Culture

Authentic experiences

This tour explores the architectural gardens of the ancient region of Latium which have influenced the development of Western garden design . Today located in the region of Lazio , these gardens developed mainly in the late 16th Century and were first and foremost architectural , with plants being only of a primary importance in Ninfa and Landriana , which are recent creations . This tour encompasses some of the greatest masterpieces of Italian garden design . This tour operates with a maximum of 14 people .

THIS TOUR FOCUSES ON some of the most important gardens or villas and gardens in Italy , located in Lazio , to the north and the south of Rome . You are based for the first three nights to the north of Rome in the historic city of Orvieto from where you can reach Villa Lante , a perfect Renaissance garden , which is a landmark in the history of Italian gardens and nearby Sacro Bosco at Bomarzo , with its collection of overwhelming and eccentric stone sculptures amid the parkland . Near Viterbo is also the Villa Farnese , dating from the mid 16th Century and another masterpiece of Italian garden art providing a perfect balance of landscaping , architecture and sculpture .

Then you drive south visiting the magnificent Villa d ’ Este and Villa Adriana at Tivoli near Rome . Villa Adriana offers a magical insight into the gardens of antiquity and its hay meadows , wild flowers , pools and fishpond remain as features whilst the Villa d ’ Este is the quintessential garden of the High Renaissance and resplendent in its structure and use of water . You will be based near Frascati to the south of Rome , from where you can reach three spectacular and vastly different gardens : those of Castel Gandolfo , rich in history , Landriana , bursting with luxuriant flowers , shrubs and trees in an English fashion yet containing controlled Italian styles amidst colour from April to October , and Ninfa , where crumbling mediaeval walls provide a sheltered microclimate for rare and tender plants and an amazing collection of plants from all over the world . Amid 20 acres , plenty of summer heat and water from the hills , this is a unique garden , frequently perceived as a perfect garden .

Finishing the tour in Rome gives you a wonderful opportunity to extend your stay in Italy , with perhaps a few days in Rome itself for shopping , sightseeing or further garden visits .

Villa Lante

Hotel Piccolomini Inside the Villa Grazioli

Villa d ' Este

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