SECRET GARDENS OF ITALY

Private Guided Tours

REGION: TUSCANY

TOUR: MEDICEAN VILLAS

DESCRIPTION: One can enjoy several perspectives to observe the pleasant Tuscan countryside, along a track that curls the charming and undulated landscape: the “terraced gardens” of Vicobello, the “Peschiera Rinacimentale” of Celsa’s Castle, the borders and the lemons of Villa Cetinale and the greenery theatre of Villa “Geggiano” . Beautiful potted lemons border the Italian Garden of “Villa Medicea” of Poggio in Caiano, that combines the classical style with typical features of rural Tuscan architecture.

REGION: TUSCANY

TOUR: LUCCAN VILLAS

DESCRIPTION: Immersed among trees, Lucca reveals itself, its towers, its paved alleys and its stylish squares, opening the gates to the most representatives Villas of Luccan aristocracy.

The tour starts with Villa Reale di Marlia, with its water theatre, in the seventeenth-century park, and continues with Villa Grabau, whose garden is characterised by the alternation of long-stemmed trees, lawns and English style hedges.
Close to the elegant Villa Mansi, emblem of Luccan villas architecture, one can admire the so much famous Villa Torreggiani.

Potted citrus are the protagonist of Buggiano Castle in the “Valdinievole” between Lucca and Pistoia.
In the Buggiano’s vegetable gardens the owners disclose the visitors the secrets of citrus ornamental cultivation, whose art has been passed down over generations.

The tour ends with a visit to the Celle Farm, which is an extraordinary mixture of art and nature.

REGION: LAZIO

TOUR: CALANCHI'S GARDEN

DESCRIPTION: The tour offers a select track among private gardens, in the border between Alto Lazio and Umbria in the isolated landscape of Calanchi. These natural formation, caused by the landslide of argillaceous ground, are best expressed by the Civita di Bagnoregio’s Valley which stands out like an outpost only reachable by foot.

In this area, people coming from several places stopped, and the gardens became an integral feature of their residence: immersed in the valley or rising in a predominant position, they however offer a privileged view over an extraordinary panorama.

Among these gardens the “Hortus Unicorni” represents a collector’s garden and the “Porta del Paradiso”, completely immersed in the Calanchi’s Valley, is a kind of landscape perfectly in communion with the surrounding background. “La Vigna”, instead, is a wonderful garden rich in situations and essences, in a perfect harmony with the vast vineyard. Even the “Canonica of Vaiano” faces the Valley: all its spaces, near the Church, smell of Mediterranean plants.

Locations and Gardens: Civita di Bagnoregio; Hortus Unicordni; La Canonica; La Vigna; Il Macereto; Giardino di Maurizio Chiari.

REGION: LAZIO (REGION OF ROME)

TOUR: THE THREE LAKES TOUR

DESCRIPTION: The tour curls along two wonderful lakes of Tuscia: Vico’s Lake and Bolsena’s Lake.

The rank vegetation and the park of the house of “Principessa del Drago” on the Bisentina’s Island surround the Magic “Villa Lina” in the core of Cimini hills, with its particular botanic garden (which dates back to the end of 1700) and the typical Italian garden.

Round the gardens, one can enjoy: oil tasting, in an ancient oil-press, and wine tasting an a representative winery. Moreover, one can sample typical freshwater fish based dishes, or walk among medieval timeless hamlets.

At the gates of Rome one can admire another enchanting sheet of water: Bracciano’s Lake with the wonderful colours of “San Liberato”’s Garden, property of Sanmiatelli Counts (designed by Russel Page) and the precious roses of “Castel Giuliano”’s garden, property of Patrizi Countess.

Locations and Gardens: Lake Bolsena; Lake Vico; Palazzo del Principe del Drago; Isola Bisentina; Marta; La Cannara; Giardino di Melissa; Villa Lina (Ronciglione); La Canonica; Centro Mountan (Vitorchiano)

REGION: LAZIO (REGION OF ROME)

TOUR: ETRUSCAN MISTERY

DESCRIPTION: The route takes the idea from two different suggestions rich in echoes and references: the Etruscan and the open Gardens for esoteric reads.

The extraordinary frescoed tombs, the National Museum in Tarquinia and the Archaeological-Naturalistic Park in Vulci, in the unmistakable Maremma landscape, all evoke the Mysterious Etruscan world.

The initiation tour for the deciphering of symbols and the interpretation of metaphors goes on among artistic and cultural microcosms suggested by unusual and evocative gardens.

One can find there the “Tarocchi”’s Garden by Niki de Saint Phalle in the Mediterranean landscape; “La Scarzuola” in Montegabbione, a dreamlike garden by Tommaso Buzzi; the “Sacro Bosco” in Bomarzo, which reflects the eclectic subjectivity of Vicino Orsini, other than being reference for all the esoteric gardens. In conclusion the garden-sculpture by Daniel Spoerri in Seggiano.

Locations and Gardens: Tarquinia; Park of Vulci; Sacro Bosco (Bomarzo); Giardino dei Tarocchi; La Scarzuola (Montegabbione); Giardino di Daniel Spoerri (Seggiano)

REGION: LAZIO (REGION OF ROME)

TOUR: THE ROMAN COUNTRYSIDE

DESCRIPTION: It’s an exceptional opportunity to go past the ancient cardinalitial Villa of Tuscolo, and the palatial building of the aristocrat roman families, arriving in some of these manors which has been made over into splendid relays and elegant restaurants such as “Villa Tuscolana” and “Villa Grazioli”. Here is the first villa: “Villa Aldobrandini” with the garden and the wonderful water’s theatre; “Villa Falconieri”, made by Borromini, with the sumptuous typical garden and the frescoed rooms of the aristocrat floor.

Moreover: the sumptuous “Landriana’s Gardens” whose beauty is due to the initial project of Russel Page but also to the personal contribution of the Countess Lavinia Taverna; the Oasis of Ninfa and the Oasis of Porto, two magic places in Lazio considered two of the best gardens in Europe.

This enchanting tour ends with the Villa par excellence: Villa d’Este.

Locations and Gardens: Lake Bracciano; Tenuta of San Liberato; Castel Giuliano; Giardini della Landriana; Oasi di Ninfa; Giardino di Valleranello; Giardino di Recrosio; Giardino di Antje Presti.

TOURS OF OTHER GARDENS AND VILLAS CAN BE ORGANIZED UPON REQUEST

PLEASE EMAIL US FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF THE GARDENS THAT CAN BE VISITED AND FOR A TAILOR MADE ITINERARY

All our Garden Tours are organized by one of our partner tour operating company with 10 years of experience in Garden Tours in Italy, and led by their expert guides.