Real gardeners don’t want to go on holiday between April and September as there is too much fun to be had in the garden at home. There are other matters that come into play and well planed holiday can also give a keen gardener new interests and ideas.

Temptations are now wide spread in the form of organised tours for example:

• Cruise with Alan Titchmarch down the Danube 3 May 2009 www.cruise.co.uk

• Cruise around the Caribbean and see botanical gardens in November 2008 with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines via Victoria Travel 0800 0916498

• Try Page & Moy in Italy to see Azaleas & Camellias at Lake Maggiore or The Gardens of La Mortella www.pageandmoy.com

Alternatively you can make your own arrangements which retains flexibility and the opportunity to please other members of the family. In addition to UK resorts like  Cornwall and the Scilly Isles there are many hidden gardens in The Languedoc region of France, Monet’s Garden at Giverny, Gardens of Tuscany, the Italian Lakes, Sorrento, Ischia,  and Green Spain to list but a few.

With this months ‘The Garden Magazine’ I have just received a free supplement ‘The Garden Lovers Guide to Spain’ published by the RHS. I will read that and compare the suggestions to the great Portuguese Island destination of Madeira where the plants and gardens are outstanding.