Our Italian Garden Tour is a relaxed journey through Italy’s most beautiful historic gardens, lakes and villas, with a maximum of 12 guests.
“Thank you for such a wonderful Gardens Tour. It is obvious that a lot of thought and planning went into our itinerary, which was perfect. I have to say it exceeded my expectations! The hotels were fabulous… and of course, the gardens — all beautiful, all varied and interesting.”
— Jennifer, 2026
Our Great Gardens of Italy Tour 2027 is a carefully curated 15-day small group journey through some of Italy’s most beautiful historic gardens. Embracing a slow-travel philosophy, we spend at least three nights in each location, allowing time to properly enjoy the Renaissance gardens of Tuscany, the grand estates of Lazio, and the lakeside gardens of Como and Maggiore at the height of spring.
Tour Dates and Prices
11 – 25 April 2027
AUD 10, 970 per person (double/twin-share)
AUD 12, 970 per person (solo traveller)
Tour Highlights
– An exclusive visit to Giardino di Ninfa, described by Monty Don as the most romantic garden in the world.
– A guided exploration of the Barberini Gardens at Castel Gandolfo, the traditional summer residence of the Pope.
– A private tour of the Torrigiani Gardens in Florence, one of Europe’s largest privately owned city gardens.
– A vineyard visit and tasting in Franciacorta, introducing you to one of Italy’s most respected sparkling wine regions.
– Time to explore the lakeside gardens of Villa Carlotta and Villa Melzi on Lake Como.
– Three nights in Bellagio, allowing you to experience the Italian Lakes at a relaxed pace.
– The baroque gardens and palace of Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore.
– Regional cuisine and wines throughout, including Slow Food restaurants and a visit to a traditional balsamic vinegar producer.
Enquire about the Italian Garden Tour 2027
If you would like more information about our 2027 Great Gardens of Italy tour, or wish to enquire about availability, please click the Enquire Now button below and complete our contact form. We will respond promptly with full details, including the itinerary and booking information.
15 Day Italian Gardens Itinerary
Days 1 – 4 – Rome and the gardens of Lazio
Your 2027 Italian garden journey begins in Rome, where layers of history sit alongside some of the most refined green spaces in Europe. Over these first days, you will explore the gardens of Lazio, discovering how landscape design evolved from the Roman Empire through to the Renaissance.
At the Papal Gardens of Castel Gandolfo, the summer residence of the Pope, formal plantings and sweeping views over Lake Albano create a setting of remarkable calm. At Villa Adriana, Emperor Hadrian’s vast imperial retreat, pools and fountains reflect the architectural ambition of ancient Rome, framed by Mediterranean plantings.
In Tivoli, the theatrical fountains of Villa d’Este remain one of the great achievements of Renaissance hydraulic engineering. A contrasting experience awaits at Giardino di Ninfa, where ruins, waterways and spring-flowering plants combine to create a garden that feels almost painterly. In April, the balance of blossom, climbing roses and fresh foliage gives Ninfa a softness that sets the tone for the journey ahead.
Days 5 – 8 Florence and the gardens of Tuscany
Florence introduces the Renaissance ideals that shaped garden design across Italy. Behind the Pitti Palace, the Boboli Gardens demonstrate symmetry, perspective and scale, with avenues, sculpture and grottoes arranged as outdoor theatre.
At the Giardino Bardini, terraces open to wide views over the city, offering a quieter counterpoint to Florence’s busier streets. A private visit to the Torrigiani Garden provides rare access to one of Europe’s largest privately owned urban gardens, where centuries-old trees, rare species and architectural follies reflect changing horticultural tastes.
Beyond the city, the refined proportions of Villa Gamberaia show Renaissance design at its most balanced and intimate. Here, clipped hedges, water features and long vistas demonstrate the enduring Tuscan approach to harmonising architecture and landscape.
Days 9 – 11 – Verona and the villas of the Veneto
In Verona, elegance and restraint define the city’s historic gardens. The 16th-century Giardino Giusti rises above the city in cypress-lined terraces, with sculpted hedges, classical statues and long perspectives framing views over terracotta rooftops and the Adige River.
Beyond the city, the Veneto countryside reveals another dimension of Italian garden design. At Villa Pojega, laid out in the late eighteenth century, formal terraces, geometric parterres and the celebrated green theatre demonstrate how gardens were designed not only for beauty but also for social life and performance. The garden’s structure reflects Enlightenment ideals, integrating architecture and landscape.
You will also visit Parco Giardino Sigurtà, where wide lawns, avenues of trees and reflective water features create one of northern Italy’s most expansive garden parks. Its open scale provides a contrast to the more enclosed Renaissance gardens visited earlier in the tour.
These days in the Veneto allow time to appreciate the quieter rhythms of provincial Italy, where historic villas, vineyards and cultivated landscapes sit comfortably within their natural surroundings.
Days 12 -15 – The Italian Lakes and their ionic gardens
The final stage of the tour unfolds among the lakes of northern Italy, where mountain backdrops and temperate microclimates support some of the country’s most dramatic lakeside gardens.
Based in Bellagio, you will explore the celebrated gardens of Villa Carlotta, known for spring azaleas, camellias and mature trees that frame lake views. Nearby, Villa Melzi combines neoclassical architecture with gently sloping lawns and sculptural plantings that reach to the water’s edge.
On Lake Maggiore, Isola Bella presents a striking baroque composition of terraces, statuary and exotic species set against open water. The garden’s formal structure, softened by its lakeside setting, provides a fitting conclusion to a journey through Italy’s most influential and beautiful historic landscapes.
Guests visiting Villa Melzi on Lake Como during our 2026 Great Gardens of Italy tour
Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore
Giardino di Ninfa, outside Rome
Villa d’Este, Tivoli
Accommodation
Throughout our Great Gardens of Italy Tour 2027, we select boutique, character-filled properties that reflect the style and history of each region. As is typical with heritage hotels in Italy, room layouts and features can vary. All rooms are comfortable and well-appointed, though size, outlook and configuration may differ slightly from room to room.
Occasionally, a hotel may be substituted for another property of a similar standard and location. Any alternative hotel will always reflect the quality and style you expect from Italian Tours.
Rome
In Rome, we stay at the centrally located Hotel Nazionale on Piazza Montecitorio. This historic property offers an excellent base for exploring the city, with many major landmarks within easy walking distance.
Florence
In Florence, we stay at one of two centrally located boutique hotels; the Hotel Il Guelfo Bianco or Hotel de la Ville. Both offer warm hospitality and an ideal location for visiting Florence’s museums, gardens, and historic streets.
Verona
In Verona, our base is the historic Hotel Colomba d’Oro. Located near the Roman Arena, this refined hotel combines classical character with modern comfort, making it well-suited for exploring the city and the surrounding villas and gardens.
Lake Como
For the final stage of the tour, we stay in Bellagio at the Hotel Florence. With its waterfront position and traditional elegance, it offers a relaxed setting from which to discover the lakeside gardens of Como and Maggiore.
What’s included?
– Fourteen nights’ accommodation in boutique, character-filled hotels
– Daily breakfast
– Selected lunches and dinners in carefully chosen regional restaurants
– All garden and villa entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary
– Private and specialist garden guides at selected gardens
– Wine tasting in Franciacorta
– Visit to a traditional balsamic vinegar producer
– Comfortable, air-conditioned transport throughout the tour
– Boat transfers on the Italian Lakes as included in the programme
– Services of an experienced Italian Tours Tour Leader throughout
What’s not included?
– International airfares
– Travel insurance
– Meals not listed in the itinerary
– Optional activities during free time
– Personal expenses
Why visit Italy’s gardens with Italian Tours?
Our Great Gardens of Italy tour is designed for travellers who value thoughtful planning, small group travel and time to properly experience each place. With a maximum of 12 guests and stays of three or more nights in each location, you can settle in and enjoy the gardens without feeling rushed.
We combine expert local guides, carefully selected boutique hotels and well-paced itineraries to give context and depth to what you are seeing. It is a balanced, well-organised way to experience Italy’s most significant historic gardens in spring.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many people are in the group?
We travel with a maximum of 12 guests. This small group size keeps the tour relaxed and manageable, and allows access to gardens and historic properties that cannot accommodate larger groups.
What level of mobility is required?
This is our most physically active itinerary. Many of the gardens are extensive, with gravel paths, slopes, and steps, and some days involve sustained walking. Guests should be steady on their feet and comfortable walking longer distances at a moderate pace. If you are unsure, please contact us, and we can discuss the details with you.
Are flights included?
No. International airfares are not included. Many guests choose to arrive in Italy a few days early or extend their stay at the end of the tour.
Is this tour suitable for solo travellers?
Yes. Solo travellers are very welcome and often form a significant part of each departure. Travelling in a small group offers an easy and sociable way to experience Italy’s gardens.
What does the single supplement include?
The single supplement provides a double room for sole use for the duration of the tour. As we stay in boutique hotels in historic centres, room sizes and layouts can vary, though all are selected for comfort and location.
Where does the tour begin?
The tour begins in Rome. Most guests arrive via Rome Fiumicino Airport or by high-speed train from another Italian city.
Where does the tour finish?
The tour concludes in Bellagio on Lake Como. On the final morning, a group transfer is provided to Milan Malpensa Airport and Milano Centrale railway station.
Can dietary requirements be accommodated?
Yes. Most dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice. Please advise us at the time of booking so we can notify our hotels and restaurants.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory for all guests travelling with Italian Tours.
Other small group tours to Italy
If our Great Gardens of Italy tour is not the right fit for you this year, we offer a range of other small group journeys across Italy. Each itinerary features boutique accommodation, carefully chosen local experiences and the same relaxed, well-paced approach that defines Italian Tours. We invite you to explore our other tours below.
ITALIAN LAKES DISCOVERY TOUR
9 days
May & September 2027
Lake Maggiore & Lake Como
Experience the elegance of northern Italy on a relaxed small-group journey to Lake Maggiore and Lake Como. Explore historic villas and lakeside towns, enjoy scenic drives, and unwind amid some of Italy’s most beautiful landscapes.
PUGLIA SMALL GROUP TOUR
15 days
April, May and September 2027
Lecce, Valle d’Itria, Gargano & Polignano a Mare
Explore the Baroque beauty of Lecce, the whitewashed hilltowns of the Valle d’Itria and the dramatic coastline of Polignano a Mare. Enjoy boutique stays, regional food and wine, and a relaxed journey through Italy’s sunny south.
What our clients say about the Great Gardens of Italy Tour
I just wanted to email you to thank you for such a wonderful Gardens Tour I have just finished. It is obvious that a lot of thought and planning went into our itinerary, which was perfect. I have to say it exceeded my expectations!
The hotels were fabulous, especially their locations. My room at Bellagio was like a dream. The restaurants you chose were all excellent, with a shout out to La Busa.
And of course, the gardens – all beautiful, all varied and interesting.
And Martina was a lovely guide, so warm and friendly. The group of ladies were lovely too, and everyone got on well together.
Thank you, and I will certainly be recommending Italian Tours to my friends.
Jennifer Jarman, The Great Gardens of Italy Tour 2026