NORTHERN ITALIAN GARDENS May 19 - June 1, 2019 Hidden Treasures Tour Guide: Susan Mahr Day 1 May 19 Milan (C) Upon arrival, you will enjoy a private group transfer by bus to the 4 star hotel Rosa Grand, a few steps from the Dome. Time at leisure. In the late afternoon we will meet our guide for an introductory presentation of the tour. Welcome cocktail at the hotel. Day 2 - May 20 Milan - Secret Palaces & Gardens (B, L, D) Meet the guide at the hotel for a walking tour through the historic centre where we will see some highlights of Milan such as Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, and San Maurizio church, possibly the most beautiful church in Milan. Then we step inside a private palace in Milan - Casa Ucelli di Nemi.
After the visit, we will transfer by bus to the restaurant. From there we will reach ( by walk ) Milan s Modern Art Gallery where we will discover the Garden of the Milan s Modern Art Gallery and enjoy a visit to the Gallery. The Garden Behind the Modern Art Gallery, there is a small garden that provides a taste of what life was like in the greatest city villas. The garden is beautifully scenic with a small Tempietto, winding paths and bridges, against the Neoclassical backdrop of the late 18th-century villa. Even though small, the garden is home to at least 53 plant species, all carefully labelled, from beech to zelkova. Milan s first, this Villa s English-style garden was one of the greatest attractions and novelties for visitors at the time of its creation. Count Belgiojoso commissioned the architect Leopold Pollack to design the garden, in collaboration with Count Ercole Silva; it recreates a natural landscape where the vegetation allows ancient ruins to surface. At the center, the small lake cannot be viewed in its entirety. Thus, the observer s imagination is aroused, while the natural and romantic shapes of the garden are in perfect harmony with the classical and rational character of the Villa as they beautify one another. Time at leisure for the visit of the Modern Art Gallery. What makes Milan s Modern Art Gallery of international stature is the value and quality of the works on display and housed here: Francesco Hayez, Pompeo Marchesi, Andrea Appiani, Tranquillo Cremona, Giovanni Segantini, Federico Faruffini, Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo, Antonio Canova, Daniele Ranzoni, Medardo Rosso, Gaetano Previati are some of the important artists present, as they are undisputed protagonists of Art History for both Milan and Italy. Their works represent art as it unfolded from the 18th to 19th centuries, in particular the current that originated in the Academy of Fine Arts of Brera and slowly took hold even beyond national borders. Thanks to 20th-century art collectors and donations by some prominent families (Treves, Ponti, Grassi, Vismara, for example), over the years these masterpieces have enriched the Gallery s art heritage and confirmed its fundamental mission of perpetuating the diffusion of culture. Visitors can admire in the Villa s halls works by Giovanni Fattori, Silvestro Lega, Giovanni Boldini, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani, and other key players on Italy s 20th-century art scene. Transfer back to the hotel by bus. Tonight we enjoy dinner at a gourmet restaurant within walking distance of the hotel. Dinner will be served in the patio overlooking the wonderful garden. Day 3 - May 21 Milan fashion (B, L) This morning we meet our special guide at the hotel for a full day Milan fashion tour. We will see the latest fashion trends at high end boutiques and you will discover the secret fashion ateliers and trendy boutiques. Lunch will be in a typical restaurant.
In the afternoon our guide will be at our disposal for more tours, discovering the many fashion addresses through the centre of Milan. Day 4 - May 22 Como Lake (B,L, D) Today we head to Como Lake. We arrive in Lenno and enjoy a transfer by private small boats to Villa del Balbianello (now owned by FAI, Environment Fund), for a guided visit. Built for the Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini in the late eighteenth century, the villa stands on a promontory overlooking Lake Como, almost opposite Bellagio. The real masterpiece is the panoramic terraced garden dominated by the elegant loggia with three arches which stands on the highest point of the promontory. Transfer back to Lenno by boats. Lunch will be at the restaurant in Lenno, featuring a terrace overlooking the lake. After the visit the tour goes on to Tremezzo, where you can admire the splendid Villa Carlotta, a place of rare beauty, where the masterpiece of nature and art live together in perfect harmony. The rock garden, the valley of ferns, the forest of rhododendrons, the garden of bamboo and many others. Time at leisure in Tremezzo. Transfer by bus to the 4 star hotel Terminus in Como. Dinner at the gourmet restaurant of the hotel. Day 5 - May 23 Bellagio (B, L, D) Meet your private guide at the hotel and enjoy an excursion by boat to Bellagio. You will visit the gardens of Villa Serbelloni, (Rockfeller Foundation), a large park in which winds over 18 km of paths and trails that often offer a panoramic view of the lake leaving enchanted by the beauty and grandeur. Then you will reach with a short walk Villa Melzi. Visit the park which was built between 1811 and 1815; the first example of English garden made on the lake. Apparently the natural distribution of plants was the result of extensive studies to enhance the illusion of backgrounds and distances. Lunch will be in Bellagio. Afternoon will be at leisure to explore the village. Back to the hotel by boat. Dinner will be at the exclusive restaurant of Villa d Este (return transfers by minivans included). Day 6 - May 24 Stresa & Borromee Islands (B,L )
Today we head to Stresa with our guide followed by a visit to the Borromee Islands on the Maggiore Lake [transfer via public boat]. Upon arrival we visit Isola Madre where we will stop at the baroque palace (built in 1632) and the world famous Italian gardens. The gardens are laid out over a series of ornate and overlapping terraces, a classic example of seventeenth century "Italian gardens". Then the tour goes on to the Isola Pescatori (Fisherman Island). It is occupied almost entirely by an ancient rustic village with typical narrow streets. Lunch at a local restaurant. Isola Madre is the largest of the Borromean Islands. Its gardens, where all manner of peacocks, parrots and pheasants roam freely, are full of rare plants and exotic flowers, helping to create the charm of a tropical land. Isola Madre is particularly famous for its azalea, rhododendron, and camellia blossoms and also for rare specimen such as a spectacular Kashmir cypress and palm Jubaeae Spectabilis that reached the venerable age of 125. Back to Stresa by public boat and transfer transfer back to Como Lake by bus. Day 7 - May 25 Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino (B) This morning we transfer to Santa Margherita Ligure. Accommodation at the hotel 4 star hotel Continental. Upon arrival, we meet our guide at the hotel and transfer by minivans to enjoy the afternoon in Portofino. We return to Santa Margherita this evening. Day 8 - May 26 Cinque Terre by private boat (B, L) This morning we meet the guide at the hotel and depart by private boat to the Cinque Terre villages. We will stop for lunch in Monterosso. Day 9 - May 27 Genova & La Cervara (B, L, D) Today we head to the private La Cervara garden, Abbazia di San Girolamo al Monte di Portofino for a guided visit. Located in a spectacular setting overlooking the bay of Tigullio it was built in 1361 as an Abbey dedicated to San Girolamo. Over the centuries many influential religious and literary figures have visited the
Abbey. The site which was originally the monk's vegetable gardens have been transformed into splendid gardens. It is the most extensive Italian style garden in the province of Liguria. The walls of the Abbey are covered in ficus repens, campanula carpatica and caper plants while the pergola is cover in a centuries-old wisteria plant. The boxwood parterre contains hedging and clipped topiary. Transfer by minivans to Paraggi and lunch. Transfer to Genova where we will visit the historic centre. We will walk through the "caruggi, the narrow alleys of the medieval city, visiting the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the churches of the old town and the small squares where the noble families of Genoa used to live. Then we will admire the Renaissance palaces on Via Garibaldi Heritage of UNESCO. Transfer back to Santa Margherita Ligure and dinner Day 10 - May 28 Villa La Pergola and Hanbury Garden (B, L) Today we head out for a full day excursion to Riviera gardens. First we visit the private Gardens of Villa La Pergola in Alassio that cover a surface of 22.000 mq and is renowned for its richness of the evergreen Mediterranean and exotic flora. It s a garden restored by landscape architect Paolo Pejrone ( maybe the best contemporary garden designer in Italy ) and features also a unique agapanthus collection ( more than 400 different varieties ). It also boasts many wisteria pergolas. The restoration and the creation of new pergolas had permitted to bring to life the collection of Wisteria which counts more than 32 different varieties in shape and color: Wisteria Sinensis, Wisteria Floribunda, Wisteria Bachybotrys, Wisteria Frutescens ) and a Botanical garden. Lunch at the Michelin starred restaurant Nove at Villa La Pergola Transfer to Hanbury Gardens in Ventimiglia, visit of the gardens. On his return from China, Thomas Hanbury visited Ventimiglia and was inspired along with his brother Daniel, a famous pharmacologist and botanist, to develop a botanical garden on the 18 hectare site which is today one of the most important of its kind in the world. The brothers enlisted the help of Ludwing Winter, mentor of Bartolomeo Pallanca, to help design the gardens and manage the property and carry out botanical experiments. Today the Gardens are part of the University of Genova which has ensured that this wonderful site is carefully maintained. Some of the many gardens are: the Australian garden, cactus garden, citrus and peony gardens. Transfer back to Santa Margherita Ligure.
Day 11 - May 29 Arezzo and Rome (B, L ) We head out this morning for Rome stopping en route for a short walking tour and lunch in Arezzo. Transfer to Rome and accommodation at the 4 star hotel Victoria. Day 12 - May 30 Rome Vatican and Ninfa gardens ( B,L) This morning we depart for the Vatican gardens for a private visit. We then transfer to Ninfa garden where we will enjoy lunch in a farmhouse near Ninfa and visit of Ninfa Gardens. Transfer back to the hotel Rome. Day 13 - May 31 Rome (B, L, D) Late morning pick up from the hotel and transfer to the private Palazzo Taverna where we will enjoy an exclusive private lunch with your host Mrs Violante Guerrieri Gonzaga ( Vio s Cooking ). The buffet lunch will be arranged on the terrace which offers a breathtaking view of Rome. Afternoon at leisure. We head out this evening to Il Palazzetto overlooking the Spanish Steps for the Farewell dinner. Day 14 June 1st Departure (B) All good things must come to an end. Make your own way to the Rome Fiumicino International Airport or extend your visit. Prices: $9,930 per person based on double occupancy +$2,425 single supplement Included 3 night accommodation in Milan, breakfast included 3 night accommodation in Como Lake, breakfast included 4 night accommodation in Santa Margherita Ligure, breakfast included
3 night accommodation in Rome, breakfast included Transfers and excursions by private bus as per program ( including: transfers by private minivans on May 25 from hotel in Santa to Portofino, on May 27 from Santa to La Cervara, from La Cervara to Genova and transfer back to Santa). Full day excursion to Ninfa garden Vatican gardens. Return transfers from/to Il Palazzetto in Rome ( May 31 ) Full day excursion by boat on May 23 Guided visit ( English speaking guide ) : meeting with guide for introductory presentation on May 19, full day on May 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30; half day on May 22 and May 25. English speaking assistant at the airport on May 19. Welcome cocktail at the hotel in Milan including also first dish and dessert, drinks included day 1 5 dinners, 3 courses and 2 glass of wine, mineral water, soft drinks 11 lunches (or light lunches) including lunch on May 31 ( Vio s cooking ), 1 glass of wine, mineral water, soft drinks Reservation and fees: Casa Ucelli in Milan Garden of the Milan s Modern Art Gallery Villa Balbianello Villa Carlotta Villa Serbelloni Villa Melzi Isola Bella Isola Pescatori Isola Madre La Cervara Garden of Villa della Pergola Hanbury Garden Ninfa Garden Vatican Gardens Boat tickets for the visit of Borromee Islands Train tickets from/to Santa Margherita Ligure to Cinque Terre Boat tickets for the visit of the Cinque Terre NOT INCLUDED : International flights Travel insurance Meals other than those specified Any services or entrance fees other than those specified City taxes to be paid to the hotels [CASH ONLY] (Currently 5 per person per night in Milan, 2,50 per person per night in Como, 7 per person per night in Rome )
Hidden Treasures Tours Registration Form Tour NORTHERN ITALY GARDENS MAY 2019 PASSENGER INFORMATION Please record name EXACTLY AS IT APPEARS ON YOUR PASSPORT and attach a photocopy to this registration form. Passport photocopy may be sent later if you have yet to obtain a passport. TRAVELER 1 Name Passport # Passport Exp. Date Address City State Zip Phone (home and/or cell) Email Emergency Contact Name and Phone TRAVELER 2 Name Passport # Passport Exp. Date Address City State Zip Phone (home and/or cell) Email Emergency Contact Name and Phone ROOM ARRANGEMENTS Single Room (Single supplement fee will apply) Double Room (Roommate: ) Please note, if you do not specify a roommate, we cannot guarantee one will be available in which case the single supplement will apply. TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS PLEASE NOTE: EACH TOUR REQUIRES A MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS TO BE VIABLE. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK FLIGHTS UNTIL TRIP IS CONFIRMED. Please mark your preferred travel arrangements: I will make my own airline reservation/arrangements I would like Hidden Treasures Tours to arrange airline reservations from the following airport. Departure Airport:
OPTIONAL BOOKINGS: Yes, please book additional nights at a local hotel prior to the start of the tour ( # of additional nights) Yes, please book additional nights at a local hotel at the conclusion of the tour ( # of additional nights) Please contact me to make other custom arrangements PAYMENT INFORMATION You will be invoiced for a deposit amount of $1,000 per person upon the tour being confirmed viable. Final payment is due 90 days prior to trip departure. A full refund will be given up to 90 days prior to the departure date, minus a $250 administrative fee. There are no refunds within 90 days of trip departure as all invoices have been paid in full at this time on a non-refundable group rate basis. Hidden Treasures Tours reserves the right to make necessary changes to the itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances. This trip is custom designed and very inclusive with no hidden costs. Mail this form and direct inquiries to: Hidden Treasures Tours, L.L.C. 6324 N Chatham Ave #333 Kansas City, MO 64151 573-303-2872 (p) Email: kari@hiddentreasurestours.com hiddentreasurestours.com