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Country Life: Gardens of Amalfi and the Bay of Naples | Limited availability

5 days | £4995 per person with flights | 6 - 10 October 2025

Ischia, Naples & the Amalfi Coast

A tour of stimulating contrasts and richly varied gardens taken at a leisurely pace: we travel across the glittering bay of Naples to the charming island of Ischia; attend a concert at La Mortella and enjoy the lush gardens of the late Sir William & Lady Walton influenced by Russell Page; climb narrow paths to an Amalfi lemon grove; stand on the infinity terrace at Villa Cimbrone looking far out to sea. To reduce travelling time, we have selected two hotels: The Albergo Della Regina Isabella is a beautiful 5-star spa resort set on the coast of Ischia. Guests will enjoy panoramic views of the Mediterranean and quality gourmet food managed by their Michelin-star Executive Chef Oasquale Palamaro. Our second hotel is Hotel Le Agavi, a stunning luxury hotel perched on a cliffside in Positano. Guests can relax in this tranquil setting, enjoying the serenity of the hotel's elegant design and prime location.

Day to day Itinerary

Day 1

Fly from London to Naples. We travel into Naples for a short visit to the beautifully tiled Cloister Garden of Santa Chiara before travelling from the port of Naples to the island of Ischia. Following a short transfer, you will arrive at the Regina Isabella for a welcome drink before dining together in the hotel’s restaurant. Our host, Nicholas Dakin- Elliot will give a short introductory talk titled The English Gardener in Italy.

Day 2

A leisurely start before a guided tour of La Mortella, the garden partially influenced

and designed by Russell Page and partially by the late Lady Walton with a special invitation to attend a concert. A delicious lunch is included and time to explore the garden at your own pace. Return to the Regina Isabella for an evening meal together.

Day 3

We board a ferry and return to the port of Naples and then travel to the Amalfi coast and the small town of Amalfi devoted to Amalfi’s famous lemons. We walk a short distance above the town to the ‘Valley of Mills’ to meet an innovative local lemon farmer. There will be a walk through the historic lemon groves for those who are willing and able and then all the group are invited to partake in the tasting of lemon-flavoured, regional specialties. Following the citrus themed lunch there will be a visit to a Lemon Museum before returning to Amalfi with time to explore and to view the Duomo and remarkable cloister of Chiostro del Paradiso. You will then shortly arrive at the Hotel Le Agavi with good time to settle in before dining together in the hotel restaurant.

Day 4

With time for a leisurely breakfast, we take you to the hilltop town of Ravello where we climb the steps to the wonderful Villa Cimbrone which Lord Grimthorpe surrounded with an eccentric and very personal garden with stunning views over the

sea. Please note that the visit to Cimbrone is only possible by foot up a steep flight

of steps. A delicious lunch is included before descending again into Ravello to visit Villa Rufolo followed by free time. Return to our hotel to dine together.

Day 5

Return to Naples to visit the Orto Botanico di Napoli a green haven in the bustling lively city, before returning to Naples airport for our return flight to London.

Albergo Della Regina Isabella

Situated on the stunning island of Ischia, the Regina Isabella offers a luxurious retreat with panoramic views of the Mediterranean. This elegant hotel blends timeless charm with modern comforts, featuring ‘hyperthermal’ pools, a spa and exquisite dining options. Guests can unwind amidst the island’s natural beauty, enjoying serene walks alongside the crystal-clear waters.

Hotel Le Agavi

The Hotel Le Agavi is a stunning luxury hotel perched on the cliffside of Positano. This modern hotel seamlessly weaves classic Mediterranean features with contemporary comforts and delicious local and international cuisine. Hotel Le Agavi also offers it's guests the opportunity to unwind at its private Remmese Beach House, accessed easily via a cable car directly from the hotel.

With Flights: £4995

Join Direct: £4845

Single Supp: £700

Deposit: £700

Departure Dates:

6 - 10 October 2025

Duration:

4 nights / 5 days

Your Holiday Includes:

Return flights (Economy class) from London to Naples
Two nights’ bed and breakfast at the Albergo Della Regina Isabella in Ischia
Two nights’ bed and breakfast at the Hotel Le Agavi
Private coach transfers and excursions
Four evening meals and three lunches
Guided visits to the sites listed in the programme
Services of the tour host and a tour leader
Detailed programme and garden notes
All entrance fees, taxes, and gratuities for coach drivers and serving staff

Tour Lecturers

Nick Dakin-Elliot

Nick Dakin-Elliot, as Horticultural Associate, is responsible for the Renaissance Revival gardens and grounds of Villa La Pietra and, as Garden Manager, the new Arts and Crafts-style garden of Villa Torre di Sopra, both in Florence, Italy. Previously, he was senior lecturer in horticulture at Pershore College of Horticulture in England. He studied ornamental horticulture at Askham Bryan College, York and the University Botanic Gardens, Cambridge and

studied education at the Universities of Wolverhampton and Worcester in England. Whilst Nick’s lifelong love of plants, their beauty and the challenges of both propagating and growing them remains, his current

fascination is with organic vegetable growing and the practice of sustainable gardening.

Kirsty Fergusson

Kirsty exchanged a career in academia (she has a PhD specialising in French philosopher-novelists) for a life in gardening. Trained at Capel Manor, she was head gardener at Mapperton in Dorset during the early nineties, where a series of fortunate encounters opened the door to garden writing. As well as writing a weekly column for The Express, for many years she was a frequent contributor to Gardens Illustrated, House and Garden, Country Life, The Times, The Telegraph and The Independent. In 2003 she moved to SW France, where she continues to explore the possibilities of her own (very forgiving) garden – when not travelling, writing or leading tours.

Travel Information
The price does not include extras at the hotels or travel insurance.

Please note that Boxwood Tours use hotels of character featuring a variety of rooms & styles.