Phil is a horticulturist, designer, writer and broadcaster. His recent book, ‘Down-to-Earth Garden Design’ characterizes Phil’s approach to gardening; easy, straight-forward, and never complicated. Phil is a seasoned traveller too, having travelled extensively across Australia, Europe and Asia in search of great sites, great food, great people and of course great gardens. Following short stints in architecture and business and a few years fronting a Sydney rock ‘n’ roll band, he finally succumbed to his true horticultural calling in his late 20’s. In the past 30 years, Phil has contributed to many of Australia’s leading gardening magazines, written three books for ABC Books and worked as a TV presenter on channel nine’s Garden Gurus. He is also the host of ABC Radio’s Good Gardening program. Phil is looking forward to meeting you.
VIEW ITINERARY DAY 1 Friday 16 May, 2025
In flight
Our holiday begins with flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane
to London.
DAY 2 Saturday 17 May, 2025
Canterbury
On arrival we drive to Canterbury, Kent, our home for three nights. Known for
its lush countryside with apple orchards and hop oast houses we will enjoy
the beautiful countryside.
DAY 3 Sunday 18 May, 2025
Canterbury
This morning, we visit Scotney Castle, a 14th-century building with a moat
and tour the romantic garden which is set within a wooded estate. The formal
garden overlooks a quarry garden while the grounds of the old castle enclose
a rose garden. The lakeside planting adds an air of informality. Evergreens
and deciduous trees provide structure while many shrubs and flowering
plants ensure something is in bloom every season. In the afternoon we have
free time to explore Canterbury, a medieval city encircled by ancient walls,
originally built by the Romans. There are charming, cobbled streets and
timber-framed houses and the majestic Canterbury Cathedral, founded in
597 A.D. This evening we will enjoy a welcome dinner to formally meet Phil
and group members.
DAY 4 Monday 19 May, 2025
Canterbury
Today we visit two world-renowned gardens and Phil’s two favourite English
gardens. Great Dixter surrounds a charming, thatched 15th-century manor
house. The gardens were designed and constructed by Christopher Lloyd, a noted plantsman, gardener and writer who lived his whole life on the
property. Its stewardship today is under head gardener, Fergus Garrett,
widely considered one of the world’s finest gardeners. It includes fine topiary,
a magnificent mixed, long border and wild woodland. This afternoon we visit
Sissinghurst Castle, created by writer Vita Sackville West and her husband
Harold Nicholson. In the middle of May, the cottage garden will be clothed
in a myriad of warm red and golden hues. Many bulbs will be out too. It is a
garden for every season.
DAY 5 Tuesday 20 May, 2025
London
We travel to Greenwich, where we board a ferry to sail along the Thames
to Westminster this morning. We’ll see the many developments that have
recently occurred in the dock area of the river, including the tower at Canary
Wharf, which until recently had been the tallest building in London. The
tour manager will meet those wishing to dine with the group in the lobby to
suggest restaurants for dinner.
DAY 6 Wednesday 21 May, 2025
London
Today, we travel west to visit the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. We’ll wander down
the long boarders, the longest herbaceous borders in the country, and be spoilt
by the variety of aromas, hues and textures. Among the 320 metres of beds
are 30,000 plants, each selected for their beauty, colour and form, including
lavender, lilies, coneflowers and daisies. Started in 1750 as a private garden,
Kew is the world’s largest living plant collection and has the world’s biggest
Victorian conservatory. In the afternoon we visit a private garden Moleshill
House. This romantic garden boasts short woodland paths leading from the
dovecote to beehives. It also includes informal planting, which contrasts with
formal topiary box and garlanded cisterns. You will see a colourful courtyard
displaying pots, a conservatory, fountains and a bog garden.
DAY 7 Thursday 22 May, 2025
London
The highlight of our time in London will be our escorted visit to the famous
Chelsea Flower Show. It is the premier spring event in the English horticultural
calendar. It boasts many amazing, landscaped gardens built by prominent
landscapers and more than 500 displays featuring the best flowers, plants
and trees, with many new introductions. For gardeners, it is the experience
of a lifetime and a highlight of our garden tour. Phil will make sure we get the
most out of the show during our journey around the show gardens.
DAY 8 Friday 23 May, 2025
London
We will have free time this morning. In the afternoon we visit the Royal
Horticultural Garden, Wisley. The RHS was given Wisley Estate in trust by
Sir Thomas Hanbury in 1903. The garden will capture the imagination with
richly planted borders, luscious rose gardens and amazing glasshouses
which recreate tropical, moist temperate and dry temperate habitats. Trials
of flowers, vegetables and fruit were expanded at Wisley and they continue
to be some of the principal features of the garden. Several Chelsea Flower
Show prize winning gardens are displayed in the grounds. Our visit will be
an interesting look at the history of gardening in Britain.
DAY 9 Saturday 24 May, 2025
Sarlat la Caneda
Today we fly to Bordeaux. On arrival we drive to Sarlat la Caneda, which is
considered France’s best preserved 14th-century town. It’s a gastronomic
hub too with cèpes (wild mushrooms), strawberries, walnuts and truffles
appearing in many regional dishes. It abounds with narrow medieval streets
and gothic and renaissance buildings. On the journey we enjoy views of the
French countryside as we travel to the delightful small town of St Emilion, a
UNESCO-listed village dating back to the Middle Ages, where we stop for a
break. We continue to Sarlat la Caneda. The tour manager will recommend
restaurants where we can soak up the atmosphere while dining.
DAY 10 Sunday 25 May, 2025
Sarlat la Caneda
This morning, we will have a guided walking tour of this fascinating town,
which developed around the Benedictine abbey founded in the middle of
the 9th century. Sarlat reached its peak during the 13th and 14th centuries
and there are many buildings from this period and a delightful covered
market in an old cathedral. In the afternoon we will travel east to visit the
extraordinary Les Jardins de Marqueyssac. Located on a bastion overlooking
the Dordogne River, the 19th century stone-tiled castle has more than 6
kilometres of shaded pathways lined with 150,000 hand-pruned shrubs,
punctuated with belvederes, rockeries, waterfalls and greenery. Known as
the Italian Garden in Perigord, its sophisticated topiary uses clipped box,
cypress and rosemary in flowing, organic shapes.
DAY 11 Monday 26 May, 2025
Sarlat la Caneda
This morning, we travel east to visit the Manoir d’Eyrignac. The manor
house dates from the 17th century and the elaborate formal garden dates
from the 18th century. The garden was comprehensively recreated in the
1960’s. Elaborate topiary and hedging frames a sequence of rooms and
passages that lead to the house. Near the house, is a stylized parterre garden
with sweeping curves of clipped box and soaring Italian cypresses. In the
afternoon we will enjoy free time for your own activity.
DAY 12 Tuesday 27 May, 2025
Sarlat la Caneda
This morning, we will visit Les Jardin Carsac-Aillac. The 3 hectares of garden
showcase different ways to display water – calm waters, waterfalls, and
streams - with luxuriant vegetation and colourful flowers. In the afternoon
we will visit Le Jardins de l’Imaginaire Terrasson, which has 2,000 roses and
20,000 perennials in 13 themed gardens, an amphitheatre, water jets and
magnificent views over the old town of Terrasson-Lavilledieu.
DAY 13 Wednesday 28 May, 2025
Blois
Today we travel north through Limoges known for its porcelain and
Chateauroux, the largest town in the region. We arrive in Blois situated on the
Loire River late afternoon. During the Renaissance it was the official residence
of the King of France and the location of the Chateau Royal de Blois.
DAY 14 Thursday 29 May, 2025
Blois
Today is an extravaganza of garden design and will stay in your memory
for years. We travel through the Loire valley to visit the Festival des Jardin
de Chaumont sur Loire, which started in 1992 to introduce the public to
imaginative and innovative new designs. The thirty show gardens are
selected from designs submitted by landscapers from around the world and
are set within landscaped grounds. In the afternoon we visit the famous 16th
century Chateau Villandry, renowned for its ornamental vegetable gardens.
The ornamental formal garden has been terraced into three levels, displaying
hedges of box, fine yew topiaries and flowers. The lowest level is the famous
potager, which has a checkerboard design and elevates vegetable growing
to a fine art. We will return to Blois for an evening at leisure.
DAY 15 Friday 30 May 2025
Blois
The morning is free for you to explore the charms of Blois. This afternoon’s
treat is a trip to Chateau de Clemenceau, spanning the River Cher, which
reflects its stately beauty. Known as the ‘Ladies Castle’, its design and charm
are a result of six important women throughout its history. Two large formal
gardens and extensive woodland surround this fairytale chateau.
DAY 16 Saturday 31 May, 2025
Paris
After breakfast we journey north to exciting Paris, stopping along the way to
visit Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte. This Baroque chateau garden was the first
great work by Andre Le Notre, who went on to design Versailles’s gardens.
Phil will take us around the gardens which are organized on a central axis
with elaborate parterres, ornate fountains, ponds, topiaries and statues. The
tour manager will suggest some nearby restaurants that offer good food
and value on arrival in Paris.
DAY 17 Sunday 1 June, 2025
Paris
We will enjoy a sightseeing tour with a local guide showing us the romance
of Paris this morning. Highlights include Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre,
the Tuileries and a drive along the Champs Elysee to the Arc de Triomphe.
In the afternoon, we visit the Chateau de Bagatelle on the edge of the Bois
de Boulogne. Renowned for its rose garden with climbing roses, the garden
consists of several small formal gardens including an orangery, waterlily
pool, grotto, potager and iris garden.
DAY 18 Monday 2 June, 2025
Paris
Today we travel west of Paris to visit Château de Versailles, the extravagant
palace, set in grand formal gardens, for Louis XIV. In the grounds of Versailles,
we visit the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon which belonged to Queen
Marie Antoinette, with its romantic landscape of meandering paths, streams,
rustic bridges and lake. We continue with a visit to Roseraie De L’Hay–Les
Roses. This garden is described as the living history of the rose, spanning
the ages from wild roses to those of today. We will see the glorious sight of
pergolas and trelliswork swagged and swathed in old fashioned roses. Those
wishing to dine together can meet in the lobby where the tour manager will
suggest good value restaurants for dinner.
DAY 19 Tuesday 3 June, 2025
Paris
Today we visit one of the world’s most inspiring landscapes, Claude Monet’s
famous house and beautiful garden at Giverny. This garden, with its ponds
and waterlilies and green Japanese bridge, appears in many of the artist’s
paintings. In front of the house are gardens with espaliered apples and pears
and abundant plantings of roses, irises, spring bulbs and annuals. It has been
magnificently restored and maintained to a high standard and gives a vivid
impression of Monet’s inspiration. It’s one of Phil’s favourite places. He will
lead us around the garden pointing out interesting views. There will be time
to have lunch and wander around the village. In the evening, we will have an
included dinner to say farewell to group members and recall the highlights
of the tour.
DAY 20 Wednesday 4 June, 2025
Departure
This morning we travel to the airport to board our flight to Australia.
DAY 21 Thursday 5 June, 2025 Arrival
We will arrive in eastern Australian ports this morning and travel arrange
ments conclude.
| TWIN FARE PER PERSON | SINGLE FARE |
|---|---|
| $11,880 | $15,180 |
Touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this tour without the need of assistance from others.
Tour Operator: Travelrite International Pty Ltd, Licence number 30858 (ABN 64 005 817 078) is the tour operator.
Tour Costs: The tour costs are based on airfare, general transport, accommodation costs and foreign exchange rate at 4/5/2024 . Travelrite reserves the right to alter the costs if any of these factors change, giving any passenger that has booked the right to withdraw with a full refund of monies paid or modify arrangements. No alterations to price will be made within 60 days of departure from Australia.
Deposit and Payments: A deposit of $1000 per passenger is required at the time of booking for the European Garden tour -$600 for the MIFGS tour. Full payment will be required 62 days before departure of the Garden Tour. A 1.5% administration fee will be charged on payment by credit card.
Air Taxes: From Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane as listed in the itinerary. Please contact us for air taxes from different cities. Air taxes are as at 4 May 2024. If they change due to government and airline charges and currency variations, Travelrite International reserves the right to charge additional amounts.
Cancellation Conditions: Cancellations within 62 days of departure will result in the loss of all monies paid. Cancellation outside 62 days from departure will result in a cancellation fee of $1000 per person.
Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance is recommended to cover the costs of
cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc.
Minimum Tour Numbers and Conditions:
The tour has been priced
on the basis of a minimum number of passengers having booked 62 days
prior to departure. Travelrite reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a full
refund of all monies paid or offer arrangements to proceed with the tour at a
modified cost. Travelrite reserves the right to change advertised entrances if
necessary for the smooth operation of the tour.
Refunds:
The tour is based on arrangements that do not allow for any
refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals, airfare or other
services not utilized after the tour has commenced.
Tour Participation:
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Travelrite & Cruise Offers cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Travelrite & Cruise Offers responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
Travel Documents:
All passengers will require a valid passport. Visas for
countries visited are not required for Australian passport holders. If you hold
another passport please check with Travelrite.
Baggage:
All passengers qualify for the 20kg (44lb) free baggage allowance.
Responsibilities: Travelrite International Pty Ltd is the tour organiser. Travelrite International Pty Ltd, it’s agents, officers, affiliates, and/or suppliers of services pursuant to or in connection with these fly/stay holidays shall act only as agents in making arrangements for hotels, transportation including transportation by ship, restaurants, or any other service and do not assume any liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, death, loss, accident or delay to person or property due to an act of negligence or a default of any hotel, carrier restaurant company or person rendering any services included in fly/cruises, or by act of God. Further no responsibilities are accepted for any damage or delay due to sickness, pilferage, labour disputes, machinery break-down, quarantine, government restraints, weather, terrorism or other causes beyond their control. No responsibility is accepted for any additional expense, omission, delays, re-routing or acts of any government authority. Baggage is at owners risk throughout the fly/stay holiday. The passage contract between the carriers concerned when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the purchasers of these fly/stay holidays and/or the passengers. The right is reserved to withdraw any fly/ stay holiday and/or make such changes in the fly/stay holidays as may be found desirable or necessary for the convenience of the parties and the proper carrying out of the tour. This contract shall be construed in accordance of the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia.
Delays and unforseen events::
You engage Travelrite to book this tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite acts as your agent for the purpose of making contracts between you and the various providers of accommodation, transportation and other services that comprise the tour. Travelrite may without reference to you provide or make available to you, or may as your agent engage any third party to provide or make available to you, any good or service which Travelrite reasonably believes is necessary for your benefit to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite your attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite any cost thereof and you indemnify Travelrite in respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of the risk that any such good or service may become required.
How to Book: Bookings can be made by sending full names and addresses of intending tour members with a non re-fundable deposit of $1000 for the European Garden Tour and $600 for the MIFGS tour.
Travelrite International Pty Ltd
423 Whitehorse Road Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information can be obtained by telephoning
Toll Free: 1800 630 343
Telephone (03) 8803 6868
Email sales@travelrite.com.au
https://www.travelrite.com.au/
About Travelrite International: Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is a well-established travel company which has been marketing throughout Australia for over 40 years and operating in Victoria for more than 40 years. It has an ATAS accredited office at Balwyn, which is also accredited with IATA. As such they directly represent the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international hotel, tour and transport operators.
“The whole tour was wonderful and the group was a good mix of personality. The gardens visited were interesting and varied.”
“Very enjoyable. Good mix of people in the group.”
