Villa La Pietra
Florence is home to some of the most beautiful villas and gardens in the world, Villa La Pietra being one of the crown jewels. A visit to Villa La Pietra offers more than just a garden tour. The Villa itself is a museum containing vast collections of art, books and historical photographs. The 57-acre estate features breathtaking olive groves and gardens. This beautiful Renaissance revival garden is filled with plants, flowers and shrubberies, and also features over 180 sculptures. After being bequeathed to New York University in 1994, the estate became a campus for students who wanted to study abroad. Villa La Pietra offers tours every Friday afternoon of the Villa and gardens, and tours of the garden only are available on Tuesday mornings. Advance reservations are required.
Villa La Pietra
Via Bolognese, 120
50139 Florence, Italy
011 (+39) 055 5007 218
nyu.edu/global/lapietra
Orto Botanico de Padua
If you travel about 20 miles west of Venice, you will come to the town of Padua, and there you will find Orto Botanico de Padua. This beautiful botanical garden was originally created in 1545 for the sole purpose of cultivating medicinal plants. One of the spectacular features of Orto Botanico is its vast collection of historic trees. The oldest tree in the garden is a Mediterranean Palm, which was originally planted in 1585. Other historic trees in the garden include a Ginkgo and Southern Magnolia, both planted in the 18th century. Step inside the Arboretum and you will find other historic trees, including an Oriental Plane and Himalayan Cedar. A stroll through the gardens will take you through a labyrinth of succulent plants, Mediterranean Marquis and Alpine Rockery. Orto Botanico also features two greenhouses, a tropical orchid greenhouse and a freshwater plants greenhouse. From April to October Orto Botanico is open every day 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. During the months of November to March, the hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Orto Bontanico de Padua
Via Orto Botanico, 15
35123 Padova, Italy
011 (+39) 049 8272 119
ortobotanico.unipd.it
Villa Carlotta
Located in the town of Lombardia, on Lake Como, Villa Carlotta sits majestically on the waterfront. The gardens have been so meticulously maintained that you will feel like you have stepped back in time and entered the seventeen century. Along with Azalea, Rhododendron and Camellia gardens, Villa Carlotta also features a 3000-square-meter bamboo garden, which contains over 25 species. Along with the impressive gardens, Villa Carlotta also features a collection of sculptures and the Museum of Architectural Tools for visitors to enjoy. The Ancient Greenhouse, also located on the estate, has been converted to a coffeehouse and there is also a picnic area for visitors to use. Tours are available of both the Villa and gardens, March to November. Hours of operation vary throughout the year, so it is best to call ahead or check the website for more information.
Villa Carlotta
Via Regina, 2, Tremezzo (Co)
22019 Lombardia, Italy
001 (+39) 0344 40405
villacarlotta.it
