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Culture
Walking
Comfort
Exclusivity

A journey among private residences, noble palaces and designer gardens, where beauty is preserved from one generation to the next. From Lake Bolsena and the historic Il VesConte residence to the rose gardens of Rocca Ripesena and the Ducrot Rose Garden, by way of the Pejrone-designed Tenuta La Torricella, Martana Island and the suspended village of Civita di Bagnoregio. Four days between Umbria and Lazio, welcomed by the owners, amid the art of gardens, local flavours and exclusive atmospheres.

The itinerary, day by day

1

Thursday 17 September · Bolsena and Palazzo Il VesConte

Participants arrive at Orte station in the morning and meet the driver for the transfer to Bolsena.

Check-in at Il VesConte, the historic residence of the Cozza Caposavi family, bound for generations to the Bolsena area and to the preservation of their historic home. The palace bears witness to the family's continuity and to local history, still carefully safeguarded today. We will be welcomed by the owner of the residence, Francesco Cozza Caposavi.

In the afternoon, we meet our guide for a walk through the historic centre of Bolsena, a village of medieval origin overlooking the volcanic lake of the same name. The route reveals the historic layering of the place, from its Etruscan origins to its medieval development, through alleys, squares and architecture of great interest.

Next, an exclusive visit to Palazzo del Principe del Drago, in the company of its owner. A noble residence that belonged to a family always attentive to the preservation of its cultural heritage. The richly decorated interiors reflect the refined taste of the patrons and the continuity of a deeply rooted aristocratic tradition. The palace is also distinguished by a private garden, conceived as a space for reception and contemplation, the fruit of the owners' sensitivity to the art of gardens and the care of green compositions. Aperitif on the terrace overlooking the lake.

Return for the overnight stay.

2

Friday 18 September · Tenuta La Torricella and Rocca Ripesena

Breakfast and departure with guide and driver towards Porano.

Exclusive visit to the Tenuta de La Torricella estate, accompanied by Dr Antonio Pacifico, a leading figure in the enhancement of the property. The estate, owned by Countess Mila Brachetti Peretti, is a refined expression of garden culture, the fruit of a deep passion for landscape design and botanical collections. The project, signed by the architect Pejrone, blends roses, ornamental plants and rare species into a composition of great balance and refinement. Light lunch in the exclusive setting of the estate.

In the afternoon, transfer to Rocca Ripesena, the Village of Roses, a charming hamlet in the municipality of Orvieto, set amid the greenery of a Cultural Park. At the foot of the majestic tuff cliff facing historic Orvieto, an extraordinary rose garden blooms, home to hundreds of rose varieties from every corner of the world. Rocca Ripesena is not only a green area but a true meeting point, a natural, biodiversity and cultural heritage deeply interwoven with the local community, overlooking the splendid Orvieto valley. This fairy-tale village, 368 metres above sea level, is a place where beauty and poetry blend with history and tradition. In 2011 a group of passionate volunteers, led by scientific director Walter Branchi, planted over 200 rose varieties - from classic to old, from modern to climbing - creating the rose garden, with the aim of educating people in beauty and preserving an authentic Italian gem.

Return to Bolsena. Dinner at a selected restaurant overlooking Lake Bolsena, dedicated to the authentic flavours of the lake's tradition. Overnight stay.

3

Saturday 19 September · Martana Island, Civita and the Poet's Garden

Breakfast. Meeting with the guide and driver and transfer to the jetty.

Boat trip on Lake Bolsena to Martana Island, the smaller of the lake's two islands, with an area of 10.3 hectares, located opposite the town of Marta, from which it takes its name and on which it administratively depends. A place of great charm and privacy. During the crossing we retrace the lake's historic origins and its links with the events of the area. The island, now private, is connected with the figure of Queen Amalasuntha and preserves an important historical value linked to the events of the 6th century.

Return and transfer to visit the Azienda Agricola Mazziotti, a historic family winery founded in 1900. The estate represents a long agricultural and productive tradition, carried on with generational continuity and attention to oenological quality. Light lunch at the winery with a tasting of zero-kilometre products and their wines.

In the afternoon, transfer to Civita di Bagnoregio, the famous suspended village known as "the dying town", one of the most evocative and iconic places in the Lazio region. Perched on a fragile spur of tuff shaped by the erosion of wind and water, the village seems to defy time and nature, offering an almost surreal scene. Characterised by an extraordinarily well-preserved medieval layout, Civita retains its ancient charm intact: narrow alleys, stone arches, silent little squares and houses built with local materials tell of centuries of history. Access to the village is only via a long pedestrian bridge, which reinforces its sense of isolation and uniqueness.

At sunset, a pleasant stop at the Poet's Garden (Il Giardino del Poeta). Overlooking the valley of the calanchi - splendid sloping rock formations caused by seismic movements - the Poet's Garden is a place of great peace and charm. The view, the fresh air and the tranquillity make the visit a delightful experience. Sunset drink with a suspended view over the valley of the calanchi.

Return to Bolsena. Gala dinner at Il VesConte, in the evocative Blue Gallery, amid soft lighting and historic architecture, with a gourmet menu inspired by the territory. Overnight stay.

4

Sunday 20 September · The Ducrot Rose Garden

Breakfast and meeting with the guide and driver. Departure with luggage towards Corbara.

Private and exclusive visit to the Ducrot Rose Garden, accompanied by a botanist. The garden was born from the vision of Vicky and Isabella Ducrot, deeply passionate about roses and botanical collecting. The project has created an extraordinary collection of around 650 varieties and over 3,000 specimens from all over the world, the fruit of personal travels, studies and research. Among the rarest varieties stands out the "Lijiang Rose", a symbol of the botanical research and curiosity that guided the creation of the entire garden. The whole reflects a free and personal approach to composition, in which roses are the absolute protagonists of a project of great aesthetic coherence.

Light lunch in the garden of Tenuta Caselle, in a setting of absolute peace and charm.

Transfer to Orte station and departure. End of services.

Gallery

Everything you need to know

What's included

  • Three nights at the private residence Il VesConte in Bolsena, on a bed-and-breakfast basis
  • Private gala dinner in the evocative Blue Gallery at Il VesConte
  • Dinner at a selected restaurant overlooking Lake Bolsena
  • Sunset drink in the panoramic Poet's Garden
  • Generous aperitif in the exclusive setting of Palazzo del Principe del Drago
  • Light lunch and tasting at the Azienda Agricola Mazziotti
  • Rustic light lunch at Tenuta Caselle, home to the Ducrot Rose Garden
  • Light lunch at Tenuta La Torricella
  • Drinks with meals
  • Booking service for the private gardens and palaces included in the programme
  • Entrance fees and guided visits to all the sites, gardens and palaces included in the programme (as these are private residences and gardens, in the event of serious and proven issues related to the property we reserve the right to replace them with others)
  • Guide/tour leader service available throughout the tour
  • Private transfer service throughout the tour, to and from Orte station
  • Boat service on Lake Bolsena
  • Medical and luggage insurance
  • Assistance by Il Giardino Segreto di PromoTuscia

What's not included

  • Porterage at the hotel
  • Tourist tax, to be paid individually on site
  • Trip cancellation insurance
  • Tips, extras, personal expenses and anything not expressly indicated under "what the price includes"

What to pack

  • Smart-casual attire, suitable for visits to private residences and gala dinners (the dinner in the Galleria Blu calls for a refined look)
  • Comfortable walking shoes for villages and gardens (cobblestones, garden paths, the pedestrian bridge to Civita)
  • A pair of more elegant shoes for the evenings
  • Hat and sun protection (September in Tuscia is still warm)
  • A light layer for the evening, especially for the boat trip on the lake and the sunset drink over the calanchi
  • A small backpack or shoulder bag for the daily excursions

Required documents

  • For Italian or EU citizens: a valid identity card
  • Health insurance card
  • Any personal insurance documents (medical and luggage insurance is included in the price)