TOUR LEADER MICHAEL MCCOY

Tour Leader, Michael McCoy is a botanist, garden designer and garden writer. His ‘Dream Gardens’ series on ABC TV has recognised his huge talent. His vast knowledge and unflagging enthusiasm makes him a popular leader with Ross Tours.

+ Marvel at the power of water and the thundering sound of the enormous Neptune Fountain at Villa d’Este

+ Arrive by launch to the theatrical garden at Isola Bella which floats on Lake Maggiore, surrounded by snow-capped mountains

+ Run your hands through the limpid pools at the romantic ruins of Giardina Ninfa

+ Discover Castel Gandolfo, summer residence of the Pope with its grand ‘Imperial’ garden

+ Enjoy a relaxing holiday with four and five night stays and plenty of free time

+ Travel in a small group and make new friends

+ Relax – we’ll take care of everything!

For a detailed itinerary, please visit :www.rosstours.com/italy

HIGHLIGHTS

Taormina

ROME

Ninfa

Siracuse

Ischia

Tivoli

SorrentoCapri

Let us take you to the most beautiful places in the world.

A trip south from Rome to Sorrento for five nights to explore the Amalfi Coast, Capri and Ischia and then on to Sicily. Discover Italy’s treasures: the remains of Pompeii, the ‘Walk of the Hundred Fountains’ at Villa D’Este, the summer residence of the Pope at Castel Gandolfo with its Imperial garden. And its archaeological heritage on Sicily including Taormina’s beautiful Greek Theatre. Be pampered in the best hotels and showered with some fine hospitality … buon appetite!

Graham Ross, Founder

TO BOOK PLEASE CONTACT ROYCE OR ROSLYN

Visit our website www.rosstours.com

travel@rosstours.com1300 233 200

Italian Renaissance and Baroque gardens are exercises

in philosophy, mythology, allegory, mathematics and

glorious theatre. Add the mesmerizing island of Sicily with

its archaeological treasures and the unique camaraderie

of a Ross tour and you have an unforgettable experience.

16 APRIL - 2 MAY 2018

THE GARDENS OF

ITALYAND SICILY

DAY 1 MON 16 APRSYDNEY TO ROMEMeet your Tour Leader Michael McCoy at Sydney airport for your flight to Rome.

DAY 2 TUE 17 APRROME Our hotel in Rome for the next four nights is the charming Hotel Ponte Sisto, which is well located in the heart of the old city, across the river from Trastevere and around the corner from the Campo de Fiori. The remainder of the day is free to relax in the hotel. Join Michael for an orientation walk around the area of our hotel. Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant.

DAY 3 WED 18 APRCASTEL GANDOLFO The Pope escapes the heat of Rome at his summer residence, Castel Gandolfo, and that’s where we’re headed today. It’s a treat on three levels and we will explore it all.

DAY 4 THU 19 APRVILLA D’ESTEVilla D’ Este at Tivoli represents the quintessence of the Italian High Renaissance. the use of water, all gravity fed, is thrilling. Nearby is Hadrian’s Villa built by Emperor Hadrian in 117AD is a magnificent

complex of ruins that inspired Renaissance architects.

DAY 5 FRI 20 APRNINFANinfa is a garden in a ruin, unlike any other, breathtakingly beautiful, free of people and chemicals and silent except for birdsong. Continue to the hill town of Norma for spectacular panorama at lunch .

DAY 6 SAT 21 APRROME TO SORRENTOHead south today to Naples then around the Gulf of Naples to Sorrento. First stop is Palazzo Reale di Caserta, a vast Royal park with Aqueduct of Vanvitelli. Travel on to Sorrento and check in to our luxurious hotel for the next five nights overlooking the Gulf of Naples.

DAY 7 SUN 22 APRAMALFI COASTA day to explore the famous Amalfi Coast, one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe. In Ravello visit two villa gardens. Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, the romantic dream of Lord Grimthorpe .

DAY 8 MON 23 APRCAPRITake a jet boat this morning to the Isle of Capri ... blue skies, turquoise water and breathtaking views. Explore

the Blue Grotto, a sea cave bathed in a cobalt blue light. Villa San Michele is the dream home of the Swedish physician, Axel Munthe.

DAY 9 TUE 24 APRNAPLES GARDENSFirst up the palace of the painter Domenico Mondo, now a private house-museum. Villa Guevara this afternoon with its garden from the late eighteenth century.

DAY 10 WED 25 APRISCHIAIt’s a short ferry trip to the island of Ischia in the Bay of Naples. We’re heading to La Mortella, the garden that Sir William Walton and his wife Susana built in a quarry with sheer sides and no water.

DAY 11 THU 26 APRSORRENTO TO SICILYWe are flying to Catania, Sicily. First stop is Le Stanze in Fiore Canalicchio to discover Rossella’s passion for plants and her hospitality at lunch. Check in to our hotel on the waterfront in Taorima overlooking the Bay of Mazzaro.

DAY 12 FRI 27 APRTAORMINAThe Greek Theatre is Taormina’s famous Roman ruin with Mt Etna

looming on the horizon. We’ll spend the afternoon in Catania.

DAY 13 SAT 28 APRMT ETNAA day to discover this region around Taormina . Travel inland to Mount Etna, the island’s brooding and spectacular nemesis. Set in the middle of a national park, Europe’s highest active volcano dominates the Sicilian landscape around it.

DAY 14 SUN 29 APRSIRACUSEWe are travelling south today to Siracuse to see some exceptional private gardens in this region. Villa San Giuliano dates back to the 15th century and Princess Maria Carla Borghese’s Il Biviere at Lentini. Travel back to Taormina with time to relax before our Farewell Dinner.

DAY 15 MON 30 APRSICILY TO HOMEIt’s a leisurely breakfast this morning before our transfer to Catania airport for our flight to Rome and onward connection.

DAY 16 TUE 1 MAYINFLIGHT

DAY 17 WED 2 MAYARRIVE HOME

TOUR DETAILS

+ OUR TOUR INCLUDES

° Return group economy airfare with Emirates Sydney / Dubai /

Rome and Naples / Catania / Rome / Dubai / Sydney

° Deluxe accommodation for 13 nights

° Breakfast daily, 3 lunches and 2 dinners

° Air-conditioned motorcoach throughout

° Guided tours of Rome, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Ischia,

Syracuse Sicily.

° Entrance fees to all gardens and sightseeing including Castel

Gandolfo, Ninfa, Villa d’Este, Il Biviere at Lentini, Villa San Giuliano

in Syracuse, Le Stanze in Fiore Canalicchio in Catania, Caserta

Royal Palace and gardens,Palazzo Mondo, Villa Guevara, La

Mortella and Aragonese Castle on Ischia, Villa Cimbrone Ravello,

Villa San Michele Capri.

° Gratuities for local guides, porters and drivers

° Fully escorted by Michael McCoy

+ OUR TOUR COSTS

° Twin Share per person, land only $12,795

° Twin Share per person, including airfare $15,595

° Single Supplement $3,695

+ FITNESS LEVEL

° This tour requires a moderate level of fitness

+ DISCOUNTS

° Early Bird $300 per person (Pay in full by 1 December 2017)

° Previous Traveller $100 ° Garden Clinic Member $50All prices in Australian Dollars. All air taxes as at 1st July 2017. Price based on minimum 15 passengers. Departure from Sydney. Price from other Australian ports and New Zealand available on application. Group meals do not include beverages. Please refer to Ross Garden Tours standard terms & conditions. Ask us about other sightseeing and travel arrangements including pre and post tour accommodation, transfers, stopovers and other tours.

ITINERARY