Travel with us to see Ireland in Bloom!

ITINERARY

AT A GLANCE

July 2, Sunday – Arrive at Dublin Airport

July 3, Monday – National Botanic Gardens of Ireland at Glasnevin & Mount Usher

July 4, Tuesday – June Blake’s Garden, Hunting Brook & Airfield Estate

July 5, Wednesday – Powerscourt Estate

July 6, Thursday – Beachwood Garden, Hillside Garden, Coosheen

July 7, Friday – Blarney Castle Gardens & Bantry House and Garden

July 8, Saturday – Garinish Island & Derreen

July 9, Sunday – Mount Congreve Gardens & Patthana Garden

July 10, Monday – Depart or continue travels

DETAILS

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate strives to operate according to our published itinerary. However, in the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond our control or opportunities that would enhance the itinerary, adjustments may be necessary.

Day 1, Sunday, July 2: ARRIVAL

Tour members arrange their own transportation to Dublin and to Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport Hotel where a reservation has been made (included in tour price).

We will gather for a welcome dinner this evening at the hotel restaurant (included in tour price).

Day 2, Monday, July 3: NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS & MOUNT USHER

We’ll leave our airport hotel and travel to the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland at Glasnevin, which has undergone a complete facelift in recent years. Enjoy the restored Victorian glasshouses and carpet bedding as well as beautiful herbaceous borders, a rockery and a plant collection that includes more than 15,000 species.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit Mount Usher, which was started in the late 19th century following William Robinson’s newly introduced “managed wild garden” philosophy. Along both sides of the River Vartry you will find an astonishing collection of “Champion Trees” the largest of their kind in Ireland. Follow winding paths through sweeps of perennials, such as primulas, wild orchids and more. Unforgettable!

Day 3, Tuesday, July 4: JUNE BLAKE’S GARDEN, HUNTING BROOK & AIRFIELD ESTATE

The day starts in June Blake’s Garden, a 3-acre country garden designed with an artist’s eye for color, texture and shape combinations. From a beautiful borders to a flower meadow to woodland walks, there’s no shortage of color in almost any season. Learn June’s secrets and enjoy the architecture of the charming granite stone farm buildings as well.

Next we’ll visit Hunting Brook, the garden of Jimi Blake, the brother of June Blake, who we met earlier in the day. In 2001 he acquired 20 acres of the family estate and started a garden where he experiments with plants and design ideas and pushes the limits of hardiness. We’ll have a chance to ask questions and wander through several themed gardens, including the valley (with beautiful views of the Wicklow Mountains), a woodland, and the new sand garden.

We’ll end our afternoon at Airfield Estate, a large sustainable and self-sufficient garden. Not only does it boast a 2-acre organic kitchen garden and productive orchard, but there are walled borders, a sunken garden, glasshouses and more.

Finally, we’ll have dinner together at Johnnie Fox’s, where we’ll enjoy an evening of traditional Irish music in a mountaintop pub.

Day 4, Wednesday, July 5: POWERSCOURT ESTATE

Today we will visit the world-renowned Powerscourt Estate, whose first gardens were started nearly 300 years ago. This 47-acre property boasts many themed areas, borders and terraces with breathtaking views of the Great Sugar Loaf Mountain and the County Wicklow countryside. Climb the Pepperpot Tower to enjoy the scenery, have a seat on Lord Londonderry’s seat at the top of the Japanese Garden and wander among the formal beds and trails around water features and beautiful statuary.

This afternoon we’ll make our way toward Cork and its wonderful and unique gardens.

Day 5, Thursday, July 6: BEECHWOOD GARDEN, HILLSIDE GARDEN, COOSHEEN

Today Ned Kirby will welcome you to Beechwood Garden, which he’s developed over the last 25 years. This 1-acre property features acid-loving perennials and grasses, natural water features and scree plantings, and much of the stonework is reclaimed from old buildings.

In our second private garden of the day we’ll visit the sloping gardens surrounded by woodland at Hillside Garden. It’s a plant collector’s dream: Unusual plants fill the borders, scree garden and rockery, and it offers nice views of Cork Harbor and the Lee Estuary.

At plantswoman Hester Forde’s Coosheen we’ll find out just how much you can grow even in a small space. Clever use of lawn and small trees makes this little suburban garden seem much larger than it is. Explore her collections of woodland plants in raised beds and troughs and be prepared to “ooh” and “aah.”

Day 6, Friday, July 7: BLARNEY CASTLE GARDENS & BANTRY HOUSE AND GARDEN

You’ve probably heard of Blarney Castle’s famous stone, but did you know that it also boasts extensive and very interesting gardens? These have been mostly developed over the last 20 years, and we’ll be lucky enough to have a tour with the knowledgeable head gardener. We’ll see impressive tree ferns (Dicksonias), visit the Carnivorous Courtyard, experience the mysterious Rock Close, said to be part of an ancient druid settlement, and see endangered Vietnamese plants that the head gardener has collected and is working to preserve.

Next we’ll visit Bantry House and Garden, which has been in the White family continuously since 1739. Its parterre and seven terraces were originally established in the 1800s and after decades of neglect, a restoration commenced in 1997. At the top of the 100 stairs to the woodland, take a break and enjoy the view of the gardens, the stately Irish country house and beautiful Bantry Bay.

Day 7, Saturday, July 8: GARINISH ISLAND & DERREEN

Garinish Island was the dream of Annan and Violet Bryce and designed by British architect Harold Peto (of England’s Iford Manor) between 1911 and 1914. Originally a pile of bare rocks in Glengariff Harbor of Bantry Bay, it’s now a garden filled with rare trees and exotic plants. It can only be reached by boat, which is the perfect way to spot seals or a white-tailed eagle. You won’t want to miss this amazing place!

In the afternoon we’ll visit Derreen on the Atlantic Coast. It was established in 1870 and has been well taken care of ever since. The name Derreen means “little oak wood” in Gaelic, and in this magical woodland garden, you’ll follow the labyrinth of paths through mossy rocks, huge tree ferns, eucalyptus, conifers and its namesake, oaks.

Day 8, Sunday, July 9: MOUNT CONGREVE GARDENS & PATTHANA GARDEN

Today we start our journey back toward Dublin. Our first stop will be at Mount Congreve Gardens, a 70-acre property overlooking the River Suir. Follow its many walkways through the woodland garden, the borders within the walled garden, and admire its many unusual varieties in the collections. These gardens were all the vision of Mr. Ambrose Congreve, who oversaw their installation and maintenance until his death at age 104 in 2011. It's a plant collector’s heaven!

Our final visit will be to Patthana Garden, the horticultural canvas of T.J. Maher and Simon Kirby. This charming village garden features lower and upper courtyards, a wildlife pond, and herbaceous borders bursting with both hardy and tender plants. There’s a special focus here on organic principles and gardening for wildlife.

Day 9, Monday, July 10: DEPARTURE

Our time together has ended, but garden lovers always find fresh inspiration wherever they are. Tour members can choose to return home or carry on the adventure.

Contact 800-341-4769 or gardentravel@aimmedia.com for more information.

PRICING

Tour price:

$5,395 (USD) per person, double occupancy

$6,345 (USD) per person, single occupancy

Tour price includes:

• 3- and 4-star hotel accommodations
• All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 8 dinners, including tips
• Admission to all gardens, including tips
• Comfortable coach transport
• Friendly and knowledgeable professional tour coordinator
• Design and botanical expertise of your Horticulture & Garden Gate hosts

Tour price excludes:

• Airfare. Each tour member books their own flight to arrive at Dublin Airport on 7/2/23 by 4 p.m. local time and depart from the same airport on or after 7/10/23 at 11 a.m. local time.
• Travel Insurance (required)
• 5 lunches, all drinks, including water, and snacks
• Breakfast & lunch on arrival day, and lunch & dinner on departure day
• Tips for coach driver & tour coordinator

Payment schedule:

A $1,000.00 (USD) deposit is due when you book your tour.

Final payment, in full, is due on May 12, 2023.

After May 12, please contact us to confirm that there are still spots available on this tour. If you are able to join, full payment, reservation form and proof of insurance will be due immediately.

NOTE: Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate offers thoughtfully arranged garden tours. Each tour is guaranteed to proceed as soon as the minimum of 20 reservations has been met. If our reservation minimum is not met, Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate reserves the right to cancel the tour. Deposits/payments will be refunded in full if the tour is canceled.

Please DO NOT make your airline reservations until Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate has guaranteed (by email) that the tour will proceed.

Contact 800-341-4769 or gardentravel@aimmedia.com for more information.

ACCOMMODATIONS

3- and 4-Star Relaxation & Comfortable Coach Travel

Hotel Accommodations

After a day filled with garden inspiration and botanical discoveries, we will retire to comfortable accommodations. Rooms are double occupancy with the option for a single room for an additional fee.

July 2 – Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport Hotel

July 3-4 – BrookLodge & Macreddin Village

July 5-6 – Vienna Woods Hotel

July 7-8 – Glengariff Park Hotel

July 9 – Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport Hotel

Coach Travel

Daily transportation will be provided by a modern, comfortable coach operated by an experienced driver.

Contact 800-341-4769 or gardentravel@aimmedia.com for more information.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Responsibilities:

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate hosts garden tours operated by CarexTours and Garden Tours. As the hosting organization, Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate provides reservation services and has chosen Garden Tours, a professional tour operator, as its designated tour operator. As the designated tour operator, Garden Tours arranges for the actual tour of the garden sites. Garden Tours also acts as an agent for services connected with specific tours hosted by Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate, such as ground transportation, lodging accommodations, and meals. Each service provider is solely responsible to the participant for providing their respective services.

By making a reservation for a tour hosted by Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate, the participant certifies that she/he does not have any mental, physical, or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other participants. Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate, CarexTours and Garden Tours reserve the right in their sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove any participant on a tour hosted by Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate.

Price:

The tour prices in this agreement are based upon current exchange rates, tariffs, and taxes. Fluctuations in these rates could result in a price adjustment without prior notice until the tour is paid in full. Once the price for the tour is paid in full, the fee will not be adjusted due to any later change in exchange rates, tariffs or taxes.

Liabilities & Booking Conditions:

Garden Tours is established in the Netherlands, and rights and responsibilities for all tours operated by Garden Tours will be governed by Dutch and EU laws only. Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate, CarexTours and Garden Tours will have responsibility only for the proven negligent acts and omissions of its employees or agents and suppliers, subcontractors, servants, and/or agents of the same while acting within the scope of or in the course of their employment in respect of claims arising as a result of death, bodily injury, or illness caused to the signatory to the contract and/or any other named persons on the booking form.

Smoking:

All participants in tours hosted by Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate agree to comply with a non-smoking policy on all coaches, in restaurants, and in all lodging places.

Liability:

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate, CarexTours and Garden Tours have no responsibility or liability to any person for loss of baggage, money, or other property whatsoever. Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate, CarexTours and Garden Tours have no responsibility or liability for any loss or additional expenses caused by delay or interruption to travel services through weather conditions (such as rain, wind, or fog), civil disturbance, riot, illegal acts of third parties, strikes, wars, floods, sickness or any circumstances amounting to Force Majeure.

Complaints:

In the unlikely event that you have a complaint, you must promptly notify the Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate host or the Garden Tours tour coordinator directly, so he/she can take remedial action on the spot. If the matter cannot be solved directly, any complaints must be submitted in writing to Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate within 7 days after the date of your return.

Your tour canceled by us:

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate aims to provide your tour as booked. We reserve the right to cancel your tour under any circumstances, but if we cancel your tour, except where this is because you have not paid, you will receive a full refund.

Changes in itinerary details:

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate and Garden Tours strive to operate according to the published itinerary. However, in the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond our control or opportunities that would enhance the itinerary, adjustments may be necessary or appropriate. Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate and Garden Tours reserve the right, without penalty, to make changes in the agreed-upon itinerary whenever, in their judgment, conditions warrant or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of participants. Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate will let you know about any significant changes as soon as possible if there is time before your departure. Otherwise, we will announce changes on the tour.

Cancellations:

If you should need to withdraw from the tour for whatever reason, you must notify Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate in writing. Cancellation becomes effective when written notice is received. There will be no refunds from Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate on or after May 12, 2023.

Insurance:

Travel insurance is required in case you need to cancel your trip after May 12, 2023, you have health emergencies while on the tour, or other unforeseen issues arise. Squaremouth and Insure My Trip are two travel insurance search sites. If you are under 70 years old, World Nomads is usually an economical travel insurance choice. You will be required to provide your travel insurance declarations page to Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate by May 12, 2023.

Health & Safety:

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate follows COVID-19 safety updates from the CDC and our destination countries. Although we can't know at this time what the requirements will be in the future, each of our travelers must be fully vaccinated no less than two weeks before departure & have vaccination verification in the form of their CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card.

Photography notice:

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate will be taking photos and videos of the gardens for future editorial and promotional use. Tour participants may occasionally appear in these images.

Contact 800-341-4769 or gardentravel@aimmedia.com for more information.

RESERVATIONS

To make a reservation:

1. Download the reservation form and email it to gardentravel@aimmedia.com or mail to:
   Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate
   2143 Grand Ave.
   Des Moines, IA 50312
   Reservation Form
2. Make a deposit of $1,000 USD. You can do this here or by calling 800-341-4769.
   Pay Online

Your reservation will be secured after a deposit or full payment is received.

Questions? Contact us at gardentravel@aimmedia.com or 800-341-4769. We would love to chat with you about this exciting trip!

Note: After May 12, please contact us to confirm that there are still spots available on this tour. If you are able to join, full payment, reservation form and proof of insurance will be due immediately.

Payment details:

Deposit amount: $1,000 USD. Secure your reservation with a deposit here or by calling 800-341-4769

Full payment:
$5,395 (USD) per person, double occupancy
$6,345 (USD) per person, single occupancy
Pay Online

Note: For reservations made after May 12, the full payment will be due immediately.

Additional information about the Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate tour costs, including details about inclusions and exclusions, can be viewed on our pricing tab.

PLEASE NOTE: Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate reserves the right to cancel the tour. Deposits/payments will be refunded in full if the tour is canceled.

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate follows COVID-19 safety updates from the CDC and our destination countries. Although we can't know at this time what the requirements will be in the future, each of our travelers must be fully vaccinated no less than two weeks before departure & have vaccination verification in the form of their CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card.

Contact 800-341-4769 or gardentravel@aimmedia.com for more information.

YOUR TOUR HOSTS

Kristin Beane Sullivan

In her 26 years at Garden Gate magazine, Kristin Beane Sullivan has been lucky enough to meet hundreds (if not thousands) of gardeners, tour and photograph countless gardens and learn something from every single gardener she’s met. She comes from a long line of farmers and gardeners, and today tends an ever-expanding urban garden with her husband and three children who are a lot more help in the garden than she was at their ages.

Jack Coyier

In his 13 years at Garden Gate magazine, Jack Coyier has photographed some of the most beautiful gardens across the country and has come away inspired by the spirit and passion of the vast gardening community. Jack wants his imagery to enrich the gardening experience of the Garden Gate community and help gardeners achieve their dream gardens. When not on the road photographing, Jack spends time in his suburban garden with his wife, twin boys, a herd of deer and a smattering of rabbits.

Contact 800-341-4769 or gardentravel@aimmedia.com for more information.