Huron Tours and Travel
~ Use Our Knowledge ~
Questions? Give us a call today - the people you speak with on the phone will be on your trip with you.
(800) 734-1192 or (504) 267-2057
Huron Tours and Travel is a long established tour company specializing in custom-built floral excursions for events such as the Chelsea Flower Show in London, The Philadelphia Flower Show and many other custom garden tour itineraries. Please click here to see a list of our past tours. We have had the pleasure of leading thousands of discerning travelers on our tours, many of whom have traveled with us on 10, 15, and even 20 different trips!
As a family-owned and owner operated company, Huron Tours and Travel, Inc. (previously known as Huron Valley Travel) was one of the first travel agencies in Michigan having been founded in Ann Arbor in 1961 as Hodges Travel. In 1985 John Kosta Sr. purchased the business and began his travel adventure.
In 1987, HTT was designated the exclusive tour provider for the Ann Arbor Flower & Garden Show, and the agency offered its first garden tour to England and the Chelsea Flower Show in 1989.
Now, over 30 years later, Huron can proudly say it has taken more garden lovers to London's Chelsea Flower Show than any other United States company. And although garden travel is our main focus these days, HTT has designed and escorted hundreds of tours to events all over the world. (See our Tour History for a nice sampling.)
What is truly special about a family run business is the passing of the torch from one generation to the next. In 2008 Huron Tours and Travel's daily operations were assumed by John Sr's son John Jr., and his wife Katie. Though originally located in the "Huron Valley," Huron Tours' headquarters now overlook the mighty Mississippi River in New Orleans, where Katie was born and raised, and John Jr. has called home for over 25 years.
John Jr. grew up in the travel business and strives to keep the tradition of exceptional tours and first class service alive for the foreseeable future.
Katie Kosta is full of energy and eager to tell you all about the upcoming tours. She always has new exciting adventures in the works and the first tour she ever developed continues to be a sell out (Oxford & the Gardens of the Cotswolds)!
In their free time John Jr. and Katie enjoy spending time with their families, experiencing the music, food and traditions of their hometown of New Orleans and, of course, working in their often-neglected garden.
As always, we strive for an excellent travel experience for all our guests from the first email or phone call to the last farewell! Keep watching www.HuronToursAndTravel.com for all the latest tour updates!
The company owners are your tour managers and are with you every step of the way. Most tour companies can’t say that.
We have fun! Take a look through our photos and you’ll see a lot of laughing and smiling faces.
Huron is proud to work with licensed and professional local guides, some who have been leading our tours for over 30 years.
We have decades long connections with many of the head gardeners past and present including Great Dixter’s Christopher Lloyd and Fergus Garrett; Barnsley House’s Rosemary Verey and Richard Gatenby; Helen Dillon, Anthony Hunte, Charles Fox of Glendurgan, Dan Hinkley, Carehays’ Jaimie Parsons, Jenny Raworth and more.
We have a cherished relationship with the royal gardens including private tours of Highgrove, Sandringham, Holyrood Palace and Balmoral.
Our successful roommate matching program that has resulted in lifetime friendships.
We are a proud, family owned travel company that really cares about its customers. It is more than just a business to us!
Please see some images below to give you a feel for the heart and spirit of our organization. Please give us a call or email with any comments or questions! (800) 734-1192, or [email protected]
Katie and John Sr (Huron Tours founder)
Moving Huron world headquarters from Ann Arbor, Michigan to New Orleans in 2008
Katie getting ready for Mardi Gras day (costume parts sourced in NYC during our Westminster Dog Show tour)
Great Pavilion at the Chelsea Flower Show
Made in the shade and in unintentionally (!) matching outfits in Barbados
Holiday in Barcelona
Dan Hinkley giving our group a tour at Heronswood
Garden tour planning with Lucky Kosta
It's always the right time for beignets and cafe au lait
John and his mother Jan at the top of St Mary's church in Rye, England
Exploring Paris
Listening to Peter, longtime Huron guide, with rapt attention, in Ireland
Downtime with friends and family (2 and 4 legged) in Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Katie admiring the neighborhood gardens in South Kensington, London
Katie and Jan at the US Open Tennis tournament in 2012
Cheering on the home team!
Trooping the Colour on Horse Guards Parade - The Colonel's Review - and Katie - London - 2011
Katie with one of her favorites in LA
Our wonderful guide Valery leading a private tour at Windsor Castle in 2009
Homework at Hunte's Garden in Barbados
Private tour at Hidcote (with the most amazing Wisteria)
Private tour for Huron of Chatsworth House in 2004
Reading to our sweet niece
Peaches from our tree
Connie the Dachshund at Great Dixter
An excellent tour operator must never be reluctant to ask for directions.
Sometimes you have to get the wheelbarrow home
Exploring Edinburgh
Our niece demonstrating her belief that table manners are the cornerstone of civilization
Dolly Parton Kosta exploring the neighborhood
Friendly family competition.
What is this crazy picture? Let us know you saw it for a small discount!
The perfect day at the Chelsea flower show - sunnies, pimms, and the paper. Join us!
Smalls Jazz Club in New York city is a must!
Huron has a strong commitment to running tests before hand to make sure our plan is sound
Helen Dillon's previous Dublin garden 'Good gardening is a constant process of editing.'
Katie with friends Luther and Winston boating in British Columbia.
Don't worry gang - Gizmo has handled all the arrangements and even managed to pack a sensible sweater!
Just chilling out in the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
An otter enjoying a crab lunch in Victoria's inner harbour
VanDusen Botanical Garden has a very interesting history, and is a lovely visit
Happy Buddha in Barbados
John Sr. at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1996
Katie's favorite Iris from our New Orleans garden
The perfect day at the Chelsea flower show - sunnies, pimms, and the paper. Join us!
Katie and John Sr (Huron Tours founder)
Look at the amazing color of these water lilies at the Botanical Garden in New Orleans
Table manners are the cornerstone of civilization
It's always the right time for beignets and cafe au lait
Happy Buddha in Barbados
Don't worry gang - Gizmo has handled all the arrangements and even managed to pack a sensible sweater!
Huron Tours and Travel is a very experienced travel garden company specializing in custom-built floral excursions for events such as the Chelsea Flower Show and The Philadelphia Flower Show plus customized itineraries for the garden-loving travel market.
We have had the pleasure of giving great vacations to thousands of discerning travelers, many of whom have traveled with us on 10, 15, and even 20 different trips!
For more than 35 years, HTT has designed and escorted hundreds of tours to events and gardens all over the world.
Join Huron Tours and Travel on an exciting adventure and you'll see firsthand why people travel with us year after year.
Questions? Give us a call today - the people you speak with on the phone will be on your trip with you.
(800) 734-1192 or (504) 267-2057
Huron Tours & Travel
3436 Magazine Street #7188
New Orleans, LA 70115
USA
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