Milan & The Italian Lakes

ITINERARY

AT A GLANCE

May 28, Tuesday – Arrive in Milan and the Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel

May 29, Wednesday – Villa Taranto, Villa Cicogna Mozzoni

May 30, Thursday – Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori, Isola Bella

May 31, Friday – Giardino Botanico Alpinia, Free Time in Stresa, Wine Tour & Tasting at Cantina Fontechiara

June 1, Saturday – Villa Melzi, Villa Medici Giulini

June 2, Sunday – Villa Carlotta, Villa del Balbianello

June 3, Monday – Bosco Verticale, Biblioteca Degli Alberi

June 4, Tuesday – Depart or continue travels

DETAILS

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate strives to operate according to our published itinerary. However, in the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond our control or opportunities that would enhance the itinerary, adjustments may be necessary.

Day 1, Tuesday, May 28: ARRIVAL

Tour members arrange their own transportation to Milan and to the Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel, where a reservation has been made for them.

We will gather for a welcome dinner this evening (included in tour price).

Day 2, Wednesday, May 29: VILLA TARANTO, VILLA CICOGNA MOZZONI

We’ll leave Milan this morning and kick off our tour of gardens at Villa Taranto. Scotsman Neil McEarchern established the gardens and started this botanical collection in the 1930s. Prepare to ooh and aah over the wide variety of rare plants from around the world, all situated in a perfect microclimate. Impressive terraces and water features, a natural-looking (but manmade) valley, and beautiful bedding schemes are just a few of the features that we’ll see here. We’ll eat lunch together (included) in this beautiful setting between the lake and the mountains before we travel to our next garden.

In the afternoon, we’ll make our way to the 16^th-century Villa Cicogna Mozzoni, where the house and gardens perfectly complement one another. With carefully considered views and balanced siting, the formal courtyard and terraces seem to be an extension of the home, and the gardens include beautiful statues, fountains and even a magnificent waterfall staircase. Explore this stunning Renaissance-era estate indoors and out.

At the end of the day we’ll retire to The Palace Grand Hotel with a 4-course meal and wine (included).

Day 3, Thursday, May 30: ISOLA MADRE, ISOLA DEI PESCATORI, ISOLA BELLA

We’ll start our day on a boat toward Isola Madre and its rich history and horticultural wonders. Although the Palazzo Borromeo dates to the 16^th century, the gardens that surround it now were mostly installed in the 19^th century. Wander through the palazzo and lush plantings of palms, rhododendrons, wisteria, bougainvillea, citrus trees, banana trees and even proteas, and don’t miss the golden and silver pheasants and white peacocks that stroll the estate!

At midday we’ll board a boat for the charming fishing village of Isola dei Pescatori, where we’ll enjoy lunch together (included) and a bit of free time to explore.

In the afternoon we’ll again hop on a boat and make our way to the famous Italian-style Baroque garden and Isola Bella, which was once a mostly uninhabited island. All the construction materials, soil and plants were brought to the site in the 17^th century. Tour the impressive palazzo, the 10 terraces leading to the Teatro Massimo monument and the intricate parterres on different levels.

We’ll end the day with some free time and dinner on our own.

Day 4, Friday, May 31: GIARDINIO BOTANICO ALPINIA, STRESA, CANTINA FONTECHIARA

Today we’ll visit Giardinio Botanico Alpinia on the slopes of Mount Mottarone, a pre-Alpine relief wedged between Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta. At this botanical garden established in 1934, visitors can walk through rocky flowerbeds with an enchanting view of Lake Maggiore. Although it’s at a high altitude, its proximity to the lakes creates a mild climate that allows both high- and low-altitude plants to grow here, and the plant collection includes about 750 Alpine species.

Next we’ll spend some free time exploring the lakeside resort town Stresa, then visit the small family-run winery Cantina Fontechiara. On a tour of these elegant vineyards, we’ll learn about the history of wine making, vineyard cultivation, wine-making practices, and of course, end in the wine-tasting room. Here we’ll try Nebbiolo, Vespolina and Nebbiolo Rose wines alongside locally produced food pairings.

This evening we’ll once again gather at the hotel for a 3-course dinner and wine (included).

Day 5, Saturday, June 1: VILLA MELZI, VILLA MEDICI GIULINI

Villa Melzi sits on the shore of Lake Como. Mild winters, warm summers and plenty of rainfall create perfect conditions for the gardens around the 19^th-century neoclassical villa. Among the naturalistic plantings of camellias, rhododendrons, Japanese maples and conifers, you’ll find classic statues, balustrades and a gazebo. Don’t miss the museum and chapel nestled into the garden as well.

At midday we’ll travel to the famous 17^th-century Villa Medici Giulini, which boasts both a lovely garden and a rich collection of keyboard instruments, such as fortepianos, harpsichords, spinets and organs, all available for guests to play and experience the acoustics of the building and also the sounds that historic composers heard as they worked. The gardens have two main themes: an Italian garden with hornbeam hedges and boxwood parterres, and a colorful English-style garden. If weather permits, we’ll enjoy the sounds of music being played outdoors as we stroll and have lunch together (included)!

We’ll end the day with some free time and dinner on our own.

Day 6, Sunday, June 2: VILLA CARLOTTA, VILLA DEL BALBIANELLO

In this morning’s garden visit, we’ll again travel to the shores of Lake Como to take in Villa Carlotta’s botanical displays and museum. The 18^th-century formal Italian garden showcases terraces, formally pruned hedges, stairs, water features, statuary, as well as roses, a citrus tunnel, camellias and more. In contrast, the romantic garden has a more natural planting style and features some English garden favorites, such as hydrangeas and English roses, alongside tropical plants, a rock garden and even a valley of ferns. We’ll eat lunch together in this beautiful and varied setting (included).

At Villa del Balbianello, natural landscape and 18^th-century structure combine with mesmerizing effects. We’ll spend the afternoon exploring the wooded peninsula covered in old oaks, knotted plane trees and Italian cypresses. Learn about the extraordinary measures the staff takes to maintain its impressive trees. Tour one of the many exhibits of art and history. There’s lots to see here!

We’ll meet on our final night at The Palace Grand Hotel for a 4-course meal and wine (included).

Day 7, Monday, June 3: BOSCO VERTICALE, BIBLIOTECA DEGLI ALBERI

This morning we’ll leave The Palace Grand Hotel and make our way back to Milan, where we’ll see the Bosco Verticale, or Vertical Forest, an innovative architectural and horticultural residential project. You may have seen these amazing buildings come across your Instagram or Pinterest feeds. Two apartment towers, each several stories tall, are surrounded by a “green skin” of 800 trees, 15,000 perennials and 5,000 shrubs planted in pockets that extend to the tops of the buildings. This beautiful planting encourages biodiversity in an urban setting and has other more practical benefits, as well.

We’ll also tour the nearby Biblioteca Degli Alberi, or Library of Trees, a contemporary urban botanical garden.

We’ll enjoy a farewell lunch together (included) before we have a free afternoon in Milan and return to our airport hotel to say our goodbyes.

Day 8, Tuesday, June 4: DEPARTURE

Our time together has ended, but garden lovers always find fresh inspiration wherever they are. Tour members can choose to return home or carry on the adventure.

Contact 800-341-4769 or gardentravel@aimmedia.com for more information.

PRICING

Tour price:

$6,675 (USD) per person, double occupancy

$7,875 (USD) per person, single occupancy

Extra amenities:

If you wish to guarantee a room at the Palace Grand Hotel with a lake view, you may upgrade your reservation for an additional $200.

Tour price includes:

• All 4-star hotel accommodations
• All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners, including tips
• Admission to all gardens, including tips
• Comfortable coach transport
• Friendly and knowledgeable professional tour coordinator
• Design and botanical expertise of your Horticulture & Garden Gate hosts

Tour price excludes:

• Airfare. Each tour member books their own flight to arrive at the Milano Malpensa Airport by 4 p.m. local time on 5/28/24 and depart from the same airport on or after 6/4/24.
• Travel Insurance (required)
• 3 dinners, 1 lunch, most drinks, including water, and snacks
• Breakfast & lunch on arrival day, and lunch & dinner on departure day
• Tips for coach driver & tour coordinator

Payment schedule:

A $1,100.00 (USD) deposit is due when you book your tour.

Final payment, in full, is due on April 9, 2024.

After April 9, please contact us to confirm that there are still spots available on this tour. If we are able to accommodate you reservation, full payment, reservation form and proof of insurance will be due immediately.

NOTE: Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate offers thoughtfully arranged garden tours. Each tour is guaranteed to proceed as soon as the minimum of 15 reservations has been met. If our reservation minimum is not met, Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate reserves the right to cancel the tour. Deposits/payments will be refunded in full if the tour is canceled.

If you need to cancel your reservation, the deposit and final payment are fully refundable until the deposit deadline, March 5. After March 5, we are not able to refund the deposit. After April 9, no refunds for deposit or final payment will be issued.

Please DO NOT make your airline reservations until Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate has guaranteed (by email) that the tour will proceed.

Contact 800-341-4769 or gardentravel@aimmedia.com for more information.

ACCOMMODATIONS

4-Star Relaxation & Comfortable Coach Travel

Hotel Accommodations

After a day filled with garden inspiration and botanical discoveries, we will retire to the comfort of 4-star accommodations.

May 28 – Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel

May 29-June 2 – Palace Grand Hotel

June 3 – Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel

Coach Travel

Daily transportation will be provided by a modern, comfortable coach operated by an experienced driver.

Contact 800-341-4769 or gardentravel@aimmedia.com for more information.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Responsibilities:

As the hosting organization, Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate provides reservation services and has chosen Garden Tours, a professional tour operator, as its designated tour operator. As the designated tour operator, Garden Tours arranges for the actual tour of the garden sites. Garden Tours also acts as an agent for services connected with specific tours hosted by Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate, such as ground transportation, lodging, accommodations, and meals. Each service provider is solely responsible to the participant for providing their respective services.

By making a reservation for a tour hosted by Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate, the participant certifies that she/he does not have any mental, physical, or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other participants. Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate and Garden Tours reserve the right in their sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove any participant on a tour hosted by Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate.

Price:

The tour prices in this agreement are based upon current exchange rates, tariffs, and taxes. Fluctuations in these rates could result in a price adjustment without prior notice until the tour is paid in full. Once the price for the tour is paid in full, the fee will not be adjusted due to any later change in exchange rates, tariffs or taxes.

Liabilities & Booking Conditions:

Garden Tours is established in the Netherlands, and rights and responsibilities for all tours operated by Garden Tours will be governed by Dutch and EU laws only. Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate and Garden Tours will have responsibility only for the proven negligent acts and omissions of its employees or agents and suppliers, subcontractors, servants, and/or agents of the same while acting within the scope of or in the course of their employment in respect of claims arising as a result of death, bodily injury, or illness caused to the signatory to the contract and/or any other named persons on the booking form.

Smoking:

All participants in tours hosted by Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate agree to comply with a non-smoking policy on all coaches, in restaurants, and in all lodging places.

Liability:

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate and Garden Tours have no responsibility or liability to any person for loss of baggage, money, or other property whatsoever. Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate and Garden Tours have no responsibility or liability for any loss or additional expenses caused by delay or interruption to travel services through weather conditions (such as rain, wind, or fog), civil disturbance, riot, illegal acts of third parties, strikes, wars, floods, sickness or any circumstances amounting to Force Majeure.

Complaints:

In the unlikely event that you have a complaint, you must promptly notify the Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate host or the Garden Tours tour coordinator directly, so he/she can take remedial action on the spot. If the matter cannot be solved directly, any complaints must be submitted in writing to Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate within 20 days after the date of your return.

Your tour canceled by us:

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate aims to provide your tour as booked. We reserve the right to cancel your tour under any circumstances, but if we cancel your tour, except where this is because you have not paid, you will receive a full refund.

Changes in itinerary details:

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate and Garden Tours strive to operate according to the published itinerary. However, in the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond our control or opportunities that would enhance the itinerary, adjustments may be necessary or appropriate. Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate and Garden Tours reserve the right, without penalty, to make changes in the agreed-upon itinerary whenever, in their judgment, conditions warrant or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of participants. Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate will let you know about any significant changes as soon as possible if there is time before your departure. Otherwise, we will announce changes on the tour.

Cancellations:

If you should need to withdraw from the tour for whatever reason, you must notify Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate in writing. Cancellation becomes effective when written notice is received. Deposits and final payments will be refunded for cancellations made before the deposit deadline (March 5, 2024). Deposits are nonrefundable for cancellations made between March 5 and the final payment deadline, April 9, 2024. There will be no refunds from Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate on or after the final payment deadline.

Insurance:

Travel insurance is required in case you need to cancel your trip after the final payment deadline, you have health emergencies while on the tour, or other unforeseen issues arise. Squaremouth and Insure My Trip are two travel insurance search sites. If you are under 70 years old, World Nomads is usually an economical travel insurance choice. You will be required to provide your travel insurance declarations page to Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate by April 9, 2024.

Health & Safety:

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate follows COVID-19 safety updates from the CDC and our destination countries.

Photography notice:

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate will be taking photos and videos of the gardens for future editorial and promotional use. Tour participants may occasionally appear in these images.

Contact 800-341-4769 or gardentravel@aimmedia.com for more information.

RESERVATIONS

Secure your reservation:

To reserve your spot on this tour:

1. Fill out and submit the online reservation form.
   Reservation Form
2. Submit your tour deposit of $1,100 USD by calling 800-341-4769 or completing a checkout through our online store.
   Pay Deposit Online

Questions? Contact us at gardentravel@aimmedia.com or 800-341-4769. We would love to chat with you about this exciting trip!

Note: After April 9, 2024, please contact us to confirm that there are still spots available on this tour. If we are able to accommodate your reservation, full payment, reservation form and proof of insurance will be due immediately.

Payment details:

Deposit amount: $1,100 USD

Full payment:
$6,675 (USD) per person, double occupancy
$7,875 (USD) per person, single occupancy
Add $200 per reservation to guarantee a lakeview room at the Palace Grand Hotel.

Note: For reservations made after April 9, 2024, the full payment will be due immediately.

Additional information about the Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate tour costs, including details about inclusions and exclusions, can be viewed under “Pricing”.

PLEASE NOTE: Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate reserves the right to cancel the tour. Deposits/payments will be refunded in full if the tour is canceled.

Garden Travel with Horticulture & Garden Gate follows COVID-19 safety updates from the CDC and our destination countries.

Contact 800-341-4769 or gardentravel@aimmedia.com for more information.