Itineraries03 August 2015

#VillaPergola in #Alassio: summer between the colors and scents of the Riviera.[VIDEO GALLERY]

Weekend guided tours of the mansion The summer months are the best time to visit the gardens of Villa della Pergola in Alassio that offer a unique opportunity to walk immersed in the colors of the Mediterranean and tropical vegetation in full bloom.

#VillaPergola in #Alassio: summer between the colors and scents of the Riviera.[VIDEO GALLERY]

It is in fact the time when flowers bloom in the park: Lotus, the Annabelle hydrangeas, Hydrangea Quercifoglie, Lantana, Oleander, Buccinatorie, Bignonia, the purple-flowered Solanum, the colorful African and American Hibiscus, and Plumbago blue lily housed in fountains and rock pools.

Within the gardens are located Villa della Pergola, the Cottage and the House of the Sun, architectural masterpieces of late '800. The villas retain the old charm of Victorian houses, with all the charm of the English colonial style, they are a refined relay where you can stay until October. The suites are all different and each dedicated to an English character linked to the history of Alassio.

History

Designed by the Scottish General William Montagu Scott McMurdo in 1875, the park and the Villa della Pergola passed, in the early '900, to the cousin of Virginia Woolf, the baronet Sir Walter Hamilton Dalrymple. In 1922, the new owner, Daniel Hanbury - second son of Thomas, creator and owner of the famous Hanbury Gardens (La Mortola, Ventimiglia) - began a work of enrichment of the collections of plants in the park, drawing from the botanical gardens of the family.

After a period of neglect, in 2006 a consortium of friends led by Silvia and Antonio Ricci, always attentive to the events of the territory and in order to safeguard the landscape and the environment, bought the property to save it from judicial auction and speculation.

The Gardens of Villa della Pergola are open every Saturday and Sunday,  guided tours by appointment starting at 09.30 a.m., at 11.30 a.m., 3.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m.. To book you can call the number +39 0182/646130 or send an email to info@giardinidivilladellapergola.com.

On the big terrace overlooking the Gulf of Alassio there is the Restaurant Villa della Pergola (open to the public every day) an exclusive and fascinating place, that brings to life the atmosphere "fin de siècle "one of the most enchanting of the Italian Riviera.

Dishes prepared with ingredients linked to the territory and the Ligurian tradition, partly revisited: the local fish, typical pastries, the famous buns, DOP oil from Liguria, a selection of the finest local wines and cheeses of the mountains of the hinterland . All enriched by the products of the season as the spiny artichoke, purple asparagus, trumpet zucchini  and "ox heart" tomato, typical of the Plain of Albenga, the largest floodplain in the region, also known as "the garden of Liguria". (Reservations are recommended, telephone +39.0182.646130).

 INFORMATION FOR VISITS

The visit takes place individually and / or in small groups. Duration 1,30 h.

Practicability:
The gardens can be mostly visited by people with disabilities. Only some areas are not accessible because of the morphology of the terrain and the presence of short stone stairs.

Pets are not allowed.

Tickets:
The ticket can be purchased on site and includes guided accompanying. Single: 12 €, FAI members: 10 €, Free for children under 6 accompanied by an adult. School groups (visit the park): 6 €.

For information and reservations for guided tours: Villa della Pergola, via Montagu Private 9, 17021 Alassio (Savona) Tel. +39.0182.646130 - +39.0182.646140 -

Info@giardinidivilladellapergola.com  - info@villadellapergola.com  www.giardinidivilladellapergola.com - www.villadellapergola.com
 

Judit Neuberger

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