The Gardens of Ninfa

The itinerary includes superb formal Italianate Renaissance gardens of great historic and architectural interest, several wildly romantic gardens where roses tumble over abandoned ruins or rampage through trees, a garden with superb Mediterranean planting and a 16^th century garden of sculpted monsters and other fantasy figures.  You will stay in a hotel high above Frascati, a small town south of Rome on the slopes of the Alban Hills with unrivalled views across the countryside.

Gardens visits will include:  The Villa d'Este in Tivoli, created in 1550 for Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este a remarkable and superb illustration of the Renaissance period with fountains, waterfalls and terraces. Villa Lante, built for Cardinal Gambara, on a smaller scale and more intimate but perfectly proportioned and richly detailed with formal parterres, water fountains and grottos. Bomarzo a strange bewitching treasure trove of massive garden monsters and statues designed by the architect who also created Villa d’Este.  The Pope’s Summer Palace Castel Gandolfo together with the adjoining 60 acres Villa Barberini gardens.

One of the ten most beautiful gardens in the world - The Gardens of Ninfa near Lazio south of Rome, a garden of sublime romantic beauty where time seems to stand still, roses, jasmine, wisteria ramble and climb through the ancient medieval ruins of the city of Ninfa.  Nearby the opportunity to see a very private garden - Torrecchia (tbc) – this outstanding 15 acre garden, recently redesigned again by Dan Pearson, lies on a hilltop within the ruins of a small medieval village in the foothills of the Apennine Mountains.  Giardini della Landriana - the gardens originally designed by Russell Page and the Marchesa Lavinia Taverna are superb - divided into “rooms” all different and equally beautifully planted, a hillside of roses, lavender, box, formal and colour themed, lakes, citrus and olive groves.  Covering 15 hectares, the Moutan Botanic Centre is home to the world's largest collection of tree and herbaceous peonies (over 200,000 plants). It includes around 600 different varieties and natural hybrids belonging to known botanical species.  Finally the Valleranello Rose Garden where again the owner has numerous roses rampaging through trees and shrubs and it is counted among the four most beautiful rose gardens in Italy.

The four star Villa Tuscolana Park Hotel, has its origins as the 16thC home of Cardinal Rufini of Rome, is sited on top of one of the hills of Rome, overlooking the town of Frascati – this is an extraordinary location with amazing views and on a clear day you can see St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.  The hotel is well placed for visiting the gardens on this tour.   Virtually all the en-suite bedrooms will have panoramic views.

Monday 5 May – You are asked to make your own travel arrangements in order to meet at Rome Fiumicino Airport at 14.30 coinciding with the arrival of the British Airways flight from Heathrow.  A coach will be waiting.  Enroute to the Villa Tuscolana Park Hotel there will be a visit to the Valleranello Rose Garden.  Check into the hotel before a welcome reception with canapes before dinner.

Tuesday 6 May – Morning visit Castel Gandolfo for the gardens at Villa Barberini - due to the sheer size of the garden the visit is taken a small electric bus with stops made on the way.  Then visit the Pope’s  Summer Palace before an early light lunch in a restaurant overlooking the Lake Albano before continuing to Tivoli and Villa d'Este.  Return to the hotel before the evening dining in Frascati with a wine tasting and tour at a well-known local Frascati vineyard.

Wednesday 7 May – Visits to gardens north of Rome, Villa Lante at Bagnaia and the nearby peony garden at Moutan Botanic Centre (where an Italian light lunch is included) before continuing to Bomarzo and the Garden of Monsters. Return to hotel for dinner.

Thursday 8 May:  Travel south to Torrecchia, a garden close to Ninfa and approached from the main road on 4 miles of private drive through open countryside. There is a 10 minute walk up a gentle incline to reach the house.  This garden is open very infrequently to a private party.  Lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to the Gardens of Ninfa, this is a private guided tour on a day not normally open to the public.  This evening you are free to dine independently – there will be transport to and from the town and suggestions of restaurants where you might like to eat.

Friday 9 May: Check out of the hotel early to depart to Giardini della Landriana where after the guided tour an early lunch with their own wine will be provided in the gardens – continue to the airport to arrive in time for the 16.15 BA or easyJet return flights to London.

Travel:    The suggested flight in order to join the transfer from the airport would be British Airways from Heathrow to Rome Fiumicino – details below  (There are alternative flights from Gatwick/Luton/Bristol)

Outward:   Monday 5 May       (BA0546)  dep 10.40     arrive  Rome Fiumicino 14.15
Return:       Friday     9 May      (BA0559) dep 16.15     arrive   Heathrow   17.55