The improvised Rock Garden in Chandigarh, India. PHOTOGRAPHY © DENISE FELKIN/ALAMY
Maybe it’s the fresh air, or the mix of design, history and passion, but there’s always been something intriguing about gardens. This summer, avoid the crowds and plan your travel around some good-for-the-soul greenery:
Grand-Métis, Quebec
Started in 1926 by Elsie Reford, the gardens were a then-daring experiment in northern horticulture — she was one of the first in North America to grow the delicate Himalayan blue poppy. From June to October, avant-garde creations from the world’s top landscape architects take over parts of the estate for the International Garden Festival, including the heritage gardens filled with over 3,000 plants. Get there: Drive six hours from Montreal or fly into Mont Joli Airport.
Chandigarh, India
The creation of former road inspector Nek Chand, this trash-to-treasure garden has a story almost as fantastic as its 20,000 sculptures. Chand started his 25-acre garden in secret in a jungle clearing, transforming junk into art displayed on mosaic backdrops linked by walled paths and waterfalls. Get there: Fly into Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and drive north for 4.5 hours.
Kanazawa, Japan
This 300-year-old four-season oasis is one of Japan’s finest. The strolling garden perfectly balances ponds, streams and what is said to be the country’s oldest fountain with stones, grassy expanses, footpaths, tea houses and some 8,750 trees. Visit early in the morning for maximum seclusion. Get there: Fly into Osaka’s Kansai International Airport and take a three-hour train ride to Kanazawa.
