From the vibrant gardens surrounding France’s legendary chateaux to the cherry blossom-covered temples in Kyoto, Japan, there’s no denying that flowers frame some of the world’s most spectacular sites and cities. Although seasonal and fleeting, a flower’s vibrant colours and fragrances have the power to transport us to different places around the world or spark memories of past adventures. Take a look through our seven trips below that are Rooted in Adventure, which promise front-row seats to nature’s most stunning displays.
Enjoy The Wildflowers Across Cape Town & The Garden Route
On Cape Town & the Garden Route – Premium Adventure, you’ll travel from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, a journey that is renowned as one of the most beautiful coastal routes in the world. Starting in Amakhala Safari Lodge, you and your group will enjoy four private game drives in the surrounding reserve with a chance to spot the region’s elephants, rhinos and leopards. While you’re here, you’ll also get to soak in the atmosphere with a traditional barbecue under a star-studded sky. A forest walk in Tsitsikamma National Park will offer stunning panoramic views of the park’s canyons, lush rainforest and grasslands, where you can spot carpets of wildflowers in season including white rain daisies, magriets and sporries. A day at De Hoop Nature Reserve offers opportunities for a mountain biking excursion or a birdwatching tour too. This itinerary also takes you to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, where visitors can admire the park’s abundant flora and fauna, taking in views from its canopy walkway.
Find out more about our Cape Town & the Garden Route – Premium Adventure here.
Best Time To Go: September
Spot The Cherokee Rose In Georgia
During our Week in Georgia, you can immerse yourself in the country’s cultural highlights, which involve discovering its finest UNESCO-listed hilltop churches and monasteries, taking a traditional khinkali dumpling cooking class, and enjoying a guided walking tour of Georgia’s fascinating capital city, Tbilisi. The adventure comes to a close with a visit to the Tsinandali Family Estate, a centuries-old property which once belonged to the 19th-century aristocratic poet, Alexander Chavchavadze. The surrounding grounds also boast historic gardens, sprawling vineyards and a magnificent summer house. As you explore this beautiful country, keep a look out for its national flower, the cherokee rose, and in springtime, you’ll see cherry blossoms and budding magnolias dotted around its major cities. When it comes to wildflowers, you may also see chamomile flowers, dwarf violet irises, rhododendrons and orchids in the fields.
Find out more about A Week in Georgia here.
Best Time To Go: Late March – April
Discover The Floral Trails Of New Zealand
On this action-packed Trails of New Zealand trip, you’ll explore the best these two New Zealand islands have to offer, as you travel from Auckland to Christchurch. Our itinerary is designed to maximise time spent in the outdoors, whether that’s hiking between volcanic peaks or jetboating across the lakes in Mount Aspiring National Park.
Some key highlights include; gaining an insight into Māori culture with a hāngi feast; visiting Aoraki National Park, (home to the highest mountains and longest glaciers in New Zealand); spending a night onboard the Milford Mariner, and discovering Tongariro National Park, the oldest in New Zealand. While in Wellington, you can explore 25 hectares of protected forest, and visit the specialised plant collections and botanical displays at the renowned Wellington Botanic Garden which was established back in 1868. The garden boasts a fascinating blend of exotic trees, native bushes, and succulents, and in springtime, an impressive 25,000 tulips come into bloom. Magnolias, rhododendrons and daffodils can also be seen in season.
Find out more about our Trails of New Zealand trip here.
Best Time To Go: Late November – December
Admire flowers draped around temples in Sri Lanka
From the mighty Sigiriya to the breathtaking plains of Yala National Park, travellers on our Sri Lanka Wildlife & Wonders – Premium Adventure will gain deeper insight into why Sri Lanka is affectionately known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”. On this trip, you’ll take a boat safari across Senanayake Samudraya, the largest lake in Sri Lanka, and climb the ancient fortress at Sigiriya for expansive views overlooking forests, farmlands and the Sigiriya Rock gardens. On the way to Kandy, you’ll also enjoy a guided walking tour through one of the region’s spice gardens, where you’ll learn how the country’s different spices are grown, harvested and used in traditional Sri Lankan cooking. There is also an opportunity for you to get involved with planting a tree, which contributes to the garden’s ongoing regeneration. In the temples and rural areas, you’ll find the lotus and frangipani flowers growing wildly, while in the ponds and gardens, water lilies and hibiscus are common.
Find out more about our Sri Lanka Wildlife & Wonders – Premium Adventure here.
Best Time To Go: Mid-March – Late April
Celebrate Sakura Season In Japan
On this two-week tour of Japan, you’ll embark on a sensory journey that embraces the country’s past and present, which means you’ll be wandering through ancient wooden temples and raked-gravel zen gardens one day and tucking into delicacies in the neon-lit streets of Tokyo’s yokocho alleys the next. Exploring Honshu, Japan’s largest island, you’ll discover the country’s serene shrines and gardens and marvel at the centuries-old Todai-Ji Great Buddha Temple in historic Nara. This trip has special Sakura departures, so you can soak up the cherry blossom season, where major cities, gardens and parks are blanketed in pink confetti, and locals enjoy picnics with hanami bentos and sakura mochi wrapped in pickled cherry blossom leaves.
Find out more about our Ancient & Modern Japan trip here.
Best Time To Go: Late March – Mid-April
Experience The Fragrant French Riviera In Bloom
Your idyllic journey across the French Riviera begins in Menton, coined “the Pearl of France” thanks to its floral gardens, pastel-coloured buildings and white sand beaches. Some highlights of this trip include walking around Cap Martin Peninsula, visiting the medieval village of Eze with its exotic garden, and exploring the citrus gardens at Palais Carnolès, which boasts a beautiful collection of orange, lemon, tangerine and kumquat trees. You’ll also some spend time in Roquebrune and Monaco’s old town. The picturesque walk from Villefranche Bay to Cap Ferrat, offers the chance to admire Villa de Rothschild’s gardens, that’s filled with fuchsias, Japanese camellias and solandras from February into May. This region is so beautiful when it blooms, that cities across the Côte d’Azur hold annual parades and markets celebrating its flowers. Specific events are held for Victoria violets, orange blossom and their famous mimosa blossoms which involves a five-day celebration filled with flower processions, fireworks and parades.
Find out more about our Walks and Gardens of the French Riviera here.
Best Time To Go: May
Explore ‘The Garden Of France’ By Bike
Blessed with vineyards, apple orchards, orangeries and countless botanical gardens, it’s no wonder that many have nicknamed this fairytale region, “the Garden of France”. Beginning in Bios and ending in the historic town of Saumur, you’ll start our Cycle the Loire Valley trip by riding to Château de Chambord, which is surrounded by gardens that boast over 150 blooming rose bushes in season. You’ll also cycle to Amboise via Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, visit Château du Clos Lucé, and enjoy a local wine tasting. On day four, you get the opportunity to explore the Vouvray’s vineyards and visit its fascinating troglodyte cellars. Before your group transfers to Chinon, you’ll make a pitstop at Château de Chenonceau, to admire their French formal gardens, bursting with violas and daisies in springtime and dahlias, petunias, and verveine in the summer. A visit to Château du Rivau and another wine tasting in the renowned Chinon vineyards, round off this idyllic trip.
Find out more about our Cycle the Loire Valley trip here.
Best Time To Go: May – June
If this has inspired you to see the world in full bloom this year, take a look at our trips that are Rooted in Adventure.
