Italy is renowned for its exquisite villas and gardens, and this five-night tour of the Lazio region celebrates some of the best - while being in the company of gardening expert Paula McWaters.
Beginning with a two-stay in central Rome, you'll enjoy a guided visit to the beautiful Villa Borghese gardens. Among the city's largest and most elegant green spaces, they are known for their tranquillity and features including fountains and statues.
One of the tour's highlights is the Garden of Ninfa, often described as the "most romantic garden in the world." Set among the ruins of a medieval town, this English-style garden stretches across eight acres and is home to more than 1,300 plant species, including magnolias, Japanese maples, and climbing roses.
You'll also discover Villa d'Este in Tivoli, a 16th-century Renaissance villa famed for its spectacular terraced gardens, cascading fountains, grottoes, and ornamental pools. After your visit, continue to the city of Viterbo, where you'll stay for the final three nights of the tour.
Acclaimed gardening expert Paula McWaters will join you for part of the journey. She'll accompany you on selected visits, offer expert insights during an engaging talk on garden design, and answer your questions during a Q&A.
Further horticultural highlights include guided visits to the private gardens of Torrecchia Vecchia, the Castello Ruspoli Gardens, and the gardens of Villa Lante, subject to gardens being open.
Fly from London to Rome. Upon arrival, transfer to your accommodation in the city centre.
This afternoon, you'll have a guided visit of the Villa Borghese gardens, among the largest and most elegant urban green spaces of Rome. Enjoy an exclusive visit to the marvellous "secret gardens", designed in the early 17th century by and extensively renovated in the 1990s. This evening, enjoy a brief talk about the upcoming itinerary and a welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant.
After breakfast this morning, head to Cisterna di Latina for a visit to the Garden of Ninfa. Gardening expert Paula McWaters will join you today, providing her insights. This romantic English-style garden extends over approximately eight hectares. Created in 1921 by the Caetani family, it integrates the medieval ruins of the ancient city of Ninfa with lush vegetation. The garden is home to more than 1,300 species of plants, including magnolias, ornamental cherry trees, and Japanese maples, offering a particularly enchanting floral display in spring.
After lunch at a local restaurant, you'll have a guided visit of Torrecchia Vecchia Garden. This evening, hear a talk from Paula McWaters after dinner.
After breakfast this morning, check out of your hotel and travel to Tivoli to visit the amazing Hadrian's Villa, Paula will join for today's excursions. The villa was built during the 2nd century by the Roman Emperor Hadrian to be his main house, because he did not like his palace in Rome. The huge complex is composed of more than 30 different buildings covering an area of at least 250 acres.
After lunch at leisure (not included) in Tivoli, explore the stunning Villa d'Este, a Renaissance masterpiece Villa with a breathtaking Italian garden by Pirro Ligorio - in which lived several members of the Borgia family, one of the most important families of that time. Continue to Viterbo, check in to your hotel and enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant this evening.
After breakfast this morning, head to Vignanello. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided tour of the Castello Ruspoli Gardens, considered one of the finest examples of Italian Renaissance gardens - renowned for their symmetrical layout and intricate boxwood parterres.
After lunch continue to Caprarola and visit the Palazzo Farnese Gardens. Located behind the majestic pentagonal palace, the gardens are a geometric masterpiece, perfectly blending with the surrounding landscape. The "Giardini Bassi," designed by Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola are known for the rigorous symmetry with boxwood hedges, fountains, and sculptures. The "Giardini Alti" lead to the "Casina del Piacere," an elegant building adorned with frescoes, once the summer residence of former President Luigi Einaudi.
At the end of the visits, return to the hotel and have dinner at the hotel restaurant this evening.
After breakfast this morning, enjoy a guided tour of the Parco dei Mostri di Bomarzo. Also known as the Sacro Bosco, this park was commissioned by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini and designed by architect Pirro Ligorio. It is distinguished by its monumental stone sculptures depicting mythological and grotesque creatures, such as sphinxes, dragons, and giants. The park offers a dreamlike and symbolic experience, blending art, nature, and mystery.
After lunch at local restaurant, continue by coach to Bagnaia. Here, you'll have a guided tour of the gardens of Villa Lante (pending confirmation). Attributed to the architect Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola, they are spread over several levels connected by staircases and sophisticated water features. Notable features include the Fontana dei Mori, the Fontana dei Lumini, and the water chain, illustrating the harmony between architecture, nature, and hydraulic engineering.
Return to the hotel and have dinner at the hotel restaurant this evening.
After breakfast this morning, check out of the hotel and transfer to Rome airport for your return flight home.
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* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Visit to Villa Lante, is subject to gardens being open. Single supplement £407. Deposit 30%. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd.