For lovers of gardens of all levels of experience and knowledge, RHS Garden Holidays has a range of tempting holidays for 2017.  Whether you're looking for some spring colour in France, exclusive access to some of East Anglia's finest private gardens, or some serious 'plant seeking' botanising in China, there is a year round programme with something for everyone.

Gardens of The French Riviera in February

Brighten up February with a visit to Menton's colourful lemon festival on RHS Garden Holiday's Gardens of the French Riviera holiday.   This annual festival sees elaborate floats and imaginative sculptures in dazzling shades of orange and yellow paraded through the Promenade du Soleil in Menton.  Departing on February 23, this five night holiday, which will be hosted by the extremely knowledgeable former RHS Director of Horticulture Jim Gardiner, includes the chance to visit a range of private and public gardens in the region – where the affluent Riviera set were able to create some fabulous gardens.  Often perched on cliff sides, and with some lovely exotic species on display thanks to the mild climate, gardens include the Fondation Ephrussi de Rothschild at St Jean Cap Ferrat and the Royal Gardens in Monaco, along with the Clos du Peyronnet in Menton. 

There is also a quick trip over the border to Italy to the superb Hanbury Gardens, originally owned and created by Sir Thomas Hanbury – the wealthy Quaker who also donated the world famous RHS flagship gardens at Wisley to the RHS in 1903.    

RHS Garden Holidays (www.rhsgardenholidays.com, 0203 735 1855) offers a five night Gardens of the French Riviera holiday from £1,175pp, departing Feb 23 2017. Price includes return flights from London to Nice, five nights b&b accommodation, one dinner, transport in France, garden entries

Private Gardens of East Anglia in May

The adjoining counties of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk feature on this tour of some of the finest private and public gardens that East Anglia has to offer, many of which have connections to the RHS, making them just that little bit special.  

A highlight in May is a visit to the private garden of RHS President Sir Nicholas Bacon Bt, when the wildflowers – including the gentle blue, purple and cream Camassias as well as vibrant cherry and apple blossoms should be looking their best, along with Viburnum, Cornus and willows.  The RHS has also secured entry to RHS Council Member Lady Xa Tollemache's fabulous gardens at Helmingham Hall where the house, parkland and gardens together create an exceptional work of art.

The four day holiday starts in Essex, with other visits including RHS Garden Hyde Hall; Beth Chatto's famous garden and nursery; Wyken Hall vineyards and gardens - the vineyard produces some 12,000 bottles a year, while the garden features a knot and herb garden, an old fashioned rose garden and an orchard.   There are also visits to East Ruston Old Vicarage, an inspirational exotic garden; The Place for Plants at East Bergholt Place and Marks Hall Garden and Arboretum, whose extensive collection is planted on a geographical theme, with plants from the temperate regions of the world grouped together.

RHS Garden Holidays (www.rhsgardenholidays.com, 0203 735 1855) offers a three night Private Gardens of East Anglia holiday from £495pp, departing May 2 2017. Price includes coach travel from various UK pick up points, three nights dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at Dunston Hall Hotel in Norwich; garden visits and the services of a professional tour manager.

Swan Hellenic's Summer Gardens & Castles of Britain & France with Caroline Holmes

This lovely no-fly cruise starts and finishes at Portsmouth, with an itinerary visiting Honfleur and St Malo in France, St Peter Port in Guernsey, Falmouth in Cornwall, Fishguard in Wales, Douglas in the Isle of Man, Dublin in Ireland and Liverpool in north-west England.

Gardens en route – which will be looking wonderful in the summer months -  include Monet's Gardens in Giverny; Powerscourt Gardens in County Wicklow, Ireland, with their blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces and ornamental lakes; the beautiful Lost Gardens of Heligan and entrance to the colourful RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. Host Caroline Holmes is an internationally renowned garden historian, lecturer, designer and author who is particularly interested in how people and plants have historically shaped landscapes. 

RHS Garden Holidays (www.rhsgardenholidays.com, 0203 735 1855) offers a 12 day no-fly 'Summer Gardens & Castles of Britain & France' cruise from 15th-26th July 2017, from £2432pp. 

Yunnan: In the Footsteps of the Plant Hunters  - Autumn

Camellia and Gentiana are amongst the many native horticultural highlights of this tour, which follows in the footsteps of the original plant seekers including the famous George Forrest.  Travelling in the company of a contemporary expert botanist and horticulturist Duncan Coombs – who has himself undertaken several plant seeking trips in the hope of a finding a plant new to science, this 14 night trip is a real treat for garden lovers.  Many of the plants we enjoy today in our own gardens originate in the Yunnan region of China, and to see them growing in the wild is a privilege indeed.  Starting in Kunming, where the RHS has a great relationship with the Botanic Gardens – hence ensuring a special tour, there are also visits to the Stone Forest and some ancient temple gardens.  A flight south to Xishuangbanna gives the opportunity to experience a tropical environment where wild elephants live.  From here, the group will travel north to Lijiang, to visit the Alpine Research Centre and the Tiger Gorge.  Finally – three nights will be spent in Zhongdian around Shangri-La in the Himalayas, for some botanising trips out into the mountains.   

RHS Garden Holidays (www.rhsgardenholidays.com, 0203 735 1855 offers a 14 night Yunnan: In the footsteps of the Plant Hunters holiday from £4995 per person departing on October 8 2017.  Price includes 13 nights accommodation on a full board basis, return flights from London to Kunming, as well as three internal flights whilst in China; a full programme of botanising tours and visits to various gardens/sights en route and the services of a professional tour manager and Duncan Coombs as an RHS host.

To book or for further information, please visit www.rhsgardenholidays.com or call 0203 735 1855

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For further media information, please contact: Sarah Bolam - sarahbolam2@rhs.org.uk or 07714 337756 

Notes to Editors:

About RHS Garden Holidays

RHS Garden Holidays offer a range of garden-themed escorted holidays and partner cruises around the world that combine the gardening-related passion and knowledge of the RHS with the experience of leading tour operators.  Partners for escorted tours are Brightwater Holidays in the UK and Ireland, Europe and Worldwide and a range of cruises in partnership with Voyages of Discovery and Swan Hellenic.   All holidays are escorted by an experienced tour manager and include international flights, transport, accommodation – generally in 4 star hotels - a welcome dinner and some additional meals.  Some departures also feature an RHS host for an added level of horticultural expertise. A contribution from every booking goes towards the charitable works of the RHS.  On all bookings, there is a promotion to purchase 12 months RHS membership for the price of nine.

About the RHS

The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1804 by Sir Joseph Banks and John Wedgwood for the encouragement and improvement of the science, art and practice of horticulture. We held our first flower shows in 1820, were granted a Royal Charter in 1861 and acquired RHS Garden Wisley in 1903. From our first meetings in a small room off London's Piccadilly, we have grown to become the world's largest gardening charity.

Today the RHS is committed to providing a voice for all gardeners. We are driven by a simple love of plants and a belief that gardeners make the world a better place. 200 years on we continue to safeguard and advance the science, art and practice of horticulture, creating displays that inspire people to garden. In all aspects of our work we help gardeners develop by sharing our knowledge of plants, gardens and the environment.

RHS membership is for anyone with an interest in gardening. Support the RHS and secure a healthy future for gardening. For more information call: 0845 130 4646, or visit www.rhs.org.uk/join

RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262