IntroductionItaly is composed of 20 Regions, constituted by many different landscapes, from coasts, to plains, lakes, hills and mountains, belonging to many climate zones, from Mediterranean to continental, subalpine and alpine. Therefore gardens, parks, nature, cultivations and nurseries have different features, all very interesting to visits. Below, some of our proposals, from North to South, shortly described, but we can organize many other journeys, in any place you would like in our beautiful Country.

Italian gardens and landscapes tours REGION: FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA

Old violets and plants for shadeSUGGESTED PERIOD: March – TRAVEL TIME: 3 days.

A lovely trip through the beauty of Friuli, amongst secret gardens and nurseries, following up an old local tradition: the perfumed violets, once cultivated in the orchards and sent, in wooden boxes lined with moss, to the royal courts throughout Europe. From Mirella Collavini‘s suggestive garden, near Udine, where she collected many old double violets, to other private gardens, to the nurseries Botanica

Santa Marizza, where we will attend a lesson about gardening in the shade, and Orto Fiorito, which owns a rich violets collection.REGION: TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE

Apple trees, vineyards and artSUGGESTED PERIOD: April-October – TRAVEL TIME: 3 days.

Starting from Merano and its gardens, in fact thanks to a special microclimate unusually warm we have a rich Mediterranean flora, we will visit Castel Trauttmansdorff, famous as the Sissi’s Castle, the nice emperor who lived there, and its garden. The historic Cantina Sociale of San

Michele Appiano and his vineyards, the gardens of the Kranzelhof property, and its fashionable labyrinth of vineyards. We will visit the Arco Arboretum and Arte

1

Sella, an international exhibition of contemporary art in open space, and the apple cultivations of the Val di Non. Finally many degustation of wine, local dishes and very tasty receipts.REGION: VENETO

Padova and “Ville Venete”SUGGESTED PERIOD: April-October – TRAVEL TIME: 5 days.

We start from the famous botanic garden of Padova, the oldest in the world and Heritage of the humanity, in order to visit his historic department and the new glasshouses dedicated to the bio differencies. We will continue visiting some of the most nice historic villas around Padova and his

beautyfull gardens. Villa Pisani Bolognesi Scalabrini, Villa Emo Capodilista with his vineyards, Villa Barbarigo, Villa Contarini, Villa Pisani and the spectacular Villa Sceriman Widmann Rezzonico Foscari, called the Malcontenta.We will also go to the Butterflies House, with more than 400 insects coming from all over the world, to the Euganean Thermal Station, the biggest in Europe, for a relaxing afternoon, and at the La Campanella nursery, specialized in old roses, where we will attempt a lesson of pruning or cultivation, according to the season.

In Romeo and Juliet’s land, from Verona to Garda lakeSUGGESTED PERIOD: April-October – TRAVEL TIME: 4 days.

The travel goes through some of the historical and interesting gardens from Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliette, up to Sirmione along the venetian side of the Garda lake, in a big

variety of landscapes, vineyards, olive trees, hard rocks and sweet hills, villages, churches and family houses. We will visit Villa Rizzardi, Casa Biasi, Villa Giusti and their gardens, the vineyards of Bardolino and the fashinating Parco Giardino Sigurtà.

REGION: LOMBARDIA

Brianza and Como lake SUGGESTED PERIOD: April-October – TRAVEL TIME: 6 days

The tour starts with a day cruise to Bellagio and visit of the garden of Villa Melzi then move to Lenno to visit Villa Balbianello (Fai). The following day we’ll visit Tremezzo: Villa Carlotta and the aristocratic Villa del Balbiano in Ossuccio. The day after we move to Cremnago to visit the

garden and Villa Perego.

2

Following we will go to Anzano del Parco and visit of Villa Carcano. Another day move to Lecco and visit of the private garden of Villa Gavazzi and the private garden of Villa Dubini. The following day we go back to Como, to see Villa Olmo; later visit of the School of Floriculture in Vertemate con Minoprio. The last day we’ll go to Monguzzo to visit the private garden of Villa Sierra; short drive to Montorfano and visit the garden and the Villa of the Lords Barbavara of Gravellona, family who owns also the Lake of Montorfano.

Flora and traditions in ValchiavennaSUGGESTED PERIOD: May-October – TRAVEL TIME: 2 days.

Our journey starts from the famous Palazzo Vertemate, with his historical Italian garden and the important collection of old varieties of fruit trees, goes on trough the lovely old town of Chiavenna, with its ancient palaces, lodges and small garden, and arrives up to the Alpine Garden

Valcava in Madesimo, at 1.900 meters above sea level, to find out alpine plants and local vegetables.

Pavia and its botanical gardensSUGGESTED PERIOD: May-September – TRAVEL TIME: 1 day.

In the city of Pavia, 50 km. from Milano, there is one of the oldest Botanic Garden of Italy, strictly connected with the University, focused on acclimatization of uncommon plants. On the hills of Pavia we will visit the Alpine Botanic Garden, Pietra Corva, where we can see all the flora from the Appennini mountains. Coming

back to Milan we stop first at Eremo of S.Alberto di Butrio, a middle age church in the center of the mountains and at the fruits producers of Valle Nizza, specialized in apple, apricots and peaches.

Valtellina: alpine flowers and wine SUGGESTED PERIOD: from April to October – TRAVEL TIME: 5 days

From the old town of Sondrio, we will go through parks, nature reserves and ancient woods, we will follow for a while the Wine Route, amongst vineyards, meadows and villages, until nursery Raetia, specialised in alpine plants and

vegetables, the cultivations of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) and wine cellar Negri. In Tirano, we will discover the lovely italian gardens of Palazzo Salis, and the Garden of Sculpure of Palazzo Sertoli. In Bormio, the charms of ancient spa, where Plinio The Old used to go, and new spa, amongst the mountains, the 3

kitchen-garden of Eden Hotel, designed by archistar Antonio Citterio, and the Alpine Botanical Garden Rezia, heart of Stelvio National Park.

Private old gardens near MilanoSUGGESTED PERIOD: from April to October – TRAVEL TIME: 2 days

A short travel of two days around the Brianza area, on the north of Milan. Close to Lecco, the main town of the oriental side of the lake of Como, we will visit two private gardens. The English style, designed by the architect Balzaretti in the first part of the 19th century, garden of the family Gavazzi in Valmadrera. Full of huge plants, were the most important is a Liriodendron tulipifera,

which is a sort of symbol of the house, the garden stands under monumental rocks of the mountains around the village. A very special visit will be the one of the Dubini garden, in the town of Lecco, with a beautiful view of the Lecco lake part. Three other private gardens will be visited in the Brianza area: the Italian style garden of the Perego di Cremnago family in Cremnago, a classic English style park of Villa Carcano in Anzano del Parco and a small interesting garden in Monguzzo, owned, designed and very well photographed by Mr Sierra.

Mediterranean flora on the Garda lakeSUGGESTED PERIOD: from April to October – TRAVEL TIME: 3 days

A three days travel on the west coast of the Garda lake to admire the Mediterranean vegetation. In fact, due to the special Mediterranean climax that we find in this part of the lake, we can see Palms and Cypressus as to the seaside. We will see the Isola of the Garda, a

private island with a rich story and a very important garden, full of palms and other “water plants” as Taxodium disticum. An intensive half day will be spent in Gardone at The Vittoriale of the Italians, once property of Gabriele D’Annunzio, the famous patriotic poet during the 1st world war. We will visit another garden in Gardone: the garden of the Heller Foundation, rich of tropical and cactus plants, with a touch of oriental style. Last day we will visit the Botanic Garden of Toscolano, a very small medical research center of the Biology University of Milan.At the end the most important resource of the lake: the lemon houses, called “limonaie”, once a very important economic income for the people. REGION: PIEMONTE

4

The Camellias of Maggiore LakeSUGGESTED PERIOD: from April to October – TRAVEL TIME: 2 days

We will have the opportunity to visit the most important garden of the lake Maggiore: the botanic garden of Villa Taranto, rich of a big quantity of different plants and flowers, depending on the season. Furthermore: the esoteric garden of Villa Brandolini d’Adda, Villa Ponti, famous for international art exhibitions, Villa Anelli with

one of the most important camellia collection in Europe, Villa San Remigio and his garden just restored. Two nurseries specialized in “acidofil” plants, a very important activity in this area, will receive our guests to show the glass houses and his collections of azalea, rhododendron and camellia. The Floricoltura Lago Maggiore and Compagnia del Lago.

Nurseries, churches and stately homes in Monferrato.SUGGESTED PERIOD: April-October – TRAVEL TIME: 6 days (can be performed partially in 3 days)

Our journey starts from the nursery and garden of Fiorella Gilli, in Villa Nova d’Asti, specialised in ornamental trees and shrubs and particularly in viburnums, lilacs, Prunus, Malus,

Hydrangeae, Cornus, Clematis and roses, and its little Museums of old gardening and country tools. We will attend a lesson about their cultivation and stay there for the night. The following days we will visit two Romanic churches, the Abbey of Santa Maria di Vezzolano, the Castel of Soglio, and, the valley plenty of orchids, the Church of Don Bosco, whose 200th birth anniversary will be celebrated in 2015. Besides, we will visit other excellent nurseries, such as Maurizio Feletig (berries plants), Gorra (perennials), Buffa (peonies and hostas), Giani (climbers), stately homes and important gardens, such the Reggia di Venaria, Villa Bricherasio in Saluzzo, Castello of Cavour in Santena.

Rhododendrons upon Biella’s hillsSUGGESTED PERIOD: April – TRAVEL TIME: 1 day

Biella is an important small town between Milan and Turin, on the hills at the beginning of the Alps. Biella once was very famous as the main producer of silk in Italy, and now it is also important for his gardens. The biggest and the more famous is the Parco della Burcina, owned by the Piemonte region and directed by a famous plants lover as Guido Piacenza. Inside the park there is the biggest collection of

Rhododendron plants, more than 400 varieties, in Italy. The view of the rhododendron valley when is flourishing is really sensational and unforgettable. The private garden of Guido Piacenza is also part of the day, particularly interesting for the story that each plants represents for the owner, and for the glass house in Liberty style. The day will be concluded visiting the Villa Cernigliaro, an important

5

villa with a beatyfull view of the hills around Biella, an interesting political story during the fascism period and reach of centenary plants as Fagus and Cedrus.

Between LIGURIA & PIEMONTE: The Gavi’s Land SUGGESTED PERIOD: April-October - TRAVEL TIME: 4 DAYS.

It is a trip between Serravalle Scrivia and Acquiterme, one of the most beautiful and yet unknown areas of Italy, where vineyards have been there since the XVIII century. We will visit Giardini's and Le Fronde's nurseries where we will have a workshop on flower decorations with

twisted branches. We will also visit the garden and the kitchen garden of the Villa Sparrina farm, along with two enchanting private gardens, as well as Villa Ottolenghi, well-known for its grand Formal Garden and the Park, a masterpiece created by the great Piero Porcinai and 2011 European Garden Award.REGION: LIGURIA

The flowers coast of West Liguria SUGGESTED PERIOD: All year around –TRAVEL TIME: 5 DAYS.

The Ponente Ligure is a special place, still wild in some spots. Much loved during the Grand Tour period, some distinguished travellers  of that time decided to stay here to build wonderful gardens. From Savona to Ventimiglia, we will  lead you to discover ancient villages like Varigotti, Finale Ligure and Cervo as well as the enchanting gardens and parks of Villa Bennet-Voronoff, Villa Ormond, Moreno-Monet (in which Monet painted three of his masterpieces), the exotic unique Pallanca Garden, the most celebrated Villa Hanbury Botanic

Gardens and  Boccanegra Garden, a contemporary example of  botanic adaptation. We will also visit the Bicknell Museum-Library (with its butterflies collection  and its old local flora herbarium) and Vivaio Noaro, the garden nursery rich in botanic collections and rare species, as well as Cactusmania, a place specialised in succulent plants.

English gardens in SanremoSUGGESTED PERIOD: All year around –TRAVEL TIME: 2 DAYS.

We will discover the unique Sanremo gardens. This well-known Riviera's seaside was the glamorous meeting place of the European élite of the XIX century. We will visit the gardens of Villa Ormond, Parco Masaglia, Giardini regina Elena, Corso Mombello, Villa del Sole. We will take a

stroll in the garden along the Lungomare delle Nazioni, just in front of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. We will visit the Public Gardens of Bussana, the Corso degli Inglesi and  Villa Bel Respiro, which is today the Centre for Floriculture Experiments.  In the inland of Sanremo  we will go to the garden-nursery Phytotrend, specialised in ornamental herbs, where Maurizo Casale will give us a lecture, with examples, on low maintenance garden and water saving.

6

Secret gardens of PortofinoSUGGESTED PERIOD: All year around –TRAVEL TIME: 2 DAYS.

A two days travel around the mount of Portofino, one of the most exclusive seaside area in Italy. We will see manyprivate gardens, some of them created by the famousgarden designer Russel Page, and frequently handled by the same owner, who will receive our clients. All the gardens are in front of the sea, so we’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the Tigullio Gulf. Most frequent plants are,

of course, lemon and orange trees, but a lot of palms, agave, olive trees and bougainvillea will also contribute to make the visit ofeach garden very exclusive. A visit at the Cervara, a private garden famous for its important topiarian style hedges and a walk inside the public gardens of Villa Durazzo in Santa Margheritawill offer an important knowledge of the Italian garden style to the seaside.

REGION: EMILIA-ROMAGNA

Ravenna’s beaches and Mesola Woodland SUGGESTED PERIOD: MARC-MAY, OCTOBER-NOVEMBER – TRAVEL TIME: 3 DAYS

The setting of this trip is within the Park of the  Delta's river Po, one of the widest wet Italian areas, a World Heritage by Unesco. We will follow the evolution of its lanscape and of the its timeline floral heritage: from the protected beaches of

Ravennate  and Ferrares to  the pinewoods up to the Mesola woodland, where we will meet the local little deer of Mesola.    We will then admire the splendid byzantine mosaics in Ravenna and its churches.REGION: TOSCANA

Lucca and Florence Rinascimental gardensSUGGESTED PERIOD: April-November – TRAVEL TIME: 5 days

Approaching Lucca with a first visit of the Italian gardens of Villa Garzoni in Pescia. Then, after some a short walk in the historical centre of Lucca, visit of the gardens of the Villa Reale la Marlia, created by Elisa Baciocchi (Napoleon’s sister) and Villa Torrigiani, built in the Renaissance then visit to Villa Grabau, built in

1640. The day after transfer to Settignano, near Florence and visit of Villa la Gamberaia. Then transfer to the Fiesole hills and visit of Villa Peyron and Villa Medici. Close to Villa Medici cocktail in the Villa of the noblemen Marzotto 7

Caotorta in Fiesole. The third day visit of the gardens in the centre of Florence such as Boboli gardens and on the hill through Bardini Garden, recently restored and Torrigiani Garden, a huge private garden. The last day free visit of Florence (in may we suggest visiting the garden of the Italian Iris Society)

Monte Argentario and MaremmaSUGGESTED PERIOD: Spring or Sept-October – TRAVEL TIME: 5 days

Discovering the Mount Argentario on the back of Maremma, in most part still wild, and the Mediterranean vegetation. We will visit the Park l’Uccellina, with a perfect conservation of his heritage both of flora and fauna, the isle of Giglio, a masterpiece of the Tuscany

archipelago, full of seacoasts, natural walks, Mediterranean botanic species, small villages and vineyards. After we will come back to the land and go through the park and nursery of the Old Farm La Parrina, where we will attempt to a lesson of plants for Mediterranean climate. In addition the Dry Garden of the Piante Mates nursery and, more inside the region, the precious private garden La Ferriera, important example of acclimatization for exotic plants.

REGION: MARCHE

In Giacomo Leopardi’s landSUGGESTED PERIOD: April-October – TRAVEL TIME: 6 days

A travel in the sweet landscape and in the “poem” of the Marche region, from Pesaro to Macerata, going through Fano, Recanati, birth city of Giacomo Leopardi, Potenza Picena, Grottamare e Camerino, to see gardens, seaside, Mediterranean bushes, botanic gardens and wineries. We will visit The

Artcraft Museum, Villa Caprile and its beautiful Italian garden. We will attempt to a classic music concert at the Conservatorio Leopardi palace. The gardens of Villa Bonaccorsi, Villa Sgariglia, Villa Luzi Voltalarea and of the Rocca d’Ajello. The botanic garden of Camerino and the Arboretum of Tuseggia.

REGION: LAZIO

Villas and castles in TivoliSUGGESTED PERIOD: April-October - TRAVEL TIME: 3 DAYS

In Tivoli, an ancient town Unesco, 25 kilometers from Rome, we’ll visit the historical centre, with Arco sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro, the Adriane's Villa, a splendid example of Roman architecture; Villa d'Este, built in 1550 and its wonderful Italian garden, full of fountains, nymphs, grottoes, plays

of water, and music. Concerts, seasonal festivals and celebrations according to the period will entertain us near the Villa Gregoriana and its large natural park, full of archaeological and historical caves and panoramic views, in Castel Madama, the Valle degli Orti and the ancient retrieved Pizzuttello grapes.

8

REGION: CAMPANIA

Cilento: wild orchids, creeks and olive treesSUGGESTED PERIOD: EARLY SUMMER OR SEPTEMBER- TRAVEL TIME: 6 DAYS A unique tour in Cilento, a land situated along the Salerno's unique coast, that is a Unesco World Heritage. It is rich in beautiful spots with rare flora, olive trees, woods  and old picturesque villages,  archaeological sites, beaches and creeks in which to bath. From the enchanting locanda, a

pretty country hotel,  in which we will be based, we will start for walking in the surroundings , excursions on boat ,a visit to the home and the museum of the painter Jose Ortega, a trip to the Certosa of Padula, a unique monastery complex. All this will be enriched by cooking lessons, exquisite lunches and dinners with local food  in enchanting places.

REGION: SICILIA

Baroque and Sicily SUGGESTED PERIOD: All year around – TRAVEL TIME: 6 days

Arrival in Catania and first taste of Sicilian food. Then visit of Catania Botanical garden, founded in 1858. The following day visit of Bellini Garden, the oldest garden in Catania centre. In the afternoon transfer for Sant’Agata Li Battiati

to the Paternò del Toscano park . The third day visit the marvellous nursery Piante Faro in Carruba di Riposto; later in Giarre discover of rare Pelargonium and Jasminum in the particular nursery of Malvarosa

and Mascalucia to visit the gardens of Villa Trinità. The fourth day is dedicated to the visit of Etna volcano, a very important botanical site, with many different and particular plants. The following day visit of the beautiful town of Noto and of its outskirts with Mr Assenza, a master pastry chef and visit of his laboratory beside Caffè Sicilia. The last day, on the way back to Catania, visit of the Casa del Biviere, Mr. Borghese’s garden in Lentini.

REGION: SARDEGNA

Gardens and nature of Sardinia

SUGGESTED PERIOD: Spring to early summer - TRAVEL TIME: 5 DAYS 9

A first amazing taste of ancient Sardinia will be the discover of the Domus de Janas, megalithic tombs of the Neolithic and high menhir near Cagliari. Near the Neolithic site a Botanic Garden will show us a specimen of the isle plants and trees. The second day we’ll reach the Oasis of Funtanamela, in search of the many orchids in the area. Transfer to the park of the Marquis Aymerich for a guided excursion to the ancient woodland with exceptional species. Third day: visit to the caves in Sadali and walk through the streets of the mills and kitchen gardens. Moving towards Ulassai and visit to one of the most deepest caves of Europe, Marmori. Further transfer Jerzu and visit the winery Old Farms. The day after walk on the beautiful beach of Muravera, transfer to Cagliari to a garden of great charm of the landscape architect Maurizio Usai: gardening course. Last day: visit to the historic centre of the medieval capital of Sardinia and walk to the nearby Botanical Gardens.

Linnea tours – www.linneatours.it - Milano – tel. 345 4833043 – info@linneatours.it

Italian Botanical Heritage – www.italianbotanicalheritage.com - tel. 339 3700393 and348 3329580 – info@italianbotanicalheritage.com

10