June in Bloom – Our Favorite Gardens for the Summertime

Ever find yourself needing a bit of a break while traveling, a place to just soak up some good scenery and maybe see something a bit different? Gardens can be surprisingly great for that, offering a relaxing and meditative place to enjoy the warmer weather. And while some are nice for a quiet stroll, others are genuinely standout spots – places with cool stories, unique designs, or that just make you go "wow." They’re the kind of gardens that offer more than just pretty flowers; they give you a real feel for a place or an artist's vision, and honestly, they’re just fascinating places to explore.

Read our list below of our travel advisors’ favorite gardens to visit around the world: 

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (London, UK)

If you think you know botanical gardens, prepare for Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to reshape your expectations. This isn't just a garden; it's a sprawling UNESCO World Heritage site in London that offers a genuine journey through the world's plant life. With over 50,000 living plants, exploring Kew is an opportunity to connect with the sheer diversity of nature on a scale rarely seen, offering a unique perspective on our planet's ecosystems.

Summer at Kew is particularly rewarding. The curated vibrant floral displays are, of course, stunning, but it’s the overall atmosphere – the blend of meticulous design with vast, tranquil landscapes – that truly captivates. It provides a sophisticated escape, a place where you can find both visual inspiration and a genuine sense of peace surprisingly close to the city's hum.

The architectural marvels of the glasshouses are central to the Kew experience. Stepping into the Palm House is an immersive encounter with a tropical rainforest environment. You’ll feel the warmth and humidity as you walk among towering palms. For a distinct perspective, seek out the spiral staircase; the elevated view from the walkway offers a unique look at the dense canopy below, a detail many visitors overlook. Then there's the Temperate House, the world’s largest surviving Victorian glasshouse. It’s not just its scale that impresses, but the collection of rare and threatened temperate species it houses. You gain a tangible understanding of Kew's critical role in global conservation, seeing the plants they are actively working to protect. This isn't a passive exhibit; it’s a living testament to ongoing scientific endeavor.

Beyond the iconic structures, the experience of Kew unfolds in its diverse landscapes. You might find yourself strolling along a treetop walkway, offering panoramic views and a different appreciation for woodland structures, or discovering quiet, themed gardens that transport you to other parts of the world. What you get from a day at Kew is multifaceted: a deeper appreciation for botanical beauty, certainly, but also a compelling insight into scientific research, conservation, and the intricate history of plant exploration that has shaped our world. It’s a place that engages your curiosity and offers a wealth of knowledge, all within an exceptionally beautiful setting. You leave with more than just photos; you leave with a renewed sense of wonder and a clearer understanding of the botanical world.

Butchart Gardens (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada)

There are places that photos, no matter how stunning, simply cannot capture. Butchart Gardens is undeniably one of them. To step inside is to be enveloped in a world meticulously sculpted by vision and nature, a truly immersive experience that awakens a sense of wonder and endless possibility.

Prepare for the breathtaking reveal of the Sunken Garden. Descending into its depths feels like entering another realm, a vibrant kaleidoscope of colour and texture unfurling before you. This isn't just a garden; it's a phenomenal transformation of a former limestone quarry. That knowledge itself adds a layer of awe to the experience, witnessing how industry has given way to such profound beauty. The pathways draw you onward, deeper into an embrace of blossoms and cascading foliage.

Each turn at Butchart introduces a new chapter. The Rose Garden, in its peak season, is an intoxicating experience. Imagine the air rich with the collective perfume of countless varieties, a dazzling array of hues demanding your full attention. It’s a space that celebrates romance and the sheer exuberance of nature. Then, discover the profound tranquility of the Japanese Garden. Here, the energy shifts. It’s an exercise in serene artistry, where every stone, carefully pruned tree, and reflective water feature contributes to an atmosphere of deep calm. You’ll find your pace slowing, your mind clearing, as you absorb the meticulous harmony of the design.

Beyond the immediate floral beauty, the Gardens resonate with deeper significance. The presence of two majestic 30-foot totem poles, erected to mark the centennial in 2004, offers a powerful connection to the Indigenous heritage of Vancouver Island. Their intricate carvings stand as proud storytellers within this cultivated paradise. This same year, the Gardens’ national importance was formally recognized with its designation as a National Historic Site of Canada, a nod to its enduring legacy and cultural value. These elements enrich the visit, offering more than just visual delight.

And should your visit extend into a summer evening, the fireworks display offers a spectacular finale. This isn't just pyrotechnics; it's an orchestration of light and sound that transforms the nocturnal gardens into an enchanted landscape, with bursts of colour reflecting in the ponds and illuminating the magnificent trees. It’s a shared spectacle of pure joy.

Claude Monet’s Garden (Giverny, France)

Some places resonate so deeply with art and beauty that they become timeless touchstones. Claude Monet’s Giverny is precisely that – a living, breathing canvas that continues to draw art lovers and garden dreamers from across the globe. Forget static museum halls for a moment; this is where you walk directly into the vibrant world that birthed some of history’s most beloved paintings. 

Prepare for that almost surreal moment when you first lay eyes on the iconic water lily pond. Yes, that pond. The famed Japanese bridge, draped in wisteria, arching gracefully over the shimmering water – it’s all there, meticulously preserved and cultivated to mirror the very scenes Monet so obsessively captured. You'll find yourself mesmerized by the play of light on the water's surface, the subtle shifts in colour, the reflections of weeping willows and clouds. It’s an exercise in seeing the world through Monet’s eyes, understanding his fascination with capturing fleeting moments and ethereal beauty. This isn't just looking at a pretty scene; it's connecting with the very soul of Impressionism.

Then there’s the Clos Normand, the flower garden that bursts with an almost untamed energy right before Monet's charming pink-stuccoed house. Imagine pathways overflowing with nasturtiums, poppies, roses, and a riot of other blooms, arranged not in rigid formal beds, but in a painterly profusion of height, texture, and daring colour combinations. It’s a joyful explosion, designed to be a constantly evolving palette. You can practically feel Monet’s delight in this vibrant chaos, a living experiment in light and hue that fueled his work for decades.

A visit to Monet's house itself offers another layer of connection. Peeking into his studio, seeing the collections of Japanese prints that so profoundly influenced him, wandering through rooms still vibrant with the colours he chose – it’s an intimate glimpse into the artist's daily life and the environment he so carefully curated to inspire his genius.

What makes Giverny so compelling, especially today, is this tangible link between the artist, his environment, and his art. The gardens aren't just maintained; they are curated to evoke the visuals of his paintings. This means that as you wander, you’re not just a visitor; you’re an active participant in his world. You’re seeing the source, the inspiration, the living, breathing muse.

Jardin Majorelle

In the heart of Marrakech's vibrant energy, there's a sanctuary that pulses with a rhythm all its own: the Jardin Majorelle. This isn't just a garden; it's a design pilgrimage, a bold artistic statement, and a vibrant, cool haven that offers an instant jolt of inspiration from the moment you step through its gates.

Prepare to be immediately captivated by that blue – the intense, electric cobalt now famously trademarked as "Majorelle Blue." It’s used with such confidence, adorning the Moorish-meets-Art-Deco architecture, fountains, and planters, creating a stunning, almost surreal contrast against the deep greens of the exotic plant collection. You’ll find yourself reaching for your camera, but also just pausing to absorb the sheer audacity and brilliance of it. This vivid hue is the garden's signature, a visual anchor that feels both incredibly historic and startlingly contemporary.

Wandering the shaded pathways, you’re transported into a botanical wonderland. Towering bamboo groves create natural cathedrals, sculptural cacti stand like modern art installations, and elegant palms sway gently, their fronds filtering the Moroccan sunlight. French artist Jacques Majorelle dedicated forty years to collecting these diverse specimens from around the globe, composing a living tableau that is as much about form and texture as it is about flora. It’s a masterclass in garden design, where every plant feels deliberately chosen to contribute to the overall sensory immersion.

The garden’s second chapter, and a crucial part of its enduring allure, is its acquisition by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé in 1980. They didn't just save it from demolition; they lovingly restored and enhanced Majorelle's vision, securing its future as one of the most iconic gardens in the world. Their influence is palpable, infusing the space with an undeniable touch of sophisticated elegance and ensuring its place as a must-visit for anyone interested in fashion, design, or simply breathtaking beauty. You can almost feel their discerning eye in the perfect composition of each vignette.

Beyond the visual feast, Jardin Majorelle offers a true respite. The gentle sound of water from courtyard fountains, the rustle of leaves, and the noticeably cooler air provide a welcome escape from the city’s exhilarating heat. It’s a place to slow down, to breathe deeply, and to let the extraordinary palette of colours and textures wash over you.

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From a Canadian garden that literally rose from an old quarry, to stepping into a famous painting in France, and finding a blast of cool blue in Morocco – it's clear that not all gardens are created equal, with some needing a special place on your bucket list. 

Visiting places like these isn't just about seeing plants; it's about the unique vibe each one has, the history you can often feel, and frankly, the chance to see something pretty amazing. If you find yourself near any of these, or gardens like them, they’re definitely worth checking out. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy these unique green spaces and the cool stories they have to tell.