Afternoon or evening departure for London, England from your nearest gateway.

Women travelers will arrive at London’s Heathrow International Airport early this morning.   Meet our driver who will transfer you to our Knightsbridge Hotel, in London, a distinctive, small luxury hotel.  There you will meet our founder Peggy Coonley who will accompany you for the duration of your trip.  Unpack, freshen up, and join us for a delightful afternoon getting to know London. We will savour Tea at the Ritz before our private guide leads us on a walk of the Royal London Parks near Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Parliament. L

The Chelsea Flower Show, known as the “grand dame” of flower shows, offers RHS member’s only entrance today.  Our English garden tour will join other members of the Royal Horticultural Society to wander the breathtaking grounds and world class exhibits.  Stroll Chelsea at your leisure and return to Knightsbridge when ready.  Sloane Square and Knightsbridge are shopping areas you may want to explore.  We will dine together this evening in Knightsbridge.  B/D

Following breakfast, we will depart for the world-renowned Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew which comprise over 300 acres and more than 40,000 varieties of plants.  A tram provides a complete tour and overview of the grounds, after which you can explore Kew as you wish, perhaps visiting the spectacular greenhouses or other areas that may have sparked your interest. We will have lunch at a tea room in the quaint village of Kew Gardens before returning to London.

You may then wish to further explore the museums, parks, shops, and history that surround us - perhaps a visit to the Victoria & Albert museum, or Harrods or Harvey Nichols in the neighborhood.  You may wish to join us for an optional evening at the theatre tonight.  We will decide what we would like to see.  In 2009 we had an evening full of laughter to remember. B/L

We leave London this morning for the rolling English Kent countryside known as the Garden of England.  We will visit the Royal Horticultural Society’s glorious garden at Wisley, in Surrey comprising the 250 acre estate garden and excellent bookstore.  Our visit will begin with a guided tour and overview of Wisley.  The Wisley bookstore offers an extensive collection of gardening books.  We will continue our exploration of England as we travel through the heart of Sussex and Kent which is the English countryside at its finest.  Late afternoon, we will settle into our 14th century lovingly restored historical small country manor. This exclusive country house, set on 1000 acres, is run by the direct descendants of the original owner who built it in 1432.  We are well situated to continue our explorations of the gardens, castles and the landscape in the heart of Sussex and Kent. B/D

We will dream of kings and queens as we journey to Scotney Castle, often referred to as the most romantic castle in England.  After touring the house, you can stroll the gardens and meander the exquisite grounds before we stop for a traditional pub lunch.  We continue on to visit a private garden and enjoy late afternoon tea hosted by my good friend and British Red Cross volunteer extraordinaire with our welcoming local hosts.  On our 2009 trip, we visited the private garden of well loved British Garden writer Helen Yemm.    B/L

This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, we drive to visit the gardens at Great Dixter.  Great Dixter, birthplace, home and passion of gardening writer the late Christopher Lloyd, was built c1450 and is one of the largest surviving timber-framed halls in the country.  Sir Edwin Lutyens was employed to restore the house and gardens in 1910.  The gardens are now the hallmark of the late gardening writer Christopher Lloyd and his team including head gardener, Fergus.  Later this afternoon, we will experience the infamous beauty of Sissinghurst Castle and Gardens.   Sissinghurst is a National Trust garden and the most famous 20th century garden in England.   Many believe it to be one of the world’s finest gardens - indeed the quintessential English romantic garden.   Vita Sackville West, author and poet, along with her husband, Sir Harold Nicholson, created the gardens around an Elizabethan house.  There is a long and lovely walk to enjoy across the open meadows. 

Our farewell dinner will take place this evening as we enjoy the fruits of one of Britain’s master chefs using the freshest of local ingredients lovingly prepared from her garden.  An option to travel longer is available this year and some will continue on to Bath tomorrow morning.  If you are not continuing to Bath, you will depart for Heathrow tomorrow morning. B/D

You will depart independently for Heathrow this morning or afternoon depending on your flight times and bid farewell for flights home with memories, dreams, and colorful garden inspirations. B