Why Garden Lovers are Planning Trips Around 2026 Milestones
Major anniversaries linked to art, gardens and cultural landmarks are expected to shape travel trends in 2026, as growing numbers of travellers seek slower, more meaningful holiday experiences built around personal interests and cultural discovery.
Specialist gardening tour operator Brightwater Holidays has revealed interest in Claude Monet’s house and gardens at Giverny has already surged.
From the centenary of Monet’s death to the Eden Project’s 25th anniversary and the Singapore Garden Festival’s 10-year milestone, 2026 is set to place some of the world’s most iconic horticultural and artistic destinations firmly in the spotlight. These anniversaries are expected to drive increased demand for immersive itineraries centred around gardens, heritage, art and culture.
The 2026 Anniversaries Inspiring Travellers
Monet’s 100-Year Legacy
2026 marks 100 years since the death of Claude Monet, pioneer of French Impressionism, whose influence continues to shape both art and garden design today. His home and gardens at Giverny remain one of the most visited artistic sites in the world. Monet designed Giverny with colour and seasonal change in mind, treating the garden as a living artwork, later describing it as his ‘most beautiful masterpiece’.
The iconic Japanese bridge and water garden were inspired by his personal collection of over 200 Japanese prints, while his celebrated water lily series, comprising around 250 paintings, was created during a period of failing eyesight, shaping his later use of colour and light.
To mark the centenary, Brightwater Holidays’ The Genius of Monet tour includes visits to the restored gardens at Giverny, the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris to see Monet’s monumental Les Nymphéas murals, and the Château de Chantilly.
The Eden Project turns 25
Cornwall’s Eden Project celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026, marking a quarter century since transforming a former clay pit into one of the UK’s most recognisable environmental attractions.
Its vast biomes, including a Rainforest Biome large enough to house the Tower of London, showcase plant species that underpin everyday life across the world. Since opening, Eden has become a powerful symbol of environmental regeneration and a global reference point for how tourism can support sustainability.
To coincide with the anniversary, Brightwater Holidays is offering its England: Gardens of Cornwall & the 25th Anniversary of the Eden Project tour, which includes an exclusive guided visit to the Eden Project led by a member of the horticultural team, alongside visits to celebrated Cornish gardens including Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Trelissick, Bonython Estate Gardens and Glendurgan.
Singapore Garden Festival celebrates 10 year milestone
The Singapore Garden Festival marks a decade in 2026, reinforcing the city-state’s reputation as one of the world’s leading garden tourism destinations.
Often described as a “City in a Garden,” Singapore has integrated greenery into over 40% of its land area despite its high urban density. The festival is known for its theatrical “fantasy gardens,” blending horticulture with art and design, while landmarks such as the Supertrees combine striking visual appeal with sustainability, generating solar power and harvesting rainwater.
In light of the celebrations, Brightwater Holidays’ Singapore Garden Festival tour includes a full day at the internationally renowned festival alongside visits to iconic attractions such as Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore Botanic Gardens and HortPark. The itinerary also features a Singapore river cruise and afternoon tea at the historic Raffles Hotel, combining horticultural discovery with the city’s cultural and culinary highlights.
A growing travel trend
Many of the world’s most celebrated gardens were originally private creative spaces, meaning visitors today are not just sightseeing, but stepping into the personal worlds of artists, designers and visionaries.
Sue Pomeroy, Expert Horticulturalist at Brightwater Holidays, told YCB: “These anniversaries give travellers the opportunity to experience some of the world’s most celebrated gardens and cultural destinations at a particularly exciting moment in time.
“What makes our specialist tours especially valuable for these milestone events is the level of expert insight and deeper storytelling from specialists.
“Whether it’s understanding Monet’s artistic inspiration, exploring the environmental vision of the Eden Project, or experiencing the creativity showcased at the Singapore Garden Festival, travellers increasingly want experiences that feel more immersive and personally meaningful.
“The tours are designed around these interests, combining expert guides, carefully curated itineraries and access to iconic gardens and cultural landmarks in a way that allows guests to connect more deeply with each destination.”