Today we visit the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh.  We start with a guided tour, followed by lunch in their cafe, a good look-around the gift shop, and some free time to visit more of the gardens.  In the mid-afternoon, we enjoy a splendid cream tea too - because you just can't have too many scones and cream! 

Once we take the bus back toward our hotel, we visit the National Portrait Gallery (or you can head back to the hotel, if you're so inclined).  Dinner will be a delicious selection of Indian small plates at Mowgli.  

Meals included: Breakfast & an afternoon cream tea.

We start this morning heading to Duddingston and the tucked-away beauty of Dr. Neils Garden. Created by husband and wife doctors in the 1950s, it was a place for their patients to reconnect with nature as a way to healing.  Small, but exquisite, the garden sits on a loch (lake) and features a meandering stream, a physic garden, and poppies the size of dinner plates.

Then we're off to a catered lunch at the home of our caterer, Wendy.  The delicious food is only exceeded by the welcome of our hostess and the beauty of her own garden.

We spend the rest of the afternoon at the Scottish National Gallery before having dinner at Makers Mash, near our hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch.

After the short train trip to Glasgow, our first stop is the Kelvingrove - one of my favorite museums anywhere.  It's one of those 'everything' museums - art, sculpture, stained glass, and an exhibit dedicated to the unique Glasgow Style of the early 20th Century Arts & Crafts Movement. 

We have a delicious lunch at a nearby restaurant recommended by no less a personage than Anthony Bourdain then spend the rest of the day the Edinburgh Glasgow Royal Botanic Gardens, which is very different from the one in Edinburgh.  Dinner is a multi-course feast at the deconsecrated-church-turned-restaurant, Oran Mor.

We return to Edinburgh in the evening.

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner.

Today is a free day to explore this wonderful city!

We meet for dinner in our funky private room (above) at Civerinos, which not only serves great pizza, it also supports the community.

Meals included:  Breakfast & Dinner.

 We spend a morning learning about chocolate - with lots of tastings, of course! Everyone creates her own chocolate bar which may or may not make it back home with us...  

Lunch is Spanish tapas at Piggs on the Royal Mile.

In the afternoon, we're off on a tour featuring Hidden Gardens of the Royal Mile with our guide, Iain.

Dinner will be at Le Petit Paris in the Grassmarket.  Those who would like can get some of the best ice cream in Scotland at Mary's Milk Bar across the street.

Meals included:  Breakfast and Dinner.

Leaving the Scottish capital, we head south into England.  Our first stop is at Alnwick Castle Gardens to take a guided tour of their delights, see the largest cascading fountain in the country, visit the Poison Garden, and enjoy a delicious multi-course lunch at the Treehouse Restaurant.   

We then we're off to the ancient city of York full of wonderful medieval buildings. 

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch. 

Today is spent in the glorious gardens of Harlow Carr in Harrogate.  We have a guided tour and then the rest of the day is free to wander on our own.  And there's so much to see!  Whether you're drawn to the tiny blooms in the Alipine House, the earthiness of the Kitchen Garden, the exotic blooms of the Sub-Tropic Gardens, or the riotous flowers at the streamside, there's plenty to see.

Returning to York, we have some down before meeting for a French dinner at Rustique.

Meals included:  Breakfast & Dinner. 

We start the morning at the Museum Gardens with a walk around York, guided by my friend, Chris.  He's a font of knowledge about the history of this fascinating city.

Afterward, it's free time to visit any of the museums, shop in the independent shops, or just wander the Medieval lanes of the Shambles.

Dinner will be at Cote, smack in the center of the city.

Meals included:  Breakfast and Dinner.

Before taking a morning train to London, we purchase our lunches to eat on the way.  Once we arrive and check into our Earls Court hotel, we're off to nearby Kensington Gardens.

This huge park is the site of the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, the famous Peter Pan Statue, and the Prince Albert Memorial, a towering monument to Victorian excess.  Princes William and Harry recently dedicated a statue of their mother overlooking the beautiful Sunken Gardens next to the Palace.  

Dinner is at the Churchill Arms, a pub famously covered in flower baskets! They serve surprisingly delicious Thai food.

Meals included:  Breakfast & Dinner.

This day packed full of beautiful gardens!  We start at the Chelsea Physic Gardens created in 1673 to grow medicinal herbs. From there we take a private walk with our guide, Tim, visiting gardens in ruined churches, on rooftops, and many other unique London spots.  

Dinner is a multi-course delight at The Botanist Restaurant.

Meals included:  Breakfast & Dinner.

Kew Gardens is home to stunning glass houses, multiple specialty gardens, an interactive bee exhibit, a treetop walk, and a gallery full of vibrant botanic paintings by an adventurous Victorian lady.  There is so much to see and do here!  We have the whole day to stay and immerse ourselves in this beautiful place.  Those who may *not* wish to spend the entire day, are free to return to London proper at any time.  It's very easy to get around - and I'll be available to offer suggestions, if you like.

We eat our delicious dinner tucked away in our own 'pods' at the Secret Garden in South Kensington.

Meal included:  Breakfast & Dinner.

Today we experience the grandest flower show of them all, Chelsea!   Highlights include avant-garde show gardens designed by leading floral designers,  a center marquee full of floral displays, and smaller gardens such as the Artisan and Urban Gardens. It is a wonderful and over-the-top garden design equivalent of a fashion show catwalk.  

We get in with the other cool kids (Royal Horticultural Society members) because a year of membership is included with this tour.  

Everyone is free to stay as long as they like, as it's easy to get back to our hotel.  Have lunch at a pop-up place, wander among the stunning garden designs, delight in the gorgeous floral displays, and try not to go *too* crazy with the endless shopping opportunities.  

Dinner will be at Masala Zone near our hotel.

Meals included:  Breakfast & Dinner.  

This is our free day in London! You'll be spoiled for choice with the many options - and I'll be around to help you with any questions or suggestions.

We enjoy our last dinner together at The Blackbird Pub, near the hotel.

Meals included:  Breakfast & Dinner.

After breakfast, the tour ends.  It's been a wonderful time!  We've seen so many gardens and made new friends.

If you wish to have help extending your stay, please contact me  and I'll be happy to do so.

Meal included: Breakfast.