The Philadelphia Flower Show,

Longwood Gardens, Fine Art and a “Magical” Garden Walk!

Welcome to Philadelphia, America’s Garden Capital

Friday, March 7 - Monday, March 10, 2025

Four Days – Three Nights

With a tradition of horticulture going back 300 years, Philadelphia offers more than 30 public gardens, arboreta and historic landscapes. A visit to the city is an opportunity to stroll through the history of American horticulture, when William Penn first arrived to lay claim to the hardwood forests of what he named Pennsylvania, or Penn’s Woods.  Philadelphia is also home to the PHS Flower Show, the nation’s largest and longest-running horticultural event that features stunning displays by the world’s premier floral and landscape designers. Come along with and visit the amazing Flower Show, Longwood Gardens and one of the world's greatest collections of impressionist, post-impressionist and modern art. Combined with some very special unique experiences and a rather “magical” tour, this is a trip not to be missed!

Day One: Friday, March 7:

Plan to arrive by noon at the Philadelphia International Airport where you will be greeted by your full-time tour manager, Teresa Watkins, landscape designer, horticulturist, radio personality and author. Board your private motor coach and travel into downtown Philadelphia.

Your first stop is at the Barnes Foundation, home of the world’s greatest collections of impressionist, post-impressionist and modern art. The Foundation owns more than 4,000 objects, including over 900 paintings, estimated to be worth about $25 billion dollars. In addition to impressionist works, the collection also includes many other paintings by leading European and American artists, as well as African art, antiquities from China, Egypt and Greece and Native American art.

Begin your visit with an included “picnic-style” lunch, served in a private room. Then, meet your docent who will lead you on a tour with a focus of floral and landscape art. After the tour, you are welcome to explore on your own and to visit the lovely gift shop.

Depart the Barnes Foundation and travel to your hotel located in Downtown City Center. The hotel’s ideal location is in a hub of activity that offers a host of attractions, shops and restaurants just steps away. There will be time to relax and refresh.

Early evening, gather in the hotel’s lounge for a Welcome Reception. Enjoy a refreshing beverage and a savory snack and “officially” meet your traveling companions.

Board the coach and travel just a short distance to your dinner destination. You’re in for a real treat and unique experience when you gather for an included dinner at Fogo de Chao. Located in the historic Caldwell’s Jewelry Building, the interior features French-cut chandeliers and 20-foot ceilings.  This elegant Brazilian dining experience is certain to impress and entertain every guest. The menu features fire-roasted meats that are presented on skewers and carved tableside. And the Market Table Salad bar is abundant with seasonal salads, exotic vegetables, imported cheeses, smoked salmon and Brazilian specialties. The ambience and the presentation offer a setting for group dining at its best.

Day Two, Saturday, March 8:

Start your day with an included breakfast buffet served in the hotel. Then, board the coach and travel to the nearby Convention Center, home of the PHS Flower Show.

The PHS Flower Show is both the nation's largest and the world’s longest-running horticultural event, featuring stunning displays by premier floral and landscape designers from around the globe. Started in 1829 by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Show introduces diverse and sustainable plant varieties and garden and design concepts. In addition to acres of garden displays, the Flower Show hosts esteemed competitions in horticulture and artistic floral arranging, gardening presentations and demonstrations, and special events.

The Philadelphia Flower Show has been honored as the best overall event in the world by the International Festivals and Events Association, competing with events such as the Kentucky Derby Festival, Tournament of Roses Parade, Indianapolis 500 Festival, and other international celebrations.

The proceeds from the Flower Show provide support for PHS’s year-round work in the Greater Philadelphia region to advance the health and well-being of its shared community. The Show helps fund the thousands of trees PHS plants each year, the design and maintenance of the free public gardens for all and the support of more than 170 community gardens throughout the region. Proceeds also provide low-cost programming for people to learn about produce gardening to have access to fresh food, support their partnerships to provide stormwater management solutions and support their workforce development programs that put many people to work in green jobs.

Today is your day to enjoy the Show at leisure. Stroll through the amazing exhibits, observe the entries for the various competitions and shop ‘til you drop at the vendors’ booths.  Have lunch on your own at the concessions inside the Convention Center.

Return to the hotel late afternoon. (The hotel is near the Convention Center, so you may come and go during the day if you wish.)

“Back in the day,” the purpose of gardening was to provide food. Tonight, dig into your roots and head out to discover your new favorite restaurant for dinner on your own.  Within a minute’s walk from the hotel, you’ll find an array of eateries certain to please any appetite. If you’ve never tried a renowned Philly Steak Sandwich, here’s your chance!

Day Three, Sunday, March 9:

Following breakfast in the hotel, board your private trolley and head out on a Philadelphia Highlights Tour. During your narrated tour, the guide will entertain you with historical tales, cultural highlights and engaging stories of the city's past, present, and future. Some of the sights you may see are the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House, City Hall/Love Park, United States Mint, Independence Hall and the “Rocky Steps.” There will be two stops where you may debark and take photos.

After the trolley tour, board your motorcoach and travel to the renowned Longwood Gardens. This botanical garden consists of over 1,077 acres and is one of the premier horticultural display gardens in the United States. In 1906, 36-year-old Pierre S. du Pont purchased the once farm property primarily to preserve the trees. He was not planning to create Longwood Gardens, but within a few years, his desire to make it a place where he could entertain his friends, he transformed a simple country farm into one of the country's leading horticultural display gardens. Today, Longwood Gardens consists of varied outdoor gardens, ranging from formal to naturalistic in their landscape design and 20 indoor gardens within a 4.5-acre group of heated greenhouses. Longwood's Conservatory contains 4,600 different types of plants and trees, as well as fountains.

Upon arrival, meet your guide who will lead you on a fascinating tour to experience the garden legacy of the founder, Pierre S. du Pont. Learn about the heritage and horticultural legacy, historical sites, architectural grandeur, inspiring gardens and more.

After your tour, have lunch on your own at the on-site eatery, The Café.  Next, is time to explore on your own. Ever-changing and always stunning, this season is all about bold blooms, textural touches and grand displays under glass. The outdoor landscape boasts a picturesque peacefulness that will make you slow down and take in the beauty.  Make certain to save time to visit the gift shop.

Depart Longwood Gardens late afternoon and travel back to the hotel. After time to refresh, gather in a private room and meet a very special lady and gardener extraordinaire, Jenny Rose Carey.  Jenny Rose is a renowned gardener, educator, historian and author, who lives in Ambler, home to her charming Northview Gardens. Jenny Rose and her gardens have been featured on the PBS series The Victory Garden, in the Wall Street Journal, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Green Scene Magazine and the Pennsylvania Gardener. Jenny Rose will teach you how to triumph over one of the most common garden situations – shade. You will learn how to embrace shade as an opportunity instead of an obstacle, with expert techniques, design and maintenance tips that are essential to growing a successful shade garden. At the end of her presentation, you will receive an autographed copy of her book, Glorious Shade.

Early evening, gather in the lobby, board the coach and travel just down the street to your farewell dinner destination. LaViola Bistro is a family-owned, authentic restaurant, where the Italian tradition and culture are illustrated through their dishes, environment and knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Day Four, Monday, March 10:

Prepare to check out of your rooms after breakfast in the hotel. Before you depart Philadelphia, there is a bit of magic that you simply must see!

Board the coach, travel just a few minutes from the hotel and arrive at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, an immersive mixed media art environment that is completely covered with mosaics. The creator, Isaiah Zagar, used handmade tiles, bottles, bicycle wheels, mirrors and international folk art to chronicle his life and influences. The space is made up of two indoor galleries and a bi-level outdoor sculpture garden. Zagar and his wife have devoted themselves to beautifying the South Street neighborhood since the late 1960s. The couple helped spur the revitalization of the area by renovating derelict buildings and adding colorful mosaics on both private and public walls. The Zagars, teamed with other artists and activists, transformed the neighborhood into a prosperous artistic haven.

Upon arrival, join your guide and follow along into alleyways around the Magic Gardens. You will view Zagar’s glittering creations and hear personal and community stories depicted in his large murals.

Board the coach after the tour and travel to the Philadelphia International Airport for your return flights, to be scheduled for departure after 1:00 pm. Along the way, enjoy an authentic soft pretzel, Philadelphia’s favorite food.

Your Package Includes:

• ·      3 Night’s accommodation

• ·      3 Breakfasts

• ·      1 Lunch

• ·      1 Welcome Reception

• ·      2 Dinners

• ·      1 Soft Pretzel snack

• ·      Admission to the Barnes Foundation with guided tour

• ·      Admission to the Philadelphia Flower Show

• ·      Philadelphia Highlights tour aboard a private trolley

• ·      Admission to Longwood Gardens with guided tour

• ·      Shade gardening presentation by Jenny Rose Carey

• ·      Autographed copy of Glorious Shade, by Jenny Rose Carey

• ·      Guided tour of the Magic Gardens

• ·      Services of a full-time tour manager

• ·      Baggage service for one piece of luggage per traveler

• ·      Transportation throughout the tour as is indicated in the itinerary

• ·      Taxes and gratuities (Note:  Gratuities for the coach driver, tour manager and local guides are not included and are at your discretion based on service.)

The following prices do not include airfare  in and out of the Philadelphia International airport.

Prices

• Per person double occupancy:  1,614.00

• Per person single occupancy:  2,038.00

Prices and itinerary are subject to change.

Copyright2024ArtInBloomGardenTours, Inc.

Copyright2024 ArtInBloomGardenTours, Inc. This trip was created by and will be operated by one of our valued travel partners.