Where will your membership take you?
The next in our series exploring what’s on offer for National Trust members travelling overseas, through reciprocal arrangements with other heritage organisations.
More than 30 special places managed by Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano (the National Trust for Italy) are open to the public, providing unforgettable glimpses of unexpected Italy – from Ancient monasteries and woodlands, to stunning villas and gardens, farms and industrial sites. Many of these places also offer unique tours and activities so visitors can immerse themselves in experiences that bring local culture and traditions to life. Often combining food, wine and incredible artworks, there are also opportunities that enhance understanding of the natural world, from star-gazing to the private collection of a famous Italian explorer.
Visitors to the exquisite 19th century Villa Fogazzaro Roi on Lake Lugano can absorb its stunning location while they take watercolour painting classes in the hanging garden, watch the household butler set the dining table, or sip an aperitif by candlelight. A guided tour offers stylish transport, with guests arriving aboard an historic wooden boat.
You can also travel over water to reach Villa del Balbianello on the shores of romantic Lake Como. This elegant 18th century mansion with magnificent gardens has hosted writers, scholars and travellers for generations, as well as famous actors and film crews shooting scenes for movies such as Casino Royale and Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. Take an after-hours tour to fully appreciate the glorious setting and treasures gathered by the last owner, explorer Count Guido Monzino, who made 21 expeditions to places such as Patagonia and the Himalayas.
A different experience awaits visitors to the Monastero di Torba. A slice of the Middle Ages set in woodlands near Milan, the monastery is part of a UNESCO World Heritage listed site centred around an imposing tower with frescoed interiors. The Romans constructed a military outpost here to counter invasion. Then, for seven centuries, it was home to a secluded community of Benedictine nuns. Take a cycle tour to explore the surrounding countryside, or sign your children up for activities with archaeologists, anthropologists and art historians.
Nature merges with history at the Kolymbethra Garden, an orchard set in Sicily’s Valley of the Temples. Citrus trees and centuries-old olive trees thrive in this rare agricultural and archaeological jewel, which encompasses parts of ancient Akragas, a Greek city founded in the 6th century. Collect fruit from the trees during visits in February and March, and take part in an exclusive picnic of Sicilian cuisine in a reserved area of the garden.
For another classic Italian food experience, learn how to make pasta at the Abbazia di Santa Maria di Cerrate, a former Greek Orthodox monastery in the centre of a farm in Puglia. It is just one of a wide range of cultural experiences that can be enjoyed at this site, including a lunch of traditional local dishes served at the farmhouse as part of a half-day tour; a traditional dance performance; and exploring the abbey, ancient mill and bread ovens by candlelight.
In Venice, leap into the 20th century with a visit to Negozio Olivetti, a striking architectural masterpiece designed by Carlo Scarpa as a showroom for the iconic Olivetti typewriter brand. Take in the extraordinary central staircase, seemingly suspended, and visit two long galleries with displays of vintage typewriters and calculators. Sign up for a visit coupled with breakfast in the famous Piazza San Marco overlooking the Grand Canal.
Visit www.visitfai.org to plan your tip and find out more about National Trust properties open to the public in Italy, and the myriad of visitor experiences available.
Travelling the world with the National Trust
Holding a National Trust of South Australia membership card allows you to enter sites cared for by organisations that belong to INTO (International National Trusts Organisations). Free or discounted visiting rights have been negotiated as part of a global reciprocal visiting scheme covering hundreds of locations around the world, and interstate. For a full picture of where membership can take you visit https://www.into.org/places/
