A tour through history and gardens.
Arrival in Venezia/ Torino Airport. You meet the tour guide here.
First stop in Treviso to visit Villa Tiepolo Passi.
The atmosphere of this villa is really unusual, mainly because is inhabited by its owners and activities such as farming and gardening are still practiced. The history and memories of the past, intertwine with the memories and events of the present, creating a beautiful picture of that lifestyle which took the name of “Civiltà di villa”.
Next visit is the lovely Priola Nursery. The Company has been present for some time in the production of perennial plants and ornamental Graminacee. The business started in the early ’70s by the owners Pier Luigi and Gabriella because of their passion for the type of work. At the beginning they had cultivated only few varieties, but then enriched the Nursery through the study of foreign market which led the Firm to become one of a kind in the varieties produced. In the evening arrival in Trieste.
Check in to Hotel Victoria ****.
Dinner in hotel.
Breakfast in hotel.
You meet the tour guide in Hotel. In the morning visit to Miramare Castle, surrounded by a flourishing park full of precious botanical species. It is located on Grignano Promontory, falling sheer into the sea, and looking over Trieste’s gulf ,about 10 km from the city.
The Castle was built at the behest of Ferdinando Massimiliano D Asburgo, in the middle of 800’, in order to live with his consort Carlotta of Belgium. Its furniture is original. Return to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit to Trieste. City of roman origins, for a long period of time, it was under the Asburgo kingdom, and after numerous world conflicts, Trieste became an Italian city. The main Landmarks are: Colle San Giusto, Unita’ d Italia Square, Della Borsa Square and Borgo Teresiano. In 1908 the psychiatric hospital is open for the first time. It is located inside San Giovanni Park. In the1970s’, the park becomes a place of change and innovation because of the realization of an international revolution in the field of psychiatry thanks to Franco Basaglia and his associates. Everybody is free to visit the hospital and park, and the patients are allowed to go out of the hospital. Today the park and city are an open garden, where plenty of creative and cultural events take place. The garden also features Roses dedicated to famous figures, obtained from different historical periods of time. There are many European hybrid varieties such as English, German, French, Dutch, also American and Japanese.
Dinner in a typical restaurant in Trieste. Return to the hotel
Breakfast in hotel.
Transfer to Fambruzzo Castle. We are welcome by Duke Gian Luca Badolgio to visit the vast English park with rare plants, crossed by the river Stella. The Duke will relate the history of the castle, from its origins, (built in 1258) up to the second war world, when his grandfather, marshal Pietro Badoglio, became the head of government in the most difficult time of Italy. You can also hear the history of the counts of Codropio, owners of the castle from 1466 to 1912, Counts of San Vito al Tagliamento, Rinaldis and Bertoli families. Gian Luca Badoglio, passionate about history, published a book regarding the battle of Caporetto.
Next visit is Botanica santa Marizza Nursey and Ruggero Bosco’s artist studio. He is a landscape designer. He and his wife organize decoration courses, walks, and workshops on green culture.
Lunch in a typical restaurant, ( included in the tour).
In the afternoon, transfer to Gorizia.
Visit to Lantieri Palace in the old town centre. In the old days, Emperors and writers such as Goethe, Goldoni and Casanova stayed in the palace’s huge rooms. In the evening return to Trieste. Dinner in hotel
Breakfast in hotel and check-out. Transfer to Maser to visit Villa Maser (Villa Barbaro). Not only is It one of Andrea Palladio’s masterpieces, the architect who in the sixteenth century revolutionized the way of thinking about architecture, but it is also a lovely house where the owner lives in the middle of a thriving farm. Its wines are exported all over the world.
We will discover the beauty Paolo Veronese’ frescos, the Historical Cellar, the Temple of Palladio, and the collection of carriages.
Afterwards, transfer to Bonotto Residence. The family will welcome the Garden Club in the beautiful property.
Aperitif offered by the owners.
Transfer to the Airport/ Train station
End of the tour