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Garden Tours

of the
Garden Tours

Italian Riviera

Liguria with Menton

featuring

La Mortola, Villa Boccanegra and the wonderful Abbey Gardens at Cervara

21st -25th April 2008

Hotels: Punta Est, Finale Ligure & Vista Palace, Menton

Tour Leader: Helena Attlee

Italian Riviera Gardens

The Riviera, with its mild climate and dramatic coastline fringed by mountains, has been successfully gardened for thousands of years. Liguria spans the coast from France to Tuscany. Genoa, its capital, once dominated maritime trade routes. Its citizens became immensely wealthy, and during the 16th century many of them built beautiful villas and dramatic, terraced gardens. In the 19th century the Riviera began to attract British visitors. Some of them stayed on to make magnificent gardens that tumble down to the sea. Many of these gardens have been restored and will be included in our tour. Both 4* hotels take full advantage of their spectacular, seaside settings. We have used the Hotel Vista Palace before with great success: all rooms have views of the wonderful coastline. The Hotel Punta Est is another high standard hotel set in its own gardens, just a short stroll from the beach. Helena Attlee, author & Italian garden historian, will be your charming & knowledgeable guide.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Monday 21st April.
Depart London Heathrow 09.50 AM on flight number BA346, arriving Nice 12.50 PM. Cross the Italian border to the private garden of Villa Boccanegra, where Ursula Piacenza tends the glorious Riviera landscape originally created by Ellen Willmott in 1905. After enjoying the garden and a refreshing drink, we drive along the Riviera di Ponente to Finale Ligure and a warm welcome at the beautiful Hotel Punta Est, your base for the next 3 nights. Evening meals with local wine are included.


Day 2: Tuesday 22nd April.
A morning spent in Genoa where we visit Palazzo del Principe and its waterfront gardens, recently the focus of an interesting restoration project. We then wander along Via Garibaldi in the heart of the city visiting the museums, including Palazzo Rosso with its spectacular rooftop view across the city, and the hanging garden of Palazzo Lomellino. After free time for lunch, we leave Genoa and visit the 19th century garden of the gothic revival Villa Negrotto before returning to the hotel and
a meal at a local restaurant included on the tour price.

Day 3: Wednesday 23rd April.
A day spent on the beautiful Portofino Peninsula, visiting the abbey gardens high above the sea at Cervara. Free time for lunch in the charming, fashionable village of Portofino, followed by a spectacular boat trip across the Bay of San Fruttuoso, featuring the Chrsti Degli Abissi, statue of Christ in the sea. An evening meal at a local restaurant is included on the tour price.

Day 4: Thursday 24th April.
Today we drive back towards France, stopping at Giardino Esotico Pallanca, an impressive, family-run cactus nursery, before lunch, which is included. There follows an afternoon visit to the famous gardens of the Hanbury Villa at La Mortola. Cross the border into France and drive to the Vista Palace Hotel, high above Menton where we will enjoy a final meal together.

Day 5: Friday 25th April
Visit the small, intoxicating, Jardin Botanique Exotique of Val Rahmeh in Menton, a plantsman’s paradise. We lunch overlooking the sea, then on to the Jardin Exotique, Eze, where cacti and succulents thrive among the ruined ramparts of the ancient château that sits above the small medieval hill top town. Time to wander around the village and shop before transferring to Nice airport for 19.10 PM departure on BA349, arriving London Heathrow at 20.15 PM.

The tour price per person is £1495.00 and includes buffet breakfast accommodation, 4 evening meals with local wine, & 2lunches.

A single supplement of £150.00 per person is levied by the hotels.

To arrange your own flights, please notify us under ‘Special Requirements’ in the booking form and deduct £108.00 from the tour price.

Please also check your joining arrangements with the Boxwood Office before confirming your flight.

French Riviera Gardens

This tour is operated by Albatross Travel Group Ltd., ATOL number 5116, by whom your payments are secured (see ‘Booking Conditions’).

 

 
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