights at theDa Vinci’s Hotel, Derry/Londonderry

� Return flights from London Gatwickto Belfast (other airports on request)

� Visits to the gardens of MountStewart, Antrim Castle, GreenmountCollege, Glenarm Castle, Benvarden,Glenveagh Castle, Oakfield Park andHampstead HallGlenveagh Castle


Southern Ireland’s GemsIn and around Dublin and the lively city of Cork, we meetenthusiastic and skilful owners and take a stroll throughsome of the garden gems of the Emerald Isle.

The tour begins in Dublin, wherewe visit the outstanding privategardens of June and Jimi Blake,along with the Talbot BotanicalGarden at Malahide, NewbridgeDemesne with its perfect‘Brownian’ landscape andRussborough.

Heading south, we call in at theItalianate garden at Corke Lodge;Powerscourt, one of Ireland’s

most famous gardens, and thewild and informal garden atMount Usher.

From our base in the cultured cityof Cork we tour Ilnacullin with itsmagical island setting, historicBantry House and a couple ofexcellent private gardens.

Jun 3, Aug 3, 2017

Seven nights’ half-board from £1,395ppSingle room supplement £280



Ilnacullin

� Seven nights’ half board at four-starhotels: four nights in Dublin andthree nights at the Imperial Hotel,Cork

� Flights from London to Dublin andback from Cork (other airports onrequest)

� Visits to the gardens of NewbridgeDemesne, Russborough, CorkeLodge, Mount Usher, Hunting Brook,June Blake, Powerscourt, Ilnacullin,Bantry House, two private gardensand Talbot Botanic Gardens

Services of horticulturalist Trevor Edwards as tour manager

Services of horticulturalist Trevor Edwards as tour manager

Mount Stewart


Gardens of Surreyand HampshireThe prosperous, leafy counties of Surrey and Hampshire arehome to some fine private gardens.

The Gertrude Jekyll-style gardenof Norney Wood gets our tour offto a cracking start, followed by thefragrant rose and herb parterresof Bardsey. At Sir Harold’s HillierGarden you will find a uniquecollection of plants, set in 180acres.

The romantic garden at MoleshillHouse is combined with thewalled garden of Stuart Cottageand we will enjoy a look aroundthe private garden of Andy

McIndoe, who is responsible for25 consecutive Gold Medalwinning exhibits at RHS ChelseaFlower show.

In addition on our July date wewill enjoy a full day at the RHSHampton Court Flower Show. Onour September tour we haveincluded a day at the RHS WisleyFlower Show, where the RoyalHorticultural Society shows thegardening public how it shouldbe done.

Jul 6, Sep 7, 2017


� Visits to the gardens of NorneyWood, Bardsey, Sir Harold Hillier,Moleshill, Stuart Cottage; RHSHampton Court Flower Show (July)and RHS Wisley Flower Show (Sept)



Gardens of Kent and SussexKent and Sussex are home to some of the finest gardens inthe country and well deserve a tour of their own to beenjoyed to the full.

The sheer quality and pedigree ofthese gardens epitomise theindefinable essence of the Englishcountry garden. Among thehighlights is a mouth-wateringdouble-bill featuring Sissinghurst,surely the most-copied flowergarden in the world, and GreatDixter, where Edwin Lutyen’soriginal design was embellishedby the late Christopher Lloyd.

We also visit Lullingstone Castle,home to the innovative WorldGarden of Plants; Great Comp, aplantsman’s delight filled withrare and beautiful shrubs;Nymans Garden, which offers anoutstanding collection of plantsin a theatrical setting and thespectacular gardens of historicHever Castle.

May 29, Jun 25, Aug 13, 2017


� Visits to the gardens of LullingstoneCastle, Great Comp, Nymans,Sissinghurst, Great Dixter, HeverCastle and Wakehurst Place(replaced with Borde Hill on our Maydeparture)


Sissinghurst


A three night package by air is available from Edinburgh (other airports on request) from £625pp.

A four night package by air is available from Edinburgh(other airports on request) from £585pp.

Norney Wood

Hampton Court Palace Show

Great Dixter

Caption

Private gardensof East AngliaThe adjoining counties of Essex,Suffolk and Norfolk feature on thistour of some of the finest gardensthat East Anglia has to offer, many ofwhich have connections to the RHS,making them just that little bit special.

We begin in Essex, with visits to RHS GardenHyde Hall, which showcases a selection ofdifferent styles including rose andMediterranean gardens and a new wildflowermeadow, and continue to Beth Chatto’sfamous garden and nursery, which wascreated in 1960 from overgrown wastelandwith poor gravel soil and has beentransformed into an informal gardenharmonising with the surroundingcountryside.

We continue to Helmingham Hall gardens,where the house, parkland and gardenstogether create an exceptional work of art.This is followed with a visit to Wyken Hallvineyards and gardens - the vineyard producessome 12,000 bottles a year, while the gardenfeatures a knot and herb garden, an oldfashioned rose garden and an orchard.

We will then have the privilege of visitingRaveningham Hall, the garden of RHSPresident Sir Nicholas Bacon Bt, along withEast Ruston Old Vicarage, an inspirationalexotic garden which lies less than two milesfrom the North Sea.

Our final day takes us to The Place for Plantsat East Bergholt Place, a fine nursery andgarden owned by an RHS committee member,and Marks Hall Garden and Arboretum, whoseextensive collection is planted on ageographical theme, with plants from thetemperate regions of the world groupedtogether.

RHS Hyde Hall

Sir Nicholas Bacon’s private garden

May 2, Sep 13, 2017Three nights’ half-board from £495ppSingle room supplement £90

� Three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at theDunston Hall Hotel, Norwich

� Visits to the gardens of RHS Hyde Hall, BethChatto, East Ruston Old Vicarage, HelminghamHall, Raveningham Hall, Wyken Hall, EastBergholt Place and Marks Hall




RHS Host: Ian Le Gros

“I have been based at RHS HydeHall all my gardening career andlook forward to showing youaround.”


Gardens ofDumfries and GallowayDumfries and Galloway, in the south-western corner ofScotland, is home not only to some of the country’s mostattractive gardens but it also has a rich artistic heritage,providing a tempting combination of fine art and gardens.

The artistic highlight of our holidayis undoubtedly Dumfries House,one of the Adam brothers’ finestachievements, whose future wassecured with the support of PrinceCharles.

We see an artist’s garden atBroughton House, the restoredformer home of “Glasgow Boy” EAHornel, and enjoy DrumlanrigCastle’s extensive gardens andworld-class collection of fine artand furniture.

Charles Jencks’ Garden of CosmicSpeculation and CrawickMultiverse are further highlightswith their unique combinations ofnatural features and artificiallandscaping.

Logan Botanic Garden, in the careof the RBGE since 1969, is filledwith many exotic plants andcompletes this enriching tour.

Jun 16, Aug 18, 2017

Three nights’ half- board from £445ppSingle room supplement £75

� Visits to Crawick Multiverse, DumfriesHouse, the Garden of CosmicSpeculation, Broughton House andGardens, Drumlanrig Castle and thegardens of Glenwhan and Logan

� Services of a professional tourmanagerGarden of Cosmic Speculation


Charles Rennie Mackintosh& the Gardens of the ClydeA guided tour of the Glasgow School of Art, Charles RennieMackintosh’s iconic masterpiece, is one of the highlights ofthis holiday, particularly as it came so close to being lostforever in a recent fire.

We also visit Mackintosh’s finestdomestic creation at Hill House,which sits high above the RiverClyde with commanding views ofthe Firth. Its air of restrainedelegance still appeals to moderntastes. No Charles RennieMackintosh tour would becomplete without a visit to theWillow Tea Rooms.

We take a look at another ofMackintosh’s masterpieces, the

House for an Art Lover, full ofexquisite details, and explore thegardens of Glenarn, reputedly oneof the best woodland gardens inScotland.

Then we sail across the Firth ofClyde to the Isle of Bute for a visitto Mount Stuart, one of the largestHigh Gothic houses in Britain,which offers the perfectcombination of architecturalgrandeur and captivating gardens.

Jun 14, Sep 6, 2017


� Visits to Hill House, Glenarn, RossPriory, Mount Stuart, Ascog Fernery,the Hunterian and the House for anArt Lover; guided tour of theGlasgow School of Art; afternoontea at the Willow Tea Rooms


Hill House

Mount Stuart


Brightwater Holidays Ltd, Eden Park House, Cupar, Fife KY15 4HS

Tel: 0203 735 1855 Email: [email protected] Fax: 01334 657144 www.rhsgardenholidays.com

5020

To book or to obtain further information on any of our RHS Garden Holidays, visit

www.rhsgardenholidays.com or call 0203 735 1855

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UK, European & Worldwide Garden Holidays 2017 … EUROPEAN & WORLDWIDE GARDEN HOLIDAYS 2017/2018 ... landscapes are at their best or when there is ... European & Worldwide Garden Holidays