16 July 2015
A journey through Great Italian Gardens with your family!
Dear readers,
some gardens are especially interesting to take children (and grand children) to. The first one that comes to my mind is of course Parco di Pinocchio. It's just off the motorway ‘Austrada del Sole' on your way from Florence to the sea. It is in a small village where Carlo Lorenzini (the real name of the author of Pinnocchio, Collodi!) was born. The garden was designed by the famous Italian garden designer Pietro Porcinai and children absolutely love it there. It's a fairy tale come true! Have a look at the film we produced there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25tZ55-e8cA.
Just across the road you can't miss taking them to see one of the most important Historical gardens in Italy: Giardino Storico Garzoni. It was built in the seventeenth century it is formidable! Do remember though not to go in the middle of the day: its far too hot and it would mean you wouldn't be able to get them to climb up to the top of the garden. Entering the garden is like going to the theatre! The scenery is made up of fountains, statues, and if its not too hot it's fun walking up the steep staircases and decovering the different walks coming down. Mr Pier Francesco Bernacchi, one of the best administrators of Parks and Gardens in Italy, has recently added on a fascinating Butterfly House and is organizing a splendid Flower Show. The area is ofcourse one of the most important plant producers in Europe. All my admiration for the owner who has spent a fortune on restauration for our benefit and that of future generations.
Another super place to take children is Castello di Grazzano Visconti (Piacenza). It is a medieval remake built by Duke Visconti di Modrone . Super lunches in the village and the family garden still has a childrens dolls hut, where generations of dukes and duchesses fooled around during their summer holidays. Plan to have lunch there, the children will be free to run around while you tuck into splendid local ham, salami and pasta.
Just have a look at the events on this week just in case you are on Holiday nearby!
Judith Wade
some gardens are especially interesting to take children (and grand children) to. The first one that comes to my mind is of course Parco di Pinocchio. It's just off the motorway ‘Austrada del Sole' on your way from Florence to the sea. It is in a small village where Carlo Lorenzini (the real name of the author of Pinnocchio, Collodi!) was born. The garden was designed by the famous Italian garden designer Pietro Porcinai and children absolutely love it there. It's a fairy tale come true! Have a look at the film we produced there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25tZ55-e8cA.
Just across the road you can't miss taking them to see one of the most important Historical gardens in Italy: Giardino Storico Garzoni. It was built in the seventeenth century it is formidable! Do remember though not to go in the middle of the day: its far too hot and it would mean you wouldn't be able to get them to climb up to the top of the garden. Entering the garden is like going to the theatre! The scenery is made up of fountains, statues, and if its not too hot it's fun walking up the steep staircases and decovering the different walks coming down. Mr Pier Francesco Bernacchi, one of the best administrators of Parks and Gardens in Italy, has recently added on a fascinating Butterfly House and is organizing a splendid Flower Show. The area is ofcourse one of the most important plant producers in Europe. All my admiration for the owner who has spent a fortune on restauration for our benefit and that of future generations.
Another super place to take children is Castello di Grazzano Visconti (Piacenza). It is a medieval remake built by Duke Visconti di Modrone . Super lunches in the village and the family garden still has a childrens dolls hut, where generations of dukes and duchesses fooled around during their summer holidays. Plan to have lunch there, the children will be free to run around while you tuck into splendid local ham, salami and pasta.
Just have a look at the events on this week just in case you are on Holiday nearby!
Judith Wade
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In the morning light, I remembered how much I loved the sound of wind through the trees. I laid back and closed my eyes, and I was comforted by the sound of a million tiny leaves dancing on a summer morning.- Patrick Carman - |
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