Italian Lakes, Music & Gardens
A seven night stay at the Grand Hotel Menaggio on the shores of Lake Como with Alan Mason & performances by London Festival Opera
- 28 April 2020
Come with us and enjoy some of the most beautiful Italian gardens at their springtime best as we explore Lake Como and Maggiore from our delightful lake-side base at the Grand Hotel Menaggio. During our week’s stay we will visit some of the finest gardens and villas and be joined by London Festival Opera who will perform some marvellous opera in wonderful settings.
Italy has more than its fair share of beautiful places, but few would argue that the lakes that nestle in the foothills of the Italian Alps are one of its finest assets. The images stay with you forever. The early mist rising off the lake, church bells resonating off the water, flower-filled gardens reflected in the still, deep waters and numerous craft going about their business, crisscrossing the lake.
Our programme will include comprehensive sightseeing excursions, and some free time to relax and enjoy the lovely facilities of the hotel and appreciate the dramatic scenery of Lake Como. We will be joined by horticultural expert Alan Mason, who will provide talks and briefings during the week and accompany us on excursions.
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Our View
“We are delighted to be repeating our hugely successful visit to the stunning shores of Lake Como. What could be more enchanting than a combination of wonderful music from London Festival Opera, beautiful gardens, magnificent views and delicious Italian food? Lake Como has seen many illustrious guests grace its shores over its long history including Queen Victoria and the locals today will almost certainly casually drop into their conversation that George Clooney is amongst many actors who own a villa there. Our base for our week-long visit, The Grand Hotel Menaggio, has an enviable location with unforgettable views. Despite the grand exterior of this 19th century Palazzo the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed and offers the ideal spot to totally unwind.”
Grand Hotel Menaggio
The Grand Hotel Menaggio is situated on the most elegant of Italian Lakes, Lake Como. This comfortable and relaxed hotel, which was completely renovated in 2008 has 94 rooms and offers a high level of comfort, good food and service. The atmosphere is peaceful and the accommodation and public rooms stylish and comfortable. However, its greatest asset is its position. Situated in the most attractive central lake area, it is ideally placed for day excursions to some of the loveliest villas and gardens of Lombardy.
Itinerary
Day 1 London Heathrow to Menaggio, Italy.
Fly by scheduled flight from Heathrow to Milan and transfer to the Grand Hotel Menaggio on the shores of Lake Como for a seven night stay.
Day 2 Bellagio & Villa Melzi.
Our launch will take us across Lake Como to Bellagio where colourful gardens line the shore. Enjoy a visit to the Villa Melzi, a fine neo-classical villa. The garden is splendid with a Moorish temple, Japanese garden and watergarden at the edge of the lake. There will be some free time in Bellagio before returning back to the hotel by boat.
Day 3 Villa Balbianello & Villa Carlotta.
Morning at leisure. Depart in the early afternoon by boat to the Villa Balbianello. See the interior and gardens of this lovely lakeside villa. Continue to the Villa Carlotta, built in 1747 with a superb garden laid out in 1850 by Princess Carlotta. The setting is idyllic and the gardens are full of contrast, particularly in the spring. Enjoy a performance by London Festival Opera at Villa Carlotta.
Day 4 Como & Villa Medici.
Morning departure by coach to Como where there will be some free time for sightseeing. In the early afternoon, depart by coach to Villa Medici Giulini where hopefully the alternating colour of the azaleas will be at their best. Enjoy a piano recital with a musician at the Villa followed by an aperitif.
Day 5 Villa Bagatti, Lugano & Villa Cicogna Mozzoni.
Depart by coach to visit Villa Bagatti’s garden. After your visit continue to Lugano for some time at leisure. In the early afternoon visit Villa Cicogna Mozzoni, a 16th century villa surrounded by exquisite gardens. Enjoy a performance by London Festival Opera at the Villa with an aperitif after the performance.
Day 6 Lake Maggiore.
Full day excursion to Lake Maggiore. Our private launch will take us to the Borromean Islands of Isola Bella and Isola Madre. On Isola Bella, once a barren rock, see the vast palace built from the island’s rock and its surrounding terraced gardens, inspired it is said by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The palace is decorated with fine furniture and some interesting paintings, but it is the ten terraces of the gardens with their English Garden, Italian Garden, Azalea Garden and Mosaic Garden which capture the imagination. In the afternoon we will sail across to the larger of the two islands, Isola Madre. Here, five gardens connect in a peaceful woodland setting.
Day 7 Lake Como.
Day at leisure to relax and enjoy your surroundings or perhaps take the ferry to Varenna. There will be a late afternoon performance by London Festival Opera at the hotel followed by a farewell dinner.
Day 8 Menaggio to London Heathrow.
Transfer to Milan airport for your return scheduled flight to London.
NB: It must be noted that this tour will involve being on your feet for long periods and navigating many cobblestoned streets and steps. We therefore do not recommend this tour for those with walking difficulties.
Dates and Prices
Prices per person based on double occupancy28 April to 5 May 2020 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Price | |
Standard Land View Twin Room | £2395 | |
Standard Lake View Twin Room | £2695 | |
Lake View Room with Balcony | £2895 | |
Standard Land View Twin Room Single Occupancy | £2695 | |
Standard Lake View Twin Room Single Occupancy | £2995 |
Tour Reference Code: LALAKES
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • Seven nights hotel accommodation including breakfast and dinner daily • Excursions with guide • Three music performances by London Festival Opera • Gratuities • Entrance fees • Guest speaker • Tour Manager • Transfers • Airport & tourist taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, lunches.
NB: It must be noted that this tour will involve being on your feet for long periods and navigating many cobblestoned streets and steps. We therefore do not recommend this tour for those with walking difficulties.
Grand Hotel Menaggio
The Grand Hotel Menaggio is situated on the most elegant of Italian Lakes, Lake Como. This comfortable and relaxed hotel, which was completely renovated in 2008 has 94 rooms and offers a high level of comfort, good food and service. The atmosphere is peaceful and the accommodation and public rooms stylish and comfortable. However, its greatest asset is its position. Situated in the most attractive central lake area, it is ideally placed for day excursions to some of the loveliest villas and gardens of Lombardy.
Our View
“We are delighted to be repeating our hugely successful visit to the stunning shores of Lake Como. What could be more enchanting than a combination of wonderful music from London Festival Opera, beautiful gardens, magnificent views and delicious Italian food? Lake Como has seen many illustrious guests grace its shores over its long history including Queen Victoria and the locals today will almost certainly casually drop into their conversation that George Clooney is amongst many actors who own a villa there. Our base for our week-long visit, The Grand Hotel Menaggio, has an enviable location with unforgettable views. Despite the grand exterior of this 19th century Palazzo the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed and offers the ideal spot to totally unwind.”
Travelling with You
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London Festival Opera
We are delighted to be joined by London Festival Opera on many of our tours and cruises. We have long been associated with London Festival Opera and each year our music themed cruises grow in popularity. London Festival Opera have achieved a considerable reputation for presenting opera in palaces, castles, country houses, theatres, concert halls, embassies and private homes and gardens. Recent engagements have been throughout the UK, Europe and as far afield as Barbados, Marrakech and Moscow.
Particular attention is given to the design and quality of our costumes which are as authentic as possible. Whether it is a period evening dress, such as Regency or Victorian to enhance a gala performance or a full production, the costumes will be of the highest quality and style.
Bringing together artists from the major British opera companies including the Royal Opera, English National Opera and Glyndebourne Festival Opera, the company has a considerable reputation and has appeared in some of the world's leading venues including as a guest company in one of the Italy's greatest opera houses, La Fenice in Venice.
London Festival Opera will be on the following tour dates: 28 April to 5 May 2020 -
Alan Mason
Alan Mason NDT. F.Inst.G. Dip.Hort. M.CI. Hort. is one of Europe’s most experienced and best qualified garden designers and consultants. Having achieved the distinction of being the UK’s youngest head gardener at Bramham Park when still in his 20’s, and then Gardens Manager to the Queen's cousin Lord Harewood at Harewood House in Yorkshire - where he and his team elevated the gardens into the top ten most visited gardens in the country - he set up his garden design consultancy in 1987. He has since designed and created gardens for royalty and other leading public figures in the UK and France. Creating the gardens at Le Manoir du Hilguy for Holiday Property Bond, and at his own home, Le Manoir, Port de Roche in Brittany, brought Alan Mason Garden Design International success.
During the 80s and 90s Alan also presented the long running ‘Gardens without Borders television programme, which featured gardens in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Holland.
His French links continue, particularly in Brittany and Normandy, which have a similar climate and challenges to the UK. Alan is currently developing a beautiful riverside garden near Nantes, selected by the Ecole National Superiore d'Architecture de Versailles as representing the best of quintessential English garden design in the 21st century.
Alan Mason is a founder member of The Professional Gardener's Guild and the founder of the Senior Garden Advisors consultancy group which brings the services of top former Head Gardeners' from Stately Homes such as Chatsworth, Castle Howard and Harewood House to a wider public. Alan is also a judge of the show gardens at the prestigious Sandringham Flower Show and a garden design lecturer for The Royal Horticultural Society.
Alan Mason will be on the following tour dates: 28 April to 5 May 2020
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Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000