SMALL GROUPS TOUR
TOUR OF THE GARDENS AND VILLAS OF THE ENVIRONS OF ROME
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 Deagostini
Hotel Piccolomini Inside the Villa Grazioli
Villa d ’ Este at Tivoli
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