GARDENS OF THE ITALIAN LAKES
Our journey to the Italian Lakes, in the company of award-winning designer Annie Guilfoyle, will take us to some of the finest gardens of Lakes Como and Maggiore. We will travel mostly by boat, and while our days will be infused with exquisite light, by night we will revel in the fin de siècle atmosphere of our lakeside hotels. The warm, humid microclimate results in exceptional growing conditions, with much to enthuse the plantsman. Combining great botanical interest with the fascinating history of the gardens’ origins, our tour will move from the Renaissance to the 20th century with visits including the baroque splendours of Villa del Balbianello and the historic gardens of Villa Carlotta. The tour culminates at Orticolario, an unusual, small garden festival near Como. We will be staying at two lovely lakeside hotels offering a perfect combination of elegance and charm.