Australians with an avid interest in what goes on in their own back yard are driving an exciting niche in travel – garden tourism. And according to the founder of garden tour and cruise specialist, Botanica World Discoveries, Judy Vanrenen, it's a trend that is going to remain on the up:

“We've been operating personalised small group tours for garden enthusiasts for almost 15 years now. What we've seen is a trend for Australian travellers with a passion for gardens and culture returning to destinations that they may have already visited, wanting to explore them from a different perspective. Botanical tourism is definitely on the increase, our continuing upward growth curve is testament to that. Australians love and want to explore the gardens of the world.”

Botanica was founded in 2000 by Judy, herself a dedicated home gardener, specifically to give an extra dimension to travel destinations by providing access to interesting, diverse and unique gardens around the world. As part of the APT Group, Botanica has also been able to charter small river and coastal cruising ships to enhance the travel experience of those who like to visit gardens when they travel. From its early beginnings operating in Australia, Botanica has grown rapidly and today offers 33 itineraries that cover destinations such as Europe, Japan, Hawaii, the USA and South America.

“In particular, we are finding that our travellers have a thirst for botanical knowledge and are keen to seek out new experiences that they would find difficult to access on their own,” says Judy. 

It's for this reason that Botanica always provides a botanical guide to travel with its tour groups, and aboard cruises it always offers botanically themed lectures. In 2015 Botanica is also adding the themes of history, art and gourmet to its itineraries to provide guests with a deeper insight into the cultural locations they visit.

“Accessing private gardens is a privilege as rather than 'show gardens', they have been created with love and dedication for their owners to enjoy. Botanica has now built up a unique collection of private gardens that we take our guests to visit on our worldwide small ship cruises and small group tours. In fact in 2013, we pioneered visiting gardens by zodiac off the coast of Scotland. It has been a huge hit with our guests,” explains Judy.

In Judy's opinion, one of the key drivers of interest in garden tourism are large-scale garden shows -  such as the Hampton Court Flower Show; Chaumont Garden Show in France; Singapore Garden Festival; Ellerslie Flower Show in New Zealand; and the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show. The iconic Chelsea Flower Show, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013 is at the heart of one of Botanica's most popular itineraries  - the 10-day Chelsea Flower Show, UK & Welsh Gardens – which continues to sell-out year after year.

“Many of the visitors to these beautiful garden shows and festivals are home gardeners and those with a love of flowers and plants.  While they go there looking for inspiration, they often come away with a much deeper interest in taking holidays with specialist operators such as Botanica,” says Judy.

Perhaps not surprising given the calibre of guest lecturers and specialist guides available on programs such as Botanica's. For example in 2015, gardening author, journalist and television presenter Monty Don, The London Festival Opera and well-known Francophile and gourmand Jane Webster will join the line-up of expert guests featured in Botanica's 15th Anniversary program.

They'll be in good company, joining Botanica's 2015 team of experienced guides and lecturers including Chelsea Flower Show judge and founder of the English Gardening School, Rosemary Alexander; long-term manager of Smith & Gordon nursery in Melbourne, Teena Crawford; botanical artist, Jenny Phillips; botanical guide, Talei Kenyon; Curator of Brisbane Botanical Gardens, Ross McKinnon; award-winning horticulturalist Anthea Guthrie; and garden consultants Simon Rickard and Julie Prent.

Judy concludes, “Like any good garden, it has taken us years of love and dedication to grow Botanica to the success story it has become today. But with an avid interest in, and ever-increasing demand for our trips we look forward to designing and delivering even more exciting tours and cruises in 2015 and beyond.”

For further information on Botanica's tours and cruises call 1300 305 202, see Botanica's new website botanica.travel or speak to your local travel agent.

Notes to editors:

Judy Vanrenen

Judy Vanrenen's joint passion for gardens and travel led her to set up her own botanically-themed travel business, Botanica World Discoveries, in partnership with APT in 2000.  Botanica World Discoveries remains one of Australia's leading experts in garden tours and cruises, offering itineraries that combine iconic attractions and the chance to experience some of the World's most spectacular and interesting public and private gardens.   

Judy has 35 years tourism and business experience and has sat on regional tourism boards. She has also used her business skills and experience to assist small tourism businesses in Victoria as a mentor with the non profit organisation, The Small Business Mentoring Service, for which she was awarded The Centenary Medal for her contribution to small business in Victoria. 

Botanica as a niche tourism business is able to offer unique small ship cruises and tours that give travellers an extra dimension to their travels, often going behind the garden gate and away from mainstream attractions which are inaccessible to the general public.

Judy Vanrenen has written a stimulating coffee table book detailing the story of Botanica, a copy of which will be given as a gift to all guests who travel with the company in 2015.

For further information, please contact:

Zoe Palmer, PR Executive, APT

T. 03 8526 2152 M. 0407 601392

E. zoe.palmer@aptouring.com.au