Botanical Treasure Hunt

from 10am to 7pm

On Monday 18 April at the Gardini di Villa Melzi in Bellagio the traditional appointment with the Caccia al Tesoro Botanico (Botanical Treasure Hunt) promoted by the network Grandi Giardini Italiani, the network of the most beautiful gardens in Italy that attract hundreds of Italian and foreign tourists every year for the refinement of the species preserved, the beauty of the green architecture and the historical importance of the locations in which they are set.

In the Gardens of Villa Melzi Bellagio (CO) Vacanze Pavesi has created a treasure hunt inspired by a mindfulness path, myths and butterflies, in collaboration with Il Mondo di TELS, a cultural association in Pavia specialising in innovative language teaching through travel and with the scientific support of IOLAS, an association for the study and conservation of butterflies active in Oltrepò Pavese with many observation, census and dissemination projects.

In Italian and English, with a parallel route for adults and children, at each stop there will be epic and botanical suggestions for adults and, for children, the magical story of the butterfly’s life cycle. For everyone, at each stop, there will be a simple mindfulness exercise to expand the senses and fully appreciate the beauty of the place and the experience.

At the entrance to the garden, each participant will receive a map and a list of questions to help them find the 5 treasures, and can enjoy the search with their family or independently. What colour links Dante Alighieri and the cedronella butterfly? What do the goddess of the soul Psyche, the camellias of Villa Melzi and the beautiful IO butterfly have in common? … and more: exercises in spontaneity, creativity, concentration and balance in one of Italy’s most beautiful gardens.
At 11.30 a.m. (in Italian) and at 2 p.m. (in English), the storyteller guide of the Gardini di Villa Melzi will be waiting for you at the statue of Dante and Beatrice for a taste of the narrated walk ”Botanical Legends”/”Botanical Legends”, taken from the repertoire of The Original History Walks ®, curiosities and historical-botanical anecdotes about the Gardens and Great personalities connected to them.
All the children who finish the hunt will be given a surprise to take home as a souvenir of the beautiful day.
To take part, just turn up at the Giardini di Villa Melzi ticket office on the day of the event. The Botanical Treasure Hunt is included in the garden entrance ticket.