Gardens have long been admired for their beauty and tranquility. For those with green thumbs, exploring gardens in different regions and climates is a highlight of traveling. AAA Western and Central New York specializes in garden tourism and is constantly bringing new opportunities to members.

As the temperatures begin to drop in the coming weeks, many people will begin to plan winter getaways. The niche interest of garden tourism requires knowledge and experience to have a successful, enjoyable trip. Luckily, AAA Western and Central New York has the expertise of garden expert Sally Cunningham, who has made a name for herself as the garden lady of Western New York and rightfully so Cunningham developed and leads Great Garden Travel for AAA through Horizon Club Tours, taking travelers to private and public gardens in the United States and Europe, teaching as she goes. 

While gardens are obviously the main focus, Cunningham said, Travelers are lifelong learners - and good eaters! She includes information on art and history, as well as plenty of fine dining, with the tours. She said she believes in garden tourism as a positive movement that benefits cities and enriches travelers lives.

For 2019, Cunningham has planned a new trip called Tropical Plants and Gardens of Southern Florida, which will include great stops such as Vizcaya Museum & Gardens and the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, as well as a serious dose of horticulture. The trip will include an eco-tour on the water of Biscayne Bay and even a taste of Little Havana.

After three years and multiple trips preparing this tour, I've discovered breathtaking plants that I'm excited to share with our travelers, Cunningham said. It's an enriching gardener experience.

Future trips planned include the Philadelphia Flower Show (March), the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and more British gardens (July), Philadelphia's Brandywine Valley, a flower festival in Spain, the gardens of New York City, Ontario, and more. Cunningham also organizes incoming tour groups for the now famous Garden Walk Buffalo and Gardens of Buffalo Niagara.

For more information, call 1-855-862-6651 or visit AAA.com/Groups.