Island oasis, Ischia, Italy
La Mortella is a special garden that we visited on the island of Ischia in the Bay of Naples. It is a wonderland of exotic plants, created in 1958 by the Argentinian Susana Walton. Incredibly lush were the hanging orchids, and the experience was full of other delights, including the largest water lilies I have ever seen. We were led by the receptionist (with a talking parrot) to the cafe, where we enjoyed fantastic food and then a concert of music written by Susana’s husband, Sir William. The gardens are open from March 30 to November 3 (entrance €12) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Our memories consist of music, food and beautiful surroundings.
David Innes-Wilkin
Bloom with a view, Ravello, Italy
Majestic above the Amalfi Coast, south of Naples, lie the gardens of Villa Cimbrone. The splendor of the site has been celebrated since the 11th century and the gardens are teeming with roses and hydrangeas, creating a captivating scent. You can easily immerse yourself in it for a few hours and the €10 entrance fee is more than reasonable. The backdrop of the sea far below, combined with the gardens, creates the perfect photo opportunities. That is why the villa, now a luxury hotel, is a much sought-after wedding location.
Jillian Addison
Tips from Guardian Travel readers
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A perennial favorite near Munich
The Sichtungsgarten Weihenstephan is a beautiful, peaceful garden in Freising (north of Munich) that also serves as an educational tool for gardeners and designers. Created in 1947 by horticultural scientist Richard Hansen, the gardens are maintained by the university and test beds demonstrate exemplary plant combinations, especially with perennials (there are 4,000 varieties here). Varieties are monitored for their resistance to climate change, diseases and pests. The collections include beautiful peonies, hydrangeas, asters, hazels, rock garden plants and more. It’s a must see garden: I wish there were more gardens like this in Britain. Free entrance.
Sarah Collings
Where I found peace in Paris
I visited Parc de Bagatelle – one of Paris’ four botanical gardens – in the center of the Bois de Boulogne last May, and it was so beautiful. There is a castle, a rose garden with 10,000 rose plants and a beautiful pond with water lilies. The location is not really touristy, so you can spend a few quiet and relaxing hours there. In addition to a 19th-century Chinese pagoda, there are caves, man-made waterfalls and ponds, as well as an elegant restaurant. The park and castle were built in just over two months in 1775 following a bet between Queen Marie Antoinette and her brother-in-law, Charles, Count of Artois.
Katy Burns
Spring flowers and sea view, Sweden
The garden of Sofiero Castle in Helsingborg was designed by Margaret of Connaught, Crown Princess of Sweden and granddaughter of Queen Victoria. In the early years of the 20th century she used her knowledge of plants and experience of English parks (she was born in Bagshot Park, Surrey) to help create a beautiful garden, more or less on a slope towards the coast, where the mountains of rhododendrons attract crowds in the spring. Nowadays many events are organized to promote interest in gardening: tulip days in April-May and garden days with lectures and exhibitions in August, when the dahlia area is particularly colorful. From the coast you can wave to Hamlet’s castle in Denmark.
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On the tiles, Cádiz, Spain
The small park – called the Walk of Carlos III – next to Cádiz’s boulevard is full of palm trees and formal beds. The smell of orange trees fills the air. A beautiful fountain lined with traditional blue and white designs takes center stage within a geometric design with black and white tiled walkways flowing into courtyards. Neat hedges frame flower beds full of bird of paradise flowers and topiary. The purple flowers of the jacaranda trees fall down trees laden with oranges. The twisting roots of a banyan tree escape across a courtyard. The sound of waves crashing against the sea wall and the screech of green parakeets can be heard throughout the free park.
Wendy Mahe
Moorish bathhouse bloom in Palma, Mallorca
While walking after lunch through the back streets of Palma we came across 10th century Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs). A narrow, shady entrance led unexpectedly into a beautiful, lush, walled garden filled with geraniums and ferns spilling out of their terracotta pots, enormous palms providing much-needed shade, and flowers blooming from the many nooks and crannies that adorned the space . Porches and other remains of the Moorish bathhouse are interwoven with the greenery, as has been the case since the 10th century. Sit down, take a deep breath and enjoy the view. A real treat.
Susie
Festival of Gardens, Loire Valley, France
The annual Garden Festival at Chateau Chaumont (entrance €15) in the Loire Valley is the centerpiece of a great garden holiday. This year’s theme is Jardin Source de Vie, highlighting the importance of insects for life in gardens and for all of us. The festival runs from April to October and is always quirky, original and enjoyable. There are many gardens nearby that you can visit. Formal castle gardens such as Villandry; the more informal, picturesque Prieurié St Cosme, home of the 16th-century poet Ronsard; the Château de Amboise, with installations inspired by Leonardo de Vinci, who lived his last years at the nearby Clos Lucé; and the private Jardin de Sasnières in its small valley fed by springs and waterfalls. I recommend staying in Blois at the 16th century inn Hotel Cote Loire.
Steve
Buddhas between the buds, Portugal
About an hour north of Lisbon, near Bombarral, lies one of the largest oriental gardens in Europe, covering an area of 35 hectares. Bacalhôa Buddha Eden exceeds everything you might imagine in this quiet part of the Silver Coast. There are formal gardens, statues and works of art that transition effortlessly from one culture to another. Golden Buddhas, pagodas, lakes and an African garden with sculptures dedicated to the Shona people are among the highlights. Admission is €6.
Lynn Walker
Winning tip: Cacti and coastal views, Costa Brava, Spain
In the seaside town of Blanes, high on the cliffs but within walking distance of the town, you will find the beautiful Marimurtra Jardi Botanic (entrance €8). Founded in 1924, Marimurtra was the work of Carl Faust, a humanist German businessman with a passion for Catalonia and nature. There is a statue of him in the city on the boulevard, overlooking his beloved gardens. The gardens are filled with beautiful plants, bamboo, cacti and otherworldly looking air plants hanging from the trees offering views over the Costa. Look out over the sea and see the Catalan flags standing boldly on the rugged peaks. Stop here in the small café for a glass of cava and buy some mel de flos from the gift shop. Walk on to Cala de Sant Francesc for a swim and the start of the Camí de Ronda coastal walk, or back to Blanes for tapas.
Laura Carr
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