Slow Flowers Show Episode 749V: Floral Tourism to Holland and Belgium

Описание: Floral Tourism visits historic gardens and modern-day flower festivals of Holland and Belgium, with Debra Prinzing, Lorene Edwards Forkner, and Lois Moss
As a special year-end episode of the Slow Flowers Podcast, you’re invited to join me today in conversation with garden tour producer Lois Moss, and my dear friend, Lorene Edwards Forkner, artist, author, and regular contributor to the Seattle Times. Together, we are planning a one-of-a-kind botanical tour in Spring 2026 – a unique Slow Flowers Experience that takes us to Holland and Belgium in April for a 7-day river boat cruise, plus several optional floral excursions and festivals.
Here at Slow Flowers, we declared Floral Tourism a top insight in 2017 and in the subsequent nine years leading up to 2026, the allure of traveling and touring floral and garden destinations has been an important facet of our profession. Part education and research; part rest and retreat, when we visit botanical gardens, flower farms, and floral festivals, there’s something vital about these experiences. Tourism combined with fellow flower and garden lovers enriches our lives far beyond connecting with nature.
We’re getting excited and you’re invited to join me on this special tour this coming spring. Seek new inspiration as you engage with the world and explore creative expression in 2026 – and listen on for updates because there’s new pricing just announced for the cruise portion of the tour.
I took my first trip to Amsterdam in 2005 when I joined a press tour for a small group of garden writers during tulip season. It was an unforgettable experience. The flowers, landscapes, and floral designs left a lasting impression on my own aesthetic and deepened my love of bulb gardening and designing with those blooms. Last year, in 2024, I returned, visiting Amsterdam during Dutch Lily Days! That journey greatly influenced my newfound love affair with lily gardening and floral design with lilies.
Imagine my delight to now be planning an intimate, customized garden and floral tour that I will co-host with Lois Moss of Tour 2 Explore More and our artist-in-residence Lorene Edwards Forkner, author of Color In and Out of the Garden. Yes, we are heading to Holland and Belgium for a very special excursion that is 100% tailored to the garden, flower, and art lover.
I’ve always wanted to take a European river cruise. Combining some of Holland's and Belgium’s most exclusive gardens and floral venues with traveling onboard an AmaWaterways ship will be truly special. Lois, Lorene, and I will take you to inspiring garden and floral destinations and cultural sights, with custom shore excursions for our group. Lois has developed and led numerous international tours and we are in great hands with Tour 2 Explore More.
The main tour will be April 19-29 and includes a 7-night river cruise (https://www.amawaterways.com/destinat...) with custom shore excursions plus 3 nights in the charming city of Utrecht.
There will be an optional 2 day pre-tour for those who want to experience the famous Bloemencorso Bollenstreek (https://bollenstreek.nl/bloemencorso-...) flower parade on Saturday night.
And if you just want to join us for just the 7-night cruise, that option is now available. Our group pricing is more than $1,000 lower than the regular retail price. AmaWaterways is a fan favorite and their river cruises get rave reviews for their gourmet food and all-inclusive shore excursions
Registration for the tour and the $1000 discount is only available until January 20. Act soon if you want to join us!
In addition to learning about gardens and floral design with Debra Prinzing, Lorene will bring an artist's sensibility to our tour! With Lorene's personal approach to "seeing," you will explore the power of language and mark-making to enlarge your travel experience. You’ll be inspired to capture garden moments and memories with a variety of simple prompts to pique curiosity and hone observation. No previous experience necessary.
QUESTIONS: Reach out to Lois Moss
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 503-853-2399
Registration for the tour and the $1000 discount is only available until January 20. Act soon if you want to join us! DETAILS: http://tri.ps/kzMwN