Experience some of the most impressive gardens of the Brandywine Valley, nestled between the hills of Delaware and Pennsylvania. On this 6-night escorted tour we explore a diverse range of private and public gardens, learning about creative garden design, skilled plant cultivation, horticulture research, flowers and foliage galore plus we experience two of North America’s premier public gardens: Chanticleer and Longwood Gardens.

There are numerous educational experiences throughout the tour - at many of the gardens, we will have a tour, lecture or hands-on experience during our visit, either with the head gardener or a local expert. In the months prior to the tour, we will provide reading materials for self-study

There are hundreds of gardens and horticulture sights in this part of the world, both public and private. The tour will be escorted by board member Camille Paulsen. Camille is an avid gardener and seasoned traveler who finds endless inspiration in the gardens she visits around the world; she has served on many other boards including American Horticultural Society, Hardy Fern Foundation, Northwest Perennial Alliance, The Garden Conservancy, Garden Fling and Maple Society. The itinerary was developed after a number of trips to the area by Lois Moss, owner of Tour 2 Explore More who will also be on the tour.  We will also have expert local guides at most of the gardens plus some behind-the-scenes experiences.

We stay at one hotel throughout the tour, with daily excursions to the various gardens grouped geographically so we have more time in the gardens and less time on the coach. Our hotel is about 40 minutes from the Philadelphia airport – to make it a stress-free tour for you, transportation between Philadelphia airport (PHL) and the hotel is included. 

Our hotel is Staybridge Suites Wilmington in Glen Mills, with restaurants and shopping centers nearby. Each room includes a kitchenette, so you might choose a restaurant for dinners or the nearby upscale grocery store, The Fresh Market, which is a 3-minute walk from the hotel.  There is an outdoor swimming pool, free self-serve laundry facilities and plenty of space for socializing, both indoor and outdoor.

You will delight in the company of fellow garden enthusiasts. The minimum group size is 20 and the maximum group size will be 28.

This is a benefit to members of Northwest Horticultural Society. If you or your roommate is not already a member, see the other programs and become a member by clicking here

If you have any questions, contact Lois at Tour2ExploreMore@gmail.com She has visited most of gardens and stayed at the hotel many times. She is happy to answer your questions or give you additional information.

Pricing shown is if the group size is 20-28. If fewer than 20 people register by April 15, 2026, there will be an additional charge, depending on the final size of the group

Travel insurance is highly recommended. Unexpected events can disrupt your travel plans, either before you leave or during your trip. Consider purchasing travel insurance soon after making your first tour deposit. You can select the coverage best suited to your circumstances by comparing the options on websites such as Squaremouth.com or InsureMyTrip.com. If you travel more than twice a year, you may want to consider an annual policy instead of a per trip policy.

Physical requirements: Participants must be able to stand for extended periods of time during garden tours. Walking surfaces can sometimes include cobblestones or unpaved paths, uneven terrain or stairs without handrails. Elevators may not always be available. We hope to have porters, but you must be able to handle your own luggage incase porters are unavailable.

Liability waiver: A signed liability waiver will be required from each tour participant within 90 days of departure.

Gardens visited are subject to change if scheduling issues arise. Hotels are confirmed and under contract, so they are not expected to change.