MONDAY, MARCH 2 – Plan to arrive at the Philadelphia International Airport by 1 p.m., when you will be met by tour managers Teresa Watkins and Tony DeSormier. After boarding the motor coach, you will be transported to the Barnes where the mission is to advance “the appreciation of the fine arts and horticulture.”  Your visit includes a guided tour followed by time to explore on your own. The visit will culminate with a wine and cheese reception. At 4 p.m., you’ll reboard the bus and travel to the Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown Center City. After checking in and settling in, you’re on your own to sample any of the restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. (Reception) Overnight: Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown Center City. 

TUESDAY, MARCH 3 – After enjoying the hot breakfast buffet, your first day starts with a trip to the Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, “a stunning mansion featuring the most significant collection of American decorative arts in the world. A world-class naturalistic garden set within 1,000 acres of rolling hills, streams, meadows, and forests. A leader in the preservation and study of cultural heritage.” If you get hungry, Winterthur’s visitor center café is open between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Upon returning to the hotel, you’ll gather for a very special experience: noted speaker, garden writer, and horticulturist Kirk Brown will give a presentation as Frederick Law Olmstead, “the father of American landscape architecture. Dinner will be at La Viola Ovest, “a charming BYOB Italian restaurant in Center City, praised for its exceptional service and delicious food presentation. (B, D) Overnight: Cambria Hotel  

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 – Today features the titular event of the tour, the Philadelphia Flower Show. You’ll want to get to the breakfast buffet early because we’ll be leaving the hotel by 7:30 a.m. to get to the Philadelphia Convention Center for the special early morning tour between 8 and 10 a.m. From then on, you’ll have time to explore the show on your own. For those who might be interested, the bus will leave the convention center at 1 p.m. for the Reading Terminal Market, “one of America’s largest and oldest public markets” plus the widest variety of restaurants under one roof.” (B) Overnight: Cambria Hotel  

THURSDAY, MARCH 5 – A gardening trip to Philadelphia wouldn’t be complete without a visit  to Longwood Gardens, “one of the country’s most visited botanical gardens” and ranked the No. 1 Best Botanical Garden by USA Today in its Spring 2025 “10 Best” ratings. “The conservatory is one of Longwood's focal points, which features classical architecture filled with lush indoor gardens.” Enjoy a bite of lunch at The Café. On the way back to the hotel, a stop is planned at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens which “provide access to Isaiah Zagar’s two largest immersive mixed media art environments: the Magic Gardens Museum and the Magic Gardens Studio. They are completely covered with mosaics.” Dinner that night is planned for The Dandelion Pub, which features classic United Kingdom fare. (B, D) Overnight: Cambria Hotel  

FRIDAY, MARCH 6 – The tour comes to an end today. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before being shuttled to the Philadelphia International Airport for your journey home. (B) Overnight: Home