The Italian Rose: Lazio and Umbria

This morning we depart London Heathrow and fly to Rome Fiumicino airport. We then drive into the heart of Rome to the Hotel De Russie, for a welcome drink and time to relax and explore before dining together at the hotel, wine included.

The morning begins with a visit to the informal roseto, Valleranello belonging to Rosarian, Maresa del Bufalo. We then continue south to Ninfa, a supremely romantic garden where roses scramble over the ruins of a medieval town set on the banks of a river. A light lunch is included. Return to the Hotel De Russie for a free evening in Rome.

Leaving Rome, we head into the hills of Rieti to visit a relatively new collection of roses, both ancient and modern, occupying a dramatic hillside site. Emanuele Dotti, who has assembled this ever-expanding collection, has named the garden in memory of his dear friend, Giovanni Chilanti. We then head off for a buffet lunch with Helga Brichet, a world expert on roses. Helga even lectures in China about Chinese roses and is past president of the World Federation of Rose Societies. Helga’s garden, Santa Maria della Porta, holds a unique collection of Chinese & hybrid gigantea roses. We then travel to Perugia and the Brufani Palace Hotel, ideally placed in the heart of old Perugia with wonderful views over rooftops to the countryside beyond. An evening meal has been included at the hotel with local wines included.

High in the Umbrian hills is the hidden retreat of American artist Gary Jo Gardenhire and British garden designer Tim Rees. Gary’s metalwork sculptures complement a delightfully multi-layered garden that comes alive with colour at this time of year. After lunching here with Gary and Tim, we drive to the plains below Spello to visit the Tenuta San Giuseppe. The old silk mill has been transformed into a home and offices for the production of the Barbanera Almanac, produced by the same family for over 250 years and still used by farmers and gardeners throughout Italy. Surrounding the buildings are the potager, orchard garden, and the four-season terrace. In addition, we will be shown a fascinating collection of historic almanacs from all over the world. Before returning to Perugia, we visit the Quando Fiorianno Rose Garden and nursery with fine views to Assisi.

Today we enjoy a special invitation to view the gardens of Palazzo Parisi, the childhood home of garden designer Arabella Lennox-Boyd. Here Arabella has created a magnificent garden with a luxuriously planted formal space leading out to olive groves underplanted with wildflowers. After a delicious lunch, we return to Rome Fiumicino