WHERE HPSO TOURS GO
Since 1998, HPSO members have traveled together to international garden destinations in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Madeira, South Africa, New Zealand, Japan, Denmark, Sweden, Slovenia, and Croatia. New destinations - Southeast Australia and Tasmania - are in the works.
Closer to home, our U.S. tours have featured gardens in Washington and California. The Puget Sound Islands tour series highlighted the gardens of Whidbey Island, Vashon Island, and Bainbridge Island. Trips to the East Coast have also been popular. Destinations include New York City, the Hudson Valley, New England, Savannah and Charleston.
HOW WE CREATE AN HPSO TOUR
HPSO tours have distinctly garden oriented focus that supports our mission to provide great horticultural education opportunities for our members. Tours include a variety of cultural and historical sites that round out the landscape. Trips vary in duration, and they are filled with activities. HPSO tours represent an excellent value for the money.
Tour prices typically include double accommodations, motor coach and professional guide, tour gratuities, many meals, and admission to all gardens and other sites along the way. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the tour's start and finish points, including airfare.
Tours are conceived, researched and led by HPSO volunteers with experience in the relevant destinations. HPSO works through excellent international tour companies that are responsible for booking arrangements. Tours are open exclusively to HPSO members.
HOW TO GET ON AN HPSO TOUR
Tours are announced to members through emails, our member magazine the HPSO Quarterly, the HPSO Travel Interest Group (a.k.a. HPSO Travel Club), and on this web page.
HPSO Members who wish to have advance notice about tours must join the HPSO Travel Interest Group. There is no fee for joining the group and no obligation to attend extra meetings. Travel Interest Group members receive early-bird registration privileges for HPSO tours. Contact the HPSO office to join and be on a travel-interest mailing list.
Tours proposed & planned for 2025 & beyond
2025
"Southwest England: Gardens & Highlights to Land's End": A Quintessential tour of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, & Dorset for Gardeners"
May 6-8, 2025: Pre-tour to select Cotswold & Wales gardens
May 8-20, 2025: SW England tour
May 20-23, 2025: Post-tour to London & the Chelsea Flower Show
SORRY. THIS TOUR IS NOW FILLED. Due to the length of the waiting list, we are no longer accepting reservations.
"Philadelphia's Brandywine Valley"
May 12-18, 2025
SORRY. THIS TOUR IS NOW FILLED
"Ulster: The Top of the Emerald Isle": The Gardens of Northern Ireland and northwest Ireland (& Dublin, too)
July 23 - Aug 4, 2025
SORRY. THIS TOUR IS NOW FILLED. Contact us if you wish to be placed on the waiting list.
   
"Netherlands: Gardens, Art, & Architecture"
Aug 25 - Sept 5, 2025
SORRY. THIS TOUR IS NOW FILLED.
"Gardens & Highlights of Normandy & the Loire Valley"
Sep 7-18, 2025
SORRY. THIS IS TOUR IS NOW FILLED. Contact us if you are interested on being on the waiting list
Join us on this garden and château tour of Normandy and the Vallée de la Loire. While we can’t possibly see every garden and all one thousand
châteaux in these regions, we will see the best of them! We’ll also explore fortified medieval towns, dine at a winery, visit the final home of Leonardo da Vinci, see a place made famous by Joan of Arc, explore quaint seaside towns, enjoy good food, and tour the great cathedral in Chartres.
   
2026
[In planning] "East of England"
June/July, 2026
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