This week is National Gardening Week, an annual celebration organised by the Royal Horticultural Society. In honour of this – and the positive impact that gardens and green spaces can have on our lives – The Bridge shares some of the most beautiful gardens you can visit while on a cruise.

Known as the 'garden island', Madeira is famed for its vibrant floral landscapes and exotic botanical displays. One of the most captivating places to experience this natural beauty is Monte Palace Gardens, perched high above Funchal Bay.

Spanning over 70,000 square metres, these gardens are a tranquil retreat home to tropical and subtropical plants from across the globe. You'll find cycads from South Africa, Japanese cedars, azaleas, orchids and tree ferns, all thriving in the island's mild climate. As you wander the winding paths, you'll also discover koi-filled ponds, oriental-inspired gardens with pagodas and stone lanterns, and an impressive collection of tile panels depicting scenes from Portuguese history.

Vibrant Keukenhof in the Netherlands is the world's largest flower garden. With over seven million varieties of flowers alongside tranquil ponds, winding paths and themed pavilions, it's a true feast for the senses.

The best time to visit is between March and May when Keukenhof's iconic displays of tulips are in full bloom. With 800 different types in every shade imaginable, it's a colourful celebration of Dutch horticultural heritage.

Lost to the world for 70 years, Heligan was rediscovered in 1990 and has since become Europe's largest garden restoration project. Nestled near the fishing village of Mevagissey on Cornwall's south coast, this enchanting setting features an exotic jungle, Victorian garden and peaceful woodland paths.

Wander through bamboo tunnels, beneath towering tree ferns and among ancient trees for a mindful journey that invites a deep connection with nature. You can also discover curious sculptures – including the iconic Giant's Head, Mud Maid and Grey Lady – scattered throughout the grounds and a working farm where you can meet rare-breed animals.

Set on the remote island of Tresco, part of the Isles of Scilly, this 17-acre subtropical haven is home to more than 20,000 exotic plants. Sourced from Mediterranean climate zones around the world, the garden showcases everything from South African proteas and Australian banksias to New Zealand Christmas trees and Norfolk Island pines.

Winding paths lined with succulents, striking red foliage and towering palms guide you through a vivid landscape where red squirrels and golden pheasants occasionally roam. Sculptures add anartistic flair throughout, while the Valhalla Figurehead Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into maritime history with its collection of salvaged ship figureheads.

Giverny, the beloved home of Claude Monet, is where the master of Impressionism found endless inspiration. At the artist's former residence, you can explore his lovingly-designed gardens – a living masterpiece of vibrant flowerbeds and weeping willows, where water lilies still drift beneath the iconic Japanese bridge featured in many of his most celebrated works.

This artistic retreat also includes Monet's charming pink house, preserved much as he left it, and his light-filled studio, where you can glimpse the world as he saw it.