italian lakes, music & gardens
A seven night stay at the Grand Hotel Menaggio on the shores of Lake Como with Alan Mason & London Festival Opera – 24th April to 1st May & 1st to 8th May 2018
Come with us and enjoy some of the most beautiful Italian gardens at their springtime best as we explore Lake Como and Maggiore from our delightful lake-side base at the Grand Hotel Menaggio. During our week's stay we will visit some of the finest gardens and villas and be joined by London Festival Opera who will perform some marvellous opera in wonderful settings.
Our programme will include comprehensive sightseeing excursions and some free time to relax and enjoy the lovely facilities of the hotel and appreciate the dramatic scenery of Lake Como. We will be joined by horticultural expert Alan Mason, who will provide talks and briefings during the week and accompany us on excursions.
The Itinerary in Brief
Day 1 London Heathrow to Menaggio. Fly by scheduled flight from Heathrow to Milan and transfer to the Grand Hotel Menaggio on the shores of Lake Como for a seven night stay.
Day 2 Bellagio & Villa Melzi. Our launch will take us across Lake Como to Bellagio where colourful gardens line the shore. Enjoy a visit to the Villa Melzi, a fine neo-classical villa. The garden is splendid with a Moorish temple, Japanese garden and water garden at the edge of the lake. There will be some free time in Bellagio before returning to the hotel by boat.
Day 3 Villa Balbianello & Villa Carlotta. Morning at leisure. Depart in the early afternoon by boat to the Villa Balbianello. See the interior and gardens of this lovely lakeside villa. Continue to the Villa Carlotta, built in 1747 with a superb garden laid out in 1850 by Princess Carlotta. The setting is idyllic and the gardens are full of contrast, particularly in the spring. We will enjoy a performance by London Festival Opera at Villa Carlotta.
Day 4 Como & Villa Medici. Morning departure by coach to Como where there will be some free time for sightseeing. In the early afternoon, depart by coach to Villa Medici Giulini where hopefully the alternating colour of the azaleas will be at their best. Enjoy a piano recital with a musician at the Villa followed by an aperitif.
Day 5 Villa Bagatti, Lugano & Villa Cicogna Mozzoni. Depart by coach to visit Villa Bagatti’s garden. After your visit continue to Lugano for some time at leisure. In the early afternoon visit Villa Cicogna Mozzoni, a 16th century villa surrounded by exquisite gardens. Enjoy a performance by London Festival Opera at the Villa.
Day 6 Lake Maggiore. Today our private launch will take us to the Borromean Islands of Isola Bella and Isola Madre. On Isola Bella, see the vast palace built from the island’s rock and its surrounding terraced gardens, inspired it is said by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The palace is decorated with fine furniture and some interesting paintings, but it is the ten terraces of the gardens with their English Garden, Italian Garden, Azalea Garden and Mosaic Garden which capture the imagination. In the afternoon we will sail across to the larger of the two islands, Isola Madre. Here, five gardens connect in a peaceful woodland setting.
Day 7 Lake Como. Day at leisure to relax and enjoy your surroundings. There will be a late afternoon performance by London Festival Opera at the hotel followed by a farewell dinner.
Day 8 Menaggio to London Heathrow. Transfer to Milan airport for your return scheduled flight to London.