23 – 28 May 2012
A magical tour of gardens, staying in a delightful, late sixteenth-century, small palazzo just off the Grand Canal.
The history and beauty of the Veneto region, combined with the elegance of the formal gardens, provide the background to this tour. Gardens have been chosen for the way they complement their villa, for their interesting structured design, and for superb, and sometimes unusual, plantings. Visits in Venice and Padua are included for their particular charm, architecture – and gardens.
We discover the Brenta, where Venetians built their country houses in the seventeenth century, those near the rolling Euganean hills, and discover secret gardens around the canals and lagoon of Venice. We visit the lagoon islands of Burano and Torcello where the rose-filled garden at Locanda Cipriani is delightful.
Accommodation is in the welcoming Locanda San Barnaba, a small hotel in the Dorsodoro district of Venice. The Ca’ Rezzonico museum, the Accademia and Peggy Guggenheim galleries are nearby. We use boats and walk on narrow paths, sometimes along canals, often discovering a lovely square. Roof gardens and flower-filled window boxes can be admired on our way to gardens hidden behind high walls. The tour will be led by Susan Worner and Martina Boffelli, our Venetian guide. Your stay can be extended by reserving additional nights in the hotel. There may be a chance to obtain tickets for the Opera at the La Fenice theatre on one of the evenings.
Itinerary
Day One – Wednesday 23 May
Flight to Venice Marco Polo where you will be met and transferred to the hotel by private boat. Meet Martina and discover the Dorsodoro district on foot, with an aperitivo in a local square before returning to the hotel for a buffet dinner together.Day Two – Thursday 24 May
With Martina we take the boat to the Giudecca where we visit the garden of the Franciscan monks behind Palladio’s Il Redentore church. We visit a nearby privately owned garden before enjoying lunch on a terrace with extensive views to the Zattere and to St Mark’s. In the afternoon the gardens of Fortuny, the exclusive fabric manufacturers, can be enjoyed before we return to the Dorsodoro and to the hotel. Evening free.Day Three – Friday 25 May
In the morning we visit Villa Emo in the foothills of the Euganean hills. The beautiful Palladian villa and garden are of classical Italian design with parterres, rose-lined fish ponds, arbours and statues. We continue to Villa Barbargo Pizzoni Ardenani at Valzanzibio. Set in a wooded valley merging with the steep hillsides of the Euganean hills, it has an air of mystery, and was laid out in the period of the Venetian Republic. Lunch at a small restaurant in the country. In the afternoon we visit a superb garden recently created by a young couple in the countryside. Free evening.Day Four – Saturday 26 May
After breakfast we leave for Padua to visit the fascinating Giardino Botanico which is well-laid out and labelled. Founded in 1545, it is now a registered Unesco heritage site. Lunchtime near the Prato della Valle. Afternoon visit to the gardens at Villa Pisani at Stra, embellished with statues, water features, an orangery and labyrinth. We take the road along the Brenta to admire the elegant villas and gardens before returning to Venice. Dinner together in a restaurant near the hotel.Day Five – Sunday 27 May
We cross the Grand Canal by gondola to visit a beautiful private garden on the Grand Canal and, with Martina, we discover a little of hidden Venice before arriving at Piazza San Marco. We take a private boat to the island of Torcello in the mysterious lagoon and enjoy a leisurely lunch at Locanda Cipriani in its beautiful garden. Then to the colourful island of Burano before returning to Venice. Free evening.Day Six – Monday 28 May
Depart by private boat from the hotel to Venice Marco Polo airport for the return flight.
Tour Costs
Airflight, Hotel and Itinerary cost £1620pp
Accommodation based on 2 people sharing
b&b with private bath/shower room
Dinner on 2 evenings/3 lunches
Supplement – single use of double room £380
Superior room supplement (double only) £200
To extend your stay £100pp day/sharing, b&b Private water taxi to airport £105 for 2
Activity Level:
On and off small boats.
Additional Information:
Accompanied in Venice by Martina, our guide.