It was in Italy that the renewed interest in Classical precedents – otherwise known as the Renaissance – revolutionised garden design. Our tour of some of the finest villas and gardens on or near Lakes Maggiore and Como will plot their development from the 16th to the 20th century: from the unspoilt Renaissance intimacy of Villa Cicogna Mozzoni to the luxuriant expansiveness of Villa Taranto, commenced in 1931 by a Scot, Captain Neil McEacharn.
Our opening visit to the early 20th century gardens of the Villa San Remigio, conceived as a journey through time and human emotion, will furnish us with a synopsis of the history of Italian gardens. Then, on Isola Bella, we will uncover the delights of the Palazzo Borromeo, whose gardens – begun in 1632 – are perhaps the most extravagant example of Baroque landscape design.
The Villa Cicogna Mozzoni, by contrast, is a uniquely preserved 16th century Renaissance villa with sunken garden, promenade and water staircase. Here a member of the Cicogna Mozzoni family will guide us through the interior resplendent with a frescoed stairway, coffered ceilings and Renaissance furniture.
Villa Carlotta was named after Carlotta, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen, who received the house as a wedding present in 1843. Though the interior contains some splendid neo-Classical statuary by Canova and Thorvaldsen, the grounds remain the principal attraction: we will wander through giardini segreti, pleached alleys and lemon-scented terraces, as well as a later addition, the picturesque 19th century English garden.
In Verbania Pallanza we stay at the art nouveau Hotel Pallanza, situated in a wonderful position on Lake Maggiore, and in Varenna at the four-star Hotel Royal Victoria which overlooks Lake Como.
Date: Contact ACE |
Cost: Contact ACE |
Lecturer: Andrew Sclater |
Course Code: ILVG11 |
Itinerary
Day 1 Depart Heathrow 1115 on British Airways, arriving Milan 1415. Transfer to Verbania Pallanza, Lake Maggiore, for four nights at Hotel Pallanza.
Day 2 Introductory talk followed by San Remigio (early 20th century villa and gardens) then by ferry to Villa Taranto (20th century plant collection).
Day 3 By water taxi to Isola Madre for villa (16th century paintings and furnishings, antique puppets, splendid botanic garden) then continue to picturesque fishing island of Isola dei Pescatori. Afternoon: Isola Bella (Baroque Palazzo Borromeo and gardens).
Day 4 By ferry via Arona and Varese to Sacro Monte (17th century Baroque pilgrimage way), village of Santa Maria del Monte. Afternoon: Villa Della Porta Bozzolo (early 18th century gardens).
Day 5 By ferry to Villa Cicogna Mozzoni (with lunch): unique 16th century Renaissance villa, personal tour with member of Cicogna Mozzoni family. Afternoon: by ferry to Varenna for three nights at Hotel Royal Victoria.
Day 6 By ferry to Bellagio (on picturesque promontory dividing Lake Como and Lake Lecco) for Villa Serbelloni (believed to be site of Pliny the Younger’s villa) then 18th century Villa Carlotta (neo-Classical statuary, giardini segreti, pleached alleys, terraces) and Villa Melzi d’Eril (early 19th century giardino inglese, inspiration of Liszt and Stendhal).
Day 7 By ferry and water taxi to Villa del Balbianello (created in late 18th century for Cardinal Durini), gardens of Villa Monastero, Villa Cipressi.
Day 8 Depart Milan 1505, arriving Heathrow 1605.
Cost
Cost of includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, dinner & one lunch, excursions & admissions.
Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement.