Autumn in Italy is often a wonderful combination of warm balmy weather and golden Autumn colours. The perfect time to get out and about and discover some of the magnificent villas and gardens that are hidden throughout the Northern Italian countryside. We visited some of the superb estates in the Varese area which are open to the public thanks to an initiative by Grandi Giardini italiani (Great Italian Gardens). So whether or not you are lucky enough to be living or travelling in the area join us on our virtual villa visit.

Villa della Porta Bozzolo in Casalzuigno, was built in the 1500s and is a typical stately home of the era. The villa, which is a Fondo Ambientale Italiano (Italian Environment Fund) property, is decorated in sumptuous rococo style and boasts an elegant Italian garden. The garden is a masterpiece of landscape design with its tantalising perspective views and delightful walks. Visit the garden throughput the year to see its apple, pear and peach trees in bloom.

Villa Panza di Biumo is also maintained by the FAI and is well worth a visit. The house has a wonderful collection of antique furniture dating from the XVth-XIXth centuries. The building, which is also known as Piazza Litta a Varese, was given, along with its sizeable contemporary art collection, to the FAI by Count Giuseppe Panza. The house also has a magnificent estate of some 33,000 square metres which stretches as far as the eye can see.

The entrance to Villa Cicogna-Mozzoni is in Piazza Cicogna a Bisuschio and was built in 1463 as a hunting lodge for the Mozzoni family. The house was extended in 1559 and decorated with frescoes by the Campi brothers, noteworthy artists from Cremona. The house is a classical example of a Renaissance villa where the garden is an essential part of the estate's architecture. Don't miss the magnificent stone steps with the stream running down the centre of the flights - guaranteed to take your breath away.

And get your breath back at the "Due Lanterne" restaurant in Induno Olona (Via Ferrarin). The house speciality is "stufato in concia", shoulder of beef cooked with vegetables. Expect to pay around LIT 60,000


Opening Times

Villa della Porta Bozzolo
Tel +39-332-624136, fax +39-332-624748.
From October to December 10-13 and 14-17 (house and garden); from February to September 10-13 and 14-18 (house) and 10-18 (garden).
Villa Panza di Biumo
Tel +39-332—239669, fax +39-332-283960. Open all days except Monday from 10-18.
Villa Cicogna-Mozzoni
Tel and fax +39-332-471134.
Open from April to October on Sundays and holidays 9.30-12.30 and 14.30-19.00. Open on weekdays for groups of 20 or more. Guided tours in Italian, German, French and English available for groups on appointment only. Entrance garden only: LIT 4.000; house and garden: LIT 7000.