Troy B Marden Travel

Brandywine Valley Premier Painting Workshop with Kyle Buckland--May 1-8, 2020
2020-05-01 - 2020-05-08
Artist Kyle Buckland began painting as a teenager. At age thirteen, after reading John Rewald’s The History of Impressionism, he began to take a keen interest in the French painters and the philosophies regarding plein air painting. Today, his style of painting, which is deeply rooted in the fundamental philosophies regarding Impressionism, is as unique as his subject matter is inviting.
Now, with this initial offering, artists of every skill level—from beginners to the more experienced—have the opportunity to learn from one of today’s most recognized plein air painters, learning his philosophies and techniques along the way! This hands-on painting workshop and tour to the Brandywine Valley, between Wilmington, Delaware, and Philadelphia, finds Kyle returning to his childhood home and focusing on the art and artists of the region, with a special focus on the Wyeths and the artists that influenced them.
I am so pleased to be partnering with Kyle on this unique collaboration. I will also be joining the group on tour to manage the day-to-day business of the trip in order for Kyle to remain firmly focused on the art, site visits, and his painting demonstrations and instruction. We hope this initial partnership will lead to many more opportunities to travel and paint, both at home and abroad!
Tour Cost: $2,850 per person, double occupancy Single Supplement: $750
Accommodation will be at the 5-star Hotel Dupont in Wilmington, DE
For a fully detailed itinerary and reservation form, or to RESERVE YOUR SPACE, please email me directly at troy@troybmarden.com We look forward to traveling and painting with you!

SOLD OUT!!!--Gardens & Treasures of Sicily--March 28 - April 8, 2020
2020-03-28 - 2020-04-08
Explore the island of Sicily and all it has to offer! From spectacular gardens and beautiful palazzos to extraordinary archaeological and historic sites, we’ll leave nary a stone unturned. We’ll also immerse ourselves in the rich culture and mouthwatering cuisine found throughout one of Italy’s most unique regions.
Making a complete loop around the island, we will start and end in Palermo. In between, we’ll explore the towns of Erice, Marsala, Caltagirone, Siracusa, Catania, and Taormina, as well as the Palermo Botanic Garden, the Temple of Segesta, Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples, the island of Mozia, the Baroque city of Noto, Palazzo Pennisi, the garden of Biviere and many more.
Along the way, we will be treated to private lunches and dinners, wine tastings, and some of the most beautiful countryside in the world. Join us, as we delve deep into the cultural wonder that is Sicily!
THIS TOUR IS CURRENTLY SOLD OUT!!!

Philadelphia Flower Show--March 4-8, 2020
2020-03-04 - 2020-03-08
Welcome to the Philadelphia Flower Show, the largest flower show in the United States! A horticultural Who’s-Who with spectacular gardens, educational seminars, competitive classes filled with amazing specimens of unique plants, plenty of shopping and so much more, we’ll spend one full day of the trip browsing and enjoying the show! And our hotel is attached directly to the convention center, so we’ll get to enjoy the show no matter the weather.
In addition to the Flower Show, we will spend one day taking in Longwood Gardens, where the conservatory, spanning 4 acres under glass, will be in full springtime bloom and the orchid collection will be at spring peak, too! We will also visit nearby Winterthur, with its breathtaking collection of American antiques perfectly displayed in the grand mansion and its garden that is beautiful in any season. Finally, on Saturday, we’ll head to Downingtown for their annual “Galanthus Gala”, a day-long event featuring a “rare and unusual” plant sale, renowned garden speakers, and more.
Your daily breakfast at the hotel will be included, as will at least one other meal on each of our three tour days. We’ll arrive on Wednesday, immerse ourselves in gardening on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and return home Sunday, so join me for a perfect long weekend and a preview of spring in Philly!
Tour Cost: $1,495.00 per person Single Supplement: $450.00
Accommodation will be at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, immediately adjacent to the convention center where the Philadelphia Flower Show takes place.
For an itinerary and reservation form or TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE, please contact me directly at troy@troybmarden.com

Bella Tuscany!
2019-09-10 - 2019-09-21
In all of my travels, there is no place that I love sharing more than I love sharing Italy. The food, the art, the architecture, history, people and, of course, the exceptional scenery and beautiful gardens. Italy has it all and September, in my opinion, is the very best time to be there—grape harvest wrapping up, winemaking in earnest, and olive harvest underway. Wild boar, truffles, and chestnuts are all in season with menus everywhere featuring these Tuscan delicacies. We’ll visit at least one very special winery in Chianti and hopefully a second in Montalcino. We’ll spend two nights in Rome at the beginning of the trip and see the highlights, 5 nights in the hill towns of Tuscany, and we’ll end the main part of the trip in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. From Florence, you may either fly home to the U.S. or extend with us for a few more days to take in the stunning beauty of Como and its surroundings.
Bella Tuscany! sites include: The Roman Forum, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and other highlights of Rome. The Tuscan hill towns of Cortona, San Gimignano, Assisi, Siena. Private palazzos and gardens across Tuscany. Michelangelo’s David, the Medici Tombs, Santa Maria del Fiore (with Brunelleschi’s dome) and Baptistry, Ponte Vecchio, Pitti Palace, at least two private Florentine gardens, and much, much more!
Email me at troy@troybmarden.com for full details and to reserve your spot now!

Bella Tuscany!
Date: September 10-21, 2019
Group Size: Maximum 20 participants
Price: $4,450 per person, double occupancy, ground only
Single Supplement: $1,050 per person
Airfare: Not included
Deposit: $1,000 at time of booking + $1,050 Single Supplement, if traveling singly.
Payments: $1,725 each by April 10, 2019 and June 10, 2019
Optional Como Extension: $1,350 per person, double occupancy. Single Supplement: $450

The Great Gardens of England
2019-07-01 - 2019-07-12
If the greatest gardens of England are on your bucket list, this is the tour for you!
Planned specifically at the request of some of my dearest gardening friends, we are going to spend 10 full days on the ground visiting some of the most beautiful private and public gardens that England has to offer. Arriving in London, we will be greeted by our private coach and head northeast to begin our tour at the world-famous Blooms of Bressingham and Beth Chatto Gardens. From there, we will make our way back to Oxford to visit Blenheim Palace, Rousham House, and others. Next, we’ll make our way through the Cotswolds, visiting some of the most outstanding private gardens the region has to offer before making our way around to the southeast of London, where we will stay at the spectacular Leeds Castle to visit Great Dixter, Sissinghurst, Iford Manor, Hever Castle, the RHS Garden at Wisley, and so many more!
The Great Gardens of England sites to include: Kew Gardens, Blooms of Bressingham, The Beth Chatto Gardens, Blenheim Palace, Rousham House, private gardens of the Cotswolds, Bourton House, Iford Manor, Leeds Castle, Great Dixter, Sissinghurst, Hever Castle, Penshurst Place, the RHS Garden at Wisley, and more!
Email me at troy@troybmarden.com for full details and to reserve your spot now!

The Great Gardens of England
Date: July 1-12, 2019
Price: $4,450 per person, double occupancy, ground only
Single Supplement: $900
Airfare: Not included
Deposit: $1,000 at time of booking + $900 Single Supplement, if traveling singly.
Payments: $1,725 each on February 1, 2019 and April 1, 2019

Gardens & Treasures of Sicily
2019-05-08 - 2019-05-17
Sicily has been at the top of my list of destinations for several years and I’ve been waiting for just the right opportunity to present itself. When Dr. Charles Yurgalevitch, the Director of the School of Professional Horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden mentioned he would like to partner on a tour to Sicily, I didn’t hesitate! Being of Sicilian descent, Charles has amazing connections to family and friends across the island and this tour is going to be one-of-a-kind! We’ll eat traditional Sicilian food, drink wine from Sicilian vineyards, visit the ancient archaeological sites that are scattered across the island and, of course, visit amazing palazzos and see the very best public and private gardens that Sicily has to offer.
Gardens & Treasures of Sicily sites to include: Agrigento, the Temple at Segesta, Mount Etna, the Radicepura Garden Festival, the Walled Garden of Palazzo Pennisi, Il Giardino del Biviere (the garden of Princess Borghese, which was once a lake!), Giardino di San Giuliano, at least two Sicilian wineries, the cities of Catania, Siracusa, Palermo, and much more along the way!
Email me at troy@troybmarden.com for full details and to reserve your spot now!

Gardens & Treasures of Sicily
Date: May 8-17, 2019
Group Size: Maximum 20 participants
Price: $4,600 per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement: $650
Airfare: Not included
Deposit: $1,000 at time of booking + $650 Single Supplement, if traveling singly.
Payments: $1,800 each by January 8, 2019, and March 8, 2019

Charleston Garden & Gourmet Tour—Wine & Food Week
2019-03-05 - 2019-03-10
Food, Wine, & Spring in Charleston, SC!
The perfect get-away to explore the rich culinary traditions and enjoy the early spring beauty of the Deep South, with luxury accommodations, breathtaking gardens, and mouthwatering food throughout!
On day one, you will fly on your own to meet our group at our 5-star Charleston, SC hotel where we will spend the week discovering the region’s historic homes and plantations in all their spring glory. We will spend at least one afternoon and possibly more at the Charleston Wine & Food Week festival! Breakfast will be included at the hotel and at lunch and dinner each day, we will delve into the local cuisine, from casual, homestyle cooking to the finest, trendsetting restaurants Charleston has to offer.
Charleston Garden & Gourmet Tour—Wine & Food Week sites to include: Magnolia Plantation, Middleton Place, Boone Hall, Boone Hall Farmers Market, The Charleston Tea Plantation, at least one Cooking Class, a variety of Charleston’s top restaurants, and more.
*Please note that this ground package is all-inclusive. Once you arrive in Charleston on your own, you will join our exclusive, small group at our luxury hotel and from there on, your meals, transportation, accommodations, site visits, and classes are included in the price.
Email me at troy@troybmarden.com for full details and to reserve your spot now!

Charleston Garden & Gourmet Tour—Wine & Food Week
Date: March 5-10, 2019
Group Size: Maximum 12 participants
Price: $3,250.00 per person, double occupancy, ground package all-inclusive
Single Supplement: $950
Airfare: Not included
Deposit: $1,000 at time of booking + $950 Single Supplement, if traveling singly.
Payments: $2,250 per person due by February 1, 2019

Nashville Lawn & Garden Show
2018-03-01 - 2018-03-04
Speaking day & time will be posted once confirmed. The show features beautiful live gardens, free lectures, demonstrations, floral design gallery, vendor marketplace, special children’s activities, Saturday Wine Festival & it’s all indoors!

Tellico Village Garden Club, Knoxville, TN
2018-03-01
Private Event
The mission of the Tellico Village Garden Club is to encourage the love of gardening and improve the quality of our environment through educational programs, field trips, publications, and maintenance of neighborhood gardens.
