Holidays often involve so much planning, chaos and running around, when you're meant to be relaxing, that it is good to slot in time for taking it easy and enjoying your surroundings.
Particularly on urban getaways, it is good to find some natural space in which to unwind and get a bit of fresh air as you wander and take a breather. So, to help you out, we've compiled a list of some of the most beautiful gardens in Tuscany.
The Boboli Gardens in Florence are located behind the Pitti Palace, which was once the seat of the Medici family.
It is one of the first formal Italian gardens and is made up of fountains, statuary from ancient Rome to the 18th century, semi-private and public spaces, nympheums, temples, plants and grottoes, the largest being a famous work by Buontalenti.
Particularly on urban getaways, it is good to find some natural space in which to unwind and get a bit of fresh air as you wander and take a breather. So, to help you out, we've compiled a list of some of the most beautiful gardens in Tuscany.
The Boboli Gardens in Florence are located behind the Pitti Palace, which was once the seat of the Medici family.
It is one of the first formal Italian gardens and is made up of fountains, statuary from ancient Rome to the 18th century, semi-private and public spaces, nympheums, temples, plants and grottoes, the largest being a famous work by Buontalenti.
Completed between the 16th and 18th centuries, the 111 acre property was once a private garden designed for the Medici by Vasari but is now open to the public and really is a must see for those visiting the city. Just find a holiday rental in Florence and take some time out of your, no doubt, busy schedule to wander this beautiful space and just enjoy your surroundings.
Pienza, meanwhile, is not a behemoth of a location like Florence but a small village in the Val d'Orcia in southern Tuscany. Set high atop a hill, overlooking the Orcia Valley, it has extraordinary views, and is often known as the "ideal Renaissance city”.
The Papal Palace, or Palazzo Piccolomini, is located to the right of the town's Duomo has a large loggia with hanging garden from which there are breathtaking views across the Val d'Orcia Valley. This garden is an absolute delight and were the first “hanging gardens” of the Renaissance.
Pienza, meanwhile, is not a behemoth of a location like Florence but a small village in the Val d'Orcia in southern Tuscany. Set high atop a hill, overlooking the Orcia Valley, it has extraordinary views, and is often known as the "ideal Renaissance city”.
The Papal Palace, or Palazzo Piccolomini, is located to the right of the town's Duomo has a large loggia with hanging garden from which there are breathtaking views across the Val d'Orcia Valley. This garden is an absolute delight and were the first “hanging gardens” of the Renaissance.
The whole of the length of the rear of the palazzo is occupied by a triple loggia that overlooks a small hanging garden and the Val d’Orcia and Mount Amiata beyond. One of the best, and most unique aspects of the garden is that the original garden design of 500 years ago, and its furniture, have survived almost untouched over the years. As a result, it is a perfectly serene and timeless spot in which to breathe in the fresh air, take in the incredible views and relax your weary, tuscan trotting feet. Just find a luxury villa in Pienza and be sure to find time on a quiet morning or lazy afternoon to drop by.
Read on to our next post for some more of the most beautiful and relaxing gardens in Tuscany and carve out some time for R&R during your trip.
Read on to our next post for some more of the most beautiful and relaxing gardens in Tuscany and carve out some time for R&R during your trip.
Photo credits
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY 2.5;
picture 3: Quinok / CC BY-SA 4.0
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY 2.5;
picture 3: Quinok / CC BY-SA 4.0
