Traveling

11 Beautiful Virtual Garden Tours

Posted by nikkidiscovers on

I haven’t had a chance to blog in ages, and this roundup of virtual garden tours has been on my list for far too long. I managed to explore these gardens from the comfort of my PJs before my workload increased. If you’re passionate about beautiful flowers and have some spare time, you should definitely check out these virtual tours.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa

A King Protea at Kirstenbosch Garden

Kirstenbosch often gets overlooked in lists of beautiful gardens, but it’s one of my favorite spots in Cape Town, my hometown. Nestled on the slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch showcases unique flora and fauna native to the region.

Take the tour here: Kirstenbosch Virtual Tour

While the tour isn’t highly interactive and requires some reading alongside the images, it’s definitely worth it, especially if you plan to visit Cape Town once it’s safe to travel.

For more on Kirstenbosch, check out my post: Kirstenbosch: The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens in Africa

 

Kew Gardens, Richmond, England

Kew Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to 14,000 trees and over 50,000 plants. With nearly 400 years of history, Kew Gardens also boasts an art gallery with 800 botanical paintings. The guided tour highlights the top 10 attractions of the gardens.

Watch the video here: Kew Gardens Virtual Tour

Kew Gardens also includes an anti-slavery statement on its website. Initially surprising, this article explains why such statements are present.

Claude Monet Garden, Giverny, Normandy, France

Famous for his Impressionist paintings, Monet was deeply inspired by his garden, which features in his Water Lilies series. The garden is divided into a flower garden and a Japanese-inspired garden, meticulously maintained by a dedicated team.

Watch the video here: Monet’s Garden Virtual Tour

Monet’s garden with its beautiful blossoms

Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, England

Purchased in 1874 by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, Waddesdon Manor boasts an instantly lush garden created with mature trees. The gardens are an exemplary display of late Victorian style.

The tour is informative and features charming classical music, although the guides amusingly discuss the creation of the garden in a way that’s clearly more about Rothschild’s vision than hands-on gardening.

Keukenhof, Lisse, The Netherlands

Keukenhof, also known as the “Kitchen Garden,” is renowned for its annual display of tulips. Open only in spring, this garden attracts around 1 million visitors each year. Despite the video quality being a bit low, it’s uplifting to see the garden’s beauty during the pandemic.

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Papaikou, Hawaii, U.S

This garden features over 2,000 species of tropical plants from around the world, including stunning waterfalls and scenic views of the Pacific Ocean. The tour is peaceful, with no narration, allowing you to enjoy the serene beauty of the garden.

Watch the video here: Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden Virtual Tour

A tropical paradise

The U.S  Botanical Garden, Washington, U.S

One of North America’s oldest botanic gardens, established in 1820, the U.S. Botanical Garden showcases roses, orchids, and more. The virtual tour uses Google Street View, which can be a bit disorienting at first but becomes easier with practice.

Take the tour here: U.S. Botanical Garden Virtual Tour

An exhibition at the U.S Botanical Garden

New York Botanical Garden , New York, U.S

Take a detailed 21-minute virtual tour of the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden. This tour offers a wealth of information, and I was fascinated to learn about orchids that grow in deserts.

Watch the video here: New York Botanical Garden Virtual Tour

Orchids at New York Botanical Garden

Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago, U.S

This brief 2-minute video tour showcases the Chicago Botanic Garden in summer, featuring vibrant flowers like hydrangeas and lilies. With over 1 million annual visitors, it’s a popular destination.

Watch the video here: Chicago Botanic Garden Virtual Tour

The Chicago Garden is vast with 27 different gardens

The RHS Wisley Garden ,Surrey, England

Designed by horticulturist Graham Stuart Thomas, RHS Wisley Garden features a glasshouse with three climate zones. The aerial view tour provides a comprehensive look at this expansive garden.

Take the tour here:

Jardins du Château de Versailles

The intricate design of the Palace of Versailles Garden

Explore the Palace of Versailles Gardens via Google Street View. Although it feels a bit strange to see people without masks in the virtual tour, the garden remains as stunning as ever.

Take the tour here: Palace of Versailles Garden Virtual Tour

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Feel free to leave a comment!

Take care, guys,

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Published by nikkidiscovers

I'm a Cape Town-based Social Media Specialist/ Researcher privileged to have received the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, which took me on an enriching journey across Europe. From the streets of Paris to the picturesque canals of Amsterdam, the historical charm of Brussels, and the cultural tapestry of Athens —each destination left an indelible mark on my perspective. Now back in Cape Town, I am eager to share not only my international escapades but also the allure of my beloved hometown. My writing weaves together travel with an eclectic mix of themes—from political insights and sustainable fashion to delectable local cuisines and hidden gems of Cape Town. Expect lively narratives that blend fun anecdotes with thought-provoking explorations of current affairs and policy discussions. Join me on this captivating journey where every article is a passport to discovery. Let's discover together!