2012 Garden Tour to Italy and England with Angus Stewart
7 May - 28 May 2012
Day 1 Monday May 7, 2012 Departure
Our holiday begins with a flight to Rome.
Day 2 Tuesday May 8, 2012 Tivoli
On arrival in Rome we are met by our private coach and travel to Tivoli. We visit Villa d'Este renowned for its spectacular use of water. This garden represents the Italian garden of the high Renaissance period. The water is supplied through a tunnelled aqueduct from the River Aniene. The garden was created by the architect Pirro Ligorio for Cardinal Ippolito d'Este. Highlights include the miniature Rometta, built in 1568 to represent Rome and its seven hills, the Tiber river, the Walk of the Hundred Fountains, for its spectacular fountains, and the Organ Fountain, which is based on hydraulic theories first outlined by Hero of Alexandria in 100 AD. This afternoon we will visit the Villa Adriana. Hadrian's Villa is one of the greatest monuments of antiquity. Enough of the buildings remain to interest both architects and gardeners. Today the site has wild flowers growing in the hay meadows, tall cypresses and the features of the building's remains.
Day 3 Wednesday May 9, 2012 Tivoli
This morning we travel north to visit Parco dei Mostri. This garden is rather unique and is made up of astonishing gigantic sculptures, many of them hewn from the rock on the wooded hillside. Are they autobiographical, literary, historical or philosophical? – the scholars don't know. We visit the magnificent gardens of Villa Lante near Viterbo this afternoon. This is a perfect Renaissance garden in which murmuring water, flashing fountains, shade and sunlight alternate under vast plane trees. The garden, organised on four levels along a main axis, emphasized by fountains, has perfect symmetry. We return to Tivoli for an included dinner. This gives tour members a chance to get to know each other. D
Day 4 Thursday May 10, 2012 Tivoli
We travel to Rome, where we enjoy a sightseeing tour of the 'eternal city'. We see the Coliseum, the Vatican and St Peters Basilica. We visit the old town and see the Spanish Steps, the Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, one of the few perfectly-preserved ancient Roman buildings. The afternoon will be free with time to visit galleries, museums or shop. We return to Tivoli late afternoon.
Day 5 Friday May 11, 2012 Sorrento
Today we journey south to picturesque Sorrento where we stay for four nights. On the way we will stop at the unique Giardino e Rovine di N infa. Fragrant flowers and trees adorn the ruins of a medieval town, reclaimed as a garden in 1921. Streams and waterfalls punctuate these romantic gardens, which contain an astonishing collection of plants. As we arrive near Sorrento we have wonderful views of the sea, with citrus groves dotting the surrounding countryside. Those who would like to dine together can meet the tour manager to go to a nearby restaurant for dinner.
Day 6 Saturday May 12, 2012 Sorrento
After breakfast we visit Villa Rufolo in the town of Ravello, one of the oldest surviving palaces in Italy. It dates from the 13th century and overlooks the sea from a series of garden terraces. There are formal beds of colourful annuals, plus palms, cycads and yuccas. On the middle level an oleander walk frames a breathtaking view of the coast. The charming town of Ravello clings to the steep slopes of the D ragon Hill, inspiring its description by Andre Gide as "nearer to sky than it is to the shore". We have time for lunch among Ravello's enticing alleys, stairways and roofed passages before continuing to Villa Cimbrone, set on a cliff-top promontory. Full of statues and small temples, the garden features a long, wisteria-clad pergola, rose garden and bedding out gardens. The 'Walk of the Infinite' ends in a belvedere, situated where the views and its height above the sea leaves you breathless.
Day 7 Sunday May 13, 2012 Sorrento
Today we travel to the island of Ischia to visit the famous garden, La Mortella. Here we explore a garden massed with rare trees, palms, shrubs, ferns and bulbs to excite the plantsman and botanist. There are many interesting features including an Islamic-style rill of water leading to a pool. This is part of an extension to the garden by famous designer Russell Page. Lady Walton, who died recently, has a beautiful memorial set in the garden. Russell Page constructed a series of rock pools, their banks a home for bog plants, ferns and bamboo, which contrast with the parched Mediterranean hillside. There is even a tropical glasshouse with hummingbirds. This garden delights all the senses. On our return, the rest of the afternoon is free for individual exploration.
Day 8 Monday May 14, 2012 Sorrento
Today we will visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii, the Roman city destroyed by an eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in AD79 – a highlight of the tour. The impressive ruins help us to understand what life was like at the height of the Roman Empire, 2000 years ago. We will have a guided tour of this ancient city with a local expert. The Casa dei Vettii is the most lavishly decorated dwelling in the town. Faithfully restored, it is the finest example of a Pompeian house and garden. On our return to Sorrento the tour manager will meet those wishing to dine with the group.
Day 9 Tuesday May 15, 2012 Florence
Our journey today takes us north to Siena, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Italy and is renowned for its magnificent Piazza del Campo. The biennial Palio horse race festival is held here. We will wander the famous Campo, the Palazzo Publico and view the spectacular Duomo. We drive through the picturesque Tuscan countryside to Florence, where we soak up the atmosphere of this lovely city, capital of Tuscany. Home of Michelangelo and the Medici family, the city was the cradle of the Renaissance in Europe. We will enjoy an included dinner this evening. D
Day 10 Wednesday May 16, 2012 Florence
The morning we will enjoy some free time to explore Florence at leisure. This afternoon we have a walking tour of Florence. During our walking tour we see the Piazza del Duomo, one of the largest cathedrals in the Christian world. Together with Brunelleschi's wonderful dome, we see the Campanile and the Baptistry. We also wander through the Piazza della Signoria, which contains the Loggia della Signoria, the Palazza Vecchio and nearby, the Ponte Vecchio over the Arno River.
Day 11 Thursday May 17, 2012 Florence
This morning we visit Villa Le Balze an early masterpiece of English architect Cecil Pinsent who designed a Renaissance-style villa set in just over one hectare of garden. The garden was created in 1914 on a very steep site overlooking spectacular views of Florence. To the sides of the house are enclosed formal garden rooms. The lemon garden next to the house has four box-edged grass enclosures surrounding a circular pool. The formal gardens give way to a bosco and olive groves. We continue our travel to explore Villa Gamberaia, set in classic olive-grove country. Restored to its 16th century splendor, the garden is small but idyllic. The main terrace is laid out with parterres de broderie and the water gardens are reminiscent of Persian reflecting pools.
Day 12 Friday May 18, 2012 Florence
Today we travel to visit Villa Garzoni, which is the best known Baroque garden existing in Tuscany today. The Adventures of Pinocchio were conceived by Carlo Lorenzini in the 19th century by the villa's kitchen fire. We continue our journey to visit Villa Massei and its garden, which was bought by Paul Gervais and Gil Cohen in 1981. They have lovingly restored the garden and loggia to their rustic grandeur and are living what many dream about in Tuscany. Among the garden of many rooms, there is an ancient grotto, orange grove, Mediterranean garden, wildflower meadow, semi-formal orchard and rose garden. We travel to Lucca where we have time at leisure. Lucca has retained its plan of a Roman military camp, with the two streets perpendicular to each other. It also retains it ramparts, which were built in the 16th century. Its streets and squares are full of atmosphere with their Gothic and Renaissance palaces.
Day 13 Saturday May 19, 2012 Como
This morning we travel north to the Italian Lakes district, staying for the next four nights at Como, on the edge of beautiful Lake Como. The tour manager will guide those interested in dining as a group to a good restaurant.
Day 14 Sunday May 20, 2012 Como
Continuing our tour of the Italian Lakes, our coach takes us to Lake Maggiore. We travel by boat to Isola Bella, the most spectacular of the Borromean Islands. This magnificent villa is surrounded by one of the most dramatic 17th-century gardens in Italy, with 10 terraces rising like a ship's prow in the reflecting waters of the lake. Masses of roses and perfumed plants set among superb statues and fountains make this a garden to remember. We also visit the nearby island Isola Madre. This very different garden has lush sub-tropical planting of ornamental trees and shrubs including a fine swamp cypress and palms. On our return to Como, the rest of the day is free at leisure.
Day 15 Monday May 21, 2012 Como
This morning will be free to relax, shop in Como or take a ferry ride on Lake Como to view the spectacular scenery and fabulous lakeside villas. In the afternoon Angus will guide us on a visit to the gardens of Villa Melzi. The semi-classical villa stands on the shores of the lake, among gardens studded with an eclectic mix of sculptures, from Egyptian to Roman. We will have time to explore the town of Bellagio, nominated as one of the most beautiful villages in the world.
Day 16 Tuesday May 22, 2012 Como
A scenic trip along the west shore of Lake Como brings us to the picturesque village of Tremezzo and Villa Carlotta. This elegant 18th-century villa has its own landing place on Lake Como and beautiful views over the lake. It was given as a wedding present to Carlotta, Duchess of Saxe-Meningen, who, with her husband, created the landscaped gardens and began the botanical collection. Around the house, an 18th-century formal layout has lemon arbours on the terraces, tall camellia hedges and flowerbeds. We continue on to one of the jewels of the lake, Villa del Balbianello, located on its own small island. Steep steps covered with flowers lead from the landing to the gorgeous gardens and villa, chosen as the romantic setting for the movie A Month on the Lake. Ancient pollarded plane trees are a feature of this enchanting garden.
Day 17 Wednesday May 23, 2012 London
We travel to London where we will spend the next three nights. To begin our exploration of this fascinating and historic city, we meet our London blue badge guide for a comprehensive tour of the main sights. We will see Buckingham Palace, Whitehall, Trafalgar Square, The Strand, St Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to shop or sightsee amidst the bustle of the city. Our tour manager will meet those wishing to dine with the group in the lobby to go to a nearby restaurant for dinner or you may like to take in a show in London's theatre district.
Day 18 Thursday May 24, 2012 London
The highlight of our time in London will be the famous Chelsea Flower Show. Chelsea is the main event in the English horticultural calendar and boasts amazing displays of the world's best flowers and plants, dozens of show gardens created by leading designers, and everything you can imagine related to gardening. Angus will ensure that you get the most from this wonderful show. We return to our hotel early afternoon, with an optional dropoff at Harrods for those who would like to experience this iconic store. The rest of the day and evening are free for independent activity.
Day 19 Friday May 25, 2012 London
This morning we visit Hampton Court Palace and Garden. The Palace is an interesting place to visit to study the activities of British monarchs from Henry VIII onwards. The garden is most famous for its Great Vine, planted in 1768, which still produces hundreds of Black Hamburg grapes each year. The Pond Gardens offer a magnificent display of bedding plants. The newly-restored Privy Garden of William III is a spectacular example of the Baroque, with parterres, cut work, clipped yews and spring and summer displays of 17th-century plants. The afternoon is at leisure to explore London. This evening we enjoy an included farewell dinner. D
Day 20 Saturday May 26, 2012 Departure
The morning is free for individual activities. In the afternoon we visit the Royal Horticultural Garden, Wisley. The RHS was given Wisley Estate in trust by Sir Thomas Hanbury in 1903. Trials of flowers, vegetables and fruit were expanded at Wisley and they continue to be some of the principal features of the garden. Several Chelsea Flower Show prize-winning gardens are displayed in the grounds. Our visit will be an interesting look at the history of gardening in Britain. We continue to Heathrow airport for our return flight to Australia.
Day 21 Sunday May 27, 2012 In flight
Day 22 Monday May 28, 2012 Australia
The group arrives in Australia and tour arrangements conclude.