Italy-Tours-in-Nature: Botanical Gardens and Italian Flora Tours, 2023.

DEAR READERS,

I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE PROGRAM FOR NEXT YEAR’S TOURS, 2023. 

KEEP AN EYE ON THIS PAGE AS I MAY ADD SOME MORE TOURS!

IN THE MEANTIME, ALSO VISIT OTHER PAGES IN MY WEBSITE, AND MAKE THE MOST OF THE INFORMATION WHICH IS AVAILABLE FOR FREE. 

PLEASE BEAR IN MIND, ALSO, THAT TAILOR-MADE TOURS CAN ALWAYS BE ORGANISED; CONTACT ME IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. 

I AM HOPING TO SEE YOU ON ONE OF MY 2023 TOURS!

MAX

Botanical tours 2023:

The classic “FLORA OF THE DOLOMITES” Tour — July 2023

This is a nine-days’ trip through the heart of the Dolomites, taking in some of its most astonishing Flora, both in the Wild and in Botanical Gardens. (PLEASE NOTE: more details to follow at a later stage will be communicated to perspective participants).

The dates for this trip are: Tuesday 18th July to Wednesday 26th July, 2023.

Day 1. Tuesday 18th July, 2023. Arrival of participants in Venice; transfer to the region of Alpago. Welcome dinner at Rifugio Dolada -- a natural balcony on the surrounding region -- and overnight accommodation at B&B Casa dei Len, Pieve d’Alpago (or alternate accommodation) (1).

Day 2. Wednesday 19th July, 2023. Visit of Cansiglio and Cansiglio botanical garden, and other natural features of this interesting karstic area. Easy walking in the area. Free evening and overnight accommodation at B&B Casa dei Len, Pieve d’Alpago (or alternate accommodation); evening meal not included (2).

Day 3. Thursday 20th July, 2023. Visit of Monte Faverghera botanical garden, and other flora of the mountain, which is a floral hotspot, being a relic glacial station. Transfer to hotel in Cortina (Malga Ra Stua or alternate accommodation) in the afternoon (1); evening meal included at Malga Ra Stua (or alternate accommodation). 

Day 4. Friday 21st July, 2023. Roundtrip of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, where the beautiful flora of the Dolomites can be experienced on site, in a dramatic scenery. Medium-difficult hike: duration 5-6 hours. Some free time in Cortina. Overnight accommodation at Malga Ra Stua (or alternate accommodation), Cortina (2) evening meal not included.

Day 5. Saturday 22nd July, 2023. Driving the “Great Dolomite Road”, and taking in the great Dolomite scenery along the way, with (time and weather permitting) one ascent in high altitude with the cable car (Lagazuoi or Sas dla Crusc, in val Badia). Transfer to hotel in Corvara (or alternate location) (1); evening meal not included.

Day 6. Sunday 23rd July, 2023. Hiking to see the magnificent flora of the Alpe di Siusi, an open meadow-plateau at 2,000 m of altitude, renowned for its floral richness: a real haven for the lover of Alpine plants. Included lunch in a typical working farm. Easy-medium hike: duration 4-5 hours. Transfer to hotel in the Merano region (1); evening meal not included.

Day 7. Monday 24th July, 2023. Visit of the Trautsmanndorff botanical garden in Merano, a stunning new garden which blends in the Alpine flora with the Sub-Mediterranean climate of the region, in the former site of Princess Sissi castle. Transfer to Hotel Miravalle in Fai della Paganella, Trento, with included dinner (1).

Day 8. Tuesday 25th July, 2023. Visit of La Paganella, seeing the local flora in nature (or, alternatively, visit of the Viotte Alpine Botanical Garden at Monte Bondone, Trento). Included dinner at Hotel Miravalle in Fai della Paganella (2).

Day 9. Wednesday 26th July, 2023. Transfer to Bolzano, South Tyrol, where we will briefly visit the Museum of Natural History, hosting also the famous mummy of Iceman “Otzi”. End of the tour in Bolzano around 2pm, from where there are easy train connections to several main airports (Venice, Verona, Innsbruck, Munich).

Estimated cost of trip (depending also on the final number of participants): in the region of 2,200-2,400 GBP (British Pounds), or 2,650-3,000 USD (US Dollars). Please note: this figure is an estimate, as the ultimate cost of the trip will be announced when the final number of participants is clearly defined. The minimum number of participants is two; the maximum is eight. The number is kept low on purpose, so to allow the best enjoyment possible of the sights. I will run the trip with a minimum of two participants, in which case the cost would be reduced by the fact of not having to hire a minivan (I can use my own car).

The price will include: the cost of accommodation (typically in a double room; there will be a supplement for single room accommodation), welcome dinner on the first evening, two more dinners at Hotel Miravalle, plus a typical meal along the course of the trip (typically, at a mountain hut or working farm), as indicated in the program. All other meals are not included. The price does include entry tickets to the gardens or other attractions such as cable cars, as per program, plus the cost of transportation via car or minibus (depending on number of participants) between the different locations.

Please notice, the price does NOT include the cost of the airfare. You can express an interest or pre-book participation to this tour by using the contact form.

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The “CLASSIC DOLOMITES” tour — September 2023.

The “CLASSIC DOLOMITES” is a eight-days’ trip through the heart of the Dolomites, taking in some of its most astonishing scenery, geology, history and flora of the region. (PLEASE NOTE: This is a draft; more details to follow will be communicated to perspective participants, at a later stage).

The dates of the trip are: Tuesday 19th September to Tuesday 26th September, 2023.

Day 1. Tuesday 19th September 2023. Arrival of participants in Venice; transfer to a hotel near Belluno or in the region of Alpago. Welcome dinner at Rifugio Dolada -- a natural balcony on the surrounding region -- and overnight accommodationat at B&B Casa dei Len, Pieve d’Alpago (or alternate accommodation) (1).

Day 2. Wednesday 20th September 2023. Visit of Cansiglio: the botanical, geological, and other natural features of this interesting karstic area make it a good introduction to the region, and to the upcoming visit of the Dolomites. Easy walking in the area (2-3 hours), including the visit, in the afternoon, of the Cansiglio Botanical Garden. Overnight stay at Casa dei Len, Pieve d’Alpago (or alternate accommodation) (2); evening meal not included.

Day 3. Thursday 21st September 2023. Transfer to a ‘rifugio’ (mountain hut) near Cortina in the morning; hiking in the area of the Ampezzo Dolomites: loop from Malga Ra Stua to Rifugio Sennes and Rifugio Fodara Vedla, taking in the grandeur of the scenery. This is a medium-difficulty round walk set in a dramatic scenery (duration 4-5 hours). Overnight stay at Rifugio Malga Ra Stua (or alternate accommodation) (1), with included dinner.

Day 4. Friday 22nd September 2023. Roundtrip of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, where the most beautiful views over the Dolomites can be admired on site. This is a medium-difficulty round walk set in a dramatic scenery (duration 5-6 hours). Overnight stay at Rifugio Malga Ra Stua (or alternate accommodation) (2); evening meal not included.

Day 5. Saturday 23rd September 2023. Driving the “Great Dolomite Road”, and taking in the great Dolomite scenery along the way, with (time and weather permitting) one ascent in high altitude with the cable car (possibly Lagazuoi or Sass Pordoi). Transfer to a hotel in Corvara, or elsewhere in the Val Badia or Gardena (1); evening meal not included. 

Day 6. Sunday 24th September 2023. Cable car and hiking in the magnificent plateau of the Alpe di Siusi, an open meadow at 2,000 m of altitude, renowned for its floral richness and pristine beauty: a real haven for the lover of open mountain views and quintessential South-Tyrolean scenery. Easy-medium hike (duration 4-5 hours). Overnight stay at Passo delle Erbe, or elsewhere in the Val Badia or Gardena (1); evening meal included.

Day 7. Monday 25th September 2023. Transfer to the beautiful Val di Funes, where we will visit the stunning Dolomite group of The Odle. Easy-medium hike to the Col de la Soné (possibly circular; 4-5 hours); along the way, typical lunch at a working farm. Overnight stay at Passo delle Erbe, or elsewhere in the Val Badia or Gardena (3); evening meal not included.

Day 8. Tuesday 26th September 2023. Transfer to Bolzano, South Tyrol, where we will visit the Museum of Natural History, hosting the famous mummy “Otzi”. End of the tour in Bolzano around 2pm, from where there are easy train connections to several main airports (Venice, Verona, Innsbruck, Munich).

Estimated cost of trip (depending also on the final number of participants): in the region of 2,200-2,400 GBP (British Pounds), or 2,650-3,000 USD (US Dollars). Please note: this figure is an estimate, as the ultimate cost of the trip will be announced when the final number of participants is clearly defined. The minimum number of participants is two; the maximum is eight. The number is kept low on purpose, so to allow the best enjoyment possible of the sights. I will run the trip with a minimum of two participants, in which case the cost would be reduced by the fact of not having to hire a minivan (I can use my own car).

The price will include: the cost of accommodation (typically in a double room; there will be a supplement for single room accommodation), welcome dinner on the first evening, two more dinners, plus a typical lunch along the course of the trip (typically, at a mountain hut or working farm), as indicated in the program. All other meals are not included. The price does include entry tickets to the gardens or other attractions such as cable cars, as per program, plus the cost of transportation via car or minibus (depending on number of participants) between the different locations.

Please notice, the price does NOT include the cost of the airfare. You can express an interest or pre-book participation to this tour by using the contact form.

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The BOTANICAL GARDENS OF ITALY and the honored tradition of the “Giardini all’Italiana” is a ten-days’ tour combining the history of some of Italy’s oldest Botanical Gardens, taking in the old and the new across time and three regions: Emilia-Romagna, Veneto and Liguria. Please notice: for this trip, there is also the option of taking only the first half (Emilia-Romagna), or only the second half (Liguria), as two separate blocks of five days’ each. More information and costs on this below.

The dates of the trip are: Wednesday 18th to Friday 27th October, 2023.

Day 1. Wednesday 18th October 2023. Arrival of participants in Bologna late morning/early afternoon; acknowledgment with some cultural features of this interesting city. Welcome dinner; overnight stay at an Agriturismo near Bologna (1).

Day 2. Thursday 19th October 2023. Visit of Bologna Botanical Garden, and other natural features of the area (seeing natural vegetation in the wild with an easy hike in the hills, most likely the Gessi Bolognesi regional nature park). Easy walking in the area; overnight stay at an Agriturismo near Bologna (2); evening meal not included.

Day 3. Friday 2Oth October 2023. Day trip to Padua. Visit of Padua Botanical Garden, the second oldest existing botanical garden in the world (1545), and the prototype of the Hortus simplicium (“Garden of Simples”, or Physic Garden), recently expanded with a new stunning cutting-edge development (“The Biodiversity Garden”). The Padua botanical garden is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a must-see for the plant lover and botanic gardens’ enthusiast alike. Overnight stay at an Agriturismo near Bologna (3); evening meal not included.

Day 4. Saturday 21st October 2023. Day trip to the “Giardino delle Erbe”, Casola Valsenio. This is a unique garden in Italy — a well-kept secret and hidden jewel, tucked away in the Apennines of Romagna, solely dedicated to herbs and medicinal plants, thus renewing the tradition of the old Physic Gardens in modern age. The native flora of the hills can also be admired. Overnight stay at an Agriturismo near Bologna (4); evening meal not included.

Day 5. Sunday 22nd October 2023. Visit of the “Giardini del Casoncello”, Loiano, Bologna: a quirky Italian-English garden, created by former theatre designer Maria Gabriella Buccioli. Sited on a tranquil location in the Apennines of Bologna, this unique, enchanting garden takes its inspiration from the topography and history of the site, as well as the influences that Maria Gabriella absorbed from her beloved English ‘masters’, most notably Christopher Lloyd and Marjorie Fish. Overnight stay at an Agriturismo near Bologna (5); evening meal included (farewell dinner for those leaving).

Day 6. Monday 23rd October 2023. (Picking up new participants from Bologna airport; an additional, intermediate pick-up point may be organised from Pisa airport). Transfer to Liguria; short visit of the Cinque Terre region “en route”. On this day, a wonderful seafood lunch is included at the breathtaking Restaurant ‘Belforte’, sited on a Medieval tower facing the sea in the seaport town of Vernazza (or at alternate location in case of closure). There will be some time off for participants to relax by the sea, while enjoying the beautiful Mediterranean vegetation and taking in the craggy scenery of the coastline of Liguria. Overnight stay in Monterosso, or another location nearby (1); evening meal not included.

Day 7. Tuesday 24th October 2023. Morning: transfer and visit of the romantic gardens of Villa Durazzo-Pallavicini in Santa Margherita Ligure, home to a characteristic Ligurian garden with a “risseu” — the typical design made with cobble stones. Afternoon: easy stroll on foot from Santa Margherita to Portofino, one of the most elegant and renowned seaside resorts along the coast of Liguria. We will take a walk to discover the local Mediterranean flora (easy, on flat/undulated ground). Some free time will be left to spend at one’s leisure in the quaint harbour village of Portofino, before taking the bus back to Santa Margherita. Overnight stay in Santa Margherita, or another location nearby (1); evening meal not included.

Day 8. Wednesday 25th October 2023. Transfer to Villa Hanbury at “La Mortola”, near Ventimiglia. This is an outstanding Mediterranean garden founded by Sir Thomas Hanbury in 1867, which was to become, over the years, one of the most renowned collection of tropical and sub-tropical plants in Europe, relevant also for its scientific value. Villa Hanbury also actively collaborated with Kew Gardens in the late 1800s, through to the outburst of WW2, and is a splendid fusion of natural and agricultural landscape, with the implant of a Botanical Garden and a landscaped part. After a period of neglect and subsequent restoration, it is now managed by Genoa’s University as ‘sister’ Botanical Garden. Dinner (not included) and overnight stay in the interesting ecovillaggio (ecovillage) of Torri Superiore, or at a nearby location (1).

Day 9. Thursday 26th October 2023. Morning: visit of the ecovillage of Torri Superiore, to hear about their ethos around sustainable farming and other projects. Late morning and afternoon: quick transfer across the border to Monaco, to visit the world-famous Jardin Exotique (https://www.jardin-exotique.mc/en). Farewell dinner (included), and overnight stay at the ecovillaggio, or at a nearby location (2).

Day 10. Friday 27th October 2023. Transfer and visit, in the morning, of the esoteric ‘chinoiserie’ in the gardens of another Villa Durazzo-Pallavicini, this time in the Genoese suburb of Pegli, recently opened after a 3-year restoration plan; end of the trip around 2pm in Genoa, where there is an international airport and there are train connections to several other main destinations (Nice, Pisa, Milan, Turin). 

Estimated cost of trip (depending also on the final number of participants): in the region of 2,800-3,200 GBP (British Pounds), or 3,400-3,900 USD (US Dollars). Please note: this fugure is an estimate, as the ultimate cost of the trip will be announced when the final number of participants is clearly defined. The minimum number of participants is two; the maximum is eight. The number is kept low on purpose so to allow the best enjoyment possible of the sights. I will run the trip with a minimum of two participants, in which case the cost would be reduced by the fact of not having to hire a minivan (I can use my own car). For this trip, there is also the option of taking only the first half (Emilia-Romagna), or only the second half (Liguria), at the cost of 1,400-1,600 GBP (British Pounds), or 1,700-1,950 USD (US Dollars) each.

The price includes the cost of accommodation (typically in a double room; there will be a supplement to pay for single room accommodation), welcome dinner on the first evening (Bologna), farewell dinner on the last evening (Bologna and/or Torri), plus another typical fish dinner along the course of the trip (Restaurant ‘Belforte’, Cinque Terre, or a similar establishment). All other meals are not included, but a special rate may be negotiated with the Agriturismo near Bologna, which may also be included in the final figure (more information on this at a later stage). The price does include entry tickets to the gardens or other attractions, as per program, plus the cost of transportation via minibus or car between the different locations.

Please notice, however, that the price does NOT include the cost of the airfare. You can express an interest or pre-book participation to this tour by using the contact form.

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For the last few years I have been teaming up with Tom Williams of Williams Geo Adevntures (www.geology-adventures.com).

We have had three successful trips together, Italy Rocks! in 2014, and two editions of Dolo-Slovo Rocks! in 2018 and 2019.

The Dolo-Slovo Rocks! Trip visits three of the most amazing regions of North-eastern Italy and Slovenia: The Julian Alps, Lake Bled and the Škocjan Caves in Slovenia, the Trieste/Carso (Karst) area, and the enchanting Dolomite Mountains in Italy.

The dates for the latest trip were June 27th to July, 7th, 2019. 

The tour was a great success!

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The fourth edition of this well-tested trip, which was to run in 2022, and would have included the visit of three of the most amazing regions of North-eastern Italy and Slovenia (the Julian Alps, Lake Bled and the Škocjan Caves in Slovenia, the Trieste and Carso/Karst area, and the enchanting Dolomite Mountains in Italy), unfortunately could not take place due to unforeseen circumstances. The dates would have been July 19th to July, 30th, 2022. 

If you are interested in Tom’s trips, and would like to participate, please visit his website: www.geology-adventures.com

All the details on how to book for his wonderful adventures can be found there. We hope we will be running another one in Italy soon!

More information on Tom’s other trips can also be found in his website, as indicated in the link just above.

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