Our team is comprised of seasoned travel experts, tour design specialists, horticulturists, landscape artists, historians, photographers, painters, architects, authors, chefs and local experts. Our professional tour managers will guide you along every step of the way to ensure that your experience is all that you hoped for and more!

Owner, Gwendy Lauritzen, is a 35-year veteran of the hospitality industry. She began her career in the ski industry organizing multi-day ski trips and coordinating media and dignitary schedules and receptions for world-class level ski races. She next worked as sales person and event-coordinator 400-passenger cruise ship and managed over 500 events each year. Her life-long dream came true when she purchased Notch Above Tours, Inc. a New England receptive tour operator based in Vermont. Over the years her company blossomed and at her clients’ demand,, her tours expanded to include New York, the entire eastern seaboard and eastern Canada. Her passion for art in all forms and gardens in all colors led her to “branch” out with Art in Bloom Garden Tours. “My passion is to create tours that make people happy. The seeds we cultivate in each and every outing are intended to broaden horizons, enhance all five senses and create new friendships. We invite you to unlatch the garden gate and discover a new and beautiful world of Art in Bloom.” Gwendy Lauritzen, Owner.

Joyce Moore is a 40+ year veteran of the travel industry, both as a travel agency owner and group tour manager. After graduating with a degree in Classical Studies and Renaissance Art, living in Italy and England stoked her passion for helping others find beauty and meaning in travel. She was an adjunct instructor of Italian language at Furman University for many years and led alumni group tours worldwide. She speaks fluent Italian and has traveled to over 60 countries.  “Gardening and touring gardens is a lifelong passion, and Art in Bloom Garden Tours fulfills that passion by helping travelers on their journey to find their own desires. Gardens, Art, Culture, New Friends…. all pure human pleasures you will discover at Art in Bloom Garden Tours.” Joyce Moore, Tour Manager/Creative Designer/Gardener Extraordinaire.

Brent Curtis is a veteran of 24-years in the Vermont Hospitality and Travel industry. He has coordinated groups of all sizes from around the world as they embark unique travel experiences. Brent has a true passion for people, travel and research. He is a ITMI certified guide and a Trip School certified Tourist Business Manager. As a Tour Manager and Tour Guide Brent starts every day saying; “Let’s make some memories today!”

Garden Design:

We are both thrilled and honored to announce our partnership with Jim Peterson and his staff from Garden Design. Many of you receive Linda's weekly emails that offer a bounty of great gardens, design tips, plant picks, outdoor living products, gardens to visit and events to enjoy. If you're not on her list, sign up and click here.

Jim's Garden Design, ioffers live webinars that feature the very top speakers in the gardening world. Listeners may participate with their own comments, share ideas and receive follow up notes. You do not want to miss these fabulous webinars. To register click here.