Gardens Around the World

Ah gardening, a practice that’s been around for thousands of years. Since 10,000 BC if you’re looking for rough estimates, when home exteriors were fenced to exclude marauders and animals. Moving to the 1300s, homeowners started growing vegetables to provide for their families and so, gardening at home continued to grow (literally). Today gardening is a way of life. It’s your own space, however you like it – teaching us about patience and care for others and it’s highly beneficial for mind, body and soul. Oh, and an ideal source of Vitamin D. 

Gardening is no different abroad either, if anything it’s the perfect opportunity to bring new ideas home. So, on that note, we’ve put together a list of some of the world’s best gardens for you to visit. It's your turn to give back to nature. 

Japanese Zen Gardens

From tea gardens and Shoin-zukuri gardens to modern illuminated gardens, Japan has a long history of gardens, dating back over 1,400 years when the popularity of ornate gardens grew with the rich and powerful. Notably, Kyoto is known as the birthplace of popular Japanese gardens which have long since influenced the ideology and aesthetics of the country. And in the former capital of Japan - Kyoto – you'll find the Honmaru Gardens, a Zen garden originally created for the arrival of Emperor Meiji in 1896. Partially designed by the emperor himself, the garden is full of winding paths and vast lawns. You can also enjoy a spectacular view up at the castle-keep. Other gardens include the gardens of Hasedera at Hydrangea Temple and the famous rock garden at Ryōan-ji. It’s unknown who designed the 15-piece rock formation, but they are laid out so that at least one rock cannot be seen from any angle. 

Created by Zen Buddhist monks in the Heian period (794-1185), Zen gardens (which are more like ‘rock gardens’ to be a little clearer) are influenced by a combination of Zen Buddhism and Chinese mythology and were first created by Zen Buddhist monks in the 14th century. Made up of rocks, water and plants, they are laid out on sand in a particular formation, symbolising the elements of nature in their most tranquil form. This is a magical setting for meditation. “Deep breath. And... breath.” 

Tulips of Amsterdam

When you think of the Netherlands, you probably think of Amsterdam, the many windmills and its abundance of tulips. But did you know that their tulips don’t have origins in the country itself? Originating first in the Himalayan mountains and then finding new ground in Turkey, it wasn’t until 1594 that they arrived in the Netherlands, becoming a Dutch frenzy known as – wait for it – ‘tulip mania’ in the 17th century. You could imagine it being a huge trend in today's world. Of course, over the years these vibrant bulbs have become the embodiment of the Netherlands. From pinks to deep purples, the tulips have been adapted and changed over time to become world famous flowers. 

In Keukenhof park (the world’s largest flower garden) you’ll find over seven million blooms populated across 80 acres of land. Throughout the spring season, the landscape is staggered in a palette of animated nature – from tulips and daffodils masterfully grown along the pathways to water gardens and dazzling lakes. For any gardening enthusiast, this is the perfect place to be inspired for your own backyard. 

Monet's Garden

Along the Seine valley, and not so far from Paris, lies Giverny – the once home of Claude Monet. Monet was an impressionist painter who favoured modernism, particularly his understanding of nature, painting pieces inspired by his garden – or more famously known as, ‘Monet’s Garden’. The artist was drawn to the valley for its strong quality of light, using that to his advantage by growing a garden full of flourishing flowers. He mixed and matched flowers to provide him with colour and texture for his paintings – you could say the garden was his colour palette – working strictly in the early hours of the morning to catch the light at its peak. 

Today the garden is run by the Fondation Monet who preserve the house (also known as Clos Normand) and gardens to be as they once were. On a visit, you’ll wander through the interior of the house, including Monet’s studio, and of course through the gardens, which originally had lawns and orchards and flowerbeds before Monet redesigned it with different flowerbeds, apricot and cherry trees. 

A Japanese style water garden lies in the centre. Monet had a Japanese bridge constructed over the pond, opting for a green coating rather than the traditional red. You'll find bamboo, biloba, weeping willows and lilies – to name a few – around the pond to reflect the oriental theme. You might have heard of Monet’s famous Nymphéas water lilies series, this was inspired by the water lilies he planted at the bottom of the pond. As he once said, ‘I picked up a catalogue and made a random choice, that’s all.’ 

Mateus Gardens

On a Highlights of the Douro Valley and Salamanca river cruise, you’ll be treated to the luxurious Mateus Gardens. Wine lovers – so most of us, right? – will instantly recognise the palace from the Mateus Rosé label. While the owner of the palace made the mistake of accepting a lump sum instead of pennies per bottle, the well-preserved palace is still one of Portugal’s best examples of Baroque architecture. On arrival you’ll see a reflection of the palace in the pond, learn the process of winemaking in the winery (and tasting) and find yourself wandering the vibrant gardens surrounding the palace. Modelled after Versailles, hedges separate the different areas that are decorated in sublime spectacles of flowers and trees. 

Gardens of the Rhône 

The magnificence of garden space is no different along the waterways of the Rhône. From breathtaking valleys and charming settlements, find yourself connecting to nature on a deeper level on our brand-new Gardens and the Natural Beauty of the Rhône river cruise.  

Lyon 

In Lyon, visit Parc de la Tête d’Or, one of the largest parks in France. Covering 105 hectares of land and a 17-hectare lake branching off the Rhône, this is a wonderful place to enjoy a leisurely walk through three rose bush gardens with 30,000 roses overall (blimey) – the International Rose Garden of Lyon, the botanical garden and the competition garden. There are over 15,000 species of plant in the botanicals with some carnivorous ones too, so watch yourself things might get snappy. We're joking of course... 

Vienne 

Vienne's history can be traced all the way back to ancient times with Celtic, Roman and medieval heritage still present in its architecture. And be surprised to find its central park, Jardin de Ville. With beautiful winding paths, freshly cut lawns, blooms of flowers and croaking frogs in the ponds, this is an ideal spot for a taste of nature in the city. Don’t forget to take a walk across the Roman road that wasn’t discovered until 1895. 

Tournon 

The Jardin d’Eden (Garden of Eden) overlooks the pretty town of Tournon on the hills of an ancient convent. Once the home for Franciscan monks and nuns, it is now a botanical haven, symbolising peace and serenity. Discover woodlands, ponds, fountains, statues and an array of plant life reflecting a time long ago. Across the Rhône, you might notice the vineyards of Tain l’Hermitage where some excellent wine is produced. Wine tasting anyone? 

Arles 

Vincent Van Gogh is famous for his magnificent command of colour, turning the most painful moments of his life into marvellous beauty. Perhaps his most prolific period was the time he spent in Arles. The eccentric artist who roamed the fields of Provence painted some of his finest paintings in this region of southern France in 1888, including Starry Night, Sunflowers and Hospital in Arles, which illustrated the stunning courtyard in bloom. The passage of time is barely noticeable in the L’Escape Van Gogh courtyard, even now you’ll find miraculous blooms of flowers in the spring and summer seasons. 

Avignon  

The hillside of the Rocher De Doms in Avignon offers some breathtaking views of the surrounding region. A popular location for nature sightseeing, you can reach the garden either from the steps leading from the Notre Dame des Doms, by the banks of the Rhône or by the Sainte-Anne steps. The garden was built in 1830, hiding a reservoir that used to supply water to the city. 

Popular with tourists and locals, enjoy the shadiness of the trees, colourful shrubbery and ducks dunking their heads in the large pond – let's not forget the Venus with Swallows statue, which was moved from Place Carnot due to its nudity. The summer season is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a refreshing drink in the café and seven acres of land makes it ideal for festivals like August’s Ban des Vendanges annual wine festival. Whether you’re strolling past French and English signs of the park’s history or choosing a good nature-spotting bench, we know it’ll soon be lunchtime. Picnic anyone? 

On a river cruise, escorted tour or worldwide tour, be one with nature at some of your favourite destinations. Book now.