Gardens of The Gods: Spring gardens and wildflowers in Greece

6 days | £3995 per person with flights | 16 - 21 March 2027

Spring gardens and wildflowers in Greece

Spring arrives early in Attica and the island of Hydra when fritillaries and anemones flourish amongst ruined temples and on stony slopes overlooking the blue Aegean Sea. Our tour begins in Peania, a village on the outskirts of Athens, which in recent years has become well known for its gardens. Sparoza, the headquarters of the Mediterranean Garden Society, the gardens of the Greek plantsman Eleftherios Dariotis, and the gardens of the Vorres Museum are all very close to each other yet they represent very different approaches to Greek garden making, however, all display an extraordinary wealth of unusual Greek native and drought-tolerant mediterranean plants from around the world. We visit a botanic garden on the wooded slopes of Mount Hymettos and continue to the delightful island of Hydra where a hand-picked selection of private gardens reveals diverse approaches to design in small spaces. Throughout the tour, we stay at two carefully selected hotels: The Athenaeum Hotel in Athens – a 4-star retreat in the heart of the city and the Hydroussa Hotel, a traditional guesthouse a stone’s throw away from the port of Hydra.

Day to day Itinerary

Day 1

We fly from London to Athens. Transfer to The Athenaeum Hotel, a new luxury 5-star boutique hotel nestled in the vibrant heart of Athens, the perfect base for exploring the city’s rich history, cultural treasures, and modern lifestyle. Time to settle in before a short introductory talk by Lucie Willan introducing herself, the tour and some of the stunning wildflowers that you will be seeing.

Day 2

We start the day with a special visit to Sparoza, the headquarters of the Mediterranean Garden Society where meet with Eleftherios Dariotis, Greece’s No 1 plantsman (featured in Gardens Illustrated 2023). Then following an included lunch, visit two small, experimental gardens very close to each other designed by Eleftherios Dariotis. One is sub-tropical, the other a “Goat Garden” is dry. Following a short drive visit The Temple of Artemis that is graced with wild orchids and Fritillaria graeca. Return to The Athenaeum Hotel with dinner included.

Day 3

This morning we explore the Archaeological site of Rhamnous praised for its historical content and it being so very peaceful, that includes the Temple of Nemesis. Here we should be able to see orchids, anemones, amazing macrocarpa oaks, and at nearby Schinias, the rare Fritillaria obliqua in abundance! Lunch is included at a taverna before passing the site of the Battle of Marathon (where the famous battle of 490AD took place) before arriving at Gryllis Nursery & show garden hosted the owner, Ioannis Gryllis. Return to The Athenaeum Hotel for a free evening.

Day 4

Leaving our base in Athens we drive to Mount Hymettos to see the Botanic Gardens (Visited by Monty Don in his European Garden programme) and the Eastern Orthodox Kaisariani Monastery. Following lunch continue to the Archaeological site of Eleusis including a wide range of wildflowers and rare endemic species. Then to the port of Metoxi to travel by water taxi to the island of Hydra checking into the Hydroussa Hotel, located just a few minutes away from the port. We will have an included dinner at the hotel this evening.

Day 5

An optional morning walk to see the Hydra fritillaries is followed by free time for lunch at the harbour. In the afternoon we take a walking tour to see two small contrasting private gardens: One inward looking garden was visited by Monty Don in his European gardens programme and the other, Tino’s garden is outward looking and was designed by Louis Benech. Return to Hydroussa Hotel, with dinner included this evening.

Day 6

A morning transfer by ferry from Hydra to Athens. Then lunch is included in a restaurant overlooking the Stavros Niarchos Park in Athens that we will have time to visit before returning to Athens Airport for our return flight to London.

The Athenaeum Hotel

The Athenaeum is a brand-new luxury hotel located centrally with views to the Acropolis. This beautiful hotel offers contemporary elegance and Greek hospitality creating a sophisticated and welcoming retreat in the heart of Athens. Its prime location provides easy access to Athens’ most iconic landmarks, vibrant neighbourhoods, and renowned dining making it an ideal choice for our tour.

Hydroussa Hotel

This idyllic retreat on the island of Hydra combines rustic charm and traditional features with modern comforts and Greek culture. Just a few minutes’ walk from the picturesque port, the Hydroussa Hotel is set in Votsi Square, surrounded by beautiful lemon trees and the character of the island. Its peaceful, flower-filled courtyard provides a charming setting in which to relax and soak up the authentic atmosphere of Hydra.

With Flights: £3995

Join Direct: £3845

Single Supp: £320

Deposit: £450

Departure Dates:

16 - 21 March 2027

Duration:

5 nights / 6 days

Your Holiday Includes:

Return flights (Economy class) from London to Athens
Three nights’ bed and breakfast at The Athenaeum Hotel
Two nights' bed and breakfast at the Hydroussa Hotel
Private coach transfers and excursions
Four evening meals and five lunches
Guided visits to the sites listed in the programme
Services of the tour host and a tour leader
Detailed programme and garden notes
All entrance fees, taxes, and gratuities for coach drivers and serving staff

Tour Host & Leader

Lucie Willan

Lucie Willan is a British professional horticulturist who served until recently as head gardener and custodian of the Mediterranean Garden Society’s Sparoza Garden in Paianía, Greece. She has worked in several leading historic UK gardens, including Sissinghurst, experiences that shaped her approach to design and plant care. Alongside tending Sparoza’s renowned drought-tolerant collection, she is active in landscape design and in leading tours that highlight Mediterranean flora and sustainable gardening. A self-professed “plant addict,” she draws on her UK background while carrying forward towards naturalistic and ecologically friendly gardening.

Kirsty Fergusson

Kirsty exchanged a career in academia (she has a PhD specialising in French philosopher-novelists) for a life in gardening. Trained at Capel Manor, she was head gardener at Mapperton in Dorset during the early nineties, where a series of fortunate encounters opened the door to garden writing. As well as writing a weekly column for The Express, for many years she was a frequent contributor to Gardens Illustrated, House and Garden, Country Life, The Times, The Telegraph and The Independent. In 2003 she moved to SW France, where she continues to explore the possibilities of her own (very forgiving) garden - when not travelling, writing or leading tours.

Travel Information
The price does not include extras at the hotels or travel insurance.

Please note that Boxwood Tours use hotels of character featuring a variety of rooms & styles.