Seven of the world's most incredible botanical gardens
New cities are always an exciting adventure. They're full of great things to see and do. But when you're hopping between urban districts, the traffic, people and noise can leave you feeling a little wound up.
That's why we've dedicated today's post to urban botanical gardens - those beautiful islands of greenery in some of the world's most bustling cities. They're our own personal oases that give us the space we need to get back to nature. They're also great places to learn and offer some fantastic opportunities to discover new flora and fauna that we had no idea existed.
We hope you're feeling green-fingered because this week we're exploring eight of the world's most amazing botanical gardens.
Kew Gardens, London
Kew is as bustling as any London Borough you care to mention. However, secreted behind red brick walls is one of the world's most beautiful botanical gardens. Visit the two beautiful Victorian hothouses, the Japanese house, the treetop walkway, or just relax with a picnic on one of its many beautiful greens.
King's Park and Botanic Garden, Perth
Australia is world-famous for its amazing wildlife and plant life. You will get to explore them both in at this incredible location. The King's Park itself is the largest inner-city park in the world and two-thirds of its 400 acres are a protected wildlife sanctuary. You can explore over 3000 different species of plants in the Gardens.
Kirstenbosch, Cape Town
Set against Cape Town's famous Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch is perhaps one of the loveliest places on the planet. It's both a botanical and zoological garden that allows visitors to explore the very special flora and fauna of South Africa. Look out for the famous Angulate Tortoises that live on the lower slopes of the garden.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Tasmania
This unique location is the second oldest botanic garden in Australia and shows off the true extent of Tasmania's biodiversity. Hobart’s botanical garden is replete with incredible displays like the Japanese garden, the traditional herb garden and even a subantarctic plant house.
Kyoto Botanical Gardens
The Japanese masters of garden design have spread their influence across the globe, from Kew to Tasmania. If you want to experience botanical perfection, visit Kyoto. The master gardeners here use colour, light and life to sculpt some of the most incredible views you're ever likely to see. The gardens are immaculate down to the tiniest detail.
La Mortella, Forio
Hidden away on the tiny island of Ischia in Italy, La Mortella is a private garden that has been turned into an Eden through decades of cultivation. It's separated into two areas - the Hill Garden and Valley Garden, which each have their own unique plant life and atmosphere. If you want to visit a truly special location and make your friends jealous, this is the place.
Botaniske Hage, Tromsø
Norway might not be somewhere you immediately associate with lush greenery. However, this arctic-alpine garden demonstrates just how rich the flora here can get. It's the world's most northern Botanical Garden (so it might get a bit chilly!) but remains stunningly beautiful at any time of year.
Don't forget, you can visit Perth on our fantastic Western Wonderland and Untamed West Coast tours. You might even discover some of those incredible plants out in the wild!