Travel adventures with le jardinet
Meet Your Hosts
Karen & Andy Chapman: touring the Chatsworth Estate, Peak District National Park, England.
Both Karen and Andy grew up in northern England. In fact, they first met when Andy was just 9 and Karen was 14 (and she still hasn’t forgiven him for not remembering her, even though she has the photographs to prove it!) Despite such inauspicious beginnings they married in 1987 and lived in the heart of the Peak District before moving to Seattle in 1996 with their two young children.
A love of the English countryside was a common bond even in those early days, which for Karen naturally led to an interest in gardening while both Karen and Andy enjoy photographing landscapes and wildlife.
Today, as a landscape designer, award-winning author, and international speaker Karen has the knowledge, enthusiasm, personal connections, and detailed, organizational skills that are needed to put together a tour of inspirational gardens, historical sites, and cultural experiences.
As always, Andy is an integral part of Karen’s business, offering logistical support, attention to detail, and a reassuring pair of extra hands, ears, and eyes to make sure every guest feels cared for.
Together, they would love to share “their England” and other favorite places with you.
What our guests said....
England 2022
east coast 2022
England 2023
SOUTH AFRICA 2023
england 2024
hudson river valley 2024
- What a fantastic time we had! The gardens, historic homes and villages were a treat to experience. We appreciated your attention to detail and personal insights into everything UK. Thanks so much!
- You and Andy are a perfect team. You have your roles down perfectly and everybody is quite comfortable with both of you. You are very different and very approachable.
- Best garden tour ever!
- This was just absolutely awe inspiring and fun!!! Can't wait to do it again.
- Would definitely signup for another tour with you guys
- The group size is just right - easy to bond with people.
- I am just so grateful for this opportunity to travel with you, Karen, Andy, (Katie and Evan) and be a part of your family. I loved the personal people connection that you provided.
- It was an incredible tour to a destination I would not have ventured out to on my own. The mix of gardens and the added safaris were great. I look back on it now and still have to pinch myself that it wasn’t a dream. Great tour.
- Once again you have created a once in a lifetime experience for us.
spring celebration:
CHELSEA, COTSWOLDS & SOUTH WALES
With Karen Chapman
May 9th-22nd 2025
Our adventure begins in the ancient city of Oxford, famous worldwide for its prestigious university, and ornate architecture. Serving as a gateway to the Cotswolds, renowned for its quaint, honey-colored limestone cottages we will journey west to visit world-class gardens including Hidcote, a Grade 1-listed garden inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement, Kiftsgate Court Gardens, a charming smaller garden that exudes romance, and Bourton House which will delight visitors with its exciting plant combinations, imaginative topiary and charming water features. We will also visit several less well known gardens including the tranquil landscape of Rousham and The Gardens at Miserden, a timeless 17th century garden with spectacular views. Where many other tours then return east we will continue on into South Wales, a region dotted with humble miners towns, framed by rolling hills and a scenic coastline. Here we will take the opportunity to learn more about the rich history of this region by visiting Llandaff Cathedral, St. Fagans National Museum of History, and the Big Pit National Coal Museum . Our visit to Aberglasney is sure to be a highlight as we learn more of the garden restoration and how Frank Cabot, founder of the Garden Conservancy, was an unexpected benefactor.
What sets this tour apart, however, are the hidden gems such as Llanover Garden , now managed by the seventh generation family members Ross and Elizabeth, featuring streams, ancient trees, expansive borders and a walled garden, Pettifers, a colorful, private English country garden, and several other carefully selected private gardens both in the Cotswolds and South Wales.
For our grand finale we will enjoy a full day at the iconic Chelsea Flower Show on members day. As a bonus, all tour guests will receive a complimentary, one-year membership to the Royal Horticultural Society with all the associated benefits.
Rather than visiting as a tourist – I invite you to join me as family. I want you to have time to simply sit in these beautiful gardens and “be”, to have time to chat with the locals, and to experience true English hospitality. These are the memories that will linger long after the spring blooms have faded.
This tour promises to be a unique blend of treasured experiences and memories.
adventures in New zealand:
gardens, wildlife & natural beauty
With Karen & Andy Chapman
October 30th-November 18th 2025
From parrots to penguins and roses to restios – this tour has it all.
New Zealand is world-renowned for its outstanding natural beauty, delicious wines, and abundant wildlife and this 19-day tour promises to be the adventure of a lifetime as we explore the highlights of it all.
Our journey will begin in Auckland with visits including Auckland Botanic Gardens, Omaio, Totara Waters and Ayrlies, one of the most celebrated gardens. An evening at the Hobbiton Movie Set is sure to be fun before we fly to Wellington. Visiting Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum will help us learn more about the shaping of this land and its peoples while nighttime at Zealandia will enable us to look for nocturnal birds including the kiwi and Pateke, a native forest parrot.
Riding on the historic Wellington cable car will afford a birds eye view of the harbor and city before we visit several gardens including Otari-Wilton’s Bush, the only botanic garden in New Zealand dedicated to natives.
For a change of pace, a 3-hour scenic cruise will transport us through Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton where we will transfer by coach to Blenheim, visiting gardens and wineries along the way. With Christchurch, the ‘Garden City’ as our next base we will explore several special gardens including the Giants House, an historic Akaroa house, and Fisherman’s Bay Garden.
Continuing south to Queenstown through spectacular scenery we have included a stargazing tour at Mt. John. From Queenstown we have planned a special overnight wilderness experience in the Fiordland National Park to enjoy the stunning scenery and marine life of Doubtful Sound.
Back on land we will travel across the rolling farmland of Southland and Otago on our way to Dunedin. Our final day will include a visit to Larnach Castle, the Royal Albatross Colony, and an evening outing to see the Blue Penguins as they return from the sea. Our tour services end with your transfer to Dunedin domestic airport for your connecting flight home. If you prefer, you may wish to extend your visit in Dunedin and explore further south at your leisure.
This tour is filled with the sights and sounds of New Zealand, one that is sure to leave you with memories that will forever become a part of your soul.
Yorkshire & the Lake District
Adventures in south africa & kenya
Summer 2026
Fall 2026
Disclaimer
Le jardinet acts only as an agent for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, sightseeing, activities, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Le jardinet and their respective employees, agents, representatives, and assigns accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other incident which may be caused by the negligence, defect, default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other such causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of the country in which they are provided. Le jardinet is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours/trips arranged by Le jardinet. Individual travelers are responsible of purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desires, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects.
Get my FREE Travel Tips when you sign up here:
Interested in Garden Tours?
Be one of the first to hear about upcoming trips by signing up for my newsletter.