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Gardens of the Italian Lakes - Maggiore and Como
7
days
from
£4,660
Book today with a deposit from
£699
22nd - 28th April 2027
Tour highlights
- Among the loveliest and most romantic spots on earth – the summer retreat of the wealthy, aristocratic and intellectual since the time of Pliny.
- Some of the finest gardens in Europe, glorious in their design and range.
- Sublime mountain scenery, the inspiration of Bellini and Stendhal.
- Stay in lake-view rooms in Stresa overlooking Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands, followed by three nights in the charming town of Varenna on Lake Como.
The gardens of the Italian lakes fall into two categories: the formal, terraced, parterred, allegoried and enclosed summer residences of native landowners; and the expansive, landscaped villa grounds of the rich and splendid. Some are small, others huge; some ostentatious, others retiring; some immaculate, others picturesquely mouldering. Many are the former homes of Austrian aristocrats, Napoleonic grandees, bel canto composers or British seasonal emigrants. All respond to the setting, gazing out across bays and peninsulas, or up to mountain scenery of heroic dimensions.
The tour is divided between Lake Maggiore and Lake Como. Lake Maggiore is altogether broader and more open, extending northwards into Switzerland, with the air of an inland sea. The great western bay includes the famous Borromean Islands, among them the contrasting garden retreats of Isola Bella and Isola Madre. As early as 1686 Bishop Burnet gushed that these were ‘certainly the loveliest spots of ground in the World, there is nothing in all Italy that can be compared to them’.
Lake Como, the home of Pliny, is intensely romantic: Shelley, Bellini and Stendhal found inspiration here on the shores of a long and slender lake divided in three parts. The little town of Varenna provides a picturesque and tranquil base for visiting the lakeside villa gardens.
Our tour is scheduled at a time of the year when there is the possibility of clear, brilliant sunshine. Each lake, each shore, each promontory and island, has its own character, but everywhere is pervaded by the abundance of light, perfume and natural beauty.
This tour is particularly strenuous. Please read the advice under 'Practicalities'.
Itinerary
Fly at c. 10.15am (British Airways) from London Heathrow to Milan. Drive to Stresa on Lake Maggiore. First of three nights in Stresa.
Travel by boat to Isola Madre, a relaxed, informal landscape garden around a charmingly domestic villa. Visual entertainments include the marvellous plant collection, revitalized by Henry Cocker in the 1950s, the chapel garden, puppet theatre and ambulant aviary. In the afternoon, visit Isola Bella, one of the world’s great gardens (and correspondingly popular), a wedding cake of terraces and greenery floating improbably in Lake Maggiore. The sense of surrealism is enhanced by the symbolic statuary and the flock of white peacocks.
Cross to the Swiss part of Lake Maggiore to visit the extensive botanical gardens on the island of San Pancrazio, home to c. 1700 different plant species. Lunch on the island before continuing to Pallanza in the afternoon to visit the Villa Taranto. An extravagant piece of 20th-century kitsch created by Henry Cocker for his patron, the enigmatic Neil McEacharn, the alarmingly gauche design is superbly planted and maintained with loving zeal by the present staff.
At the Villa Cicogna Mozzoni at Bisuschio, north of Varese, the 16th-century house and garden are thoroughly intertwined; the courtyard of pools and parterres leads to a water staircase, grottoes and giochi d’acqua. Lunch is served at the villa. In the afternoon, visit the Villa Sommi Picenardi in Olgiate Molgora. A gem of the Lombardy region, this private villa boasts three fountains, mosaics, topiary art, a romantic pond and various terraced gardens. Continue to Varenna, where the remaining three nights are spent.
The Villa Monastero in Varenna was originally a Cistercian convent built at the end of the 12th century, and it was later converted into a residence. Cross Lake Como to Bellagio and visit the neoclassical Villa Melzi. Built in 1810 for Francesco Melzi d’Eril, vice-president of Napoleon’s Italian Republic, it overlooks the lake in an undulating English landscape park, richly planted and decorated with ornamental buildings.
Villa Carlotta on the western shore of Lake Como, built as a summer residence for a Milanese aristocrat, combines dramatic terracing, parterre and grottoes with an extensive landscape park and arboretum. The house contains notable collections from the Napoleonic period. The Villa Balbianello occupies its own headland projecting into the middle of Lake Como. This glorious site is terraced to provide sites for lawns, trees, shrubs and a chorus of statuary. The villa stands among groves of oak and pine.
Fly from Milan to London Heathrow, arriving at c. 3.30pm.
Expert speaker
Ms Amanda Patton
Multi-award-winning garden designer, writer, broadcaster and artist. A registered member and former vice-chair of the Society of Garden Designers, and member of the Garden Media Guild, she has created show gardens at Chelsea and Hampton Court, and has designed over 300 mainly private gardens which have featured in numerous books and national magazines. She lectures widely including at the London College of Garden Design, the RAC and the Lurie Garden in Chicago. Her particular interest is in 20th-century and contemporary garden design.
More tours led by Ms Amanda Patton
Practicalities
Two sharing: £4,850 or £4,660 without flights. Single occupancy: £5,750 or £5,560 without flights.
Travel by private coach, boat and public ferry; hotel accommodation; breakfasts; 2 lunches and 4 dinners with wine, water, coffee; all admissions; all tips; all taxes; the services of the lecturer and tour manager.
Hotel Villa Aminta, Stresa: a luxurious 5-star hotel overlooking the Borromean Islands. Located slightly out of the centre of Stresa, it is a peaceful retreat from the busy resort town. Rooms have balconies which offer views of Lake Maggiore. Hotel Royal Victoria, Varenna: a classic 4-star hotel in the centre of Varenna, a charming lake-side town. Single occupancy rooms are doubles for sole use.
A good level of fitness is essential. There is quite a lot of walking as streets are steep and uneven and most of the gardens are extensive, and all have uneven ground. You will be on your feet for lengthy stretches of time, and need to be able to cope with stairs, as many of the gardens are tiered, and there are steps throughout the towns. Average distance by coach per day: 36 miles.
Typically between 10 and 24 participants.
Before booking, please refer to the FCDO website and Travel Health Pro to ensure you are happy with the travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting.
Dates & prices
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2027
Date
Speaker
Price
Date:
22nd - 28th April 2027
Speaker:
Ms Amanda Patton
Price:
from £4,660
(Based on two sharing)Testimonials
“The variety of gardens was very thoughtfully chosen. The range and variety of types of garden from the 16th to the 20th century was beautifully illustrated.
”
“The itinerary was spot on; simply delightful.
”
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