Gardens of the Riviera

FIVE NIGHT HOLIDAYS | 21 APRIL & 12 OCTOBER 2023

There are many great gardens dotted along the Côte d’Azur between St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and the border with Italy. Along with the artists, many gardeners were drawn to the Riviera, attracted by both its climate and its beauty. The legacy of these 19th century gardeners still survives, giving inspiration to today’s visitors. Simon Monckton, who lived for many years on the Riviera, leads the tour.

the itinerary

We fly from London to Nice and transfer to Menton where we stay at the family-owned 4* Hôtel Napoléon. Comfortably furnished and offering a high level of personal service, it has a swimming pool, terrace and a fine garden of its own. The hotel does not have a dining room but the centre of Menton is just a few minutes’ walk away and has many fine restaurants.

Our first visit will be to a garden in Italy, the famous Hanbury Gardens at La Mortola. Established in the late 19th century, the garden has an impressive collection of exotic and tender plants and banks of cascading scented flowers. Later we go to Villa Piacenza Boccanegra in Ventimiglia. Since the 1980s Ursula Piacenza has cared for and expanded the garden created by Ellen Willmott in 1906.

We drive to St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat where we visit the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, as famous for its art collection as for its gardens, which harmoniously combine formal and contemporary styles. The villa was built between 1905 and 1912 for the Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild in the most beautiful spot on the Cap Ferrat peninsula. Nine gardens surround the villa, each with its own distinctive and contrasting theme. Later we go to Villa Kerylos, a contemporary and stylish recreation of a classical Greek villa.

Today we walk to the Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden, close to the hotel. The garden was developed from 1905 by Lord Percy Radcliffe, and in the 1950s many unusual plants and trees began to be added. Next we go to the great garden of Lawrence Johnson, designer of Hidcote – Serre de la Madone. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the pretty resort of Menton.

DAY

The Waterfield family have owned Clos du Peyronnet since 5 1915. There is much imaginative use of fountains, ponds and cascades which enhance the artful landscaping. During the afternoon we will drive to nearby Monte Carlo to see the impressive collection of succulents and cacti at the Principality’s Jardin Exotique. We drive to Nice airport for the flight to London.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

TOUR INFORMATION

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICES

DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP

21 April 12 October £1,977 £320

Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

FLIGHT DETAILS

Flights with British Airways: Depart London Heathrow 11.30, arrive Nice 14.40 Depart Nice 15.30, arrive London Heathrow 16.40 Flight times subject to change – regional departures available on request.

WHAT WE INCLUDE

• Return flights • Five nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Two dinners and one lunch • All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities • The services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer, Simon Monckton

ART & GARDENS OF THE CÔTE D’AZUR

For those who wish to combine the exceptional art and wonderful gardens of the French Riviera, the two tours “Art of the Côte d’Azur” & “Gardens of the Riviera” run consecutively and some clients enjoy the opportunity to book both together. The price to join both tours is £3,675. Single supplement £690.

Menton