Your holiday summary
| Holiday type |
Garden holidays Sun holidays |
|---|---|
| Country |
Italy |
| Travel type |
Fly |
| Price range | From £795 |
| Travel partner | Brightwater Holidays |
| Duration | 4 nights |
|
Need help with your booking? 0330 333 6701 |
Ninfa and Villa Lante
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Open only by special arrangement, we are delighted to offer this unique opportunity to visit the ancient and beautiful gardens of Ninfa - truly a paradise of flowers, water and sunlight.
The romantic flower-covered ruins at Ninfa, just to the south of Rome, are as close to gardening perfection as you can get. Scented roses, hydrangeas and jasmines are among the many plants, which curtain what remains of the walls of medieval houses and churches, and entwine soaring cypresses which line what were once streets. Paths now meander beside a crystal-clear river through Ninfa's tranquil setting.
Our tour will visit two other important Italian gardens. The Villa Lante is a study in geometry and symmetry dating back to the 16th century, which greatly impressed Monty Don on his recent world garden tour. Water features are everywhere, including a huge, balustraded water fountain which is a superb example of late-renaissance style. The 16th century gardens at Villa D'Este, also renowned for their use of water, are romantically overgrown with tall pines, evergreen oaks and cedars. From the upper terrace the valley seems to be full of sparkling spray and the senses are confused by the continual sound of cascading water.
The location of our hotel in the centre of Rome allows free time to explore the Eternal City and we shall also visit Viterbo, a medieval walled town which in its heyday rivalled Rome itself.
The romantic flower-covered ruins at Ninfa, just to the south of Rome, are as close to gardening perfection as you can get. Scented roses, hydrangeas and jasmines are among the many plants, which curtain what remains of the walls of medieval houses and churches, and entwine soaring cypresses which line what were once streets. Paths now meander beside a crystal-clear river through Ninfa's tranquil setting.
Our tour will visit two other important Italian gardens. The Villa Lante is a study in geometry and symmetry dating back to the 16th century, which greatly impressed Monty Don on his recent world garden tour. Water features are everywhere, including a huge, balustraded water fountain which is a superb example of late-renaissance style. The 16th century gardens at Villa D'Este, also renowned for their use of water, are romantically overgrown with tall pines, evergreen oaks and cedars. From the upper terrace the valley seems to be full of sparkling spray and the senses are confused by the continual sound of cascading water.
The location of our hotel in the centre of Rome allows free time to explore the Eternal City and we shall also visit Viterbo, a medieval walled town which in its heyday rivalled Rome itself.
Included
- 3 nights bed and continental breakfast at the Hotel Diana, Rome (or similar). All rooms have private facilities
- Return scheduled flights between London Stansted and Rome (- other regional airports available on request)
- Comfortable coaching in Italy
- Visits to the gardens of Ninfa, Villa d'Este and Villa Lante; guided tours of Viterbo and Rome
- Services of a professional tour leader
Day 1 - Tuesday
We depart from London Stansted for our direct flight to Rome (London Heathrow flights available at a supplement - other regional airports available on request). On arrival we shall be met by our guide and continue by comfortable coach to Rome where we have a short city tour. Rome has a justified claim as one of the world's greatest cities combining the magnificence of the Renaissance with the vibrancy and excitement of a thriving city. The sights are many and varied including the Coliseum, St Peter's Square and Basilica, the Spanish steps, the Trevi fountain and the Catacombs. Later we will continue to our comfortable centrally located hotel. The evening is at leisure - your guide will be able to suggest restaurants in the vicinity.
Day 2 - Wednesday
Following breakfast we depart for Viterbo, capital of northern Lazio and the region's most historic centre, a medieval town that during the nineteenth century was something of a rival to Rome. As we shall see on our guided tour, a number of grand palaces and a host of old churches are enclosed by an intact set of medieval walls. A short distance away in Bagnaia we find the splendid gardens of Villa Lante, described by European garden expert Charles Quest-Ritson as 'one of Italy's greatest renaissance gardens'. This study in geometry and symmetry dates to 1568 when it was designed by for Cardinal Gianfrancesco Gambara by the architect Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola. The dominant theme is water, and in front of the palazzine is a central water parterre which is a classic example of late-renaissance or mannerist style. A later addition is the ornate French-style parterre de broderie, with intricate shapes in clipped box set against a ground cover of reddish gravel. Behind the palazzine and shaded by mature trees, the garden ascends in a series of four terraces. From the top terrace the Fountain of Dolphins send water down to the water feature that dominates the second terrace; falling onto the third terrace the water enters the Fountain of the River Gods and finally the circular Candle Fountain that dominates the lower terrace. We return to our hotel in the early evening.
Day 3 - Thursday
Following breakfast the morning is free to relax in the hotel or explore some of the attractions of Rome. In the afternoon we transfer to Tivoli for our visit to Ninfa. The gardens here are laid out in the ruins of the village of Ninfa, named after a mythical nymph whose tears shed for a lost lover are said to have become the cool stream, which runs through the centre of the garden. The garden is deemed by many to be the most beautiful garden in Europe - if not the world. All this belies its turbulent history; burnt in 1382 and beset by malaria, the village of Ninfa was abandoned and lay deserted for hundreds of years. After the mosquito hazard was removed in 1922 by draining the surrounding marshes, the Duchess of Sermoneta and her son Prince Caetani began to lay out a romantic garden among the village ruins. At least 10,000 plants were collected and planting has continued ever since giving Ninfa an entrancing beauty where flowers from all over the world thrive in glorious companionship. The breathtaking restoration complete, the garden is a true masterpiece with something to thrill the beginner or the expert gardener alike. NB: Due to the fragile nature of the gardens our visit will be by way of a conducted private tour - duration 1 hour 30 minutes. Evening at leisure.
Day 4 - Friday
This morning following breakfast we will visit the last of our gardens - that of the Villa d'Este in Tivoli, the 16th century gardens which are renowned for their use of water. The garden is romantically overgrown with tall pines, evergreen oaks and cedars. From the upper terrace the valley seems to be full of sparkling spray and the senses are confused by the continual sound of cascading water. You can amble along the Path of One Hundred Fountains, aptly named, to the remains of the miniature Rometta, constructed in 1568, to represent Rome and its seven hills washed at the foot by the River Tiber. In the afternoon we will transfer to the airport for our flight back to London where the group will disperse.
We depart from London Stansted for our direct flight to Rome (London Heathrow flights available at a supplement - other regional airports available on request). On arrival we shall be met by our guide and continue by comfortable coach to Rome where we have a short city tour. Rome has a justified claim as one of the world's greatest cities combining the magnificence of the Renaissance with the vibrancy and excitement of a thriving city. The sights are many and varied including the Coliseum, St Peter's Square and Basilica, the Spanish steps, the Trevi fountain and the Catacombs. Later we will continue to our comfortable centrally located hotel. The evening is at leisure - your guide will be able to suggest restaurants in the vicinity.
Day 2 - Wednesday
Following breakfast we depart for Viterbo, capital of northern Lazio and the region's most historic centre, a medieval town that during the nineteenth century was something of a rival to Rome. As we shall see on our guided tour, a number of grand palaces and a host of old churches are enclosed by an intact set of medieval walls. A short distance away in Bagnaia we find the splendid gardens of Villa Lante, described by European garden expert Charles Quest-Ritson as 'one of Italy's greatest renaissance gardens'. This study in geometry and symmetry dates to 1568 when it was designed by for Cardinal Gianfrancesco Gambara by the architect Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola. The dominant theme is water, and in front of the palazzine is a central water parterre which is a classic example of late-renaissance or mannerist style. A later addition is the ornate French-style parterre de broderie, with intricate shapes in clipped box set against a ground cover of reddish gravel. Behind the palazzine and shaded by mature trees, the garden ascends in a series of four terraces. From the top terrace the Fountain of Dolphins send water down to the water feature that dominates the second terrace; falling onto the third terrace the water enters the Fountain of the River Gods and finally the circular Candle Fountain that dominates the lower terrace. We return to our hotel in the early evening.
Day 3 - Thursday
Following breakfast the morning is free to relax in the hotel or explore some of the attractions of Rome. In the afternoon we transfer to Tivoli for our visit to Ninfa. The gardens here are laid out in the ruins of the village of Ninfa, named after a mythical nymph whose tears shed for a lost lover are said to have become the cool stream, which runs through the centre of the garden. The garden is deemed by many to be the most beautiful garden in Europe - if not the world. All this belies its turbulent history; burnt in 1382 and beset by malaria, the village of Ninfa was abandoned and lay deserted for hundreds of years. After the mosquito hazard was removed in 1922 by draining the surrounding marshes, the Duchess of Sermoneta and her son Prince Caetani began to lay out a romantic garden among the village ruins. At least 10,000 plants were collected and planting has continued ever since giving Ninfa an entrancing beauty where flowers from all over the world thrive in glorious companionship. The breathtaking restoration complete, the garden is a true masterpiece with something to thrill the beginner or the expert gardener alike. NB: Due to the fragile nature of the gardens our visit will be by way of a conducted private tour - duration 1 hour 30 minutes. Evening at leisure.
Day 4 - Friday
This morning following breakfast we will visit the last of our gardens - that of the Villa d'Este in Tivoli, the 16th century gardens which are renowned for their use of water. The garden is romantically overgrown with tall pines, evergreen oaks and cedars. From the upper terrace the valley seems to be full of sparkling spray and the senses are confused by the continual sound of cascading water. You can amble along the Path of One Hundred Fountains, aptly named, to the remains of the miniature Rometta, constructed in 1568, to represent Rome and its seven hills washed at the foot by the River Tiber. In the afternoon we will transfer to the airport for our flight back to London where the group will disperse.
3 nights bed and continental breakfast at the Hotel Diana, Rome (or similar).
All rooms have private facilities
All rooms have private facilities
This holiday is booked by phone. Click 'book now' to make a reservation request to our travel partner who will call you back to confirm your booking details and take payment. To speak to a representative now please call 0330 333 6701.
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