Art, roses and peonies in the heart of Italy

Day 1 – Friday 13 May: departure by private coach from Milan. Late-morning arrival in Cavriglia at the Fineschi Rose Garden, welcomed by Mrs Silvia Fineschi. After lunch in the garden, we visit the “Carla Fineschi” rose garden, which since 1967 has collected rose species and hybrids from all over the world — a unique private scientific collection of over 6,000 varieties. We then transfer to Arezzo for a guided city visit, in particular the Basilica of San Francesco with Piero della Francesca’s fresco cycle of the Legend of the True Cross (1452–1466). Overnight at the Antica Tabaccaia Resort **** in Terranuova Bracciolini.

Day 2 – Saturday 14 May: breakfast and departure for Sansepolcro, with a specialist guide to visit the Aboca complex, active since 1978. Aboca’s products are now sold across Europe. The beautifully kept garden alternates terracotta-potted plants with stone sculptures and medicinal herbs. The unique Herb Museum recovers and hands down the millennia-old story of the relationship between people and plants. Free lunch, then a guided walk through the old town exploring the figure and history of Piero della Francesca. Return to the hotel.

Day 3 – Sunday 15 May: breakfast and departure for Bolsena to visit the Le Aromatiche nursery, specialising in aromatic, officinal and medicinal plants, focusing on the end consumer for high quality. Then transfer to Vitorchiano with an included lunch, and a visit with agronomist Dr Antonio Pacifico to the Moutan Botanical Centre — the largest collection in the world of Chinese tree and herbaceous peonies (over 200,000 specimens). We continue to Santa Maria in Portella, to the garden of Mrs Helga Brichet, home to the largest collection of Chinese roses in Europe; a refined, surprising garden where roses climb cypresses and olives to vertiginous heights. Transfer to Todi and stay at the Hotel Bramante ****.

Day 4 – Monday 16 May: breakfast and transfer to Sant’Arcangelo sul Trasimeno to visit the decorative garden of Daniela Fè d’Ostiani, overlooking Lake Trasimeno — an English-inspired garden combining several styles with exuberant vitality. Lunch included in the garden with the owner. In the early afternoon, transfer to San Feliciano and boat to Polvese Island with a naturalist guide for an unforgettable walk; the island, of great natural interest, also preserves an early-medieval fortress and a fascinating pool/garden by Porcinai. Return to Todi, dinner in a characteristic venue and overnight stay.

Day 5 – Tuesday 17 May: breakfast and departure. Visit to Villa Medici, one of the oldest Medici villas and among the best preserved yet least known; its neo-Renaissance garden, restored by architect Cecil Pinsent (1911–1923), is laid out over three terraces. Rich in water and constantly sun-exposed to the south, it enjoys an almost unique microclimate that brings forward its blooms. Included lunch at Osteria I Quartino in Sesto Fiorentino, then departure for Milan and end of services.