It’s my birthday today and to celebrate it, I’m introducing a tour that blends the Journées des Plantes in Paris with the Chelsea Flower Show in London.  If you want to send me ‘a present’ let’s start a conversation about this tour for 2-4 of your green-fingered customers or even a small group for May 2020!

The Travel Research Online article on garden festivals is well worth a closer look because there are some surprises there that many of you clients would find interesting.  The same holds true with my Britain Insider column on the untapped potential in the undiscovered 1066 Country on England’s south coast.

The Northern Lights extravaganza in York Minster looks fantastic and clients with an interest in ceramics won’t want to miss the Biennial in the World Capital of Ceramics aka Stoke on Trent.  Finally, the good folk of Clovelly have a novel way of celebrating Christmas and the New Year.

Once again, my Inside Track reflects the extensive UK product knowledge, operational experience and grassroot connections that are at your disposal.

A Horticultural Tale of Two Cities

The Journées des Plantes is the go-to event in the world of French gardening.  It takes place between 15^th-17^th May at the Domaine de Chantilly just north of Paris, the week prior to the Chelsea Flower Show in London. This tour brings them both together in a way that many of your green-fingered clients may not have seen before.  Read More

Orchids, Tulips, Roses And An Edible Garden

Why not time a customised UK tour to include one of our world class garden festivals?  Check out a recent article I wrote for Travel Research Online and then let’s talk up an itinerary that includes one of them, jazzed up with lots more bells and whistles to suit your client’s interests, time frame and above all, their UK land budget. Read More

Discover 1066 Country

Last week’s Britain Insider column spotlighted 1066 Country on England’s south coast.  It’s one hour/40miles west of Dover and in a corner of East Sussex filled with medieval towns and villages, castles and gardens, all set in rolling English countryside.  It’s perfect for travel less, see more tours for pre and post cruises, garden, literary and living history travel experiences.  Read on.

Northern Lights in York Minster

After selling out all their performances last year, the amazing light show ‘Northern Lights’ will return to York Minster’s glorious Nave from 24^th-31^st October. Created by the world-renowned The Projection Studio, the spectacular shows are taking place to help raise funds to preserve the Minster’s precious medieval stained glass; the largest collection in the world dating back over 600 years.

British Ceramics Biennial Returns to Stoke-on-Trent

This major celebration returns to its spiritual home from 7^th September to 13^th October 2019.  Easily accessible with non-stop flights from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York and Orlando to the northern gateway of Manchester, the international festival will bring together more than 300 contemporary artists in a vibrant programme of exhibitions, installations and events in different venues across the city.

Pirates Christmas in Clovelly

Our Pirates travelled the known world, so the annual Clovelly Pirate’s Jamboree has always been unique. The grog comes from a time-honoured recipe, the locals tell me their cloths are costumes, but they fit too well! The food is an international gastronomic delight. Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean) judges the costumes, the fireworks are amazing along with music to dance the night away.