| Northern Italy: Gardens & Villas through the Centuries A Pacific Horticulture Society tour Sept 13-24, 2013 Tour on Request. Escorted by Josh Schechtel Contact Sterling Tours September 13, Friday: DEPART USA FOR VENICE, ITALY September 14, Saturday: VENICE/ASOLO Plan to arrive in Venice before 12:00 noon. We will be met by our Italian guide and private motor coach for a transfer to the charming hill town of Asolo in the Veneto Region. A separate transfer will be arranged for those taking the pre- trip Venice package. Accommodations are at the Hotel Villa Cipriani, once the home of Robert Browning. The Villa offers guests the timeless charm and atmosphere of a patrician residence. Set in the hills surrounding the historic centre of Asolo, it is surrounded by a private garden of pomegranate trees and seasonal flowers. Elegant guest rooms feature high ceilings and antique furniture. Asolo, known as "The City of a Hundred Horizons" for its mountain settings, is one of the loveliest villages in Italy. The city has maintained a medieval look and is dominated by the "Rocca" on top of the hill, protecting the city. Welcome dinner this evening at the hotel’s panoramic restaurant. Villa Cipriani, Dinner. September 15, Sunday: VENICE/BRETNA CANAL After a leisurely breakfast, we begin a day devoted to Andrea Palladio, whose designs and theories embodied Renaissance architectural thought in the second half of the sixteenth century. Although Palladio's works lack some of the grandeur of other Renaissance architects, he established a successful and lasting way of recreating ancient classicism. We will take an excursion to Vicenza and see some of the great aristocratic villas along the Brenta River. The Villas were status symbols, the summer residences of Venetian nobility who hosted sumptuous, elaborate festivities here, accompanied by the music of Vivaldi, Pergolesi and Cimarosa. We will enjoy a guided walking tour of elegant Vicenza including the majestic, Palladian Olympic Theatre, designed by the great architect. It is the oldest covered theatre in the world. We will visit Villa La Rotonda, Palladio’s most famous villa, which served as a model for Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. The central dome, inspired by the Pantheon of ancient Rome, leads to the round Sala. Our day includes Villa Valmarana al Nani, situated on a scenic bend of the river. We tour the guest quarters, the most interesting part of the villa, containing original furniture and frescoes by Michelangelo and Tiepolo. Late afternoon and evening at leisure. Villa Cipriani, Breakfast. September 16, Monday: BELLAGIO/VARENNA/BAVENO We travel west today, stopping in Bellagio, called the “Pearl of the Lake”, which sits on a promontory dividing Lake Lecco from the south branch of Lake Como. Buildings are decorated with flags, boxes dripping with geraniums, and bougainvillea climbing staircases. We will have free time for lunch and a stroll through the pretty village. We continue to Varenna for a visit to the beautiful botanical garden at Villa Monastero. As the name says, this is an ancient monastery. The Lake Como waters give the botanical garden here a more magical appearance. There are several interesting and beautiful trees: cedars of Lebanon, evergreen hedges, African palms, American palms, agaves, yuccas, dragon-trees, citrus trees and oleanders. At the end of the day, we check in to superior rooms at the Albergo Terminus on Lake Como. Dating back to the early 19th century, this composite, Liberty style building is typical of the taste of the Lombard aristocracy. The hotel enjoys a splendid position on the shores of Lake Como, in the heart of the historic town, close to the Cathedral and Cavour Square. Albergo Terminus, B,D September 17: Tuesday: ITALIAN LAKE DISTRICT Today we visit Villa Balbianello, dating back to the 13th century. In the 18th century, the Visconti Family enlarged the villa and created the gardens. There is an allee of Linden trees and dramatic plantings of Cypress. We continue to Villa Carlotta, the villa that inspired Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to write his poem, By Sommariva’s Garden Gate. There are terraced gardens featuring sequoias, palms, bananas, hundreds of varieties of rhododendron and orchids. We will enjoy a special luncheon at Villa D’Este, a former 16th century princely residence, surrounded by a 25 acre park. This magnificent villa was once the home of Queen Caroline, Czarina of Russia and wife of an English king. The property, now a hotel, has kept the luxury and magnificence of a bygone era and has beautiful gardens from the Renaissance period. The two most outstanding landmarks are the 500 year old plane tree and the 16th century Mosaic with its Nympheum. Apart from the topiary hedges and the bushes of bamboo, azaleas, camellias, oleanders, rhododendrons and hydrangeas, there are roses and jasmine bushes. The trees include chestnut, magnolia, oleafragrans, wisteria, palm, cypress, pine and many others. The restaurant at this world famous villa overlooks the beautiful hotel gardens and Lake Como. Albergo Terminus, B L. September 18: Wednesday: BORROMEO ISLANDS We leave Lake Como today for quieter, but equally lovely Lake Maggiore. Enjoy a full day excursion by private boat to the Borromeo Islands. We will meet our local guide and discover the enchanting, tranquil atmosphere of Isola Madre, the largest of the islands. The tropical gardens are filled with rare plants and exotic flowers. Peacocks, parrots and pheasants roam freely about. There are azaleas, rhododendron, camellias and ancient wisteria as well as collections of hibiscus and ginkgo biloba. The 16th century palace has period rooms with various collections including porcelain. Isola Bella, in contrast, is a more formal island. Here we will visit the Baroque Palace of Count Borromeo, and the exuberant gardens that include oranges, pomegranate, yew and camphor trees, rare camellias and jasmine. We continue to Isola dei Pescatori, where we will have a typical fish lunch in a preserved fishing village. We return to Stresa to relax or wander through the shops. Later, we check into classic rooms at the Grand Hotel Bristol, centrally located in Baveno (Stresa). The Grand Hotel Bristol is situated on Stresa’s waterfront promenade on the picturesque lake that nestles up against the mountains extending into Alpine Switzerland. Once the home of a nobleman, the hotel has retained its original elegance while adding modern amenities to all the rooms and suites. In addition, the Grand Hotel Bristol has a bar, restaurants, a garden with an open-air swimming pool, and a wellness centre with hydrotherapy and an indoor pool. Tonight we will dine together in the hotel restaurant overlooking Lake Maggiore and the romantic Borromeo Islands. Grand Hotel, B, L D. September 19, Thursday: PARMA/MONTERIGGIONI We depart the Lake District traveling through Emilia Romagna, considered by many to be the gastronomical center of Italy, in a country full of gastronomical centers! We stop for lunch in historic Parma, a delightful city on the banks of the River Po. Parma draws visitors from all over the world to sample the famous Prosciutto di Parma and the great Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese made here. Our lunch will include regional specialties. The historic Parma city center, like almost every city in Italy, has a Romanesque Cathedral and Baptistry. Many buildings are decorated with Correggio frescoes. The Farmacia di San Giovanni Evangelista, started by the Benedictine monks in the 13th century is located here. After a brief city tour, we travel on to Tuscany. Our accommodations for three nights are at Hotel Piccolo Castello, a lovely hotel in the countryside not far from Monteriggioni, perhaps the smallest walled city in Tuscany. This 4-star hotel immersed in the Tuscan countryside is surrounded by 5 miles of parkland. The restaurant, which is within the walls of Monterriggioni Castle, features Tuscan specialties plus a wine bar where fine Super Tuscans and traditional Chianti may be sampled. Facilities include a heated swimming pool, a health club with sauna, whirlpool baths, fitness equipment and a small spa. Hotel Piccolo Castello, B L. September 20, Friday: SAN GIMIGNANO/COOKING LESSON Morning tour of Villa Chigi Cetinale, a 17th century garden on a dramatic site. In the 20th century, the garden was restored by Lord Lampton. He made an English-style flower garden with steps ascending to a sacred wood. We continue to San Gimignano, a wonderful 14th century medieval hill town with narrow, cobblestone streets, which seem to belong to another century. Ramparts topped by fourteen towers of nobility encircle the town. Originally there were 72 towers, which the lords built as high as they could. There are spectacular views of the surrounding countryside from various vantage points. We will have a private walking tour by a local guide, with a chance to explore and see some of the great works of art from the Middle Ages. In the afternoon we transfer to a local villa/countryhouse where we will have our cooking class. We will learn the secrets of Tuscan culinary delights and partake of Chianti Classico as we dine on the results of our efforts. Piccolo Castello. B D. September 21, Saturday: CHIANTI AREA/SIENA We spend the day in the Chianti area. We will take a quick peek at the Saturday Market in Radda before taking the short drive to Villa di Geggiano. The villa, once a small lodge, was transformed in 1768 into a grand villa with a garden and chapel for a wedding of the Bandinelli Family. We enter through the tree-lined avenue of cypress and oak. The garden is surrounded by high walls with huge pillars crowned by terracotta vases and statues of monkeys. The garden is divided into two parts. The front has large lawns and low box hedges. The back is the kitchen garden with geometrical beds and a semi-circular brick fishpond. We end with a wine tasting in the villa. Next, we stop at Castello di Meleto, for a look inside at the lovely terraced small gardens overlooking the Chianti Hills. We will have a short walking tour of Siena, a show place of Italian Gothic. Siena has preserved much of its original character. Gothic palaces, aristocratic mansions, narrow streets and medieval gates, walls and towers are the heart of the city. The Piazza del Campo is the central square where the famous horse race, the Palio, is held twice a year. All the pomp and ritual of the Middle Ages live again during the big race. Nearby is the impressive cathedral made from green, black and white marble. We return to Piccolo Castello for dinner. Piccolo Castello, BD. September 22, Sunday: FLORENCE We depart Chianti for Florence. Many of the historical sites of Florence are within walking distance of each other around the Piazza del Duomo. Our local guide will regale us with stories of the Renaissance City and help us to fully appreciate the architectural splendor and history of this magnificent complex as we take a walking tour. The Duomo, made of various colors of marble, is one of the most beautiful in Italy. The Campanile (bell tower) and Baptistery with the famous Gates to Paradise, complete the complex. In the Piazza della Signoria we will see the famous copy of Michelangelo’s David ; the real statue is at the Academy Gallery (Galleria dell'Accademia). (Pre- reserved tickets will be provided this afternoon for your choice of the Uffizi Gallery or Galleria dell'Accademia.) The rest of the afternoon and evening are free. Accommodations for two nights are at the boutique Cellai Hotel, conveniently located in the centre of the town. Cellai Hotel Florence features original paintings and antiques in its many lounges and reading rooms. Each of the individually decorated guest rooms have a classic style with warm colors, wood or carpeted floors, and elegant furniture. Buffet breakfast is served by candlelight, in the former workshop of a famous local sculptor. The terrace on the roof overlooks the Florentine hills and rooftops of the city. Cellai Hotel Florence, B. September 23, Monday: FLORENCE This morning we will have a short walking tour of the Florentine Artisans. We will pass workshops of artists creating fine paper, leather goods and gold jewelry as well as antiques dealers. The balance of the day is free for shopping, visiting museums, or the famous Boboli Gardens. In a world-famous location, adjoining the Pitti Palace on the South Bank of the Arno River, Boboli Gardens is an outdoor museum that contains several masterpieces of sculpture and architecture. Its design influenced many other notable European gardens, including Versailles. It was the Medici, in 1550, who began expansion of the palace garden, gradually pushing it up the slopes of Boboli Hill. They used the services of Niccolo Pericoli whose designs were carried out close in to the palace. Over the next two centuries, his successors added embellishments such as La Grotta Grande, a grotto containing Michelangelo’s sculpture, the Four Prisoners, as well as Giambologna’s Bathing Venus and de Rossi’s Paris and Helen. Over the decades, many designers added fountains, ancient Roman and Renaissance Italian statuary, meadows, avenues lined with trees…even an artificial lake and island (L’Isolotto). The final touch was a coffeehouse that opened in 1776 and still does a thriving business. Tonight we will enjoy a farewell dinner with wine at Ristorante La Giostra. Twenty years ago the Hapsburg Lorena princes, Dimitri Kunz d’ Asburgo Lorena and his twin brother Soldano, decided to open a restaurant in Florence: La Giostra, the Carousel. They pride themselves on respecting and preserving their tradition by paying attention to quality and to the boldness of flavors found in authentic Tuscan cuisine. This is the ideal place for our farewell dinner. Hotel Cellai, B D. September 24, Tuesday: DEPARTURE Transfers provided to the Florence airport in the morning for return flights. Transfers can be arranged to Milan Airport at additional cost, for those using other airlines. B. This Pacific Horticulture Society tour includes: 10 nights accommodation in rooms with private bath Transportation by private motorcoach with professional driver 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners including special welcome and farewell evenings All entrance and admission fees for included visits Baggage handling of 1 suitcase and 1 small bag per person Local guide Francesca Donati. Assistance of Pacific Horticulture Tour Escort, Josh Schechtel Taxes and service charges for included features. Donation of $200 to Pacific Horticulture Society Not included: Airfare Items of a personal nature Porterage of excess baggage Airline baggage fees Activities, visits, meals, or transportation not specifically listed in the itinerary Tour price for members of Pacific Horticulture Society is $4874 per person land only based on double occupancy. Add $728 for single occupancy. An additional $50 applies for non-members of Pacific Horticulture Society (we suggest joining before signing up for the tour). To print a copy of the itinerary, click here To review Terms and Conditions, click here Sterling Tours, Ltd 2907 Shelter Island Drive Suite #105-262 San Diego, CA 92106 Tel: 619 299-3010 800-976-9497 CST2023849-40 |
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