Testimonials

Traveler reviews of their garden tour with me

  • Brooke C.
    Birmingham, AL
    Portugal, 2025

    I highly recommend Marie’s garden tours.
    She is a delightful travel companion and tour leader – she is curious, knowledgeable, organized and flexible.
    She is very good at adapting to the needs of the group in real time, always working hard to ensure that everyone has a positive experience both in terms of sites visited and the accommodations.

  • Barbara S.
    Millbrook, NY
    Tulip Tour, 2025

    Seeing the tulips at Keukenhof had been a lifelong dream, and traveling with Marie—recommended by a friend—was a wonderful experience from start to finish.

    The tour was beautifully organized, everything ran smoothly, and we were fortunate with superb weather. From Het Loo to the tulip fields and Aalsmeer, each visit was memorable in its own way, with a particularly lovely final dinner in the greenhouse restaurant.

    Traveling with fellow garden enthusiasts made it even more enjoyable, and I would happily recommend Tours by Marie for a well-curated and inspiring garden journey.

  • Katherine H.
    Sharon, CT
    Tulip Tour, 2025

    I had always wanted to experience a tulip tour, and this one exceeded every expectation. Seeing Keukenhof was a dream come true, but the real highlights were the private gardens—such a rare and special experience.

    An afternoon with Jacqueline van der Kloet was particularly memorable, and traveling with fellow garden enthusiasts added a wonderful depth to the trip. The organization was seamless, and the personal care and attention truly stood out.

    I would highly recommend ToursbyMarie to anyone who loves gardens—it’s both inspiring and beautifully curated.

  • Tory K. & Susan K.
    Cotswolds, 2025

    The trip more than met our expectations.
    We visited lots of private gardens, each with something different to offer.
    We especially enjoyed meeting the hands-on owners/gardeners.
    Overall the trip was very special and high end with a good variety of gardens and a knowledgeable leader.
    We recommend Marie most emphatically.

  • Adrienne F.
    Tulip Tour, 2025

    Seeing the tulips in The Netherlands was on our bucket list and we needed a pick up after the California fires.
    Everyday was an adventure. We had a great group.
    And you, Marie, were wonderful and so accommodating. Thank you.
    My biggest takeaway was Keukenhof which, despite being somewhat touristy, was incredible.
    All of the private gardens were lovely.
    I particularly enjoyed the stop at the bulb grower.
    I absolutely recommend Marie’s tulip tour.

  • Nina L.
    Tulip Tour, 2025

    I have always wanted to visit The Netherlands during the tulip season and the tour designed by ToursbyMarie was alluring.
    I signed up immediately upon reading the itinerary.
    The trip met ALL my expectations because we were told about tulips by authorities; visited private gardens with varied tulip displays, visited the famous Keukenhof Gardens, and, last but not least, saw vast fields of tulips in various colors.

  • Susan R.
    Hartford, CT
    Normandy, 2024
  • Susan D
    Rochester Garden Club, Rochester, NY
    Italian Lakes, 2024
  • Bunny Williams
    Interior Designer, Entrepreneur, Author.
    New York, NY and Falls Village, CT
    Holland, 2024

    Three of the best trips touring gardens I have ever taken were arranged beautifully by Marie.
    Her extensive research opened the doors to gardens we would never have seen and each day was planned perfectly.
    When the trips were over we all had a hard time getting back to real life and kept to saying to each other “where is Marie”.
    Not only were the trips fabulous but she personally was a delight to be with.

  • March W.
    Los Angeles, CA
    Normandy, 2023
  • KK Streator
    Southport, CT
    England, 2023

    As we went to these houses with incredible gardens, the connections with head gardeners was really fantastic.
    We saw gardens that weren’t necessarily open to the public.
    In fact, my favorite gardens were the ones that weren’t open to the public, but you arranged for us to go in and see them.

  • Katie N.
    Garden Club of Hartford, CT
    Normandy, 2023

    What a perfect trip you arranged for us!
    You thought of every detail to keep us comfortable and you selected a wonderful array of gardens.
    I am going home totally fulfilled.

  • Caroline N.
    New York City, NY
    Italian Lakes, 2023

    When you get to a balcony and look down you are just awe smacked with how stunning the garden layouts are.
    I have full confidence in you, and I do not really say that often. So you are the person who would customize a trip that I would find very special and very comprehensive as well as very subtly adaptive to the people.

  • Jane G.
    New Canaan, CT
    Holland, 2019 · Italy, 2023

    You bring an American traveller to a Dutch or Italian garden owner, and there’s a connection.
    You know that they share the same passion for gardens and they get excited about the same thing.

  • KK Streator
    Sasqua Garden Club
    Cotswolds, 2023
  • Debbie O.
    Garden Club of Rochester
    Italian lakes, 2023

    There is no doubt that this was an amazing and unforgettable trip.
    Your attention to detail is so appreciated.

  • Jennifer D.
    Sasqua Garden Club
    Holland, 2011 · Venice, 2023

    You are the consummate professional when it comes to orchestrating all of the logistics and putting together itineraries that include exquisite gardens and cultural venues as well.
    It has been such a pleasure to travel with you on numerous trips abroad and I look forward to more fun excursions in the future.

  • Caroline N.
    Italian Lakes, 2023
  • Linda T.
    Sasqua Garden Club, CT
    England, 2023

    There was a fair maid name Marie
    Who took us gardens to see
    From yew hedge to ha-ha
    She led with a “voilà”
    See ancient, see modern
    See famed walnut tree

    What a fabulous trip you arranged for us. The most difficult thing is to make it seem simple and seamless. You are the best!

  • Tara B.
    Sasqua Garden Club, CT
    England, 2023

    Bravo Marie! I will return home with the fondest of memories from my first (but not last!) trip to the Cotswolds/Sussex magnificent gardens! Thank you for your seemingly effortless stewardship.

  • Andrea S.
    Principal, Andrea Scharff Landscape Design. Los Angeles, CA
    Normandy, 2023

    We saw gardens that are not in any guidebook.
    Private gardens where you personally knew the owners who were able to give us access.
    There were so many beautiful gardens and they were all different.
    It’s just so nice to get out there and see what other people are doing and how they’re doing it.
    For me that was super inspiring.
    There’s also something really nice about being able to put yourself in somebody else’s hands and just having all the big decisions made for you so that you can just enjoy yourself. And I love that!

  • Jane G.
    Italian lakes, 2023
  • Flor G.-P.
    Venice, 2020

    Like traveling on a magic carpet!

  • Richard T
    London, England
    Venice, 2020

    Very well planned trip giving enough emphasis on the art of Venice as well as the gardens.
    I think the balance between art and garden related venues was good. So much was included in only 5 days. The pace was just right, not too hurried or too leisurely. We explored much of the essential Venice in a well structured way and avoided the frustration and time wasting which is often a visitor’s lot.

  • Nina L.
    London, England
    Venice, 2020

    Is a Garden Tour of Venice worth doing? Yes, if you already have been to Venice and are already familiar with the main sights and museums, and doubly YES if you do it with ToursbyMarie. I enjoyed it immensely and loved all the glimpses of Venice we got as we walked from garden to garden along narrow streets — lovely dusty pink, terracotta and saffron yellow facades of houses pierced with Byzantine or Gothic windows, little bridges, and canals reflecting everything in their twinkling water plus all the churches, campos and palazzi. It was a wonderful trip.

  • Marcia T.
    Costa Mesa, CA
    England, 2019

    My bucket list trip was far far beyond expectations.
    You are extraordinarily gifted as a leader.
    You are intelligent, sensitive, calm , witty, thorough, deeply committed to providing a memorable trip, and especially giving and caring.
    I would follow you anywhere!
    Brava Bravissima!

  • Jorge Sanchez
    Smila Landscape Architects. Palm Beach, FL
    Belgium, 2019

    We spent a marvelous week with Marie touring gardens in Belgium.
    Marie laced together an incredible well balanced trip for us.
    Besides, she is charming, caring and erudite.
    Hard to put up with our group, being we are demanding, and she managed us effortlessly.

  • Lydee H.
    New Canaan Garden Club, Visiting Gardens Chairman
    Holland, 2019

    I want to extend a great big thank you from me personally and from the rest of the group as well.
    I just wish you could have heard all of the glowing compliments about you and the terrific trip you put together for us.
    There was not a single thing I would have changed!
    The hotels were marvelous, every meal superb and above all else, the very special variety of gardens we toured.
    All of the hosts were so gracious and spending time with them as they explained their vision, patiently answered our questions and shared what it took to accomplish the beautiful results added to the experience.

  • Richard T.
    London, England
    Holland, 2019

    The excellent planning and logistics – bus, boat, hotel choices etc. left us free to enjoy the gardens to the fullest.
    The superb notes will give us lasting pleasure.
    It was truly a delightful trip.

  • Magnus v. W.
    London, England
    Italy, 2018

    These 5 days were a very special way of spending time together, enjoying the beauty of these marvelous gardens and villas interspersed with delicious culinary moments of relaxed conviviality.
    It all made for a wonderfully memorable time – thank you!

  • Liz Z.
    Tulip Tour, 2018

    I first wanted to thank you for a fantastic week in the Netherlands. You have impeccable taste and are extremely organized. I really don’t think the trip could have been better!

  • Gail G.
    New York, NY
    England, 2016

    Thank you so much for an amazing trip that I haven’t stopped talking about since I’ve been home.
    It was perfection from beginning to end. You made the whole time move flawlessly and you did it with such ease, humor and knowledge on each and every visit.
    The choice of hotels was perfect and all the meals were great.

  • Page Dickey
    Garden Writer and Designer. Falls Village, CT
    England, 2016

    Going on a garden tour with Marie is an absolute joy.
    Quietly and efficiently, she takes care of all the arrangements—travel, hotel reservations, where to have lunches and dinners, permission from garden owners.
    All we have to do is enjoy the days.

  • Barbara B.
    Southport, CT
    Italy, 2016

    Thank you so much for everything you did to make our trip perfect!!
    I cannot imagine trying to control 12 headstrong women through Italy!
    But you did it with great panache!

  • Elise L.
    Ketchum, ID
    England, 2016

    What a marvelous trip — it was even better than I had hoped.
    Really, you keep outdoing yourself.
    Your organizational skills and your attention to detail made every day seem smooth, and we all know that doesn’t just happen by chance!
    It was a great selection of gardens — old gardens, new gardens, historic gardens and modern ones, all fascinating.
    I have so many beautiful images whirling in my head — I keep going back to the invaluable book you made for us, just trying to sort it all out.

  • Kim H.
    Southport, CT
    Italian Lakes, 2016

    I wanted to thank you for such an extraordinary visit and tour of the northern lake region of Italy!
    I had the most wonderful time and you are truly an amazing tour organizer and guide.
    You were always in complete control of all of us (I don’t know how you accomplished that) and of every situation!!
    Everything thing that we did was perfectly organized. Each bus, boat, taxi, hotel and restaurant ready and waiting for our group.
    You made certain that there was no room for error and that each event went according to the plan.
    Thank you Marie from the bottom of my heart for such a fabulous trip and one that I will remember for my entire lifetime.

  • Kay W.
    Normandy, 2013

    We will treasure the wonderful memories our our Normandy gardens tour. Thank you for taking such good care of us.

  • Roxana R.
    Normandy, 2012

    Thanks from all of us for your skillful, informed, tactful guardianship on our Norman journey. What a botanical feast you have given us!

  • Elise L.
    Normandy, 2012

    My head is still spinning with wonderful images of Normandy. What a trip you gave us! So many beautiful gardens and all so different from one another.

  • Laurie L.
    Normandy, 2013

    I am so appreciative of your intelligence, experience and good cheer – and the way you always make sure that we fell totally taken care of. A million thanks!

  • Jennifer D.
    Sasqua Garden Club
    Tulip Tour, 2011

    Our trip to Holland was nothing short of superb!
    I have heard nothing but raves since we’re back.
    Thank you for all of your thoughtful planning and care in seeing to it that everyone thoroughly enjoyed.
    It was a first class trip – we saw amazing gardens, dined on delicious food and wine and were totally charmed by the Dutch and their incredibly warm hospitality.