Garden tours are growing in popularity. Recent research by Skyscanner has revealed that 62% of travellers enjoy garden visits on holiday. Are you one of them? While visiting a glorious garden may not be a new activity for some, more people are awakening to Botanical Tourism—especially during cold, stormy weather!
Some seek out the best gardens to visit within easy reach of their holiday destination. Others are planning garden tour holidays when travelling solo with a little help from travel agents. Whether it’s to escape an overstimulated world or a challenging lifestyle, there are plenty of surprises to see during this type of trip. Plus, inspiration to follow to enhance an oasis back at home.
Gardens bring people together! Some ancient cultures have held floral festivals for centuries. More of us are discovering the beauty of nature. From famous gardens that we can visit to the best botanical garden tours add one of our favourite gardens to your itinerary – whatever the reason!
1. Holland’s Keukenhof Gardens
A garden tour of Keukenhof is worth organising in spring. As it is the largest garden in Europe, you can admire 800 varieties of tulips across 32 acres. Start your garden holiday in Amsterdam after arriving by ferry or train. Some guided coach tours can also take you to the Dutch bulb fields directly.
Live like the locals by enjoying a bicycle ride to Amsterdam’s largest green space (The Vondelpark) for a picnic. Then follow a cycle route from Amsterdam to the tulip fields. Also, you can join a guided cycling tour around the Keukenhof Gardens to learn more.
However, if cycling isn’t for you take the Keukenhof shuttle bus from Amsterdam North for views of tulip fields on your way to the Keukenhof Gardens. During the Tulip Festival (from mid-March to May), a free shuttle bus runs to the Keukenhof Gardens. However, The Keukenhof Gardens isn’t the only way to see lines of cheerful tulips in Holland.
For instance, visit the Tulip Barn in Hillegom, which has 750,000 tulips. Or join a private tulip field tour led by a local in Bollenstreek (40 minutes from Amsterdam). Whizz past fields of flowering daffodils and hyacinths alongside tulips on a bus, Land Rover, scooter, or tuk-tuk. For a slower pace, plan a river cruise to sail from Amsterdam to a family-run tulip farm and back again.
2. Rome Garden Tours
Step back in time to ancient Rome. On route to the Spanish Steps, you’ll discover Rome’s green lung – The Villa Borghese Gardens. Named after Cardinal Scipione Borghese, they became Rome’s central park ‘Borghese Park’ (in 1903). These vast gardens, covering 80 hectares make Rome a green city.
If you’re exploring the garden in summer, plan a visit when the heat drops in the latter part of the afternoon. Walk past graceful trees and elegant statues, then around a lush lake. Stand back in awe at elegant statues. When the sun sets admire the city lights from the Pincio Terrace. Meanwhile, to admire a variety of roses in The Rose Garden take a wander in spring. Private Garden Tours are also available. They’re led by people who are passionate about Italian culture and ancient Rome. So, enjoy a historical journey!
To escape the hustle of the city walk over the Tiber River to discover Rome’s botanical garden. Admire fountains, spot over 3,000 species of plants, and shelter under monumental secular trees. Also, across 12 hectares there’s a herb, Mediterranean, and Japanese Garden. In spring join a free garden tour of the Japanese garden to celebrate Hanami, which is a traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers.
3. Seasonal Garden Tours in Japan
In Japan, observing floral phenomena has been celebrated for thousands of years. The Japanese floral festivals include Cherry blossom season (Hanami) in spring and ‘maple leaf hunting’ (Momijigari) in autumn. They may even have been the first civilization in the world to stop to witness these colourful seasons.
Kyoto, Japan’s former capital city, contains ancient shrines and elegant gardens, including landscaped and Strolling gardens. Strolling gardens were a popular choice for Japan’s ancient feudal lords. Take a stroll in autumn to admire the maple leaves around the Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). This three-tiered temple sits in a 14th-century stroll garden and extends across a pond, making it one of the most glorious gardens in Japan.
While the Kinkaku-ji and its gardens are popular, step off the beaten path (to Okazaki) and book a garden tour around the Murin-an in advance. The Murin-an is a grand garden villa that once belonged to a Japanese statesman. Today, his garden has become a masterpiece built around the Higashiyama Mountains! Wander over streams, along carpets of bright moss, and watch the leaves change with a cup of matcha tea in the cafe.
When exploring Japan in spring (which can be popular) book a secret garden tour with a local to discover some stone and zen gardens. Throughout your trip, you’ll be greeted by cheerful cherry blossoms that brighten pathways. See them across Kyoto, Kanazawa, Osaka, Nikko, and Tokyo! Japan has a good selection of guided Garden Tours for Cherry Blossom Season. Choose one that incorporates an art or museum visit. Each is led by expert gardeners, who’ll share which trees and plants are in traditional or landscaped gardens and how you can look after them!
4. Monet Garden Tours at Giverny
One of the world’s most famous gardens belonged to Claude Monet the impressionist painter who lived in the Loire Valley in France. The valley is a fairy tale location, dubbed ‘The Garden of France’. So it’s no surprise that it inspired many of Monet’s magical paintings which we admire to this day. Free Spirits may wish to explore the valley during a road trip or escorted group tours will take you to the gardens via the Eurostar from London to Vernon.
When you arrive at Monet’s Gardens in Giverny (the “Village of Painters”), you’ll be welcome from March 29th – November 1st. You may wish to escape the crowds between May and June. Booking tickets ahead of time is always advisable too. Tickets for private house and garden tours are available by appointment only. Yet amateur artists will walk away feeling inspired and ready to master Impressionism after their garden visit.
Guides who lead the Monet Gardens tour are passionate about Monet’s life, gardens, and gardening. They’ll share insights into why he designed his garden to create charming scenes and atmosphere. Monet’s gardens flow from his house to the river. Walk at your own pace around the Water-Lily Pond. Then under weeping willows and over the Japanese bridge in the Water Garden. Pause to ponder in the flower garden (Clos Normand), surrounded by roses, daises, and poppies, to reflect upon your next composition!
Spending more time in France? Create a fantastic holiday by adding more gardens to visit! Take an hour’s drive from Giverny to Versailles and join a Versailles Garden tour. Also, spend a day like the Parisians do by having a traditional picnic in The Luxembourg Gardens.
5. Montreal’s Botanical Garden Tours in Quebec
On ABTA’s 10 Destinations to Watch 2025 is Quebec. Quebec is one of Canada’s most beautiful provinces due to its colourful countryside and French architecture. One of its most attractive cities is Montreal. Did you know that Montreal is an island? Situated on the Saint Lawrence River reach it directly from London. While there, discover a diverse culture, taste contrasting cuisines, and admire art.
Montréal’s botanical gardens are a unique place to escape any time of the year, whether you travel solo or with the family. The locals know it as ‘the Jardin botanique de Montréal’ but you should add it to your bucket list as one of the greatest botanical gardens on the globe. With over 20 themed gardens and 10 exhibition greenhouses to explore, it’ll ignite all your senses!
Stroll independently during your garden tour to learn about the botanical world. For instance, observe plants that live in the mountains within an Alpine Garden. Spot colourful sub-Arctic plants from the Rockies to the Arctic. Learn how each survives in harsh climates alongside conifer trees, rocks, and minerals.
Feeling hungry? Wander around the food garden (home to Western foods and a fruit garden). Smell the aroma of fresh food plants and sample the produce in the restaurant. Then, when your feet need a break, take the free mini-train shuttle service. People with reduced mobility will have priority.
These botanical gardens may look their best in summer. However, if you’d rather be somewhere cooler find yourself in a flourishing field of sunflowers in the UK.
Gardens near me to visit…
Some of the most beautiful gardens in the UK are landscaped gardens that belong to stately homes. Others invite us to walk under the branches of their woodlands. The most colourful ones carry the aroma of sweet roses and exotic plants.
As we’re known as a “nation of gardeners”, here are a few of the best UK gardens for you to visit:
- Garden Tours in Yorkshire, such as the historic gardens at Middlethorpe Hall will be led by the ground head Gardener, across 20 acres.
- Garden Tours at Highgrove will include an insight into the gardens’ unique organic management before afternoon tea.
- Cornish gardens to visit which include the Edan project. A great day trip for all the family if you’ve booked a staycation in the West Country.
Travel Insurance for Garden Tours
Have you spotted the first few flowering bulbs this year? Spring is on its way! To admire spring, summer, or fall we hope we’ve inspired you to depart to a different destination for a garden tour.
Whether the best garden is around the corner or in a charming village or valley, you’re never far away from witnessing nature in its beauty.
Brighten your day! Escape cold, stormy weather, and take out a Free Spirit Policy after you book your garden tour holiday so that you can travel, with confidence.