Boboli Gardens
Florence‘s – indeed Italy‘s – most famous garden may be listed in every guidebook, but climb the calf-crushing steps to leave the Pitti Palace behind and you can soon find yourself ‘lost’ in areas of garden that barely see visitors. As a whole, the garden’s 45 ha are a great place to escape the rigors of sightseeing in Florence. However, some areas are less frequented than others, so if you need total peace avoid the amphitheater directly behind the Pitti Palace. There the garden consists of symmetrical lines and patterns, made from neatly clipped box hedges around formal pools with gruesome stone statue. Photo by: susodediego ?
Elsewhere, particularly to the west of the palace, the secret, winding paths are your solace, and the hazel bushes, tall pines and cypress trees your cover, protecting you from the heat of summer days – and the visitors thin out. The hedged-lined, soft-grass plots, small groves, and meadows are perfect for afternoon siestas and for wearing out young children safely, away from the busy city streets. There are good views of Florence from the eastern side of the garden, where a small cafe also serves refreshments. Photo by: rimawa
Most visitors entered the gardens via Pitti Palace at the Piazza dei Pitti, but there is much quieter entrance/exit through the Forte di Belvedere that leads out onto a quiet, suburban street with open fields. Be warned that the gardens are closed to the first and last Monday of each month. Photo by: IceNineJon
