Gardens and Temples of Japan with C. Colston Burrell - Main Tour + Post Tour Nov 5, 2025 - Nov 23, 2025
2025-11-05 - 2025-11-23
Registration is now open!
Gardens and Temples of Tokyo and Kyoto
November 4—15, 2025
Post Tour: Gardens and Temples of Shikoku and Hiroshima
November 15—23
Escorted by Cole Burrell and Maurice Horn
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Visit four storied cities: Tokyo, Kamakura, Gotemba, and Kyoto
Learn about the art of Japanese gardening from a master in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo
In Tokyo, tour Koishikawa Korakuen, Hamarikyu Garden, and Mejii Jingu
Peruse art and explore history in Tokyo’s Nezu Museum and the Hakone Museum of Art and Moss Garden
Weave through the streets of Ginza, one of Tokyo’s top shopping districts famous for stores such as Ginza Mitsukoshi Department Store
Tour three botanical gardens: Hakone Botanical Gardens of Wetlands, Kyoto Botanical Garden, and Manyo Botanical Garden
Behold the Great Buddha of Kamakura
Enjoy the autumn colors on a scenic drive to view Mt. Fuji
Walk in the footsteps of history through ten temple gardens including Ginkakuji, Todai-ji, Tenryu-ji, and Kinkaku-ji – famous for the Golden Pavilion
Enjoy four sumptuous dinners, including cocktails and a farewell dinner at a local restaurant

TOUR DURATION:
10 Nights / 11 Days
Land Only Tour Price
Pricing for 15-19 Travelers
$7,775.00 Land Price — Double Occupancy
$1,015.00 Single Supplement
Pricing for 20-22 Travelers
$6,885.00 Land Price — Double Occupancy
$1,015.00 Single Supplement
Tour price is based on a minimum of 15 travelers
Fewer than 15 travelers may result in a surcharge
Itinerary subject to change without notice

TOUR INCLUSIONS:
– Airport transfers
– Ten nights hotel accommodations
– Breakfast daily
– Four lunches
– Welcome and farewell dinners plus two additional meals
– Sightseeing and transportation as outlined in the program itinerary
– Escort throughout tour—C. Colston Burrell
– Expert local guide—Maurice Horn
– Water and snacks
– Admissions to all gardens and venues
– Bullet Train to Kyoto with Japanese Escort
– Gratuities to your tour escort and guide
– Gratuities to your local drivers and guides
– Hotel taxes and service charges
Tour information: www.friendshiptours.net/tours/gardens-of-japan
For more general information, go to www.friendshiptours.net/

SOLD OUT! Christmas in Maine! December 12-14, 2025
2025-12-12 - 2025-12-14
December 12-14, 2025
3 Day(s) | 4 Meals
Highlights
-Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens – ‘Gardens Aglow!’ Festival
-Portland Stage Theater Evening Performance: ‘A Christmas Carol’
-Portland Museum of Art: Winslow Homer
-Time at Kennebunkport Holiday Prelude
-Two Nights Hotel Accommodations at the Westin Portland Harborview Hotel
-Two Buffet Breakfasts & Two Dinners
-Friendship Tours Escort
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Off to a Festive Start! Pack your bags and your holiday spirit – we’re heading north to Portland, Maine for our enchanting annual holiday escape! Our home for the next two nights is the luxurious Westin Portland Harborview, perfectly situated for festive fun. On the way, we’ll make a sweet stop at Len Libby Candies, where you’ll find delicious treats and the world’s only life-sized chocolate moose – yes, really! This evening, savor the season with our Welcome Holiday Dinner, followed by a heartwarming performance of the timeless classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Portland Stage Theater. Let the magic of the holidays begin! Included: Dinner
Day 2
Day 2: Art, Lights & Holiday Delights Wake up to a day full of culture and wonder. We begin with a docent-led tour of the Portland Museum of Art, home to a stunning collection of American, European, and contemporary works – including a special exhibit by Winslow Homer, one of Maine’s most iconic artists. Enjoy free time afterward to explore more of the museum, enjoy lunch at your leisure, or do a little shopping in the charming museum gift shop. As the sun sets, we’re off to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens for the dazzling ‘Gardens Aglow’ – New England’s largest holiday light display! Over 650,000 lights transform the gardens into a glowing winter wonderland. It’s pure magic! We’ll enjoy dinner on the way back to Portland Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3
Day 3: Kennebunkport Holiday Prelude – A Town Like No Other! We wrap up our holiday adventure with a trip to Kennebunkport, named #2 Christmas Town in America by HGTV! The town’s Holiday Prelude celebration is straight out of a snow globe – think festive craft fairs, twinkling decorations, charming boutiques, and cozy cafés. We’ll arrive in time for the famous Pooch Parade and a very special appearance by Santa arriving on a firetruck! After some free time to explore, shop, and enjoy lunch on your own, we’ll board our motorcoach for the journey home – with hearts full of cheer and perhaps a few extra shopping bags. And of course, we’ll celebrate one more time with our Motorcoach Holiday Party on the way back! Included: Breakfast

SOLD OUT! 2026 Philly Flower Show Trip
2026-02-28 - 2026-03-02
So sorry, this trip is sold out!
Enjoy the Philadelphia Flower Show along with the New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show & Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza, Feb. 28-March 2.
Featuring special guest tour guide Nancy DuBrule-Clemente, Author & Founder of Natureworks Horticultural Services!
Highlights include:
* Philadelphia Flower Show Admission
* New York Botanical Gardens Orchid Show
* Longwood Gardens – Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience
* 2 Nights Hotel Accommodations at the Mendenhall Inn with Welcome Reception
* 2 Breakfast & 2 Dinners
* Friendship Tours Escort
Non Member double – $995
CT Hort Member double – $940
Non Member Single per person – $1139
CT Hort Member Single, per person – $1084

Registration and information:
https://www.friendshiptours.net/tours/philadelphia-flower-show-ct-hort

Gardens of the Brandywine Valley May 4-8, 2026
2026-05-04 - 2026-05-08
Enjoy a spectacular trip through the gardens of the Brandywine Valley for four nights and five days.

Stops during the trip include the Mansion at Andalusia, Winterthur, Mt. Cuba Center, Jenkins Arboretum, Chanticleer, Valley Flowers, Tyler Arboretum, Longwood Gardens, Greenwood Gardens and more! You’ll be staying at the Mendenhall Inn.
Cost: $1749 pp double / $2079pp single
Based on 30 passenger minimum
CT Hort Members will receive a $50.pp discount
FOR RESERVATIONS: www.friendshiptours.net or call Barbara at Friendship Tours: 860-243-1630
Click here for a brochure.

Charming Maine Getaway Aug. 30-Sept. 3
2026-05-05 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
It’s off to charming Maine! Travel with Friendship Tours and Federated Gardens Clubs of Connecticut for a three-night, coastal Maine trip packed with sites, gardens, and delightful dining.
We focus on Boothbay, Wiscasset, and Portland Maine where we meet our Maine garden club friends! Come along and enjoy the fun!
We’ll be stopping at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, Coastal Maine Botanic Garden, Wicasset and Boothbay Gardens and Portland Gardens. We’ll
spend two nights at Smuggler Cove and one night at the Courtyard Marriott Portland Waterfront.

Tour Limited to 30 Passengers
$1799 Per Person Double Occupancy
$2229 Single Occupancy
Non-Member Guest Add $50
INFO: Kathy Lindroth Tour Coordinator at kathleen.lindroth@gmail.com or 860.836.3407.
Click here for the trip brochure.

New trip to Andalusia, Spain (May 8-19, 2026)
2026-05-08 - 2026-05-19
The tour includes transfers to and from Seville/Malaga airports for arrival and departure, transportation to all destinations, eleven nights lodging in Four Star Hotels, breakfast daily, 10 group lunches, six group dinners, host throughout tour–Cole Burrell, a local guide throughout the tour, admissions to all parks and gardens, guided tours and excursions, hotel taxes and service charges, gratuities for your tour host, gratuities to your local driver and guides.

The tour is limited to 24 passengers:$5,495.00 Land Price — Double Occupancy $1,400.00 Single Supplement PRICING FOR 15-19 TRAVELERS$5,895.00 Land Price — Double Occupancy $1,400.00 Single Supplement Fewer than 15 travelers may result in a small surcharge. Don’t purchase air flight until you have been advised that the minimum registration has been reached. FOR RESERVATIONS: www.friendshiptours.net or call Barbara at Friendship Tours at 860-243-1630.
Click here for the brochure.
