ELLERSLIE FLOWER SHOW 2010

The Ellerslie International Flower Show is New Zealand's premier flower and garden event and always provides innovative ideas and fabulous displays to delight garden lovers from throughout New Zealand and overseas.

We invite you to attend this great gardening event and tour a selection of some of the best gardens and attractions in Canterbury and Otago, including Mona Vale, Larnach Castle and the amazing Chinese garden in Dunedin.

Includes transfers, coach touring, welcome dinner, all breakfasts, 3 star hotel accommodation, transfers, tour host, entrances to gardens and attractions. Tour commences 13 March 2010.

Only 4 places left.

For further information on this tour CLICK HERE.


CHATHAM ISLANDS 'FORGET ME NOT' 2010

Join one of our 8 day escorted tour to explore the unique flora, fauna and landscapes that make these islands so special.

The Chatham Islands are so close and yet so different. The flora and fauna has been isolated for long enough to develop many species found nowhere else. These include the blue Chatham Islands Forget-Me-Not, blue linen flax, pink Chatham Islands Geranium, purple Keketerehe and giant purple Sow-thistle.

The leaves of the Chatham's species are often fleshier and the trees are bigger than their mainland counterparts. Unique birds often seen on the Chatham's include the Taiko, Chatham Island Oystercatcher, Warbles, Tui, Forbes Parakeet and the rare Black Robin.

Combine this with the Moriori and other early settler history, fossil hunting, tree and rock carvings, Kaingaroa, Port Hutt and the chance to enjoy true Chatham Island hospitality.

The tour includes ALL MEALS as well as quality hotel accommodation, tour host, transfers, return airfares and airline taxes and all entrances (as per itinerary)

The departures are 1 October 2010.

For further information on this tour CLICK HERE.

MELBOURNE FLOWER SHOW 2010

The Melbourne Flower Show is everyone's favourite Australian garden show – with the venue right in the city central at the Charlton Show Grounds, shaded by old trees and easily accessible from our hotel.

This 3 night tour includes Treasury and Fitzroy garden, Apart from the gardens we visit places of interest in Melbourne.

The tour allows time for shopping at the Queen Victoria Markets or the chance to explore one of Melbourne's many Art Galleries or Museums.

The tour package includes transfers, 3 star central city hotel accommodation, breakfast daily, welcome dinner, social events, entrances (as per itinerary), tour host and a full day at the famous Melbourne Flower Show.

The Melbourne Flower Show is the highlight of the tour and even if you've been before, it is well worth a repeat visit. Tour commences 25 March 2010.

For further information and pricing on this tour CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE to see our photo's from previous Melbourne tours.


TASMANIA TOUR 2010

Enjoy the blooms and wildflowers, the colonial and modern gardens, beautiful scenery and friendly charm of this island state. Tasmania offers a huge depth and variety of attractions, areas of historic significance, beautiful old gardens, ocean vistas and extensive temperate gardens - all within a short distance.

On this 9 day tour you will visit Hobart, Hamilton, Launceston, Port Arthur and the Huon Valley. The gardens you will visit on this tour include; Magnus, the Royal Botanical, the Female Convicts Garden, Propest Villa, Woolmers Estate, Brickendon and Culzean.

This tour commences 21 October 2010 and includes transfers, touring, welcome dinner, all breakfasts, entrances to gardens and attractions (as per itinerary), 3 - 4 star accommodation and services of our tour host.

There is a 3 day extension to Melbourne at the conclusion of the main tour. For further information on this tour CLICK HERE.

AUSTRALIAN GARDEN FESTIVALS 2010

We invite you to join Barbara Mansell on her tour to Australia’s major garden event “Floriade” in Canberra, the Bowral Tulip Festival and the Leura Garden Festival in the Blue Mountains.

On this 11 day tour, visit these three garden festivals plus beautiful private and public gardens.

Top festivals, plus beautiful spring gardens including Greenbrier Park, Corbett, Moidart, Red Cow farm, Nooroo, Bebeah and more. These gardens combined with attractions in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Canberra make this a popular tour.

Tour commences 2 October 2010.

This tour package includes transfers, coach touring, welcome dinner, all breakfasts, entrances to gardens and attractions (as per itinerary), 3 - 4 star accommodation and services of our tour host.

For further information on this tour CLICK HERE.

NORFOLK ISLAND

Always wanted to go to Norfolk Island, but never quite got around to it? Well here is just the opportunity.

Norfolk Island is a sub tropical paradise with friendly locals, fascinating culture and history, great island food, lush unspoilt landscape fringed by saphire seas.

We have places available for our 8 day tours on the following departures;
10 April
22 May
3 July
14 August

These packages include return airfares, airline taxes, quality accommodation, touring, entrances, tour host, Breakfast & Dinner daily, transfers and more.

For further information and pricing on this tour CLICK HERE.

CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW & GARDENS OF EUROPE 2010

This 14 day escorted tour commences in Amsterdam and visits some of the world’s best regarded gardens including the Keukenhof Garden, with its spectacular massed tulips and daffodils.

From the Netherlands travel through Belgium to Paris. In Paris we visit the Luxembourg Gardens, Notre Dam and tour the French capital. We also spend an afternoon at Louis XIV's magnificent Versailles Palace with its sweeping gardens and over 600 water jets.

The next highlight is Monet’s Garden at Giverney, with its two distinct parts – the flower garden ‘Clos Normand’ and the Japanese inspired water garden.

No trip through France would be complete without visiting the Loire Valley with its magnificent Chateaus and gardens such as Cheteaux Vaux-le-Vicomte “the forerunner of Versallies” and Fotainbleu.

Or next destination is London, from there we explores the Cotswolds with visits to Sudeley Castle and Hidcote Manor. The tour also allows time to visit one of the world’s most celebrated gardens – Sissinghurst, the creation of Vita Sackville-West.

We cap off the tour with the famous Chelsea Flower Show, regarded as the ultimate event in the gardening calendar. The Chelsea Flower Show is attended by keen gardeners and landscapers from all around the world, with new plants often launched at the show.

The tour package includes transfers, coach touring, welcome dinner, all breakfasts, entrances to gardens and attractions (as per itinerary), 3 - 4 star hotel accommodation and services of our tour host.

Tour commences 15 May 2010.

To join this tour or for further information CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE to see our photo's from previous Chelsea tours.

CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW PLUS DEVON & CORNWALL 2010

On our 11 day tour we will see the beautiful gardens at Hever Castle, Hampton Court Palace, Sissinghurst, Stourhead, Trebah, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cotehele, the RHS Wisley gardens and more.

In addition we visit the amazingly Eden Project, the development is the size of 30 football fields and displays plants from around the world.

And of course the highlight of our tour is a visit to the “Chelsea Flower Show”.

While we visit a lot of very special gardens, you will note from the itinerary that this is not just a garden tour as we have included a range of events, castles, sights and places of historical and general interest as well. Even if you’ve been to England and the Chelsea Flower Show before, we are sure you will not have visited all the gardens we have in store for you.

Our tours focus on visiting the special gardens, not just those on the standard tourist routes. The tour cost is inclusive of quality 3-4 star centrally located hotel accommodation, all breakfast’s, welcome dinner, local escorts, transfers, entrance fees to gardens and events including Chelsea. Unlike a lot of coach tours - there are no hidden extras.

At the conclusion of the tour why not stay on and explore France on our 7 day extension – from London, we catch the Eurostar to Paris, we cover all the main sites in Paris including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre.

You also visit the Palace of Versailles, Claude Monet Garden at Giverny, Chateaux’s in the Loire Valley including Chenonceau, Villandry and Chambord.

Tour commences 26 May 2010.

For further information on this tour CLICK HERE.

HAMPTON COURT & TATTON PARK FLOWER SHOWS 2010

The palace and grounds of Hampton Court provide an idyllic setting for the UK's largest horticultural event. Featuring an exciting range of plants and garden accessories, a great opportunity to discover inspirational ideas for your own garden.

The second flower show on the a tour is Tatton Park - offering a wealth of garden delights for all gardeners, with a mix of design and horticultural excellence, the show includes floral displays from RHS award winning specialists and gardening organisers and is one of the best events in the UK gardening calendar.

The Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is famous for its roses. Amongst others they will be exhibiting the Rose of the Year.

In addition to the two shows visit world famous gardens including the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cotehele, Stourhead, Pendennis, Trelissick, Wisley, Sissinghurst and the stunning Eden Project.

The tour package includes transfers, coach touring, welcome dinner, all breakfasts, all entrances to gardens and attractions (as per itinerary), 3 - 4 star accommodation and services of our tour host.

Tour commences 10 July 2010.

For further information on this tour CLICK HERE.

ITALIAN GARDENS & VILLAS 2010

Experience the beauty and majesty of ancient Rome, Florence, Venice, Pisa, Cinque Terre and the Italian lakes.

This 15 day tour takes you behind the standard tourist veneer, as we explore the beautiful villages and cities, world famous gardens and culture of the region. It is claimed 50% of the world's art is in Italy - combine this with the history, scenery and culture and you can see why it is a favourite destination for many.

Want to Dine with the locals in local cafes, superb restaurants, learn the secrets of Italian cooking and try the great quality Italian wines.

The gardens we visit while on tour include Villa d'Este, Villa Chigi Cetinale and many more.

This tour is for people seeking an experience of a lifetime and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. At the end of the Italian tour we invite you to extend your stay in Europe and explore Provence and the French Riviera on our 7 day extension.

The tour package includes transfers, coach touring, welcome dinner, all breakfasts, all entrances to gardens and attractions (as per itinerary), 3 - 4 star hotel accommodation and services of our tour host.

This 15 day tour commences 30 May 2010.

For further information on this package CLICK HERE.

CHATEAUX, SHOW AND GARDENS OF FRANCE 2010

Join this 13 day escorted tour through France including the Chaumont sur Loire Flower Show in the beautiful Loire Valley, known as "the garden of France".

The Chaumont Flower Festival features 30 show gardens created around the idyllic setting of the château on the banks of at Chaumont-sur-Loire.

Visit this amazing show and tour magnificent palaces, chateaux and gardens of Paris & Loire.

This tour includes Monet's Garden of Giverny, the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Bagatelle Gardens, palace & gardens of Versailles, Chateau de Villandry and Amboise.

The package includes transfers, coach touring, welcome dinner, all breakfasts, all entrances to gardens and attractions (as per itinerary), 3 - 4 star hotel accommodation and services of our tour host.

Escorted tour commences 13 May 2010.

For further information CLICK HERE.

COLOURS OF YUNNAN, LEAPING TIGER GORGE, RHODODENDRONS AND WILDFLOWERS 2010

Join this 15 day tour to China to view the classic gardens, majestic scenery, beautiful colours and wildflowers of China.

On this tour experience the diverse cultures and wild beauty of Yunnan Province as we travel outside the regular tourist routes and visit towns of the south and on the famed Old Silk Road. The Yunnan portion of the tour includes Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, the botanically important Cangshan and Zi Xi mountains and the world famous "Tiger Leaping" gorge.

The Old Silk Road towns are culturally unique and rarely visited. This is your opportunity to explore this area before it is changed by mass tourism in years to come.

The flora in this area include 27 varieties of rhodo’ varying from tiny-leafed shrubs growing on mossy rocks to tall broadleaf trees, pagodas reflected in calm pools, unique tie dyed material, crafts, flower markets, quaint villages, marble factories, Delavay Blue Fir, wild maples, oaks, Yunnan Pine, birches, arisaemas, rogersias, orchids, bluebells and mints.

The tour includes ALL MEALS in China as well as quality 3-4 star hotels (with western style facilities), tour host, local guides, coach touring, entrances, visa assistance, bottled water and group social activities.

Optional 7 day extension to the Xi'an Terracotta Warriors, the Great Wall and Beijing.

Tour commences 30 May 2010

For further information on this tour CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE to see our photo's from previous tours to China.

CHENGDU PANDA EXPLORER 2010

Explore the wildflowers and wildlife of the Sichuan Province, China. On this 13 day tour you will experience the diverse culture and wild beauty of the Sichuan Province. This tour includes the Wolong Nature reserve, the chance to see Pandas in the wild, Mt Siguniang, Danda and other sights in and around Chengdu.

The wildflowers in this area include Primula, Meconopsis and Cypripedium.

The tour includes ALL MEALS as well as quality 3-4 star hotels (with western style facilities), tour host, all entrances (as per itinerary), coach touring, visa assistance, bottled water and transfers. No hidden costs or need to carry extra cash, as it’s ALL INCLUDED.

The tour commences 18 July 2010.

Optional 7 day extension to the Xi'an Terracotta Warriors, the Great Wall and Beijing. For further information on this tour CLICK HERE.

VALLEY OF THE FLOWERS & INDIA 2010

Join us as we explore India and the foothillsof the Himalayas.

This tour includes the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Jaipur, Amber Fort, Rishikesh, Hardiwar, bazaars laden with exotic spices and crafts as well as other significant places of interest in India.

This tour is ideal for those looking for a unique opportunity to see the real face of India. One of the highlights of the tour is travelling from Delhi to Rishikesh, we follow the Great Ganges River into the foothills of the Himalayas.

From here we make our way to the Valley of Flowers. In 1931 the English mountaineer Frank Smythe stumbled across the Bhyundar Valley, an 8 km long glacier corridor in Chamoli - a district of Uttarakhand state. This area, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and featuring 500 species of flowers, soon became a protected site.

Nature had designed this valley for the dedicated plant hunter and amateur botanist seeking a unique experience.

The valley is nearly 10 km long and almost 2 kms wide and is ringed with snow-capped mountains and watered by mountain streams. It is accessible from late April, but grandest in July and August.

Literally hundreds of wild flowers bloom in this valley including the rare Himalayan Blue Poppy. The valley is a naturalists delight and is reputed to be the largest repository of the wild flowers in their natural surroundings anywhere in the world.

Flowers include orchids, poppies, primulas, calendulas, daisies and anemones. Alpine forests of birch and rhododendron cover a part of the area which is also home to a variety of butterflies.

There is no settlement in the national park and grazing in the area has now been banned. The park is open only in summers between June and October, being covered by heavy snow during the rest of the year. It is a unique park, perhaps the best in the whole world.

This tour includes ALL MEALS as well as 3-4 star hotel accommodation (or best available), tour host and local guides, entrances, bottled water, transfers and road tolls, visa assistance, coach and rail touring.

This 15 day escorted tour commences 5 July 2010.

For further information on this tour CLICK HERE.

SINGAPORE GARDEN FESTIVAL TOUR 2010

The Singapore Garden Festival is held every two years and is the only international show that brings together the world's top award-winning garden and floral designers under one roof.

In July 2010 Singapore will once again showcase the talents of the world's gardening experts.

The Garden Festival includes...

Landscape and Fantasy Gardens - featuring creations by local and international designers.

Floral Windows to the World - Colourful and vibrant cut flower displays and floral masterpieces.

The Singapore Orchid Show - Showcasing Southeast Asia's rich and diverse heritage of Orchids.

Garden Fiesta - Offering educational, recreational and entertainment activities catering to all levels of gardeners.

These are just a few reasons why you should join us on tour, in addition to the Garden Festival we have a comprehensive programme that is sure to be of interest.

This tour includes quality 3-4 star hotel accommodation, all breakfasts, welcome dinner, tour host, coach touring, transfers and entry to gardens/attractions as per itinerary.

This 7 day escorted tour commences 12 July 2010.

For further information on this tour CLICK HERE.

INDIA, SIKKIM AND BHUTAN WILDFLOWERS 2010

16 day escorted tour to experience the beauty, unique plants and cultures of the northern states of India, Sikkim and Bhutan.

The tour is designed for all ages and levels of fitness and interests - with interesting and exotic plants, markets, gardens, palaces, temples and magnificent scenery, combined with time to relax and explore.

There are a variety of landscapes from snow-capped mountain peaks, to picturesque valleys and vast open plains, large areas of natural pine forests, wildflowers and cultivated crops. Combine this with hillside monasteries, colourful markets, magnificent palaces including the Taj Mahal.

The tour includes ALL MEALS as well as quality 3-4 star hotel accommodation, tour host, bottled water, visa assistance, coach touing and transfers.

This 18 day tour commences 10 May 2010.

For further information on this tour CLICK HERE.

JAPAN GARDENS & HIGHLIGHTS 2010

Join us on our 14 day tours to explore the exquisite gardens of Japan. This is a fabulous tour for garden lovers and others interested in visiting Japan and includes major tourist highlights as well famous gardens.

The tour travels from the ancient capital of Kyoto through to Tokyo and includes Osaka Castle, the Bullet Trains, Lake Ashi, views of Mt Fuji as well as other stunning landscapes and beautiful gardens.

The tour package includes transfers, coach touring, welcome dinner, all breakfasts, all entrances to gardens and attractions (as per itinerary), 3 - 4 star hotel accommodation and services of our tour host.

13 day tour commences 28 March 2010.

For further information on this tour CLICK HERE.

BUTCHART'S, ROCKIES AND CALGARY STAMPEDE 2010

Visit Vancouver, Victoria to see beautiful gardens and breath-taking scenery, including
Butcharts Garden, Seattle, Whistler and the majestic Rockies.

Highlights of the tour include the famous Butcharts Garden - a 55 acre magnificent garden
built in an old quarry, seaside Chemainus with its beautiful murals, picturesque Lake
Duffy one of the most beautiful drives in Canada, the giant cedars, temperate forests,
rivers, lakes, glaciers and snow capped mountains.

We also experience four of Canada's major National Parks - Glacier, Yoho, Jasper
and Banff.

This tour combines scenic beauty, flora and fauna and the world class "Calgary
Stampede".

Every summer Calgary comes alive as the stampede comes to town, with parades,
fun, cowboys and ceremonies of the native Indian tribes make this a spectacle
not to be missed.

The tour package includes transfers, coach touring, welcome dinner, all breakfasts,
all entrances to gardens and attractions (as per itinerary), 3 - 4 star hotel
accommodation and services of our tour host.

14 day tour commences 6 July 2010.

There is a optional 7 night Alaska Cruise at the conclusion of the main tour.

For further information and pricing on this tour CLICK HERE.

BRAZIL EXPLORER 2010

Brazil is famous for its wildflowers, brilliantly coloured birds, exotic animals, amazing scenery and world famous attractions of Brazil.

Our exploration of the flora and fauna of Brazil includes a garden with over 8,000 species of plants, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Ipanema, Savana Tablelands, Copacabana, Rio and rainforests.

We have included visits to a private garden designed by Roberto Burke Marx, known internationally as one of the most important landscape architects of the 20th century. One of the highlights is the Burle Marx mansion and garden, just outside of Rio. The garden has more than 3,500 species of plants and an extraordinary collection of images and pottery. The property was donated to the government in trust for posterity and became a National Monument.

As well as touring major tourist highlights in Brazil we explore Amazonian rainforests and the Pantanal.

Many birds may also be seen including the colourful Toucan, Tinamous, Rheas and Jabirus.

The 21 day tour package includes transfers, domestic flights within South America, coach touring, welcome dinner, all breakfasts, all entrances to gardens and attractions (as per itinerary), 3 - 4 star hotel accommodation and services of our tour host.

Tour commences 1 October 2010.

For further information on this tour including pricing, inclusions and the itinerary. CLICK HERE.

KENYA, UGANDA & TANZANIA SAFARI

This is you chance of a lifetime to experience the wildlife of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Kenya is a popular year round safari destination with a great diversity of landscapes including open savannah grasslands, the spectacular Great Rift Valley and the often snow clad Mt Kenya. It also has a great variety of flora and fauna.

Tanzania's Mount Kilmanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti conjure up exotic images in the mind of travellers, you will not be disappointed.

Meals are prepared by our own chef throughout and special diets can be catered for. On safari visit Lake Victoria, Masai Mara, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha and Nairobi.

Only 3 places left.

Tour departure date: 30 July 2010
Length: 31 days

For further information on this tour CLICK HERE.