The origins

Platypus was founded on the isle of Ischia in 1999 from the vision of Emanuele and Alessandro Mattera’s brothers active in the preservation of the natural and historical heritage of the island. Their primary concern about wild plants of Ischia and their healing properties, brought them up into the world of botany and to meet Lady Susana Walton who had recently opened her marvellous Gardens La Mortella to the public. Since then, was established a solid relationship that continues still nowadays with the current Superintendent of the gardens Alessandra Vinciguerra. Not long after the Archaeologist Luisa Di Spigno Santi will join Platypus growing the interest of the group for the invaluable archaeological, historical and folkloristic heritage of the Region Campania. So the early tours came up, aiming to divulge, with the experience-based way, the knowledge and the researches carried out by famous archaeologists like Giorgio Buchner. Through the years the group becomes more and more varied, thanks to the integration in Platypus of teachers, biologists, geologists, and historians permitting a reciprocal cultural exchange. The growth of PlatypusTour will lead to the creation of experiential-based tours also away from the isle of Ischia, reaching Italian Regions of special interests, such as: Campania, The National Park of Cilento, Puglia, Circeo, Etruscan Region, Umbria, Marche and Tuscany. These are only some of the places that serves as a framework to the educational activities en plein air of PlatypusTour. The work with customers is basically concentrated during the summer season. In winter we protect and observe our territory leading researches of national importance; in summer we share the results of our studies with our customers. Our tours offers a 360 degrees view and are full of knowledge, little details and curiosities. Our work is an ongoing process, in order to offer always the best and the latest discovers to them who chooses the learning by travelling as a way to explore new horizons.