Day 0
Depart the USA for Italy, arriving the next day in Rome
Day 1-3 Rome (3 nights)
(Day 1) We settle in at our hotel in the heart of Rome and explore the surrounding neighborhood. (Day 2) We visit Hadrian’s Villa and then tour the Villa d’Este in the town of Tivoli. (Day 3) We will have a private tour of the garden of Ninfa, described as “the most romantic garden in the world” by the NY Times. In the evening we will stroll through the Baroque neighborhoods of Rome, perhaps have an aperitivo in an outdoor café before dinner.
Day 4-6 The Island of Ischia (3 nights)
(Day 1) We travel to Naples where we will embark on a ferry to the island of Ischia. Our lodgings face the sea with views of the Aragonese Castle and Mt Vesuvius.
(Day 2) We will have a guided tour of the garden of La Mortella. Begun in the 1950s by Susana, wife of British composer William Walton, she filled the garden with exotic tropical and subtropical species from around the world. (Day 3) Today we cross the causeway to meet our guide for an exclusive exploration of the intriguing Aragonese castle and the breathtaking views. We will have a caffe’ overlooking the sea and the island of Ischia before returning to the village for meandering, shopping and dinner.
Day 7-9 Contignano (3 nights)
(Day 1) We begin with transport to the small village of Contignano in the UNESCO World Heritage area of the Val d’Orcia territory of Tuscany. Our lodging is the historic farmhouse of La Montalla where we will be treated like family. (Day 2) After a delicious breakfast in the rustic dinning room, we will drive to La Foce.for a private tour of the gardens. This estate and surrounding barren land was refurbished by Iris and Antonio Origo in the early 20th century to help the struggling farmers in the area. We will also visit the towns of Montepulciano and Pienza. In the evening my friend, Eufemia, will show us how to make her renowned ravioli and prepare a delicious dinner for us at La Montalla. (Day 3) Today we visit Sacro Bosco or as it is locally known, Il Giardino dei Mostri (The Garden of the Monsters). On our return we will stop in the town of Pitigliano dramatically situated on the tuffo cliffs in southern Tuscany.
Day 10-12 Florence (3 nights)
(Day 1) We travel by train to the capital of the Italian Renaissance. After settling into our hotel we will have a walking tour of the historic center of Florence. (Day 2) We visit the 17th century garden of Gamberaia in the village of Settignano, north of Florence. In the evening we will stroll the streets of Florence with the locals during the evening passeggiata and have a marvelous traditional Tuscan dinner. (Day 3) Today we enjoy guided tours of the Renaissance gardens of Boboli and the Villa Castello. After the visits to the gardens you will have time on your own to explore the outdoor market of San Lorenzo and meander the town of Florence. In the evening we will enjoy our arrivederci dinner together.
Day 00
Today we transfer to the Florence airport (Peretola) to fly home to the USA, arriving the same day.
Depart the USA for Italy, arriving the next day in Rome
Day 1-3 Rome (3 nights)
(Day 1) We settle in at our hotel in the heart of Rome and explore the surrounding neighborhood. (Day 2) We visit Hadrian’s Villa and then tour the Villa d’Este in the town of Tivoli. (Day 3) We will have a private tour of the garden of Ninfa, described as “the most romantic garden in the world” by the NY Times. In the evening we will stroll through the Baroque neighborhoods of Rome, perhaps have an aperitivo in an outdoor café before dinner.
Day 4-6 The Island of Ischia (3 nights)
(Day 1) We travel to Naples where we will embark on a ferry to the island of Ischia. Our lodgings face the sea with views of the Aragonese Castle and Mt Vesuvius.
(Day 2) We will have a guided tour of the garden of La Mortella. Begun in the 1950s by Susana, wife of British composer William Walton, she filled the garden with exotic tropical and subtropical species from around the world. (Day 3) Today we cross the causeway to meet our guide for an exclusive exploration of the intriguing Aragonese castle and the breathtaking views. We will have a caffe’ overlooking the sea and the island of Ischia before returning to the village for meandering, shopping and dinner.
Day 7-9 Contignano (3 nights)
(Day 1) We begin with transport to the small village of Contignano in the UNESCO World Heritage area of the Val d’Orcia territory of Tuscany. Our lodging is the historic farmhouse of La Montalla where we will be treated like family. (Day 2) After a delicious breakfast in the rustic dinning room, we will drive to La Foce.for a private tour of the gardens. This estate and surrounding barren land was refurbished by Iris and Antonio Origo in the early 20th century to help the struggling farmers in the area. We will also visit the towns of Montepulciano and Pienza. In the evening my friend, Eufemia, will show us how to make her renowned ravioli and prepare a delicious dinner for us at La Montalla. (Day 3) Today we visit Sacro Bosco or as it is locally known, Il Giardino dei Mostri (The Garden of the Monsters). On our return we will stop in the town of Pitigliano dramatically situated on the tuffo cliffs in southern Tuscany.
Day 10-12 Florence (3 nights)
(Day 1) We travel by train to the capital of the Italian Renaissance. After settling into our hotel we will have a walking tour of the historic center of Florence. (Day 2) We visit the 17th century garden of Gamberaia in the village of Settignano, north of Florence. In the evening we will stroll the streets of Florence with the locals during the evening passeggiata and have a marvelous traditional Tuscan dinner. (Day 3) Today we enjoy guided tours of the Renaissance gardens of Boboli and the Villa Castello. After the visits to the gardens you will have time on your own to explore the outdoor market of San Lorenzo and meander the town of Florence. In the evening we will enjoy our arrivederci dinner together.
Day 00
Today we transfer to the Florence airport (Peretola) to fly home to the USA, arriving the same day.
