August Masterclass with Laura Iarocci: Touring Flower Fields Around the World

Written by Myranda Sauls | Aug 26, 2021 3:01:38 PM

We had such an informative discussion with our friend, and Details user, Laura Iarocci! She took us on a journey through her favorite flower destinations and how we can prepare to visit.

Laura's idea for a flower-based international tour stemmed from her father's US ambassadorship with the Netherlands. She wanted to create a trip that would encompass her love for traveling with a strong learning opportunity.

"We developed specialty Flower Tours in order to explore different areas of the world with a focus on flowers. Since 2011, we have led ten Flower Tours to seven countries. Our basic recipe for a Faith Flowers Tour starts with flower arranging workshops with leading floral instructors and designers in their local region. We add visits to special gardens and floral and gardening-related activities. We orient the tours around unique flower experiences in each region. Along the way, we enjoy great restaurants and sightseeing with fellow flower lovers. All levels of experience are welcome on our tours, from beginners to professionals! Join us on a Faith Flowers adventure around the world!" (Faith Flowers)

The past destinations include United Kingdom, Holland, Belgium, France, and Amsterdam. Laura connects with top designers and growers to optimize the experience for everyone joining the tour. It is not about just visiting the sites of a different country--it is about learning the culture and being able to take new skills home with you. Interested in learning more about the domestic growers? Faith Flowers even has tours that go around North America!

The tours usually last up to 10 days with the majority of food and lodging included with your admission. If you are interested in traveling with Faith Flowers, the best practice is to start planning for the trip one year to six months in advance. This ensures that you have a secure spot and enough time to get all of your travel documentation in order. The essentials for backing are a rain jacket, worn-in shoes, and your flower tools. Check out the itinerary below for the Belgium and Netherlands tours for 2022! If you're looking for more tours around the world to visit someday, check out our blog: The World's Most Incredible Flower Shows, Festivals, & Gardens to Tour in 2022!

BELGIUM & THE NETHERLANDS FLOWER TOUR

POSTPONED UNTIL 2022 - more details coming soon. Please note this is our in-person tour originally scheduled for 2020.

Faith Flowers Tours is excited to announce our 6th flower tour to Belgium and the Netherlands next Spring!

"We will enjoy beautiful gardens, breathtaking Spring flowers, tours, museums, historic hotels, fine dining, and the company of fellow flower lovers. We add our own special Faith Flowers features with flower arranging classes by internationally known instructors who live and work in the area. All levels of experience are welcome! Register soon, this is a special year which includes Floralien, a spectacular flower show that only happens once every four years!"

Belgium & Netherlands Special Highlights:

Private tour of Keukenhof’s world-famous tulip garden: open only 8 weeks each year
Attend Floralien 2020, the spectacular Belgian flower show that occurs only once every 4 years
Special tour of tulip fields bursting with spring flower
Private tours of Aalsmeer, the world’s largest flower auction, and historic greenhouses
Classes in countryside private studios, historic greenhouses, gardens, and flower schools
Stay in renovated historic hotels, including a Ghent, Belgium hotel overlooking the main canal
Stay in the Hotel Jan Luyken, a boutique hotel in the center of Amsterdam and the museum quarter
Visit flower wholesalers and studios

Hands-On Workshops:

Floral Design classes with leading, award-winning European instructors. We assemble a specially selected team of instructors and flower experiences for each tour. Our instructors include:

Gudrun Cottienere, owner of the largest private flower school in Belgium
Tom DeWilde, instructor and designer
Rob Plattel, a fabulous Dutch designer who has been with us since our first tour
Joan Stam, internationally recognized florist
Another floral designer to be announced!

Other Highlights Include:

Learn techniques and design approaches of both traditional and contemporary European floristry
Get inspired by the creativity of each instructor with new and unique ideas for parties, the home, and weddings
Explore flower markets, flower shops, and wholesalers with beautiful and new products not seen yet in the U.S.
Go on excursions through the European countryside
Take guided tours of cities, gardens, and enjoy other special flower-related activities such as festivals and auctions
Enjoy wonderful food & company among fellow flower lovers

If you are interested in participating, please visit the Faith Flowers website and contact Laura today!

Faith Flowers School offers classes for florists of all skill levels at a great price! There is a schedule for all of the upcoming classes for you to view on their website!

Cliff's Notes

Download the full Masterclass Cliff's Notes PDF below to see the tips and advice Laura shared:

About Laura Iarocci

Laura Iarocci, the owner of Faith Flowers, is a nationally recognized floral designer, speaker, and teacher on flower arranging. She is a certified floral designer with AIFD and a member of Chapple designers. Laura has chaired the 50-member Flower Guild at the Cathedral of St. Philip for 20 years. In 2018, Laura authored a book on church flower design titled 'Faith Flowers: Celebrate a Glorious Array of Flowers'. She is trained in European design and has studied with leading floral designers around the world, including Gudrun Cottienere, Paula Pryke, and Hitomi Gilliam. She is available for demonstrations and workshops at garden clubs, churches, and other flower events.

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