For the past few years we have arranged both wild flower and garden tours for private groups. With our experience of where particularly interesting gardens or wild flower areas can be found, and our collection of good hotels, we are able to propose appealing itineraries.
We are always delighted to put together a garden or wild flower tours for private groups of friends, a garden trust or horticultural societies. A few suggestions are:
Venice
SECRET GARDENS AND PLACES
DAY ONE – Arrive by private water taxi at our charming Locanda in the Dorsodoro.
A welcome by Martina, our specialist guide, and off to explore. Visit a hidden private garden behind an elegant small palazzo facing the Grand Canal. Enjoy a typical local aperitivo on the square before sampling local dishes in a nearby Ristorante.
DAY TWO – Cross the Grand Canal by gondola to visit a secret garden hidden by high walls and then along quiet canal paths to discover…
Provence
CONTEMPORARY PRIVATE GARDENS
DAY ONE – Alight from the TGV in Avignon. Off to discover a contemporary garden adjoining a centuries-old manor house before being welcomed at the provençal-style hotel. Enjoy dinner in a local atmospheric bistro.
DAY TWO – The craggy Alpilles hills frame St Rémy de Provence, a superb backdrop to our first garden designed by Dominique Lafourcade, a renowned local landscape designer. Pergolas, rills and cloud-clipped shrubs combine with superb perspectives. Delicious lunch and away to the Luberon for a country garden in a perched village…
Lake Maggiore
GARDENS IN SPRING / AUTUMN
DAY ONE – Taking the lakeside road we hop onto a ferry to reach Isola Bella, one of the Borromean island gardens. A stunning theatrical garden of sheer beauty with high camellia hedges, azaleas and terraces with citrus, parterres and a majestic statue of a unicorn. The lakeside Hotel Cannero is exceptional with views to the mountains.
DAY TWO – Taking the lake ferry to Switzerland to the garden/specialist nursery in Vairano: camellia, magnolia, cornus and azalea cover the hillside. To Ascona on the lake for lunch and on to the Brissago island gardens returning by ferry to Cannero. A private local garden awaits us on our return…
Morocco
MARKETS, GARDENS AND CUISINE
DAY ONE – Leaving Menara airport on the palm-lined boulevard along the twelfth century terracotta-coloured Medina walls, we arrive at our delightful riad. Visit to the bustling souks before enjoying a delicious tagine on the roof terrace with views to the Atlas Mountains.
DAY TWO – Our chef takes us to the morning market for herbs, a huge array of fresh vegetables and more, returning to prepare lunch together. Spices and their uses are shown to us by Hafid, our guide who recounts history of Marrakech, stopping en route for refreshing mint tea.
DAY THREE – We head west to Essaouira on the coast, visiting the fish market to choose and enjoy freshly grilled fish for lunch… Looking forward to tomorrow’s visit to Lucrezia’s farm preparing delicious couscous for lunch…
Florence
GARDENS, RENAISSANCE AND LATER
DAY ONE – Directly into the bustling city centre for lunch and then to enjoy the peace and beauty of a hidden garden with pots of lemon trees, splashing water and statues. Typical Florentine dishes for dinner in a Trattoria. Hotel in the centre, the only sound is of the Duomo bells in the morning.
DAY TWO – Remarkable restoration of the gardens of La Pietra, in the hills shown to us by the head gardener, and on to hills of Fiesole and the gardens of Villa Medici and Le Balze. Join the evening ‘passeggiata’ in town before dinner.
DAY THREE – Off to the olive covered hills to Villa Gambaraia in Settignano…