Whether you're looking for a romantic way to spend your honeymoon or horticulture is your passion, a tour of Italy's historic gardens will inspire you long after you return home. Arguably best visited in Spring, see blooming roses and pale wisteria tumbling down historic castles and walled gardens, and stop at a local vineyard for a glass of vintage wine in the crisp sunshine. From the Tuscan hills to the historic houses towering over Lake Como, Italy's romantic gardens are also often situated in picture perfect settings.
Roseto Botanico di Cavriglia, Tuscany
In the picturesque hills surrounding historic Tuscan cities Florence, Siena and Arezzo, visit the Roseto Botanica di Cavriglia, one of the largest private rose gardens in the world. Created in 1967, there are over 7,000 unique varieties here, including some thought to be otherwise extinct. The garden is best visited in May and June when the myriad of different coloured and scented roses are in bloom. Considered by many to be a living museum, the old-world gardens are structured with crumbling stone walls and resident peacocks strut around, adding another splash of colour to the scene.
Villa D'Este, Tivoli (photo)
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Villa D'Este, located close to Rome, is one of the finest preserved examples of an Italian 16th century garden. It is the architectural elements of the garden that make it so special, including the ornamental water basins and fountains - particularly the Fontana dell'Ovato, one of the world's first “water theaters,” a backdrop of stunning fountains fronted by a pool, made for water performances. The gardens and fountains are designed to run over a series of terraces, with spectacular views of the plains leading towards Rome beyond.
Gardens of Ninfa, Lazio
Widely considered one of the most romantic gardens in the world, the Gardens of Ninfa, located just outside of Rome, are built on the ruins of an ancient Etruscan town. Open by guided tour only, be sure to book ahead to look around the medieval stone ruins, now partially covered by rambling roses and shaded by great oak and cypress trees. The meandering River Ninfa flows through the gardens and is overhung by hazelnut and silver maple groves. Be sure to wander over the scenic old bridge, which is framed by purple varieties of clematis and climbing hydrangea.
Giardini di Giusti, Verona
Verona's Giardini di Giusti is a prime example of a late renaissance Italian garden, and has existed here since the late 1400s. The current layout was commissioned in 1570 by Venetian diplomat Agostino Giusti, and over the centuries has been visited by legendary artists, musicians and kings like Mozart, Goethe, Cosimo De' Medici and Emperor Giuseppe II. Tall cypress trees punctuate the tumbling terrace gardens and marble statues are placed within a series of clipped hedges. Visit the maze here if you're visiting with your partner - there is a local fable that lovers who manage to find each other are destined for eternal love.
Villa Carlotta, Lake Como
A colourful execution of the late Lombard baroque style, Villa Carlotta is situated next to stunning Lake Como, overlooking the Bellagio peninsula. The formal layout was also influenced by English country gardens and since the 1800s has built up an impressive botanical collection of over 800 species, including spectacular displays of camellias, rhododendrons and roses. The breadth of the botanical treasures maintained here means the garden is worth visiting at any time of year, so while the Rhododendrons wood is stunning in the spring, the rock garden, century old cedars and collection of tropical plants bloom all year round.