The Gardens of the Lakes Tour with Robert
In September 2023, Beniamino escorted a tour of magical Italian gardens in northern Italy with our trusty opera-singing driver, Antonio. This tour was I Giardini dei Laghi (The Gardens of the Lakes). With Christchurch-based Landscape Architect Robert Watson as a co-escort, the tour group travelled from Milan via Bergamo to Lake Como. They spent three nights in a fabulous boutique hotel right in the historical centre of the town and from there they visited the stunning gardens of three magnificent lake-front villas and cruised the lake hoping for an invitation to afternoon tea with George Clooney. Unfortunately, it was not to be but there was plenty to compensate.
It was certainly a highlight of the tour when the group were personally shown around Villa Cicogna and its world-renowned gardens at Bisuschio by the owner, Count Mozzoni, on the way to Lake Maggiore. This was an experience the group will long remember especially as it was followed by an outstanding lunch at Ristorante ‘Da Venanzio,” an exquisite restaurant the Count recommended nearby. Even Beniamino, with a hitherto unparalleled reputation for producing the very best Italian cuisine, was impressed.
The group then stayed for four nights in a very welcoming hotel on the shores of Lake Maggiore with a private beach. This was the perfect place to relax or (for a few) enjoy early morning dips in the lake. It was only a short distance from here to visit another four spectacular gardens including the fantastic Isola Bella and the world-famous gardens at Villa Taranto. The beauty of the water lilies brought to mind Paradise in a garden.
As with all Connectitalia-NZ tours, there were elements of surprise including a vehicular ferry crossing of Lake Maggiore from Intra to Laveno and a visit to the caves of Luigi Guffanti, one of the most prestigious cheese mongers and refiners of artisan cheeses in Italy since 1876.
After a last gelato in Arona, the tour party returned to Milan having enjoyed some wonderful experiences and made some new friends.
A TOUR OF NOTABLE GARDENS by Robert Watson
"A tour of notable gardens situated around Lakes Como and Maggiore in Northern Italy took place last September over two weeks during the late Italian summer. The weather was ideal and the gardens were beautiful.
The tour group of 9 people stayed at a small hotel in Como for several nights and each day travelled along the lakeside roads and across the water to the first four of the nine gardens that were visited. They included Villas Melzi and Serbelloni both within walking distance of Bellagio and the following day to Villa Carlotta. Villa del Balbianello was closed and could be seen only from the lake but this provided a splendid view of the villa and its gardens. Although their beginnings stretch back hundreds of years these villas, and particularly their gardens, were created during the 19th and 20th centuries. Their extensive grounds and plantings are more in the English than the formal Italian style which is experienced further south in Tuscany and Lazio.
Villa Cicogna Mozzoni was next. Not overlooking either lake but nestled in the wooded hillside near Varese. It was created during the Renaissance and little has changed since apart from the extension of the garden up into the woodland that rises above it. This is the English garden – a romantic wilderness linked to the villa by the water staircase which drew visitors in the days of The Grand Tour. Two of the remaining gardens overlook Lake Maggiore and are further examples of the 19 th and 20 th century passion for plant collecting. Villas Taranto and Pallavicino both overlook the western shores of Lake Maggiore not too far from where the tour party stayed. More intriguing were the Borromeo palace and gardens on Isola Bella and Villa della Porto Bozzolo built and developed from the 16 th century. Here the presence of the families can be felt within and without.
A pleasurable and informative tour which was well organised, relaxing and extremely enjoyable."
CLIENTS’ COMMENTS: The Gardens of the Lakes Tour
"Being limited to a small number of people we got to know each other really well. It was easy to get in and out of the vehicle. The accommodation was excellent and the food divine. I’m so glad I went."
Cynthia
"Robert’s garden tours fitted exceptionally well with the lakes. I am no gardener, but I did enjoy the beauty and size of them and their staging with the architecture.
The camaraderie between fellow travellers was excellent.... all enjoying the adventure .... we were relaxed and in good humour and everything bowled along well.
A lot of great memories and photos to look back on......"
Wayne
"A privilege to be able to access such glorious gardens and having Robert know their history was great. Meeting a Count and seeing him in his own home (a hunting lodge) and hearing about all the work it entails was a highlight. The meal he arranged for us at the very prestigious restaurant was a wonderful life experience."
Jennifer
Robert Watson
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