best european garden tours

C O O P E R S M I T H' S

Coopersmith's garden tours.

Akaroa Rose Photo by Suzanne Parker

Sissinghurst Castle Garden Photo by Paul Coopersmith

Paul at Borough Market, London Borough has become one of the largest and finest open-air food markets in all of Europe. Photo by Suzanne Parker.

" We have been on 12 Coopersmith tours in the past, starting with Venice and the Italian Lakes in 1994, through Buckinghamshire & Hertfordshire in 2023. Our upcoming tour to the Peak District will be our thirteenth, and Jane's farewell tour the fourteenth. So we've been traveling with you for 30 years, with our thanks! " — Kathy and Greg Stern, Jefferson, Maryland

Dear Garden Enthusiast,

Welcome to COOPERSMITH'S, North America's oldest and most trusted international garden and stately-home tour company, now in our 40th year of crafting One-of-a-Kind Tours® for the discerning traveler.

Over the years, people have asked me, “What made you decide to go into the tour business?” My answer, simply put, is that travel has been in my blood for as long as I can remember. Having grown up in New Jersey, some of my fondest childhood memories were the car trips our family took to places like Niagara Falls, Smokey Mountains, and Williamsburg. While in high school, I savored week-long bicycle tours in Nova Scotia and Martha’s Vineyard.

Later, while attending the University of California, Berkeley, I hitchhiked annually between West and East coasts. Upon graduating, I set out for Europe, where I thumbed my way around the Continent for six months before settling in London. In the ensuing three years, I researched and wrote a guide book for like-minded travelers ( Rule of Thumb: A Hitchhiker’s Handbook , Simon & Schuster, 1973).

Back in Berkeley, where I supported my travel habit by working for over ten years as a landscape gardener, contractor, and garden designer, I co-founded A Taste of Britain, later to be renamed COOPERSMITH'S One-of-a-Kind Tours®. My passion was, and still is, crafting unique, small-group, upscale garden and manor-house tours that I, myself, would feel comfortable being part of.

The following elements have always formed the foundation for those tours:

World-class tour leaders, with a minimum of ten years' experience in the field

Exceptional gardens, featuring private tours by owners and head gardeners

Small groups: as few as six and never more than 20 participants

Relaxed pace: on average, one visit in the morning, and one in the afternoon

Limited time on the motorcoach, with plenty of extra seats

In-depth focus on one or two regions of one country

Four-to-seven-nights in atmospheric country inns and manor-house hotels

Gourmet meals, often locally-sourced

Now, four decades later, we’re still going strong. Our tours typically fill up 12 to 18 months in advance. We have dozens of clients who travel with us on a regular basis, some up to two or even three times a year. I love what one of our clients once wrote on his feedback form: "Going on a COOPERSMITH'S tour," he said, "is like taking part in a traveling house party, focusing on beautiful homes and gardens, with Jeeves doing all the work!"

When people go on a COOPERSMITH'S tour, odds are they’ll be signing up for another one soon - sometimes even before finishing the one they’re on! Come join us this year or next and help us celebrate our forty years in the business. And see for yourself what makes our tours truly One-of-a-Kind®!

Happy travels,

"A company that specializes in small groups [where members] are often taken to private gardens rarely seen..." — The New York Times

"My wife recently had the good fortune to meet and speak with [famous English horticulturalist] Penelope Hobhouse, who recommended your garden tour as one of the two best in Europe..." — Collier Espy, Jr., Dothan, Alabama

When people go on a COOPERSMITH'S tour, odds are they’ll be signing up for another one soon-- -sometimes even before finishing the one they’re on! Come join us this year or next and help us celebrate our forty years in the business. And see for yourself what makes our tours truly One-of-a-Kind®!

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The Best Gardens in Europe: 16 of Our Favorites

May 28, 2019 by Andrea Szyper

As spring merges into summer, gardens in much of Europe are at their most vibrant and colorful.

Whether you seek out gardens as a main sight for your day or duck into them as a respite from sightseeing in built environments, it is hard not to fall in love with these lovingly cultivated spaces. They can tell you a lot about a culture and what it values. And if you are a gardener, you will no doubt come away from them inspired.

Here are some of our favorite gardens in Europe.

Versailles –  A short train ride from Paris, the Palace of Versailles is a must-see, but do not overlook its sprawling formal French gardens. Fountains, lush lawns, parterres of flowers, and sculptures speak to Louis XIV’s vision of grandeur in this vast, perfectly manicured garden. Website:  http://en.chateauversailles.fr/ UnTour: Paris

Jardin du Luxembourg , Paris – These expansive flower gardens, walking paths, orchard, fountains, and lake were created by Marie de Medici alongside Luxembourg Palace. They offer a shady left-bank respite for families, who enjoy the remote-controlled boats. Info: https://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/71393/Jardin-du-Luxembourg UnTour: Paris

Jardin des Tuileries , Paris – This formal garden, stretching from Place de la Concorde to the Louvre, takes its name from tile factories that once occupied the site. Built in the mid 16th century by Queen Catherine de Medici, they were opened to the public after the revolution. Info:  https://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/71304/Jardin-des-Tuileries UnTour: Paris

Parc de la Ciutadella , Barcelona – Citadel Park is a vast green space that includes the city’s zoo and natural science museum, along with a lake and regal fountain. Enjoy its many statues, monuments, and palm trees. It is a local favorite for wedding photos too. More info:  https://www.barcelona.de/en/barcelona-parc-ciutadella.html UnTour: Barcelona

Generalife Gardens , Granada – Translated as the Architect’s Garden in Arabic, Generalife is among the world’s oldest surviving Moorish gardens, though much was reconstructed in the 19th century. It is distinct in its structure with flowers, pilars, and a stunning water garden. Website:  https://www.alhambradegranada.org/en/info/generalife/thegeneralife.asp UnTour: Andalusia

La Foce , Tuscany – This stunning formal garden is a blend of English and Italian design, set on the estate of Iris Origo, who became famous for he moving account of WWII in the Val D’Orcia. Its roses, box hedges, and countryside views are remarkable. Website:  https://www.lafoce.com/it/ UnTour: Tuscany

Boboli Gardens , Florence – On the other side of the Arno, behind the Patti Palace, you’ll find the formal gardens and sprawling slopes of this park. Established by the Medici, these Renaissance gardens rise above the historic center of town and offer stunning views over the Duomo. Website:  https://www.uffizi.it/giardino-boboli/ UnTour: Florence

Borghese Garden , Rome – This lovely green space contains the Villa Borghese and Modern Art Museums but also offers a vast green space and lots of shaded paths, sculpture, and even space for a casual bocce match among friends. The Romans relax, bike, and picnic here. Website:  https://www.villaborghesetours.com/info/villa-borghese-gardens/ UnTour: Rome

Vrtba Garden – Located on the slope of the Petřín Hill, in Mala Strana, this High Baroque garden is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Set alongside three other Baroque gardens near the Vrtba Palace, this formal garden is stunning, a must see. Website:  https://www.vrtbovska.cz/ UnTour: Prague

Mirabell Garden , Salzburg – Anyone who has seen The Sound of Music knows this grand formal garden that compliments the Mirabell Palace. It is flush with flowers and laced with walking paths. Enjoy the fountains and shade of this lovely Baroque garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Website:  https://www.salzburg.info/de/sehenswertes/top10/schloss-mirabell UnTour: Salzburg

Volksgarten , Vienna – On the grounds of the Hofburg palace, this grand, sprawling garden was built in the 1820s on the site of the fortifications that were destroyed by Napoleon. This People’s Garden includes two fountains and numerous temples and monuments. More info:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volksgarten,_Vienna UnTour: Vienna

Keukenhof Gardens , Lisse – Open for 8 weeks a season, normally starting the last week in March, the Keukenhof showcases some 7 million spring-flowering bulbs. Find every variety of tulips under the sun, alongside other colorful blooms in beds that go on forever! Website:  https://keukenhof.nl/en/ UnTour: Leiden

Botanical Gardens , Leiden – The Hortus Botanicus of Leiden is the oldest garden in the Netherlands, dating from the late 16th century. It features newer and historic greenhouses and a Japanese Garden that showcases the influence of trade routes on local horticulture. Website:  https://www.hortusleiden.nl/en/ UnTour: Leiden

Switzerland

Ricola Gardens , Kandersteg – This is a family favorite. One of six show gardens maintained by Ricola throughout Switzerland, this garden allows visitors to touch, sniff, and taste the medicinal herbs. Visitors will find herb beds set amongst the rustic chalets so typical of the region. Website: https://www.ricola.com/en/experience/herb-gardens/kandersteg-herb-garden UnTour: Swiss Heartland or Swiss Oberland

Kensington Gardens – Distinct from bordering Hyde Park, this space was once the private garden of Kensington Palace and features the Serpentine Bridge, Italian fountains, and the impressive Albert Memorial, plus plenty of shady spots for relaxing. Website:  https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington-gardens UnTour: London

Kew Gardens –  The Royal Botanical Gardens  include a collection of over 50,000 plants, with extensive information and educational programming. Visit the world’s largest Victorian greenhouse, woodland gardens, the rock garden of mountain plants, and more.

Website: https://www.kew.org/ UnTour: London

This list is just the beginning. There are so many wonderful parks and gardens in Europe to explore. What are your favorites?

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9 of the best garden holidays for 2024

Explore flower-strewn destinations at home and abroad on these incredible garden tours

Country Living's garden holidays take in floral havens with TV stars and experts, invite you to discover the world's botanical wonders and allow you to meet the best-loved designers and gardeners to learn gardening tips and tricks along the way.

Whether you travel in spring or summer, there’s a horticultural break for you. Spring is a fantastic time to seek ideas for your own garden in fabulous venues around the UK, in locations such as the Isles of Scilly or Kent. Or venture further to Madeira with its famously fragrant flower parade or the Netherlands’ Keukenhof Gardens, renowned around the world for their riotously colourful spring tulips. Meanwhile, Italy and France beckon for blissful holidays with a horticultural slant. Many of these unforgettable trips feature VIP tours and talks by experts in the field – gardeners and garden designers, writers, TV presenters and other fascinating folk keen to share their enthusiasm and knowledge with you as you discover some of the world’s greatest gardens in their company. We guarantee you’ll come away overflowing with new ideas for your own patch. Here are the best garden holidays for 2024.

Marvel at the sensational villa gardens around the Italian lakes

After a leisurely train ride through France, you’ll spend seven nights in a peaceful hotel beside the foothills of the Alps overlooking Lake Orta, exploring the elegant gardens around Orta and the other charming lakes of Maggiore, Como and Lugano.

These include the Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto, Villa Carlotta with its lavish plant life and the subtropical gardens of the delightful Swiss town of Lugano.

Other highlights include a trip to beguiling Locarno, also in Switzerland, and a day in the Italian fashion capital Milan with its fabulous shopping as well as historic must-sees such as the Duomo. When? April and October 2024

Discover Kent and Sussex's garden secrets with Sarah Raven

This enlightening three-night horticultural break includes an exclusive talk by garden designer, writer and broadcaster Sarah Raven, who, over the course of 25 years, transformed a dairy farm into the 90 acres of botanical delight that is Perch Hill.

You’ll also enjoy a private tour with the gardeners and sit down to a delicious lunch made with the freshest produce from the garden. Guests also benefit from a private early-bird trip to Sissinghurst to see the superb manicured gardens before they open to the public.

Visits to Great Comp Garden, Scotney Castle, Lullingstone Castle, Pashley Manor and Great Dixter are also included, as well as a relaxing base in Tunbridge Wells.

When? June 2024

FIND OUT MORE

Celebrate Madeira’s colourful Flower Festival

Some of Madeira's finest gardens, including the Palheiro Gardens, Funchal Botanical Gardens and Monte Palace Gardens, are all on the itinerary of this trip to the subtropical volcanic island of Madeira.

The Portuguese island is known as the ‘floating garden of the Atlantic’. It’s timed to coincide with the island’s famous Flower Festival, where you’ll get a grandstand seat to watch the Allegoric Flower Parade, with the chance to see (and smell!) fragrant floats passing along the streets of central Funchal to the accompaniment of live music. You’ll be based at the aptly named Hotel Enotel Magnolia in Funchal, with two swimming pools and a sauna. When? April 2023

Witness the wonderful wildlife and gardens of the Isles of Scilly

This six-day trip includes a visit to sub-tropical Tresco Abbey Gardens , dubbed ’Kew without the glass’ and established around the ruins of a Benedictine abbey by Augustus Smith in the 19th century. It’s now home to plants from across the world’s Mediterranean climate zones, including Brazil and Burma.

You’ll also take in the gorgeous harbours of St Martin’s and spot porpoises, dolphins, seals and other wildlife – including some species not seen anywhere else in the UK, which you’ll learn more about during a talk by (and dinner with) Julian Branscombe, head of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust.

Your base is Star Castle, with a pool and archipelago views.

When? September 2024

Admire the gardens that inspired Claude Monet

Spend four nights in the largest chateau hotel in France, Château de Montvillargenne, using it as a base to explore the gardens that inspired Monet’s famous paintings. The holiday includes a guided tour of Giverny – the little village where Monet lived – accompanied by gardening expert Paula McWaters. This is where you’ll see those famous water lily ponds and the gardens that inspired his work.

The perfect complement to a visit to Giverny on a Monet-themed trip is calling at Musée de l’Orangerie, where you’ll see a selection of Monet’s paintings, Les Nymphéas.

When? July 2024

Whisk away to the Italian Lakes and tour its grand villa gardens

Join an eight-day escorted tour to Italy on a trip that’s perfect for garden lovers. It’s a holiday with a busy schedule, but one that will inspire you no end. A particular highlight is a trip to the 18th-century baroque palace on Isola Bella, an island in the middle of Lake Maggiore. The gardens here are said to be modelled on the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

A special departure in March 2024 included a guest visit from Gardeners’ World presenter Carol Klein, who will join you on a trip and will be on hand to answer your gardening questions. And if you’ve ever wondered how to make the most of your camellias – this is the trip for you. You’ll see 500 varieties of this bloom in the gardens of the private residence of the President of the Italian Camellia Society!

When? March 2024

Be dazzled by carpets of tulips along the Dutch waterways

The sight of millions of brightly coloured spring flowers is a vision to behold – and one you can enjoy at its most spectacular on a four-night cruise along the Dutch waterways in April 2024.

You’ll follow a wonderful itinerary on this exceptional garden holiday, departing from Amsterdam and sailing to Enkhuizen, then Rotterdam, before the Dutch countryside reveals itself around Kinderdijik, where iconic windmills overlook the canal. Your penultimate day includes a visit to the bulb fields of Keukenhof, the world’s largest flower garden, where a kaleidoscopic floral display awaits you.

Keen horticulturalists will be delighted that Adam Frost joins the trip to Keukenhof and will be available to answer questions.

When? April 2024

Celebrate Madeira’s Flower Festival with Frances Tophill

Madeira is a wonderful island for keen gardeners to visit at any time, but timing a visit to coincide with the annual Flower Festival makes for an extra special holiday.

On Country Living Holidays’ trip to Madeira in May 2024, you’ll spend three days exploring the island’s gardens, including the Botanical Garden near Funchal, before the Flower Festival 2024 begins – a one-day celebration of everything floral. On the day of the festival, you’ll be joined by Frances Tophill, a British horticulturist and TV presenter.

In the days following the festival, more of Madeira’s splendid gardens will reveal themselves, including Palherio Gardens. But this wonderful holiday explores the island’s beautiful locations outside of its cultivated masterpieces, and you’ll return home brimming with ideas of how to bring a little Madeiran beauty into your own garden.

When? May 2024

Explore England's grand gardens with Arthur Parkinson

Get to know some of England's finest historic gardens on a special trip with one of Britain's best garden writers, Arthur Parkinson, who'll give an illuminating talk and Q&A.

You will discover the fascinating Easton Walled Gardens, which are at least 400 years old and have been painstakingly restored by their current owners, the Cholmeley family. On a visit to the gardens by Lady Cholmeley herself, you can learn all about the restoration.

Also on the itinerary are visits to Hardwick Hall, known for its orchard, woodland, and romantic rambling roses, and Haddon Hall, an ancient residence with a recently redesigned garden.

Another highlight is the impressive RHS Garden Harlow Carr, one of The Royal Horticultural Society's flagship gardens, where you'll see colourful rhododendrons, specimen trees, fruit and vegetable gardens and an Alpine house.

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Western Europe Chateaux and Gardens | Small Group Tour for Seniors

This small group escorted educational tour combines visits to France , Belgium, Luxemborg, the Netherlands , and Germany . During the 26 days, we will discover a selection of the finest gardens and chateaux in Europe. Our destinations also include several UNESCO World Heritage Sites , for example the royal palaces built by the Prince-Bishop of Cologne in Brühl, Germany.

From $10,406 USD

Departing Apr

• 1. Sample varieties of the best Belgian chocolates.
• 2. Visit De Kruidhof, the largest herb garden in the Netherlands.
• 3. Attend a memorial service in Villers-Bretonneux.
• 4. Roam Monet’s Gardens, Bagatelle Rose Gardens, and the Gardens of Annevoie and Keukenhof.

• Departure Dates

Western Europe Gardens Small Group Tour

Odyssey offers easy, convenient, and relaxed escorted small group tours across Western Europe and beyond. We explore Belgium, Luxembourg and France’s fairy-tale natural beauty, its ancient Roman, and Imperial heritage, its World Heritage Sites, and world famous cities, all with some truly spectacular scenery along the way. This and more is all waiting to be explored on one of Odyssey’s small group tours of Belgium or Luxembourg or France, designed for the senior traveller, and led by experienced, and enthusiastic like minded people.

This Western Europe treasures and gardens small group tour combines visits to France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Germany. During the 26 days, we will discover a selection of the finest gardens and chateaux in Europe. Your knowledge is extended by professional guides who share their studies of the culture and history of the places visited. Along the way we will cruise through spectacular and dramatic landscapes and sample local cuisine.

Beginning in Paris and ending in Amsterdam, the trip visits France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, stopping in nine key places along the way. A short tour version is also offered.

Our group adventure begins in Paris. We enjoy a tour of the Parisian arrondissement s (rounded off areas or boroughs) by both foot and bus and explore the Seine and the historic districts of the Left and Right Banks. Then, we visit the Bagatelle Gardens, a landscaped garden dating back to the 18th century. Now a botanical garden of the city of Paris, it is famous for its rose garden and annual international roses contest held since 1907. We stop to view the famous Parc Andrew Citroen, a 35 acre park built on the site of the Citroen factory.

Our next stop on our journey is Giverney , where we explore Monet's house and garden. We also visit the important heritage site of Les Andelys. The towns of Great and Little Andelys grew towards each other over centuries to form the present town. In the Middle Ages, Richard the Lionheart (the Duke of Normandy and the King of England) built the Chateau Gaillard on a cliff to protect the country of Normandy from the French Crown. We also visit the arboretum of Harcourt, which ranges over 25 acres and boasts a botanical collection of around 500 species, with the oldest specimens dating back to 200 years. The arboretum, created in 1810, surrounds a vast medieval fortress; the outer wall, moats, and facades of which are still visible.

We will visit Honfleur, one of the pivots of the Celtic Arc extending from Normandy through the west of England and Scotland. The origin of the name Honfleur comes from its Scandinavian landowner "Honna" followed by "flow" which in the Nordic language meant "cove or small estuary." The word eventually became "fjord" in Scandinavian, while in French it evolved into "fleur", which can be found in the name of many small Norman towns: Barfleur, Harfleur, and Honfleur. As early as the 11th century, Honfleur was one of the most important towns in the dukedom of Normandy.

We base ourselves for several nights in Abbeville, an ideal launching point for the natural wonders of the Normandy coast. We make a day tour to Rouen, where we see the Notre Dame Cathedral immortalised by Monet, and take in a memorial service in Villers-Bretonneux, which saw the greatest sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand troops during World War I.

Highlights of our Western Europe Gardens Small Group Tour

Other highlights of this European tour includes a cruise around the harbour of Rotterdam as well as the Moselle River. We visit the famous windmills of Kinderdijk. We also sample some of the best Belgian chocolates and visit De Kruidhof, the largest herb garden in the Netherlands. You will have the chance to make a walking tour through the Bagatelle Rose Gardens, and the Gardens of Annevoie and Keukenhof. Our destinations also include several UNESCO World Heritage Sites , for example the royal palaces built by the Prince-Bishop of Cologne in Brühl, Germany.

Note: This tour was previously known as "Odyssey through the Low Countries or Treasures of Western Europe."

Western Europe treasures and gardens cultural tour is one of more than 70 small group escorted tour offered by Odyssey Traveller each year. These small group tours visit many of Europe's must-see sights and are suited to both senior and mature couples and solo travellers. Our guided tours cater to a range of clients , from relaxed river cruises to mountain hikes. Whatever your travel style, it's likely that we'll have a tour that will suit you.

Garden lovers will be interested in some of our articles: ' Monet's Giverny Garden' and ' The Origins of Dutch Tulip Bulbs '.

To learn more, click here to find out about Odyssey's garden tours! We also offer several multi-country tours devoted to tracing gardens and other cultural sites across Western Europe.

For more details, click the ‘Top 5’ or ‘Itinerary’ buttons above! If you’re keen to experience this tour, please call or send an email. Or, to book, simply fill in the form on the right hand side of this page.

Day 1: Paris

Accommodation: 1 night at Le Magellan Hotel or similar.

Upon arrival in Paris we will transfer to our hotel individually. Our tour will commence with an orientation and welcome dinner.

Day 2: Paris

Accommodation: 1 night Le Magellan hotel or similar.

We will tour the pedestrian-friendly city of Paris and its arondissements (rounded off areas or boroughs) by foot and by bus. We will explore the Seine and the historic districts on the Left and Right Banks, then visit the Bagatelle Gardens, a landscaped garden dating back to the 18th century. Now a botanical garden of the city of Paris, it is famous for its rose garden and annual international roses contest held since 1907. We will stop to view the famous Parc Andrew Citroen, a 35 acre park built on the site of the Citroen factory.

Day 3: Honfleur

Accommodation: 1 night All Seasons Honfleur or similar.

Our next stop is Giverney, where we will explore Monet’s house and garden. We will also visit Les Andelys, where Great and Little Andelys grew towards each other over the centuries to form the present town. Given its strategic position, Richard the Lionheart, the Duke of Normandy, and the King of England built Château Gaillard on a cliff to protect the duchy and its capital, Rouen, from the French Crown.

We will also visit Harcourt, whose arboretum ranges over 25 acres and boasts a botanical collection of around 500 species, with the oldest specimens dating back to 200 years. The arboretum, created in 1810, surrounds a vast medieval fortress. The outer wall, moats, and facades of the fortress can still be seen.

We will visit Honfleur, which is one of the pivots of the Celtic Arc extending from Normandy through the west of England and Scotland. The origin of the name Honfleur comes from its Scandinavian landowner “Honna” followed by “flow” which in the Nordic language meant “cove or small estuary.” The word eventually became “fjord” in Scandinavian, while in French it evolved into “fleur”, which can be found in the name of many small Norman towns: Barfleur, Harfleur, and Honfleur. As early as the 11th century, Honfleur was one of the most important towns in the dukedom of Normandy.

Day 4: Honfleur

Today we will see Cambremer and its park at Jardin du Pays d’Auge. The park consists of a well-maintained series of gardens set around a 17th century farm and other buildings, as well as 2 small museums (one dedicated to old tools and the other to the boulangerie). Located a few minutes from Cambremer, we will visit Crevecoeur and its chateau, and then we will travel to Victot Pontfol, heart of the Calvados area of Normandy. We will explore the archetypical Normandy village of Beuvron-en-Auge by foot.

Day 5: Abbeville

Accommodation: 3 nights at Mercure Abbeville or similar.

We will visit Rouen to see the Notre Dame Cathedral, the abbey church of Saint-Ouen, Saint Maclou church, and the Normandy parliament building. We will also visit the Gros Horloge and the Aître St Maclou (the Hotel de Bourgthéroulde), which are among the finest examples of Renaissance buildings in Europe. Apart from the splendour of its architecture, Rouen is renowned for many famous historic, literary, and artistic characters, including Richard the Lionheart, Joan of Arc, Pierre Corneille, Gustave Flaubert, Guy de Maupassant and, of course, Claude Monet. Rouen is a truly a museum city. The fine arts museum is home to the second most important collection of Impressionist works in France, while the Ceramics Museum or the Secq de Tournelles metalwork museum both offer unique collections unrivaled anywhere in the world. The Natural History Museum and the Museum Gros Horloge have both recently been entirely renovated.

We will also explore Abbeville, which is a great base for our exploration of the Picardie coastline which abounds with bird sanctuaries, dunes, forests and marshlands. Despite being badly bombed during World War II, Abbeville is still full of architectural delights such as the Eglise Saint-Sepulcre, which dates back to the 15th century, and the Collegiale Saint-Vulfran, one of the oldest belfries, dating back to the 13th century. The Musee Boucher-de-Perthes is also worth a foray and has an interesting collection of prehistoric artefacts and murals.

Day 6: Abbeville

Accommodation: Mercure Abbeville or similar.

Villers Bretonneux in the Somme is one of the most poignant places in the world for Australians, as many Australian soldiers were deployed to the region in WWI. Given its strategic position, some historians believe the battle fought there changed the course of World War I. Local gratitude in Villers Bretonneux is particularly strong, as many Australian troops lost their lives recapturing the town from German forces. We will see the 32 metre Memorial Tower which carries the names of more than 11,000 Australian soldiers who have no known grave. We will also visit the town’s school, which was rebuilt with the help of donations from Victorian schoolchildren in the 1920s.

We will then visit Amiens, another World War I site, to see floating gardens, Jules Verne’s house, and the Art and Archaeology Museum’s extensive collection of Egyptology. We will visit the La Boiselle Lochnagar mine crater on the 1916 Somme battlefields in France, which is the largest man-made mine crater created in World War I on the Western Front. Our next stop is the village of Pozieres, another strategic location on a ridge of high ground between Albert and Bapaume. We will enjoy refreshments at Le Tommy Café with traditional English fare and reflect on our valiant countrymen.

Day 7: Abbeville

We will visit Bullecourt, another important site from WWI. Bullecourt was located on the Hindenburg Line defenses, and was attacked by Australian troops on 11 April 1917, resulting in great losses. We will also see the Thiepval Memorial, which carries the names of 72,194 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces. These men died in the Somme battle sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90 percent of those commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial died in the 1916 Battles of the Somme between July and November 1916.

Day 8: Bruges

Accommodation: 3 nights at Ter Brugge Hotel or similar.

We will see St. Valery sur Somme’s upper town, which is a fine example of a medieval citadel. The Courtgain, set behind the harbour, is where sailors lived in their little, brightly-painted, close-set cottages. We will visit the Picardie Museum, which recreates life in Picardy from before the age of the motor and displays of a score of different traditional crafts. We will also visit a herbarium (or medieval garden) next to the ramparts which has a fascinating mixture of simple flowers, rare vegetables, and of course the plants of the Picardy shore. Our next stop will be the famed gardens of Sericourt, which was the winner of the “Best Park in France 2005” prize. This large garden, which covers 4 hectares, has a series of garden “rooms” and alleys linking different areas. The “rose cathedral,” a massive rose tunnel, is a highlight. The geometric garden is a kind of parterre filled with hemerocallus, asters, and other perennials which are particularly beautiful in the autumn.

Next we will see Fromelles, which is another important site for Australians associated with WWI. The Australian 5th Division, along with the 61st British (South Midland) Division, attacked here on 19 July 1916. The Australian attack here was their first serious battle in France, and the only one in which they achieved no success. Our next stop is Pheasant Wood Cemetery, where the remains of 250 British and Australian soldiers were recovered. So many remains were discovered that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) created a new cemetery for their reburial, the first new war graves cemetery to be created by the CWGC since the end of the Second World War. We will visit Australian Memorial Park, which commemorates the bravery of those who went out to rescue the wounded of Fromelles. In the middle of the park is a statue sculpted by Peter Corlett of Melbourne which depicts Sergeant Simon Fraser. Our last visit for the day is Hitler Bunker, which is where it is rumoured that Hitler was stationed.

Day 9: Bruges

Accommodation: Ter Brugge Hotel or similar.

Bruges is often considered the world’s most perfectly preserved medieval city, with its cobbled streets and tinkling carillions. Bruges is the capital and largest city in the province of West Flanders in Belgium. Bruges became one of the most prosperous cities in Europe circa 1300, but began losing its economic strength around 1500 when the Zwin Channel started silting up, preventing access to the sea. At this time people began to abandon the centre, which helped to preserve its medieval features. Today Bruges is once again a thriving community with a population of 120,000 people, and the medieval centre is one of the most beautiful in Europe.

Day 10: Bruges

The Belgian city of Antwerp is perhaps one of the most underrated cities in Belgium. The historic old city centre with its charming cobblestone lanes has tourist attractions such as Belgium’s most glorious cathedral, the Cathedral of Our Lady (Kathedraal), which resides on the Groenplaats. This part of Antwerp has remained unchanged for many centuries.

Day 11: Luxembourg

Accommodation: 2 nights at Park Inn by Radisson or similar.

Brussels is quickly gaining a reputation as one of Europe’s must-see destinations, with its small town charm, trendy bars and restaurants, fabulous food, great nightlife, fantastic shopping, numerous museums, and other attractions including the diverse and interesting exhibitions and festivals organised there every year. Brussels is also gaining a reputation as a mecca of style, art, and design. Home-grown Belgian designers are rapidly gaining global acclaim. The streets of Brussels feature art and architecture created from an unmistakably Belgian point of view that cannot be replicated.

We will visit Annevoie and its gardens. The gardens’ designer, Charles-Alexis de Montpellier, was a local iron merchant. Creating the gardens was no easy job. His first task was to dig a 400 metre long canal at the highest point of his 28 hectare grounds, and fill it with water from the nearby Fonteny spring. After that he constructed a complex network of inter-connecting underground channels running from the canal. He then had to excavate about 20 pools and ponds and adorn them with over 50 fountains, cascades, and waterfalls. It took him nearly 20 years to finish, but by 1776 Annevoie Gardens was complete, and has remained functional ever since.

Day 12: Luxembourg

Accommodation: Park Inn by Radisson or similar.

Luxembourg is famous for its spectacular setting on a rocky outcrop, which explains its nickname, “Gibraltar of the north.” It’s been the capital of the Grand Duchy since medieval times, and has now become a cosmopolitan shopping centre featuring prestigious European brands. Luxembourg citizens, who are very keen on maintaining a well-manicured environment, coined the slogan “Luxembourg, the green heart of Europe.” We will see the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. So many castles dot the rural countryside that one valley has been re-christened the Valley of Seven Castles. We will visit the majestic castle of Vianden, which is just north of the valley.

Day 13: Monschau

Accommodation: Hotel Graf Rolshausen or similar.

Founded as Augusta Treverorum in 16 BC during the reign of Augustus Caesar, Trier is Germany’s oldest city. We will see the Porta Nigra, which is the best preserved city gate from antiquity. Our next stops are the amphitheatre, the famous Imperial Thermal Baths, remnants of the St. Barbara Roman Baths from the 2nd century and, just as old, the Roman Bridge, which is still part of a main road into the city.

We will see the Gothic Cathedral of St. Peter – the oldest in Germany – and the Church of Our Lady, which is connected to the cathedral by a cloister. Trier’s other sights include medieval Hauptmarkt square and the Steipe building, the Red House, St. Gangolf’s Church, the carved stone cross, St. Peter’s fountain, Judengasse lane, the Benedictine Abbey of St. Matthew, Frankenturm tower, and Jerusalem tower. The Simeonstift museum is a good place to admire an impressive model of Trier, while the Rhenish State Museum contains the Neumagen wine ship, historical finds from antiquity, and mosaic floors. We will also visit The Karl Marx House.

From Trier we will take a cruise vessel along the Moselle to Bernkastel-Kues, a winegrowing centre on the Middle Moselle in Germany. The town is a state-recognised health resort (Erholungsort), seat of the Verbandsgemeinde of Bernkastel-Kues, and birthplace of one of the most famous German polymaths, the medieval churchman and philosopher Nikolaus von Kues. We will visit Cochem, where legend, folklore, and a rich web of history is woven into every street. We will also visit Eltz, which is a sheer, Rhine-steepled medieval castle nestled in the hills above the Moselle River between Koblenz and Trier. It is still owned by a branch of the same family that lived there in the 12th century, 33 generations ago. The Rübenach and Rodendorf families’ homes in the castle are open to the public. The Palace of Bürresheim, the Castle of Eltz, and the Castle of Lissingen are the only castles on the left bank of the Rhine in Rhineland-Palatinate which have never been destroyed.

Our last stop for the day is Monschau, which has many preserved half-timbered houses and narrow streets which have remained nearly unchanged for 300 years, making the town a popular tourist attraction.

Day 14: Monschau

We will take a detailed walking tour of Hautes Fagnes, an enormous nature park.

Day 15: Monschau

Brühl is a town in the Rhineland of Germany. Located in Rhein-Erft-Kreis, 20 kilometres south of Cologne city centre and at the edge of Naturpark Kottenforst-Ville Nature Reserve, Brühl features many beautiful castles. Brühl was the residence of the Prince Bishops of Cologne, and in the 18th century the Prince Bishop Clemens August replaced a former ruined castle and built the Augustusburg and Falkenlust palaces near the city centre. Today both are listed as UNESCO – World Heritage Sites. Until 1990, Augustusburg Palace was used by the West German government to receive foreign heads of states visiting West Germany. In addition to its many castles, the amusement park Phantasialand is located in Brühl. We will visit the Max-Ernst-Museum, which was opened in 2005. It displays sculptures and paintings of the surrealistic artist Max Ernst, who was born in Brühl.

Our next stop will be Cologne, which is one of the oldest cities in Germany which has been drawing visitors since at least the year 50 AD, when it was officially founded as the Roman outpost of Colonia. Today the city’s big attractions are the ancient cathedral, miraculously maintained intact after the city was intensively bombed during World War II, as well as not the Rhine River. Eau de cologne was invented here in 1709. Our last visit for the day will be the city the Germans know as Köln, which is celebrated for its native beer called Kölsch, and is often described as the city that most of all defines the ever-present River Rhine.

Day 16: Monschau

We will have an extended morning for our party to explore the Monschau historical Old Town, located amidst the famous hedges and impressive scenery of the surrounding Venn region. As a stroll through its winding alleys will soon reveal, the romantic half-timbered houses offer a rich mosaic of art, culture, and museums.

Day 17: The Hague

Accommodation: 2 nights at Ibis Den Haag Centre hotel or similar.

Aachen is just over the border from Holland, sometimes referred to as the Spa of Kings. We will visit Aachen Cathedral, which is the coronation church of more than 30 German kings. It is home to the marble tomb of Charlemagne, founder of the Holy Roman Empire. The tomb is decorated with a relief of the abduction of the Roman goddess Proserpina. The cathedral also features a silver and gold bust of Charlemagne and the medieval Cross of Lothair (990 AD), which is encased in gold and silver and encrusted with gems and pearls.

Aachen is known for the Charlemagne Prize, for politicians who advance European unity. Aachen is also known for the Aachen Printen, a 500 year old local product which is still sold by bakeries. It is a hard, spicy biscuit, made in a mould and bearing an imprint of a person or scene. Aachen’s Drielandenpunt is also on our schedule. It is a border tripoint, where the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium meet. It is a popular visitor attraction, offering chips, beer, its own bus service and play facilities for children.

Day 18: The Hague

Accommodation: Ibis Den Haag Centre hotel or similar.

Rotterdam is known for its harbour, which we will explore in a cruise. It is the largest port in Europe, known for its skyline. In World War II, large parts of Rotterdam were destroyed, but the city has been rebuilt in an innovative modern style. The many glass and steel high-rises give Rotterdam its nickname “Manhattan by the Maas.”

Our next visit for the day will be the Hague, which is the regal home of Dutch royalty. It is an artistic, ornate city of palaces, architectural wonders, and wide, tree-lined boulevards. It is at the heart of Europe’s news stories, a small place brought to fame by the development of the EU, and now populated by a multinational plethora of important legal and human rights staff. The city is the centre of the UN criminal justice system. We will tour the Peace Palace, which is the Court of Human Rights, a site of many protests. The Hague is also a centre for art, typically hosting plenty of open-air sculpture exhibits and photo exhibitions. The Hague also features magnificent beaches, nightlife, casinos, an abundance of museums, and a 19th century covered shopping street, “the Passage.”

We will visit Tomato World, which can be best compared with a high-tech showroom. It is a joint effort by partners active within the Dutch greenhouse farming sector. Tomato World creates a platform for cooperation, education, and knowledge exchange, with a 1,500 square metre greenhouse containing 50 varieties of tomatoes in its greenhouse, as well as a centre for information and education.

Day 19: Apeldoorn

Accommodation: Hampshire Hotel or similar.

We will have a tour of the plant bulb sector in Keukenhof. More than 7 million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths bloom in the park in spring. Keukenhof is the world centre of flower arranging, and leading Dutch flower arrangers put the exhibitions in place.

Near Utrecht, we will visit De Haar Castle, which is the ideal image of a medieval fortress, with towers, ramparts, canals, gates, and drawbridges. The castle was entirely restored and partially rebuilt in the late 19th century, and it rises like a real fairy-tale castle from a park with large trees, surrounded by old gardens and ponds.

Apeldoorn is our destination for the night. It is known as the place of exile for Kaiser Wilhelm after World War I. Apeldoorn sits on the edge of Hoge Veluwe National Park, the Netherlands’ largest privately owned conservation area.

Day 20: Apeldoorn

Accommodation: 3 nights at Hampshire Hotel or similar.

We will visit Bingerden Gardens, which are on an old fortified farm. These gardens are famed for their topiary and for the ingenuity of their potagers.

Day 21: Apeldoorn

Accommodation: Hampshire hotel or similar.

Otterlo is the home of a magnificent amalgamation of art, architecture, and nature. Amidst unspoilt natural surroundings, the Kröller-Müller Museum’s collection centres on the extensive collection of works by Vincent van Gogh and the world famous sculpture garden.

Appelton Gardens in the Netherlands features a permanent exhibition park for show gardens that features more than 200 astounding model gardens. Exhibitors range from large suppliers in the horticultural and construction trades, to various landscape firms, to individual designers.

Day 22: Assen

Accommodation: 2 nights at Hotel de Jonge or similar.

Our first stop today will be the village of Diepenheim, where we will see the 17th century Warmelo Castle, which at one time was the home of Princess Armgard, Prince Bernhard’s mother. It is well known for its surrounding gardens, which were created in the 20th century.

We will see the Ada Hofman Aquatic gardens in Loozen, which feature approximately 30 gardens and 50 ponds. The gardens have the largest collections of plants, shrubs, and trees in Holland, totaling approximately 3,000 different species. There are also many animals in the gardens, including grass snakes, birds, frogs, blind worms, fish, salamanders, 22 species of butterflies, and lizards. The green frog population here is the largest in the Netherlands. The gardens also have a roof garden with a pond. A 600 square metre garden has been laid out at a height of 3 metres on the roof of Ada Hofman’s private house.

Day 23: Assen

Accommodation: Hotel de Jonge or similar.

We will visit Menkemaborg Gardens. The house in the gardens, which has been almost unchanged since the 18th century, has a moat which dates from the 14th century. The garden plan has been restored from 1705. The gardens have rectangles of clipped boxes enclosing flowering plants known to have been popular in the 18th century (iris, peony, aquilegia etc). We will see a walled garden, trellis arches, a rose tunnel, and a vegetable garden.

Day 24: Amsterdam

Accommodation: 2 nights at Eden Hotel or similar.

We will see Groningen, which has a magnificent and varied countryside ideal for cycling and walking. The most famous Dutch walking track, Het Pieterpad, starts in Pieterburen, which is our next stop. This town is also known for its Seal Rehabilitation and Research Centre, Lenie ‘t Hart. The nature areas of the most northeastern province of the Netherlands are also well worth a visit.

Next we will travel onward to Buitenposthom, which is Europe’s most extensive herb garden. “De Kruidhof” was established in 1930 as an experimental station for vegetables and fruit for the very practical purpose of trying to better the dismal lives of the farmers in the area and so it also became a garden for “medicinal, aromatic and similar plants.” Under the University of Groningenit, De Kruidhof developed into a major research centre, categorising herbs into their medicinal categories.

We will see the Zuiderseemuseum at Enkhuizen, then visit Amsterdam, the most storied of Dutch cities with its diamond-cutters, tulips, canals, and ultra- liberalism that set the pace for the rest of Europe. We will take an evening canal cruise.

Day 25: Amsterdam

Accommodation: Eden Hotel or similar.

Amsterdam is the heart of the world, with green roofs and living walls which are now viewed as a common practice. We will visit a number of roof gardens, which have a myriad of benefits recognized by project developers and housing associations, such as water retention, improved air quality, and biodiversity.

Day 26: Amsterdam

Our tour will conclude today after breakfast.

• Group size is limited to 18.
• Itineraries may change if flight schedules, site availability, and other inclusions have to be amended prior to departure.

Includes / Excludes

What’s included in our Tour

• 25 nights of hotel accommodation.
• 25 breakfasts and 14 dinners.
• Transport in comfortable and modern coaches.
• Gratuities and necessary tips.
• All excursions, entrance fees, and local guides as indicated
• Services of a tour leader for the duration of tour.

What’s not included in our Tour

• International airfares and departure taxes.
• Comprehensive travel insurance.
• Items of a personal nature such as telephone calls and laundry.

Participants must be able to carry their own luggage, climb and descend stairs, moderate walking on uneven surfaces between 3 - 5 kilometers per day. Suitable for most fitness levels

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Reading List Download PDF

Paradise on earth: the gardens of western europe.

Gabrielle Van Zuylen

Traces the history of gardens from Mesopotamia through the cloister gardens of the Middle Ages and the labyrinths of the Renaissance up to the urban parks of today, with a listing of great European gardens and a glossary.

Claude Monet: Life and Art

Paul Hayes Tucker

This lavishly illustrated book presents the first complete overview of the life, art, and times of the quintessential Impressionist. Tucker, one of our foremost authorities on Monet, offers a striking new view of the artist, showing him to be a far more complicated figure than previously acknowledged, fiercely competitive and ambitious, as well as sensitive and inventive.

Monet's Garden: Through the Seasons at Giverny

Vivian Russell

A new paperback edition of Vivian Russell's much-admired exploration of Claude Monet's garden at Giverny. This book ventures behind the scenes to chart the history of one of the world's most famous gardens, linking the world of Monet the artist with Monet the gardener. Four chapters trace the garden through the changing seasons, paying special attention to the atmosphere and light that so preoccupied Money and became the focus of his life as a painter. Throughout, the work done by Giverny's present-day gardeners is analysed to reveal the practical techniques of maintaining the most-visited garden in the world.

History of Western Europe

James Robinson

By far one of the greatest history books ever written, James Robinson’s classic of Western European history is an absolute must-read for anyone seeking a greater understanding of the power struggles and armed conflicts that formed the Europe, and the world, of today. Spanning over a thousand years, from the stunning fall of the western Roman Empire to the rise of the German industrial/military empire on the eve of World War I, Robinson weaves a beautiful, easy to read historical narrative of the major events and figures of European history. From Philip Augustus to Prince Metternich, from Charles Martel to the Holy Roman Empire and the Papal States, James Robinson’s heavily illustrated history takes you on a journey of several lifetimes, and aims to leave you better and more informed than when you began.

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Arrondissements of Paris, France

Know about Paris with this article giving the solo traveller or couple confidence when exploring the city on foot or on the metro . A small group tour of Paris mature and senior travellers explore off the beaten track, great galleries such as Marmottan , Musee Maillol .

Conserving Versailles: The Definitive Guide for Travellers

Conserving Versailles Versailles was the official royal residence for over a century from 1682 – 1789. The splendor of the palace and the hundreds of people living there is awe-inspiring to reflect on. However, at…

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France Guide for Mature or Senior travellers

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The Political and Social Climate at the Palace of Versailles The Palace of Versailles was a place of total luxury from the time of Louis XIV’s initial plans to the end of the French monarchy…

Marmottan Monet Museum, France

Marmottan Monet Museum - home to the world's largest collection of Monets, along with works by the other great impressionists - remains a hidden gem, often left out of the standard tour of Paris.

Monet's Giverny Garden

Monet’s Giverny Garden Claude Monet French Impressionist Claude Monet (1840-1926) was a pioneer of a major art movement, but he created a thing of beauty that he believed eclipsed even his own celebrated works of art.…

Monet's Water Lillies: The Definitive Guide for Travellers

Claude Monet’s Water Lilies are among the most beloved and amazing artworks of the 20th century. Displayed in Paris’s Orangerie in a set of rooms devoted entirely to the paintings, they are Monet’s gift to…

Musée Rodin, France

World’s most extensive collection of Auguste Rodin’s work, displayed in the beautiful house and gardens of the Hotel Biron, the Musee Rodin is a highlight of any trip to Paris.

Studying Gargoyles and Grotesques: The Definitive Guide for Travellers

Article to support world travellers since 1983 with small group educational tours for senior couples or mature solo travellers interested in British and European history.

The Ten Best Art Galleries in Western Europe

Are these the Best Art Galleries in Western Europe? It’s no secret that Western Europe is home to some of most spectacular art galleries in the world. These grand neoclassical buildings are hard to miss,…

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Ten Gardens you must visit in Europe

By Andy McIndoe • April 27th, 2015

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Which gardens are on your list to visit this year? There are so many, some open to the public, some private; some easy to access, some that require planning.

I think most of us have a few well-known gardens on our list of "must see" destinations that remain on that list year after year without us finding the opportunity to visit. It's really difficult to choose just ten from the many diverse gardens in the EU.

However here is my choice that I think should be on everyone's agenda at some point. These are not private hidden gems, they are mostly reasonably easy to access and in some cases you will share the experience with many others.

1. Keukenhof, Holland.

The showcase of the Dutch bulb industry. A colourful spectacle; the definition of painting with plants. Near perfect displays are achieved by planting flower bulbs for continuity and replacing them as necessary.

It is worth noting that all of the bulbs (several million), all seasonal bedding subjects and all turf are replaced annually. A lesson worth heeding.

Despite attempts to extend the season with perennials and summer flowering bulbs the Keukenhof season is mid-March to mid-May, peaking sometime in April.

Expect a lively atmosphere, barrel organs, fountains, smiles and fun. Despite the crowds the flowers rule. One of the three most photographed sights in the world.

2. Giverny, France .

Claude Monet’s garden, and inspiration for a great many of his works, including countless water lily canvasses.

Only two acres and divided by a road (originally a small railway line) it consists of the clos: gravel and narrow beds, and the Japanese water garden. Crowded with tourists and cameras it still has atmosphere.

Don't expect sophisticated planting; in summer masses of bedding plants crammed into the narrow beds maintain the colour. Get on a tour that gets you in early before the crowds.

However remember to stay long enough to see the water lilies; they don't open until the sun is on them.

3. Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, France.

The French Riviera boasts many amazing gardens.

This one, on the glamorous Cap Ferrat, features a variety of garden areas, but the formal gardens with fountains and cascades and wonderful, but rather vulgar bedding displays against the pink and white mansion are the spectacular focus. Immaculate maintenance and detail are to be admired.

If you want to know why the Cupressus sempervirens are so neat and columnar, look how they trim them. Neighbouring properties are owned by the world's rich list. Enjoy the neighbourhood!

4. Giardini Botanici di Hanbury: La Mortola, Italy.

This garden is just over the French border into Italy. Superb coastal location terraces plunge towards the sea from the Romantic Villa. If, like me, you fell in love with the film ' The Enchanted April' this will be one of your favourite gardens.

Palms carry the battle scars of World War 2 and every stone tells a story. The Italians are quite serious about its botanical importance, yes, there are some impressive plants but you will just be absorbed by the setting and the atmosphere.

Don't get too relaxed in the cafe at the bottom of the garden, it is quite an uphill walk back to the top.

5. Giardini di Ninfa, Italy.

At Lazio, just south of Rome, Ninfa is one of the less accessible gardens that is best visited with a group. This is a garden of sublime romantic beauty where time seems to stand still.

Roses, jasmine and wisterias ramble and climb through the ancient medieval ruins of the city of Ninfa. A glorious Arcadian landscape created by three women over ninety years.

The river that flows through the garden creates a microclimate enabling many rare and exotic plants to thrive.

6. Powerscourt, Ireland.

Some will raise their eyebrows at this one. Powerscourt estate was once a grand garden surrounding a substantial castle.

After years of neglect it was restored and is now a popular tourist attraction with hotel, restaurants, golf course, shops and the related paraphernalia.

This probably eclipses its importance as a magnificent grand garden. Definitely worth a visit to enjoy the Japanese garden, walled gardens, rose garden, formal gardens and the surrounding landscape.

The scale is big, is allow plenty of time to wander and explore. Another garden of the past that is enjoyed by the people of today.

7. Herrenhausen, Germany.

Located in Hanover the Herrenhausen gardens consist of the Great Garden and the Berggarten or mountain garden.

The Great Garden is a Baroque masterpiece, legacy of the Kings of Hanover and Sophia of Hanover who commissioned a French designer to lay out the 50 hectares of hedges, walkways, statues and avenues in strict geometric patterns.

Wander and wonder at the sheer scale and majesty of it all. The Berggarten was a vegetable garden (on a grand scale) which has evolved into a Botanic garden. The Herrenhausen palace was the centrepiece but this did not survive World War 2.

Today the gardens are a people’s playground and demonstrate how a great garden can change use through the ages, but still survive and flourish.

8. Hasselt, Belgium.

Hasselt is home to the largest Japanese garden in Europe. It was laid out from 1985 to 1992, so is fairly recent but is based on a 17th century model.

Covering 6 acres it is a calming picture of water, rocks, stones, maples, toru and tea houses. 250 Japanese cherries are a spectacular sight when the garden opens in April each year.

The month of October, before the garden closes for winter is also a good time to visit to enjoy the autumn colour. Various events relating to Japanese culture take place in the garden during the year.

9. Alhambra and Generalife, Spain.

The Alhambra palace and the neighbouring Generalife palace are located on the outskirts of Granada in the Southern Spain against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada.

The gardens are an intrinsic part of the living area of both palaces: shaded and sun drenched courtyards, rills and fountains, hedges, palms and citrus.

Probably one of the most romantic garden settings in the world. Separate yourself from other visitors and drift back through the centuries: imagine the carpets, cushions, silks, jewels and intrigue which would have added another dimension to the already intricate picture.

10. Quinta de Monserrate, Portugal.

Located high above Lisbon at Sintra this romantic Moorish palace is surrounded by a picturesque park with falls, ruins and hidden paths. An Englishman, Sir Francis Cook bough the park in the 1850s and set about creating a plantsman’s world tour.

Today you will find mature tree ferns, gums and many rare subjects basking in the high humidity caused by frequent cloud cover. Visit when the palace is not being used for events and get lost in the romantic landscape of hidden gems.

Years of neglect (now recued) have given the garden a special atmosphere. The sweeping lawns in front of the palace were the first lawns in Portugal; still some of the finest.

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$ 3,175 – $ 3,895

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Tour summary – what’s included.

• Visit of Dutch Wave gardens including the JP Thyssepark, Vlinderhof, Palace Het Loo, Kröller Muller Museum & Garden, Kasteel Twickel, and De Wiersse.
• Accommodation at the excellent 4* Hyatt Amsterdam Airport,  Hotel Mooirivier and Hotel Halbert
• Transportation by comfortable private coach.
• Entrance fees for all gardens and Lunches
• Accompanied by experienced local tour guide with botanical knowledge.
• Complimentary welcome drinks on arrival.  5 nights on half board basis (Airport Hotel and Hotel Moorivier), 2 nights on bed and breakfast basis (Hotel Halbert)

Tour Description

The Dutch wave tour is an eight-day excursion that takes visitors on a journey through the most beautiful gardens and parks in the Netherlands. The tour begins with an overnight stay at the Hyatt Amsterdam Airport, where guests have the chance to meet their tour leader and fellow garden visitors over complementary drinks.

The itinerary is carefully curated to include visits to some of the most iconic and influential Dutch gardens, such as JP Thyssepark, Vlinderhof, Palace Het Loo, Kröller Muller Museum & Garden, Kasteel Twickel, and De Wiersse, among others. These gardens are renowned for their natural beauty, creative design, and artistic inspiration, and visitors will have the opportunity to explore each site with expert guidance and learn about the history, design philosophy, and unique features of each garden.

In addition to garden visits, the tour also includes visits to historical buildings and museums, such as Het Loo Palace, Menkemaborg, and the Kröller Muller Museum, where visitors can learn about the history and culture of the country. There are also stops at garden shops, including Garden Tools DeWit and DuoGarden, where visitors can purchase high-quality garden tools and plants to take home.

Throughout the tour, visitors will enjoy comfortable accommodations at hotels such as Hotel Mooirivier Dalfsen and Hotel Halbert, and delicious meals are included in the itinerary. The tour concludes with a canal cruise in Amsterdam and departure from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

Overall, the Dutch wave tour is an exceptional experience for garden enthusiasts, nature lovers, and cultural explorers. The tour provides an opportunity to discover the unique beauty of Dutch gardens and landscapes, learn about the rich cultural history of the country, and enjoy the best of Dutch hospitality.

Day 1 – 25 August 2024 – Arrival at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport – Complimentary Drinks

• Upon arrival, check-in to the Hyatt Amsterdam Airport for an overnight stay and meet your tour leader and fellow garden visitors over complementary drinks in the early evening. Dinner is on your own.

Accommodation :  Hyatt Amsterdam Airport

Day 2 – 26 August 2024 – JP Thyssepark, Vlinderhof – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

• After breakfast and check-out, we will travel a short distance to JP Thyssepark in Amstelveen. Named after the ecologist JP Thysse, this park was designed by Christiaan P. Broerse (1902-1995) and makes pioneering use of wild flowers.
• After our visit, we’ll have lunch at Hotel/Café Restaurant Koekenbier before we leave for Vlinderhof garden in the heart of Leidsche Rijn on the west side of Utrecht. The garden was designed by Piet Oudolf and is one of 6 sections of over 5000m2 of parkland in what is now known as Netherlands Maxima park.

Accommodation :   Hotel Mooirivier Dalfsen

Day 3 – 27 August 2024 – Palace Het Loo, Kröller Muller Museum & Garden – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

• Today we visit two very different gardens. First, we travel to Het Loo Palace. Built between 1684 and 1686 for King William III and Mary II of England, the palace is a fine example of Dutch Baroque architecture and is now a state museum. The palace garden was designed by Le Nôtre’s nephew, Claude Desgotz. In keeping with Baroque style, it is perfectly symmetrical, has an axial design with radiating gravel walks, and includes parterres with fountains, basins, and statues.
• From Het Loo Palace, we make our way by coach to the Kröller Muller Museum & Sculpture Garden located in the splendid Hogh Veluwe National Park. The museum was opened in 1938 and has the second-largest collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh in the world. Adjacent to the museum is one of the largest sculpture gardens in Europe. Set in more than 75 acres (30 ha), it has a fine collection of modern and contemporary sculptures. The museum, its design and sculpture garden perfectly reflect its founders’ conception of a symbiosis between art, architecture, and nature. It’s a very special place.
• Accommodation :  Hotel Mooirivier Dalfsen

Day 4 – 28 August 2024 – Fortmond garden, Dutch Dreams, Appeltern Gardens – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

• After breakfast and check out, we travel to visit private garden Fortmond, a garden that has been inspired by the Dutch Wave style and which merges with the surrounding natural landscape. Recently the park ‘Dutch Dreams’ was opened including the work of several designers, all inspired by the Dutch Wave style
• On arrival at Appeltern gardens, we will have lunch. In the early 1980s, Ben Oojen = Ben van Ooijen decided to create a series of small model gardens as a way of selling his garden design services. This grew into what is now known as De Tuinen van Appeltern, which showcases the best of Dutch horticulture. This place is a major source of garden inspiration and welcomes visitors from all over the world.

Day 5 – 29 August 2024 – Lianne’s Siergassen, Kleine Plantage, Tuinfleur incl. lunch –  Menkemaborg – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

• After driving to the province of Groningen we visit ‘Lianne’s Siergassen’ first: a nursery with a show and prairie garden. Here, more than 300 different grass species are on display in the show garden and used in many different ways – alone, as ground cover, or in borders. Home to the Dutch collection of Poaceae (ornamental grasses), this is a very special place, and you will leave with inspiration on how to include grasses in your garden or patio to maximum effect.
• We’ll have lunch at Abraham’s Mosterdmolen before traveling to visit Kleine Plantage, a small-scale nursery with gardens located in the Groningse Hogeland. The basic structure of the garden was laid out in the fall of 1986 when hedges and trees were planted. In the following years, the borders and gardens were added. The garden is constantly changing, and as a visitor, you will notice how it uses hedging to ensure that you are constantly connected to the surrounding Groninger Hogeland landscape.
• Accommodation :   Hotel Halbert

Day 6 – 30 August 2024 – Garden Tools deWit, DuoGarden, City Visit Groningen – Breakfast & Dinner included

• Today, we start with something different. For over 115 years, the name of DeWit® has been synonymous with craftsmanship, reliability, and quality in forged garden tools. We’ll visit the factory, see how the tools are made, and have plenty of time to look at the various garden tools for sale in the shop.
• Next, we visit DuoGarden, a Dutch wave inspired perennial garden.  Afterwards, we travel back to Groningen for lunch (on your own) and for some free time to explore this fascinating and largely unspoilt Dutch city.

Accommodation :  Hotel Halbert

Day 7 – 31 August 2024 – De Wiersse, Mien Ruys Garden – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

• After breakfast and check-out, we travel to Gelderland to visit the moated manor house of De Wiersse. With 38 acres of garden and 74 acres of landscape park, the house and its surroundings have been lived in, designed, and managed by the same family since 1678. With pergolas, fountains, and statues, meadows and formal parterres, a kitchen garden, and mixed borders, there is a great deal of interest here.
• After lunch, we visit Mien Ruys Garden. For 70 years, Mien Ruys developed her creative ideas here on 6.2 acres. Now a sequence of thirty gardens, it is the experimental character of these gardens that make them so important to garden lovers and garden specialists worldwide. The Mien Ruys garden is a source of inspiration for those interested in gardens and garden architecture as well as an oasis of peace for anyone who just wants to enjoy a few hours of peace and quiet. After the garden visit, we will enjoy a canal cruise in Amsterdam including dinner at 7:00 pm. Later, we will check in for an overnight stay at Hyatt Amsterdam Airport.

Accommodation :  Hyatt Amsterdam Airport.

Day 8 – 01 September 2024 – Departure

After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye as the tour comes to an end. Departure from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

• Category Autumn Garden Tours
• Location Netherlands
• Grade Easy Garden Tours
• Start Date 25/08/2024
• End Date 01/09/2024
• Accommodation 4* Hotels
• Transportation Coach
• Flights Excluded
• Single Supplement 720
• Group 15-20
• Breakfast 7
• Welcome Drinks Included

What's Not Included:

• Flights to and from the Netherlands

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14 Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens in Europe for Nature Lovers

By: Author Angela Price

Posted on Last updated: August 30, 2024

Many of the world’s most beautiful botanical gardens are in Europe. The Royal Botanic Garden Kew in London is Europe’s biggest, Orto Botanica Padua in Italy is the oldest, and Tromso’s Arctic-Alpine garden in Norway is the northernmost.

Researching and conserving plants has been used in Europe for several centuries.

Scientists first initiated botanical gardens to discover the qualities of “medicinal plants” proven to work in harmony with the body to repair and replenish. Homoeopathy became a natural source of medicine derived from plant matter.

Through the centuries, botanical gardens in Europe have continued to offer the public a scientific view of the natural world, allowing them to understand and learn about the diverse variety of plant species on the European and global continents.

Scientists and botanists continue to find new methods for plants to adapt and survive in a continually changing environment.

Interaction with nature and the “great outdoors” is proven to help with stress, happiness and general well-being. This is why millions of nature lovers visit botanic gardens each year and use them as a place of solace, tranquillity, and an escape from everyday life.

In this post, you will learn about fourteen of Europe’s botanical gardens, what plants to see in each one, and other attractions they offer visitors.

This travel guide may contain affiliate links – For more information, please read my  disclaimer and privacy policy.

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions About Botanical Gardens

How many botanic gardens are in europe.

There are over 900 botanical gardens in Europe, with Italy having the most (100).

Which is the oldest Botanical Garden in Europe?

Europe’s first botanical garden was created in Padua in 1545. Its original layout has been preserved: a central circular plot symbolizing the world surrounded by a ring of water.

Which is the largest Botanical Garden in Europe?

Kew Gardens in London has Europe and the world’s biggest living plant collection. It covers 230 acres of land.

Which is the smallest Botanical Garden in Europe?

Founded in the 19th century, the Jurij Fedkovich National University Botanic Garden in Ukraine is the smallest in Europe at 3.5 hectares.

Facts about Botanical Gardens in Europe were gathered from BGCI (Botanical Gardens Conservation International)

Botanical Gardens in the United Kingdom

Royal botanic gardens kew – england.

Created in 1759 by the mother of King George lll, the stunning gardens at Kew cover 230 acres on the outskirts of London and house the world’s most extensive collection of botanical plants.

In 2003, UNESCO classed Kew Gardens as a World Heritage Site for its dedication to engaging in cutting-edge scientific research and its remarkable diversity of over 50,000 living plants.

Kew Gardens is the perfect day trip from central London. You can escape the city’s hustle and bustle and find solace in the enchanting highlights of one of the most famous gardens in Europe.

Explore the majestic arboretum – planted in the 17th century, then move on to the Great Pagoda adorned with colourful dragons. Climb the 253 steps to the top and be rewarded with far-reaching views of London.

The top visitor attractions are the cathedral-like palm and temperate glasshouses, which house exotic and tender plant varieties. They are located by the vast Kew Garden Lake, which takes centre stage.

If you want to experience living in a beehive, a unique installation called “The Hive” can do just that!

My favourite area is the Great Broad Walk, which has flower borders designed with over 30,000 plants.

In summer, it is a riot of colour, with seating areas allowing you to appreciate the flora and fauna fully.

Other things to see at Kew are the Treetop walkway, Kew Palace (the home of King George lll and Queen Charlotte), the Royal Kitchens, and Queen Charlotte’s cottage.

Kew also has a satellite location at Wakehurst in Sussex, which is well worth a visit. It has 500 acres of woodland and is the world’s largest seed conservation project.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Scotland

Founded in 1670 in a humble abode near Holyrood Palace , Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden is the second oldest in the UK and was initially used for growing medicinal plants.

Today, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a scientific centre to research, study and conserve a 13,300 variety of plant species covering 70 acres of beautiful landscape.

One of the primary highlights of the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden is a visit to the glasshouses. These buildings, dating back to 1858, are a delight to visit any time of the year.

Ten different climatic zones are home to 3,000 exotic plants from around the world, including a 200-year-old palm tree. The Botanic Garden is one of the best free things to do in Edinburgh ; however, there’s a small charge to enter the glasshouses.

A visit to the Rock Garden is undoubtedly one of the things you should do.

Climb the rock garden and enjoy the sweeping views of Edinburgh city’s skyline and beautiful collections of plants from the world’s mountains.

Wander through the 70-acre gardens admiring the Chinese hillside, Queen Mother’s Memorial Garden, beech hedge, herbaceous border, alpine house and courtyard, and the woodlands.

Located off the A902 and only one mile from the city centre, visiting the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh is one of the many incredible things to do in Edinburgh.

There are two entrances to the garden. Depending on the direction you come or the mode of transport you use, you can choose to enter from Inverleith Row or Arboteum Place.

Photo Credit: Country Hopping Couple  

Botanical Gardens in France

Jardin exotique d’eze.

Situated on the craggy hilltop of the medieval village of Eze in southern France, the Jardin Exotique is a beautiful garden.

It was created in the ruins of a former chateau destroyed during WW2. Wind your way through cobbled alleyways and up through the enchanting village of Eze until you finally reach the top, where you will discover the exotic gardens.

Once you have paid a small fee, you will enter the south-facing side of the garden and see numerous species of succulent plants and cacti.

Follow the garden pathways, which are full of information about Eze’s artistic and historical heritage, until you reach the north face. This side of the garden hosts Mediterranean plants and those from humid regions.

Seating areas and shaded spots offer visitors a place for contemplation and enjoyment.

For me, the sensational views out to the Mediterranean Sea took my breath away. Take a day trip to Jardin Exotique d’Eze from Nice and explore the village and this beautiful French botanical garden.

Jardin des Plantes Botanical Garden – Paris

The Jardin des Plantes is a botanical garden in Paris. It is lesser known than the Tuileries Gardens or the Luxembourg Gardens, the two most famous gardens in Paris, but if you have more than  two days in Paris , you should pay a visit!

The Jardin des Plantes is in the 5th district of Paris, on the Seine’s Left Bank. Its history dates back to the 17th century.

King Louis XIII inaugurated it in 1635 as the Royal Garden of Medicinal Plants. Although its primary purpose was to train future doctors and pharmacists, it was still open for the public to enjoy. 

Today, the Jardin des Plantes still has this educational role amongst botanists but is also a cultural place with exciting museums like the Mineralogy and Geology Gallery, the Gallery of Evolution, and the Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy Gallery. There’s also a small zoo, a lecture hall, and greenhouses.

I enjoy strolling through the Jardin des Plantes; it is always a different experience, depending on the season.

In April and May, you can see the most beautiful cherry trees in Paris, while in winter, the garden hosts the Paris Light Festival with beautiful sculpture lanterns spread through the alleys.

However, my favourite part is the Alpine garden, especially the greenhouses, with their 18th-century iron architecture and exotic trees and plants. Visiting the garden greenhouses is like stepping back in time!

Botanical Gardens in Georgia

Batumi botanical gardens.

If you’re looking for one of Europe’s most unique and gorgeous botanical gardens, look no further than the Batumi Botanical Gardens on the beautiful Black Sea coast in Georgia.

Located nine kilometres north of Batumi in Georgia’s Adjara region, the Batumi Gardens are among the largest in the former Soviet Union. They are a lush, green oasis amid a bustling metropolis.

A visit to these gardens is one of the top things to do in Batumi and a significant highlight of  a trip to Georgia .

The gardens, which were opened in 1912 and cover 108 hectares of land, are massive and home to flora from nine different sectors, including Australia, New Zealand, East Asia, Mexico, South America, the Mediterranean, the Himalayas and, of course, the Caucasian subtropics.

Because of the gardens’ s heer area, you can easily spend an entire day hiking and enjoying them. They are incredibly green and lush, and I loved the diversity of flora in this unique space.

The vibrant green of the gardens clashes beautifully with the shocking blue of the nearby coast, offering stunning views and photo opportunities. In a city known for its casinos and parties, the Batumi Botanical Gardens provide a calming respite from the vices of the city centre.

Botanical Gardens in Italy

Giardini la mortella .

The  Giardini la Mortella  is a beautiful botanic garden in Ischia, Italy. It was created between 1956 and 2010 by Susana Walton, the Argentinian wife of English composer William Walton, working with garden designer Russell Page.

The gardens are in an unlikely location. There was no garden or house when the Waltons bought the plot in 1956. Their friend Sir Laurence Olivier described it as a rocky quarry. But Susana and Russell managed to turn the site’s ravine, rock face, and hilltop into three distinct areas for their botanical garden.

Most visitors enter the garden at the lowest ravine level. Everything is lush and semi-tropical, with gorgeous fountains, ferns, and tall trees. This area is also where you’ll find one of Giardini la Mortella’s most amazing plants: the Victoria Amazonica giant water lily.

The Amazonica has huge leaves that can grow up to six feet in diameter and 12-inch flowers that bloom twice in one night; the first time white and female, the second red and male.

Moving up through the rocky hillside, you’ll find more lovely gardens and Susana and Williams’ tombs in the garden.

At the top of the hill, the gardens are sunnier and more Mediterranean. Music is celebrated here, too, with a large, Roman-style amphitheatre set into the hillside. Concerts take place here throughout the summer. 

Orto Botanico of Cagliari

One of my favourite  parks in Cagliari , Sardinia, is the beautiful Orto Botanico – Botanical Garden, in English.

Located in the central Viale Sant’Ignazio, at a stone’s throw from the historical heart of town, the Orto Botanico opened its gates in 1866. Since then, it has become home to an incredible variety of plants, including Mediterranean plants and cacti (more than 2000), palm trees (which have a fully dedicated section) and other exotic ones. 

My favourite thing about Cagliari’s Orto Botanico is the archaeological remains within its grounds. These include the remains of a Roman thermal bath, domestic buildings, and a water cistern.

What I love about it is that despite being in the centre of town, you will feel completely immersed in nature as soon as you enter . The sound of leaves moving about, the breeze blowing, and the birds and other animals living in the trees are relaxing.

It’s the perfect spot for a picnic. Although there is no café at the park, you can find several places to buy food right across the street or in the nearby Corso Vittorio Emanuele II.

The Orto Botanico opens every day at 9:00 am. Closing time varies each season (it’s 8:00 pm in the peak summer months).

Botanical Gardens in the Madeira

The monte palace garden.

The Monte Palace Tropical Garden is on one of the highest hills in Funchal on the island of Madeira .

This stunning tropical garden spread over 70,000 square meters, is home to plants from all over the world. It is one of several beautiful gardens in Madeira, including the renowned Botanical Gardens of Madeira.

The Tropical Garden of Funchal is known for its beautifully arranged and lush gardens. It is also notable for the various theme gardens, such as Oriental Gardens, inspired by the Chinese and Japanese cultures.

Things to See in the Monte Palace Garden

These gardens promise to take you to another world and show you the best of it. Within the Oriental Gardens, one would find many ponds full of Koi fish, orchid gardens, meditation spots, and many Buddhist statues and ornaments.

Going deeper into the gardens of Monte Palace, one would find the museums showing the riches of various cultures across the globe. One of the museums is dedicated to the Zimbabwean culture and has a great collection of wooden sculptures and various artefacts used in rituals.

Next to it is the “Mother Nature’s secrets” museum, known for its rich collection of minerals and gems from all of Portugal’s ex-colonies. Some of the precious stones are massive and worth seeing.

Finally, you will end up at the Tile Museum, which houses a jaw-dropping collection of Portuguese tiles dating back to the 15th century. Inspired by Moorish culture, they are painted in various colours and display various nativity scenes.

At the end of your trip, you will finally reach the Monte Palace, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and a beautiful pond full of swans.

In the past, the palace was a hotel that welcomed some of Europe’s wealthiest people and offered them romantic boat rides around the pond.

The Monte Palace Tropical Garden is a genuinely stunning garden worth visiting and is situated in one of the most stunning locations in Portugal.

Botanical Gardens in the Netherlands

Keukenhof gardens.

While not officially listed as a botanical garden, Keukenhof in the Netherlands  is the world’s most impressive and beautiful flower garden.

Over seven million spring flower bulbs are planted yearly and bloom in the most intricate and colourful patterns the following spring.

If there’s one place in the world I can visit repeatedly , it is Keukenhof. I’ve already been to Keukenhof nine times, and every year, it is different.

I can’t stop admiring the variety of tulips; I discover a new type each time I look. No wonder this is one of the best places to see tulips in the Netherlands, as Keukenhof has over 800 kinds of tulips! 

The park’s theme changes yearly, and the gardeners create a unique floral mosaic to celebrate it. There is also a flower parade with amazing floats decorated with tulips and other spring flowers.

Besides tulips, there are also crocuses, hyacinths, daffodils, snowdrops, bluebells, lilies of the valley, and irises. Various themes separate the beautifully landscaped gardens: a Japanese garden, an inspirational garden, and a Renaissance garden, to name a few.

Keukenhof is near Lisse, in the Bulb Region (Bollenstreek), an area famous for flower bulb farms. The park is open only in spring, from around 20 March to 10 May, although the dates change each year.

Recommended Keukenhof Gardens Tours

 hortus botanicus leiden.

The oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands is the Hortus Botanicus, founded in 1590 by the century-old Leiden University. 

The garden was established to grow medicinal plants for the medical faculty, but Hortus grew over the years, and many more plants and trees were added. It once carried out horticultural experiments, creating today’s famous Dutch tulips. 

The greenhouses were added between 1850 and 1890, allowing Hortus to grow more exotic species despite the cold Dutch climate.

Hortus Botanicus has some fantastic species, like the oldest plant still in the garden, a Liriodendron (tulip tree) from 1716.

If you visit at the right time, you may see the spectacular giant water lily that flowers once each year. You can also wander around the Hortus Botanicus greenhouses, stroll through the inner and outdoor gardens, and learn about the Hortus Observatory.

The botanical garden is in  Leiden, a lovely city with historic buildings and canals similar to Amsterdam.

Stroll around the charming streets and absorb the historical vibe while admiring the monuments and bridges and trying to read the Dutch street art poetry around the city.

Botanical Gardens in Norway

Tromso arctic-alpine garden.

You would be forgiven for wondering how plants and flowers can grow in Norway’s Arctic conditions; however, visiting Tromso will answer all those questions.

The Tromso Arctic-Alpine Botanical Garden is Europe’s northernmost garden. It is just outside the main town, famous for being the Gateway to the Arctic and a place to visit to see the Aurelia Borealis. It is located on the grounds of Tromso University and is free to enter.

The best time to go is summer when the Arctic and colourful alpine plants fully bloom. Wander along pathways, past water features, and across stepping stones to see the delicate alpine flowers in all their glory.

It’s only a small garden, but it is beautiful to see and to learn how different variants survive the Arctic winters in Northern Norway and return each year.

Botanical Gardens in Poland

Warsaw botanical gardens.

Founded in 1818 by the botanist Professor Michał Szubert, The University of Warsaw Botanical Gardens is a fantastic  place to visit in Warsaw  and a must-have on your botanical garden bucket list.

By 1824, these gardens housed more than 10,000 plant species, including 1000 types of Polish flora. Areas of the gardens were replaced a few times throughout the years and were developed, with sections added until the start of World War II.

About 80% of Warsaw, including the botanical gardens, was destroyed during the war; however, the gardens were rebuilt shortly after the war ended.

Located near Łazienki Park in the heart of Warsaw, these relatively small gardens make up for their size in beauty. I love how some areas resemble a giant forest while others resemble charming floral gardens .

Thousands of species from around the world can be admired here, from all kinds of shrubs and trees to roses, magnolias, and other beautiful flowers.

I also love the benches, sculptures, and fountains scattered around the gardens, which make them ideal for a morning or afternoon stroll.

The University of Warsaw Botanical Gardens is open from May to October.

Botanical Gardens in Russia

Saint petersburg botanical garden.

Founded by Peter the Great in 1714, Russia’s oldest botanical garden started as a herb garden to grow and study the properties of medicinal plants.

The 22-hectare site has 25 glasshouses dating from the early 19th century, which house botanical varieties of cacti, ferns, azaleas and orchids. A visit to the gardens is just one of the fantastic things to do in St Petersburg .

At the turn of the 20th century, the Saint Petersburg Botanic Garden was only second to Kew Gardens in London as the biggest in the world; however, bombing during WW2 destroyed 90% of all the plants.

After the war, plants were replaced, and today, botanists are conducting large-scale research with plants from around the world.

A highlight of the gardens is the blossoming cactus that flowers only one night a year, usually in mid-June during the white night season.

The gardens stay open until midnight for this event to allow visitors to experience this amazing phenomenon.

I loved walking through the allium borders and viewing the giant water lilies that flower each summer; their leaves can reach up to 2 metres in diameter.

Botanical Gardens in Spain

Jardin botanica tenerife.

This small but perfectly formed Jardín Botánico is a highlight of Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife; however, this botanic garden was never intended to be a permanent fixture on the Tenerife landscape.  

In 1788, King Carlos II of Spain conceived the garden as a resting place for exotic plant species on their journey between their point of origin, in the Americas and the Far East, and their final destination in Madrid.

But whilst these plants flourished in the sub-tropical climate of Tenerife, Madrid’s winters weren’t so kind to them. Plans to transport them all to the Spanish mainland were abandoned, and they remained in Puerto de la Cruz for us to enjoy today. 

The botanic garden, with its leafy groves and ponds strewn with lily pads interlaced with shaded paths, is perfect for strolling on a hot day in Puerto de la Cruz.

This lush wonderland is home to coffee and cocoa bushes, pepper and tulip trees, and flowers that look remarkably like bananas. For me, the show’s star is the imposing Moreton Bay fig tree, which is as tall as a small church.

Please Pin for Future Travel to Europe

You may also like to read the following:

13 Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens in Asia

How To Visit Claude Monet’s House and Garden On A Giverny Day Trip From Paris

Do you need to arrange travel insurance, car hire or accommodation? Please check out my  resources page  for help planning your trip.

Angela Price is an accomplished travel writer bringing extensive expertise and passion to the world of travel. With over 35 years of globetrotting adventures under her belt and with a keen eye for unique experiences, she has established herself as an authoritative voice in travel, offering invaluable insights for fellow adventurers seeking to uncover the delights of worldwide destinations. Her motto is “live life wandering not wondering”

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Faith Coates

Sunday 13th of December 2020

I can see there are a lot more I need to visit one day. I've only managed to make it to two on this list and I do love visiting these gardens. It would make a great world trip one day to visit all the botanical gardens throughout the world.

WhereAngieWanders

Oh yes, I totally agree with you! I have spend a good proportion of this year visiting gardens in the UK that I hadn't been to before, it has certainly kept me sane!

Saturday 12th of December 2020

So much beauty. It seems many of these gardens were begun to study medicinal plants. Hooray for that as they grew into something so special, and so needed. I'd love to get back to Europe to explore some of them, but must admit the top of my list would be Keukenhof, and second would be Kew. Great post Angie.

I have also discovered many on this list that I would love to visit. I have spent a lot of summer this year visiting gardens in the UK - they just make you feel happy to be alive.

So beautiful! While I'm lucky to have visited several of these, the Kew is next on my wish list! (And while it may not meet the definition of a botanical garden, I sure love Monet's garden and house in Giverny!

I think you will love Kew, it has so much to see and do and is full of history as well. A definite to add to a London travel itinerary.

The Holidaymaker / Renee

Such a lovely article. It's hard to choose a favourite, I should like to go to all of them. I have been to the one in Eze, and have fond memories of that beautiful place.

Isn't Eze just beautiful. I would love to return and stay in the hotel there!

Friday 11th of December 2020

Those gardens are magnificent! I’ve only managed to see Kew but I can see myself spending hours in all of them.

Yes, there are so many beautiful ones in Europe and I have also compiled a post outlining some of the best in the world!

The best tours to book for the ultimate European escape

Experience Italy’s culinary magic, Portugal’s flower festivals, the magic of Slovenia’s Lake Bled – and more – with our unique European tours

Certain times of the year conjure dreams of certain types of holiday ─ like the allure of the Alps in autumn when everyone’s gearing up for their ski holidays, or city breaks in spring.

When you’re forward-planning, it can be hard to decide on one single place with so many enticing options to choose from. Especially if you want to pack in as much culture and sightseeing as possible. And with seasons to contend with, you want to be mindful of the weather, especially if you’re looking to explore the lakes of Slovenia, say, or the mountains of Switzerland.

Our tours in Europe bookend some pretty fantastic experiences, too, with free time in which to explore your destination for the night, cultural guided tours around major attractions, and events like wine tastings, flower festivals and music concerts. And if you’re struggling to pick one, you could even combine a few for an uber-indulgent, ultimate tour of Europe spread over the year.

For a 2024 trip with like-minded people, see our collection of favourite escorted Europe tours, below.

Switzerland

Right in the heart of Europe, Switzerland is a small country with boundless beauty. On the one hand you have the mighty snow-capped mountains – which morph from wintry wonderlands to summery scenes so colourful you might expect Julie Andrews to sing her way around every corner.

On the other, you get luxury hotels on shimmering lakes, fairytale towns with medieval streets to wander, and the lush ranges of the Jura. There are some fantastic ways to experience Switzerland – lake cruises are popular, as are road trips – but perhaps one of the loveliest ways to take in that scenery is by train, traversing peaks, ravines and dramatic passes along the way.

We recommend… a luxury take on the Alps and lakes

Enjoy the Swiss Alps up close with this five-day escorted group tour , which features a three-course lunch on the Glacier Express, cruises on Lake Thun and Lake Lucerne, and four nights at the Hotel Metropole in Interlaken.

From city breaks in Barcelona to family activities in the Balearics, holidays to Spain aren’t just about kicking back on the beach. Each region has a distinct personality that sets it apart from its neighbour, offering travellers a wonderfully broad scope of holidays to pick from – every time they visit.

Some love the warm, sunny costas of Valencia, or the mountainous Pyrenees of Aragon, while others might opt to explore the foodie hotspots of Pais Vasco, or the architectural splendour of Andalucía. Home to Seville, flamenco, the Sierra de Andújar National Park, and incredible wildlife – like the endangered Iberian lynx – Andalucía is perhaps one of the most exciting regions of Spain, and is as ideal for returning holidaymakers as it is for first-timers.

We recommend… seeking wildlife and culture in Andalucía

If you’re after a broad taste of this wonderful region, consider mixing history and architecture with foodie forays and wildlife-spotting experiences on this four-night escorted tour .

For those looking to bank a few more cultural moments, this small-group, six-day tour of Andalucía encompasses buzzy tapas bars, a flamenco performance, horse shows, wine tasting and so much more.

Let it be said that there is nowhere quite like Italy when it comes to food. From Lombardy to Sicily, every region has its culinary trove of epicurean delights – of which every city, town and even rural village has its own take. For instance, in Puglia you might see the same dishes menu to menu, but subtle variations distinguish it from one place to the next, even if that’s down the road.

If food stories are your thing, Puglia should be high on your agenda. Not only does it have a fantastic reputation for serving exceptionally great-tasting plates using fresh, local ingredients and recipes passed down through generations, but it’s also still relatively cheap, especially if you head away from the touristy hotspots. Emilia-Romagna is another fabulous foodie option. Described as the gastronomical city of Italy, Bologna’s regional delicacies include Parmesan, Prosciutto di Parma and Mortadella – firm favourites on the international dining scene.

We recommend… guided gourmet getaways

You can spend six days enjoying the gourmet highlights of beautiful Puglia with this small group tour. You and seven other guests will get to dine at local restaurants, visit a historic bakery, make your own pasta, and attend olive oil tasting sessions, as well as join cultural visits to the ancient cave dwellings of Matera and Trulli of Alberobello.

This six-day tour of Bologna and Modena is perfect for gourmands looking to delve into the culinary heart of Emilia-Romagna, with visits to a Parmesan factory, Balsamic vineyard, and Parma ham producer in Bologna, plus trips to the grand Duomo, Ferrari and Lamborghini museums, and a cookery class in Modena.

Slovenia is having a moment. With a consistently growing popularity, travellers are cottoning onto the fact that you can have a magical holiday with everything you want in a typical European destination – but without the crowds.

Beautiful Lake Bled beckons with its emerald waters at the foot of snow-dusted mountains; Ljubljana is uniquely atmospheric with its cobbled streets and cafe culture; caves and canyons are breathtaking in their magnificent size; and there are forests galore to explore. The splendid natural landscapes are certainly something to behold here.

Add to this a melting pot of historical influences and a burgeoning food scene, and you’ll understand why so many in-the-know globetrotters have this European country high on their holiday hotlists.

We recommend… slow, scenic encounters and a focus on cuisine

If you’re looking for more of a gastronomical take on Slovenia, this six-day tour features truffle hunting in Istria, wine tasting in Vipava Valley, herbal tea tasting in Gornji Grad, and a brewery tour (plus tasting) in Kamnik. Add to that, trips to Lake Bled, Tolmin Gorge walks, and cave tours, and you’ll leave with a well-rounded picture of what makes Slovenia so special.

Netherlands

Famous for its canals, tulips, windmills, clogs and cycling, the allure of the Netherlands is hard to resist. The Dutch country is home to some captivating cities, too – the gabled facades and waterways of Amsterdam , modern architecture of Rotterdam, and the cobbled streets and Gothic spires of Maastricht are all equally as enchanting in their own right.

There’s plenty to keep you busy when it comes to culture, especially in Amsterdam where the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Anne Frank House are absolute musts, and the music scene – especially when it comes to classical music concerts and dance shows – is diverse, with events held regularly throughout the country.

We recommend… musical magic in Maastricht

Born in Maastricht, legendary violinist and conductor André Rieu is one of the Netherlands’ home-grown treasures, and you can see the ‘Waltz King’ play on this short two-night tour in July. Eurostar/flights and hotels are also included.

With the rolling vineyards of the Douro Valley, the buzz of elegant Lisbon, the natural island beauty of Madeira, and the beautiful beaches of the Algarve, it’s no wonder people return to Portugal time and time again. There really is something for everyone, and that’s before even mentioning its culinary heritage or cultural events.

Cruises will always be one of the most popular traditional ways to experience Portugal, especially Madeira and the Douro Valley. But for those who prefer travelling on terra firma, new hotels pop up all the time, cultural events – like the nail-biting surf championships in Nazaré, or Madeira’s spectacular Flower Festival – attract visitors in their droves, and more ‘out-there’ experiences like soaking in Longroiva’s thermal hot springs keep things interesting.

We recommend… thermal dips and flower festivals

On this eight-day adventure you’ll get to taste wines in the vineyards of the Douro Valley, enjoy a river cruise in Porto, head to Aveiro (the 'Venice of Portugal') to take in the canals, and take a dip in the thermal hot springs of Longroiva.

You could also peg your Portugal trip to the 2024 Flower Festival in Madeira , the 'Floating Garden of the Atlantic'. This eight-day tour includes visits to spectacular spots like Funchal Botanical Gardens and the Quinta do Arco Rose Garden, and you’ll have time to wander around Funchal.

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10 of the best places to go in Europe in autumn

Aug 21, 2024 • 10 min read

Autumn is a top time to explore some parts of Europe, including the wonderful Spanish city of Seville. Anibal Trejo/Shutterstock

The beauty of traveling in Europe  in autumn is the variety of experiences on offer. Hit the beach on sunny southern islands, hike through forests rich in autumnal tones, or wander the streets of major cities ⁠— without all the summer crowds. The fall also summons some of the continent’s greatest flavors, with harvest season delicacies showing up in markets and on menus, whether in rustic Italian trattorias or high-end Nordic restaurants. In short, you can’t go wrong. Here are some of the best places to travel in Europe in the fall. 

1. Seville, Spain 

Best for a city break 

Autumn? Pah! Seville hits temperatures in October that many European cities would be proud of in summertime – think highs of 26°C (79°F). Indeed, fall is ideal for sightseeing: the steaming heat has abated but it’s still warm enough for T-shirt walks along the Guadalquivir River and evenings spent hopping between alfresco tapas bars. There’s much to see , starting with the Real Alcázar , the astonishing royal palace complex, with its Mudéjar architecture and glorious gardens. Then there’s the world’s largest Gothic cathedral with its commanding bell tower, the exquisitely tiled mansion of Casa de Pilatos and some excellent museums. Indeed, don’t miss the Museo del Baile Flamenco , where you can learn all about this passionate, flamboyant dance and catch a live performance.

When to go at a glance: March to May and October – warm, pleasant; June to September – baking hot; November to February – mild.

2. Dodecanese, Greece 

Best for last-minute island-hopping

Early autumn is awesome in the Dodecanese : this is when you’ll find the southeasterly island group offering largely good weather, lower prices, warm seas and fewer visitors, as well as plenty of facilities that haven’t yet shut for winter (though that will start in November). The diverse Dodecanese is perfect for hopping, with good interisland ferry connections (including to nearby Türkiye ) and a network of small boats serving smaller islands so you can mix up towns, beaches, historic sites and offbeat hangouts; this archipelago has both islands that see hordes of holidaymakers and specks that see barely a soul. Rhodes is the biggie, but interesting islands on which to linger include spectacular pebble-beached Symi (an easy trip from Rhodes); tiny, eco-pioneering Tilos, which strives to run on renewable energy; authentic Karpathos , which has managed to retain its strong traditional culture in the face of tourism (don’t miss Olymbos, the hilltop village that’s like a living folklore museum); and little-known Astypalea, with its quiet coves, castle-topped capital and vine-filled valleys.

Planning tip:  Start in Rhodes, which has an airport. Alternatively, the ferry from Athens to Rhodes takes 16–18 hours. Hop northwards from Rhodes towards Patmos, the northernmost of the Dodecanese. Allow at least a week, two if you can.

When to go at a glance:  May to June and September to October – sunny, warm, services open; July to August – hot, busy; November to April – cool, closed up, fewer ferries.

3. Umbria, Italy

Best for seasonal foods 

Autumn fruitfulness doesn’t come more marvelously mellow than in Umbria . Tuscany’s lower-key neighbor is beautiful and bounteous in this season and the perfect place for a food-filled break . Its rolling hills and walled hill towns like Orvieto , Amelia and Narni are bathed in golden light and free of crowds. Its tables are overspilling with incredible local produce : lentils, beans and mushrooms, chestnuts and black truffles, bright saffron and olio novello (new oil) from the olive harvest. A range of cacciagione (game) dishes fill the menus, including cinghiale (wild boar) and fagiano (pheasant). And the grape harvest is in full swing, making it a fascinating time to follow the wine routes of the Strada del Sagrantino, visiting vineyards and medieval villages for tastings. And then there’s the chocolate. In November, Umbria’s provincial capital Perugia hosts Eurochocolate, a celebration of all things cocoa – not least Baci, the choc-hazelnut confection that hails from the city. 

Planning tip:  For a lovely rural base, stay in an agriturismo , self-catering accommodation within working farms.

When to go at a glance: April to June and September to October – pleasant weather, uncrowded; July to August – hot, busy; November to March – chilly.

4. Montenegro 

Best for hiking

Don’t pack away the hiking boots just yet – thanks to their southerly latitude, the mountains of Montenegro remain open and awesome for ambling until November. And what mountains: the highest are within UNESCO-listed Durmitor National Park , a cluster of dark, serrated summits (of which 48 soar to over 2000m/6065ft) scattered with pine forest, lush meadows and glittering glacial lakes, and home to all manner of wildlife, from birds to bears; there’s also good walking amid the peaks and primeval forests of Biogradska Gora National Park . Coastal high points such as mounts Orjen and Lovćen offer sweeping views of the Adriatic – mix hikes here with dips in the azure sea, which remains beautifully inviting throughout October, and is wonderfully crowd-free. A week’s walking could include an ascent of Rumija, on the south coast; hiking in the Kučka Krajina range near capital Podgorica ; admiring the fall colors around Mt Bjelasica in Biogradska Gora; and varied trekking in Durmitor , with the chance to stand atop Bobotov Kuk (2523m/8277ft), the country’s highest peak.

When to go at a glance: April to June and September to October – warm, less crowded; July to August – hot, busy; November to March – cold, skiing possible.

5. Copenhagen, Denmark 

Best for cool dining options

Achingly cool Copenhagen is the epicenter of both Scandi design chic and the New Nordic food revolution – nowhere is food more creative, sustainable or seasonal than here, whether it be in Michelin-starred kitchens or farm-shop cafes, so dive into the autumnal bounty. As well as wandering the fall-fiery gardens at Rosenborg Slot , viewing Viking treasures at the Nationalmuseet and enjoying amazing art at nearby Louisiana , be sure to eat well. Start at Torvehallerne KBH , Copenhagen’s mouthwatering food market, which serves up everything from organic porridge to splendid smørrebrød (open sandwiches). Make reservations well in advance for hot culinary tickets such as Kadeau . Then take a foodie walking tour to find out where locals get their coffee and pastries , and graze Nørrebro, the city’s most multicultural neighborhood , where hip boutiques sidle up next to craft-beer bars and cool cafes. Finish at Kødbyen, the city’s Meatpacking District, to drink like a Dane. 

When to go at a glance: April to May and October – quieter, cooler; June to September – sunny, lively, busy; November to March – chilly (Christmas markets run through December).

6. Scottish Highlands

Best for wildlife and autumnal scenery 

A swirl of mist, moorland glowing in the dawn light and, perhaps, the anguished bellow of a stag angling for a fight – late-autumn mornings in the Scottish Highlands are an atmospheric affair. Indeed, travel there in the fall and you might catch the red deer rut, when the males joust with their impressive antlers to secure control over the females. Whether you explore by 4WD or on foot, it certainly adds an extra frisson to the already breathtaking lochs, glens and moors. And while it might be chilly, tourist season is over, making it a good time for quieter sightseeing: Stirling , Eilean Donan Castle , Glen Coe, Fort William . Warm up with a wee dram, and tuck into fantastic seasonal food: Scottish oysters and lobster, and plentiful pheasant, grouse and other game.

Planning tip:  Many attractions close over winter. Some shut at the end of September, but many – such as Dunrobin Castle  and  Strathnaver Museum – are open until the end of October. Check before visiting.

When to go at a glance: April to May – quiet, in bloom; June to August – warmest, long days, midges; September to November – fall colors, deer rut; December to March – cold, snow possible.

Best for a mix of island and city break

Tiny Malta has a lovely Mediterranean climate – it’s still toasty warm in November when much of Europe shivers. Indeed, with temperatures around 21°C (70°F) and seas holding on to the last of the summer’s heat, hitting the quiet beaches of sister-isles Gozo and Comino remains viable. Combine lazing around in the mild climes with some sightseeing – Malta’s small size means you can pack a lot in while also taking it easy. Spend time exploring UNESCO-listed capital Valletta and the walled former capital Mdina, known as the "Silent City", a fascinating collection of churches, museums and medieval alleyways. Visit the ancient underground burial chambers of the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum and the clifftop prehistoric temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra . Walk along the Dingli Cliffs, take a boat ride to the Blue Grotto and kick back on the beach at Golden Bay. Finish with a day trip to Comino’s Blue Lagoon , a preternaturally sapphire sea pool, overcrowded in summer but serene off-season.

When to go at a glance : April to June and October to November – warm, uncrowded; July to September – hot, dry, busy; December to March – cool.

8. Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain 

Best for sunshine

Tenerife has long welcomed sunseekers year-round – average daytime temperatures hover around 24°C (75°F) as late as November. Realistically, this is the only place in Europe where you can plan a beach holiday so late in the year. The big tourist resorts are in the south; better to head north instead, perhaps to the historic town of Puerto de la Cruz or the beaches around Los Gigantes and Puerto de Santiago in the west. If you can drag yourself off the beach, you’ll find the weather ideal for walking. At 3718m (12,199ft), Mt Teide is Spain’s highest peak and the world’s third-largest volcano; it’s a challenging five-hour hike (or a short cable-car ride) up to its snowy summit. But the island has a varied array of trails – including routes through the northwest pine forests, ridge walks among the laurels of the Anaga Mountains and the traverse of spectacular Masca Gorge – and excellent infrastructure for trekkers, with a good bus network and plentiful accommodation.

Planning tip:  Microclimates can be dramatically different even in adjacent valleys. If you don’t like the weather in one spot, shift a few miles and you’ll likely find sunshine.

When to go at a glance: March to May – warm, wildflowers; June to September – hot, sunny; October to November – warm, uncrowded; December to February – mild, snow possible on Teide.

Best for fall colors

October is a last-gasp chance to wander Latvia’s wonderful wild places in warmish weather: the days are still a reasonable length, winter winds haven’t started to blow and fall colors are at their best. Head to Gauja National Park , where you can admire medieval castles and misty waterways set against a sea of yellow-gold trees; there are hiking trails aplenty, from short leaf-peeping strolls to long routes along the Gauja River. Alternatively, head to Ķemeri National Park to strap on a pair of bog shoes and tramp through this unique environment; in autumn, the birding is brilliant. Both parks are within easy reach of capital Rīga , whose handsome UNESCO-listed Old Town is worth exploring at any time. You can also taste the seasonal bounty of mushrooms, berries, fish and game available at local restaurants. 

When to go at a glance: April to June – warming (cruise season May to September); July to August – hot, busy; September to October – mild, quiet; November to March – cold, snowy. 

10. Burgundy, France 

Best for wine lovers and cycling enthusiasts

Life’s pretty red and white in Burgundy – Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, to be precise, the two grape varieties that dominate France’s most venerable wine region, where viticultural heritage stretches back centuries to Roman occupation. Explore Burgundy’s rolling hills in vendange (grape harvest) season, when you’ll also enjoy ideal conditions for pedaling Le Tour de Bourgogne (Tour of Burgundy). This cycling circuit comprises some 800km (500 miles) of voies vertes (traffic-free greenways), canal towpaths and quiet country lanes linking the region’s most alluring attractions: Dijon ’s medieval core, Beaune ’s spectacular Hôtel-Dieu des Hospices , the ancient monastic complex of Abbaye de Fontenay , and the châteaux of Ancy-le-Franc and Tanlay . If the full circuit is too long, pick a subsection: perhaps part of the flat 240km (149-mile) leg along the Canal de Bourgogne, or the 206km (128-mile) stretch of the Canal du Nivernais between Auxerre and Decize. For a wine-centric section, tackle the Voie des Vignes route between Beaune and Santenay (just 22km/14 miles), or simply pootle off among Burgundy’s vine-striped hillsides.

When to go at a glance: April to May and October – cooler, quieter; June to September – reliably warm; November to March – cold, wet.

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Money blog: Fans fume at 'farcical' Oasis ticket prices - as we ask readers how much they would spend

The Money blog is a hub for personal finance and consumer news and tips. Today's posts include Burberry's woes, an end to certain perks for Barclays customers and Oasis gig prices. Share your thoughts on any of the stories we publish below.

Saturday 31 August 2024 04:06, UK

Essential reads

• Major change for Barclays customers next week
• Has the Nike trainer bubble burst?
• Top chef shares cheap soup recipe - as he picks best budget eats in Kent

Tips and advice

• Key deadline for free childcare today
• Eyewatering rate hike awaiting anyone coming off a five-year fixed
• Treat savings like monthly bill, says savings guru
• Young people doing 'big no-no' with holiday money - here are the golden rules

Ask a question or make a comment

By Jimmy Rice, Money blog editor

As Britain woke up from a long bank holiday weekend, Sir Keir Starmer gave the country something else to look forward to: tax hikes and spending cuts.

These were all-but confirmed in a Downing Street news conference outlining the "dire" state of the public finances.

Again we heard that VAT, national insurance and income tax would be exempt from any changes. Instead, commentators believe levies on capital gains and inheritance will rise, with leading tax firm Blick Rothenberg issuing this warning on the former...

We have two months to wait for more details - the budget is on 30 October - but our politics team has outlined which other taxes the chancellor could have in her sights here...

One of the first things to go under Labour - ministers say due to the economic inheritance left by the previous government - was universal winter fuel payments for pensioners.

Only those who receive pension credit or other means-tested benefits will still get the £200-£300 towards the cost of their energy bills.   

Even then, they could have to fill in a 243-question form, as we revealed on Thursday…

On Wednesday's episode of the Daily, host Liz Bates heard from one of the plan's critics, Labour backbencher Rachael Maskell. 

Plus, Liz discussed whether there could be an alternative - one that could keep everyone happy - with The Social Market Foundation's Sam Robinson.

Listen below or tap here to follow the Daily wherever you get your podcasts.

Finally, here in the Money blog, we looked at the hidden refund option that could save you hundreds of pounds...

We'll be back with live updates on Monday - but do check out our Saturday feature on Big Issue sellers from 8am tomorrow.

Have a good weekend.

One of the stories inviting the most reader comments this week was our feature on whether the Nike trainers bubble has burst...

Many of the things examined in the long read came up in your correspondence - with quality and price seemingly major issues for consumers...

Nike have lost their way in the running market, unless you are looking for a top of the range, super fragile, supershoe. I used to have multiple pairs in my rotation, but today I don't have a single one. Brands like Hoka beat them hands down on product line-up & quality. TheRunner

I think Nike trainers in this era are ugly & overpriced. I collect Nike OGs from the 80s & 90s. Classic Nike Air Max 1s, Air Trainer 1s, 180s, you cannot go wrong with them. MarkyG74

Bought a £180 pair of Nike trainers the other week, smudged glue, loose fabric + stitching everywhere, most trainers nowadays should come with some trimming and assembly required note. Gudgeonb

Has Nike rested on their historical reputation and not moved on with the market? Value for money, consumer ethical beliefs and young people have moved on - have they simply lost that competitive edge? Not great for trail running that's for sure! Fashion statement, maybe. Jo

Jordans have had their day, Nike losing the market. Stoneymezza

Nike have priced themselves out of the market, the price of their trainers have increased by £40 on a pair of Air Max 90s in the last three years, people won't be ripped off and will simply take there business to other brands. Matteo

Nike's bubble has burst, they ditched the independent retailer and it's been downhill from there. New brands are now occupying independent retail spaces, retail space whereby you get a personalised experience, one where you learn the history and culture of a brand. Anthony Hammond

This is always down to price. The affordability of some of these trainers is scandalous, £200 for same material as ones I get front Primark for £10. Nickgloverbirkenhead

Myself and fiancée used to love Nike. But I feel they aren't as diverse and inclusive as they once were. Additionally, they aren't as affordable or comfortable. It feels as if they've prioritised cheap manufacturing over expensive prices. This is upsetting. From a Nike fan. Niall Benson

Readers also reacted to this post suggesting capital gains tax could rise in the October budget...

These were some of the comments...

I spent many of my professional years being paid by clients to minimise their exposure to CGT. The government could (and perhaps should) require a CGT computation on a property sale, to be made as part of the sales transaction and a payment made on account at that time. Nick Taylor

The vast majority of working people earning below £30k a year will not need to worry about this. So why are the media making a big deal of it? CGT accounts for 2% of total tax so it's a good move for the people or companies to pay their fair share as it's felt like they haven't. Mike

We also had lots of mail on hotels putting up prices on nights when Oasis are playing.

This dynamic pricing is used across the industry - but this week Maldron Hotels found itself facing a backlash after what it called a "technical error" led to cheaper reservations being cancelled, and then the rooms being temporarily advertised at a higher rate.

Here are some of the comments that came in...

Booked a hotel in Dublin for Oasis concert dates yesterday, paid 200 then they cancelled it and when I went back on the same room was nearly 500. How is this allowed? Joe mallon10

Happened to me. Booked two rooms at the Maldron Hotel Cathedral Square at £253 each. Got an email to say they were cancelled, called the hotel as they were still confirmed on booking.com and they said they were all cancelled on their side but being resold at £443 10 minutes later. Katie

Hotels have been doing this for years. The minute LFC get into a final the room prices triple. Jackolfc

The prices can only go as high as the concert goers will. For these concerts they will be prepared to go very high. That's the ONLY reason Oasis are touring. Money!👍🏼😂 Hafalumpa

Hotels should be regulated and fined for doing such unscrupulous pricing. They do this regularly for events, it needs government intervention. Barbara

Planned strikes by LNER train drivers have been called off this weekend, the Aslef union has announced.

Members were due to walk out tomorrow and over several more weekends this year over a dispute about the breaking of work practice agreements.

However Aslef has announced today that the industrial action has been suspended and drivers will work as normal. 

It follows meetings between the union and LNER bosses.

Sainsbury's has announced a £130m deal to buy 10 Homebase stores and convert them into supermarkets , in a move that is expected to create around 1,000 jobs.

It said the deal should be completed next month.

The new shops will cover "key target locations" for expansion across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the supermarket said.

The first converted store is due to be opened next summer, will all sites expected to be converted by the end of 2025.

Vinted has launched a new electronics category on its app, allowing for items such as games consoles, headphones and smart watches to be sold for the first time.

Retail Week reported that the new category has been brought in due to the popularity of the limited number of electronics allowed to be sold on the app previously.

Fashion will remain the focus of the second hand marketplace, it said.

Experts are reacting today after it emerged that employers will have to offer flexible working hours - including a four-day week - to all workers under government plans.

To receive their full pay, employees would still have to work their full hours but compressed into a shorter working week - something some workplaces already do.

Currently, employees can request flexible hours as soon as they start at a company but employers are not legally obliged to agree.

The Labour government now wants to make it so employers have to offer flexible hours from day one, except where it is "not reasonably feasible".

It is understood Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is behind the move and wants to introduce legislation on it this autumn after consulting with unions and businesses.

The government has denied employers will be forced to allow staff to work four-day weeks, or make employees work a four-day week.

But some experts have reacted positively to the proposed plan, with one describing it as a "beacon of hope" for employee wellbeing.

Gabriel McKeown, head of macroeconomics   at Sad Rabbit Investments, said talk of a four-day week is now longer a "whisper in the corridors of progressive workplaces".

"Yet, despite the natural 'too good to be true' suspicion surrounding anything that feels remotely utopian, this policy could be a beacon of hope for improved mental health and enhanced productivity," he said.

He noted that implementing the change would not come without "complexities" for employees.

Meanwhile,  Cara Cunniff, leadership and performance consultant   at ThriveWell Global, said a "clearer focus on outputs over inputs may be just the thing to jolt the British economy into action".

The plan "throws down the gauntlet" and "may be just the catalyst employees and businesses need" to recruit and retain the best workers, she said.

"We're in a race for scarce talent and the expectations of the workers of today and tomorrow bear little comparison to those of former generations."

Sky News has also spoken to Joe Ryle, director of the 4 Day Week Campaign , and Michelle Evans, founder of Small Business Britain , about what they think of the government's plan.

Mr Ryle says he welcomes the move which shows that ministers recognise "the four day week is here to stay" - though he noted the proposal only allows for a compression rather than a reduction in hours, which is what the campaign is aimed at.

He says some companies which have allowed employees to reduce their hours and maintain their pay have "seen productivity being maintained and the wellbeing of workers improving". 

Offering a different opinion, Ms Evans says it could cause "challenges" for small to medium businesses.

There are lots of sectors where this "just isn't feasible", she adds, saying firms such as those in the retail and hospitality sector "can't just close for a day" or afford to hire more staff.

She adds that it's important to "be really clear" about how far flexible working can go. Smaller businesses "aren't the bad guys" and "want their staff to do well", she says. 

As the hopes of tens of thousands of Oasis fans are crushed by a tweet just now announcing that everyone who's got lucky in the presale ballot has already been contacted... we've been asking just how much you'd be willing to pay for a ticket.

Oasis revealed yesterday how much tickets for the upcoming tour will cost, after Liam and Noel Gallagher confirmed they'd set aside their differences for a hotly anticipated reunion.

Prices for the cheapest seats start at around £73 and around £150 for standing - while the most expensive ticket will see fans paying over £500.

It had been widely reported that tickets could soar over the £100 mark.

A poll of Sky News followers on LinkedIn has offered some insight into how much people are willing to fork out to see one of the biggest bands of the 90s:

The largest proportion of people (42%) said they'd want to spend less than £100 to see Oasis. Only 6% said they'd pay £200-£300, while interestingly, a higher proportion (11%) said they'd be willing to spend over £300.

Social media users are reacting to the ticket prices, as fans prepare to find out today whether they've been successful in a resale ballot.

One X user said they were "so disappointed", while another said the band were "taking the p***".

"Those Oasis ticket prices are a farce," said another.

Other fans took to social media with evidence of much cheaper tickets from days gone by...

But while some have been left feeling put out by how much an Oasis ticket could set them back - others have defended the pricing.

One user said they felt the tickets were a "fair price", while another said: "Did people really expect Oasis to charge the price of a Watford at home ticket and a packet of pork scratchings? Come on."

"Oasis can just take my money I absolutely do not care what the ticket price is," said another fan.

By Sarah Taaffe-Maguire , business reporter

House prices are now growing at the fastest annual rate in nearly two years, the UK's largest building society has said, with rises expected to continue.

In the year up to August, houses became 2.4% more valuable with the average property costing £265,375, according to Nationwide.

But prices are still below the all-time highs recorded in the summer of 2022 by about 3%.

The annual increase and associated increase in buying demand is still "subdued by historic standards", Nationwide said.

Read the full story here :

The deadline for working parents of nine-month-olds in England to register for 15 free hours of government-funded childcare a week is tomorrow.

From 1 September, the free childcare offer is being extended to eligible parents with children of this age and older.

But with applications due by 31 August, families need to act now.

Check if you're eligible  here  - or read on for our explainer on free childcare across the UK.

Three and four-year-olds

In England, all parents of children aged three and four in England can claim 15 hours of free childcare per week, for 1,140 hours (38 weeks) a year, at an approved provider.

This is a universal offer open to all.

It can be extended to 30 hours where both parents (or the sole parent) are in work, earn the weekly minimum equivalent of 16 hours at the national minimum or living wage, and have an income of less than £100,000 per year.

Two-year- olds

Previously, only parents in receipt of certain benefits were eligible for 15 hours of free childcare.

But, as of April, this was extended to working parents.

This is not a universal offer, however.

A working parent must earn more than £8,670 but less than £100,000 per year. For couples, the rule applies to both parents.

Nine-months-old

On 1 September, this same 15-hour offer will be extended to working parents of children aged from nine months. From 12 May, those whose children will be at least nine months old on 31 August can apply to received the 15 hours of care from September.

From September 2025

The final change to the childcare offer in England will be rolled out in September 2025, when eligible working parents of all children under the age of five will be able to claim 30 hours of free childcare a week.

In some areas of Wales, the Flying Start early years programme offers 12.5 hours of free childcare for 39 weeks, for eligible children aged two to three. The scheme is based on your postcode area, though it is currently being expanded.

All three and four-year-olds are entitled to free early education of 10 hours per week in approved settings during term time under the Welsh government's childcare offer.

Some children of this age are entitled to up to 30 hours per week of free early education and childcare over 48 weeks of the year. The hours can be split - but at least 10 need to be used on early education.

To qualify for this, each parent must earn less than £100,000 per year, be employed and earn at least the equivalent of working 16 hours a week at the national minimum wage, or be enrolled on an undergraduate, postgraduate or further education course that is at least 10 weeks in length.

All three and four-year-olds living in Scotland are entitled to at least 1,140 hours per year of free childcare, with no work or earnings requirements for parents. 

This is usually taken as 30 hours per week over term time (38 weeks), though each provider will have their own approach.

Some households can claim free childcare for two-year-olds. To be eligible you have to be claiming certain benefits such as Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance or Universal Credit, or have a child that is in the care of their local council or living with you under a guardianship order or kinship care order.

Northern Ireland

There is no scheme for free childcare in Northern Ireland. Some other limited support is available.

Working parents can access support from UK-wide schemes such as tax credits, Universal Credit, childcare vouchers and tax-free childcare.

Aside from this, all parents of children aged three or four can apply for at least 12.5 hours a week of funded pre-school education during term time. But over 90% of three-year-olds have a funded pre-school place - and of course this is different to childcare.

What other help could I be eligible for?

Tax-free childcare  - Working parents in the UK can claim up to £500 every three months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of their children to help with childcare costs. 

If the child is disabled, the amount goes up to £1,000 every three months (up to £4,000 a year).

To claim the benefit, parents will need to open a tax-free childcare account online. For every 80p paid into the account, the government will top it up by 20p.

The scheme is available until the September after the child turns 11.

Universal credit  - Working families on universal credit can claim back up to 85% of their monthly childcare costs, as long as the care is paid for upfront. The most you can claim per month is £951 for one child or £1,630 for two or more children.

Tax credits -  People claiming working tax credit can get up to 70% of what they pay for childcare if their costs are no more than £175 per week for one child or £300 per work for multiple children.

By  Sarah Taaffe-Maguire , business reporter

It's likely to be one of the last few days that Burberry is included in the list of 100 most valuable companies on the London Stock Exchange - the FTSE 100 - and this morning the British fashion retailer is the biggest loser of the index.

Its share price is down 1.69%, the most of any of the 100 companies, as it's expected to be booted out next week due to share price tumbles. It had been a stalwart of the FTSE 100 for 15 years.

Oil is ending the week back above $80 - higher than most of the past few days - at $80.42 for a barrel of the benchmark Brent crude.

The pound has stayed high, or more accurately the dollar has stayed weak, with one pound falling just about below the more than two-year high of $1.32. Currently a pound buys $1.31.

In an update to our previous post, NatWest says the issue with its banking app that left customers unable to access some services this morning has been fixed.

A NatWest spokesperson said: "Some customers experienced difficulty in making payments via the mobile app this morning. 

"This has been resolved and customers can make payments as normal. We're sorry for any inconvenience caused."

NatWest says it is working hard to fix an issue which has left customers unable to make payments through its app this morning.

Users have reported receiving an error message and being logged out when trying to approve a transfer, while others say they can't access the app at all.

The most recent data from outage monitor DownDetector shows there were nearly 1,020 complaints about issues with NatWest at 7.40am this morning.

A NatWest spokesperson said: "Some customers have experienced difficulty in making payments via the mobile app this morning. We're working to resolve this as quickly as possible and we're really sorry for any inconvenience caused."

Customers are still reportedly able to make payments via online banking.

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