Garden Travel: Past Trips & Tours - 20162016 Trips & Tours“Quintessential England for Gardeners: Wessex, The Downs, and the Channel Coast” Nowhere else in the world is gardening more popular than in England. This tour highlighted some of the very best that country has to offer from large famous gardens to small private gardens off the beaten path. Travelers enjoyed visits to Great Dixter, Sissinghurst, RHS Wisley. This tour was ideal for first time HPSO garden travelers. “Britain’s Wild West: Wales & Galloway” The rugged landscapes of Wales, the border areas of the Welsh Marches, and the rolling hills of Shropshire offered well known gardens, such as Powis Castle, contemporary gardens and historic garden restorations. In the shadow of the mountains of North Wales finding everything from the classic Welsh garden of Bodnant, to medieval castles and Victorian seaside attractions. The final leg of the tour highlighted the Gulf-stream-warmed gardens Galloway, Scotland. “Doon the Garden Paths of Scotland” Travelers discovered the many qualities that make Scottish gardens as distinct as their legal, education and religious institutions. Starting in Edinburgh and concluding in Glasgow, this tour traversed the heart of Scotland. Renowned gardens and unknown gems presented varied plant palettes and both historical and contemporary garden schemes. “Custom View of Seattle and Tacoma Public Gardens” This two-night bus-tour left from Portland to visit some of the exceptional public gardens surrounding Tacoma and Seattle. Travelers were treated to special docent-led tours and a visit to the limited-access Elizabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden. “Discovering Vashon Island & Its Uncommon Gardens” Situated just 22 minutes from the hustle and bustle of downtown Seattle, Vashon Island presents a sharp contract to its urban neighbor. A ferry ride took travelers to a world apart with pastoral beauty marked by farms, orchards, woodlands, serene beaches and spectacular gardens. “A Grand Adventure in New Zealand: The Gardens of the North and South Islands” Travelers explored the gardens and natural wonders of the North Island (a 10-night tour) and the South Island (a 12-night tour) and a special pre-tour (3-nights) to the northernmost peninsula and the Bay of Islands. Travelers followed the burgeoning springtime in New Zealand as they traveled south. Along the way there was time to explore Maori culture, volcanic landscapes, and natural beauty of the Southern Alps and Milford Sound.
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