Trips & Travel
International Trips
The Gardens’ Center for Global Initiatives offers trips that traverse many continents.
Space is limited for all trips.
Rome, Matera and the Amalfi Coast: Health and Wellness Italian Style
April 7-15, 2026
SOLD OUT
Spend eight nights in Rome, Matera and the Amalfi Coast learning about Denver Botanic Gardens’ connections to Italy – ranging from food and water security collaborations to the importation of a line of herbal remedies. Eat, drink and incorporate a bit of yoga and herbalism, if you’d like, while exploring the Eternal City as well as the regions of Campania and Basilicata. Co-led by Blake Burger, the Gardens’ associate director of horticulture and curator, and Jennifer Riley-Chetwynd, the Gardens’ interim CEO, this is the fourth time this trip has been offered, but this edition includes the new destination of beautiful Matera.
Please contact jennifer.riley@botanicgardens.org to get on a wait list.
South Africa: Botanical Safari
Aug. 30 – Sept. 9, 2026 with optional pre and post extensions
Discover the breathtaking floral kingdom of South Africa, where ancient cycads meet vibrant proteas and the world's most diverse botanical treasures await. Journey through Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden at the foot of Table Mountain, explore the succulent wonders of Karoo Desert and immerse yourself in Cape Floral's legendary fynbos, all while enjoying luxurious accommodations and expertly curated experiences. Your trip leader is Hannah Craft, the associate director of learning engagement & interpretation at Denver Botanic Gardens, where she designs experiences that spark curiosity and foster deeper connections to art, nature and one another. Join us for an unforgettable expedition that will transform how you see the world around you.
South Africa Itinerary and Register
Price: $8,596 per person, double occupancy; $11,168 for single occupancy.
Contact UJUZI African Travel or Hannah Craft at hannah.craft@botanicgardens.org for more information about this trip.
Japan Garden Tour
Nov. 1-10, 2026
This thoughtfully designed tour will take travelers through Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka—three of Japan’s most iconic and culturally rich cities. Guests will explore celebrated sites such as the Meiji Shrine, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Osaka Castle, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The itinerary features immersive experiences including a traditional rickshaw ride through a bamboo forest, a hands-on sushi-making class, and a visit to the amazing digital art museum. Free time is woven throughout the journey for relaxation, shopping or personal exploration.
Collaboration trip with the Gardens is hosted by Denver Botanic Gardens’ Panayoti Kelaidis, senior curator and director of outreach.
Price: $8,595 per person, double occupancy. Single room supplement: $2,000.
Email masahiko@johnshorstravel.com for more information about this trip.
The Gardens has several future trips in development, with destinations including New Zealand and India. If you would like more information on these trips, have general inquiries or would like to be added to a wait list for a sold-out trip (when possible), please contact travel@botanicgardens.org.
Past International Travel
Travel Talk: Greece
Travel Talk: China
Travel Talk: New Zealand
Travel Talk: Tibet
Travel Talk: Georgia (Eastern Europe)
Travel Talk: Central Asia
Travel Talk: Turkey
National & Local
Luxury Spring Escape at Los Poblanos
April 26-29, 2026
Treat yourself to a luxurious getaway at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm in Albuquerque, NM, where 25 acres of gardens and lavender fields provide a serene backdrop for an unparalleled experience. This estate stands as a premier cultural landmark in the Southwest, uniquely blending historic preservation, regenerative agriculture and world-class hospitality. As New Mexico's only lodging destination to hold the prestigious Two MICHELIN Key distinction, the property is celebrated for its restorative atmosphere and commitment to "slow travel."
Throughout your retreat, immerse yourself fully in the farm experience. Enjoy workshops led by clinical herbalist extraordinaire Susan Evans on lavender, culinary herbs, and garden-inspired cocktails, and participate in farm tours and lavender distillation demonstrations. This is your invitation to relax, be pampered and delight in a five-star experience that showcases the beauty and restorative qualities of the season.
Luxury Spring Escape Itinerary and Register
Price: $3,700 per person double occupancy, double room; $3,500 per person double occupancy, single room; $4,000 per person, single occupancy, single room
Contact Sydney Goldade at sydney.goldade@botanicgardens.org for more information or any questions about this trip.
Wildflowers of the Middle Rockies: From Steppe to Alpine
June 30 – July 4, 2026
The end of June and early July is peak season for flowers throughout the Rockies, but never more so than in the state of Wyoming, which may resemble Colorado in rectangular shape but has a fraction of the human population. Cody, WY, our base for the tour, will give the group opportunities to visit the key wildflower sites of northern Wyoming. On one of the days in Cody, we’ll drive to the summit of the Bighorn Mountains. The next adventure will be a circle drive over Beartooth Pass – one of America's most spectacular highways that crosses many plant zones. The third day will be a visit to the big lake in Yellowstone National Park. We will travel from Cody and have several stops along the way with a visit to the iconic waterfall in Yellowstone. Your guide for this trip will be Mike Bone, the Gardens’ associate director & curator of steppe collection.
Registration link will be on this page in late February.
Price: $2,125 per person, double occupancy. Single room supplement: $275
For more information, contact Mike Bone at mike.bone@botanicgardens.org
Join the Gardens’ experts on trips in Colorado and across the country. Some more regional trips are in the pipeline. Check back for updates or contact travel@botanicgardens.org to express interest.