The Globe Trotter: 5 October

There's nothing like nosing around someone else's garden to give you inspiration. We guide you to a fragrant bouquet of holidays for 2013

The Azorean Garden at this year’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show caught the attention of keen horticulturists, as well as presenters Monty Don and Rachel de Thame of BBC’s Gardeners’ World. Now, Sunvil Discovery is offering a seven-night Azores holiday led by horticulturist and plantsman David Sayers. Departing on 8 June, with accommodation at the Terra Nostra in Furnas and Hotel Vila Nova, Ponta Delgada. From £1,969 per person, including flights, private-garden tours, nurseries and palace gardens. Sunvil Discovery: 020-8758 4722, www.sunvil.co.uk

Kirker Holidays’ 2013 Cultural Tours & Music Holidays brochure includes the new Siena & The Gardens of Tuscany tour, a five-night holiday escorted by expert Caroline Howard. Based at the four-star superior Borgo Scopeto Relais, it includes the Villa Chigi Cetinale, Castello di Celsa and Geggiano, as well as the hanging garden at the Palazzo Piccolomini. Departing 24 April and 25 September. From £1,669 per person, with flights and most meals. Kirker Holidays: 020-7593 1896, www.kirkerholidays.com

Martin Randall Travel offers a seven-day tour exploring Brittany’s beautiful landscapes, including gardens, chateaux and historic towns, with visits to St Malo, Quimper and a day on Belle-Ile, plus an optional coastal walk. Departing 6 June, the trip will be led by garden historian Caroline Holmes, and costs from £1,960 per person. The price includes the flight, accommodation and most meals with drinks. Martin Randall Travel: 020-8742 3355, www.martinrandall.com
Sete Cidades Lake, Azores

Brightwater’s three-night Private Gardens of Argyll tour, departing 17 May, from £425 per person, begins among the rhododendrons of Ross Priory, close to Loch Lomond. You’ll also see Parkhead, an intriguing Italianate garden; An Cala, a wonderful 1930s garden; Drim na Vullin; Ardmaddy Castle; the tranquil Isle of Mull and the mountainous district of Morvern, with splendid gardens in Lip na Cloiche and Ardtornish. The tour concludes at the gardens of Ard- Daraich and Conaglen on the shores of Loch Linnhe. Brightwater: 01334-657155, www.brightwaterholidays.com

Voyages Jules Verne offers A Slice of Madeira, a four-night trip to the famous sub-tropical garden isle. Accommodation is at the Terrace Mar Suite Hotel and excursions include a short tour of Funchal, Madeira wine cellar and tasting, the Quinta do Palheiro gardens, one of the largest private gardens in Europe, and a day out spent exploring charming valleys and villas. The holiday runs regularly and costs from £565 per person, including flights. Voyages Jules Verne: 0845-166 7003, www.vjv.com

Naturetrek’s eight-day Wild Flowers and Gardens of the Isles of Scilly tour includes Tresco Abbey’s tropical gardens. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, the five isles have unique Mediterranean-style plants such as orange bird’s-foot and dwarf pansies, plus deserted white beaches and high hedges full of wild flowers. The next tour, departing 3 May, costs from £1,150 per person, including ferry from Penzance, half board in a guest house and guiding. Naturetrek: 01962-733051, www.naturetrek.co.uk

Cox & Kings is offering a botanical tour of Jordan, led by garden and landscape designer Paul Hervey-Brookes, from 18 to 27 April. The nine-night tour, from £2,195 per person, including flights, features visits to Dibeen Forest, Dana Biosphere Reserve, Wadi Rum Desert and the Royal Botanic Gardens, as well as Petra. Jordan has more than 2,500 plant species, including national flower, the beautiful black iris.  Cox & Kings: 020-7873 5000, www.coxandkings.co.uk

Prices are lead-in, per person, based on two sharing and subject to availability, unless stated.

Contact Wendy on wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk