| |
0000 |
Gardens |
0000 |
|
| |
of
the |
|
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
|

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