Friday 6 August 2010

Day 120

Day 120.Wed 28th July
Giardino Villa Gamberaia.

Frustrated by our last attempt to visit a garden that no longer exists we are extra keen to find this one, located in the Chianti hills overlooking Florence. The approach is heartstoppingly tight. The two-way road is so narrow in places we have to flatten the wing mirrors, breathe in and pray we meet no oncoming vehicles. Up the walled side of the Villa round a tight right turn that takes three attempts to negotiate. Finally down an even tighter short decent through a narrow tunnel under the garden itself. After three k of exclaiming “surely not” we have arrived. Entry though an avenue of cypresses the terrace of the house affords exceptional panoramas of Florence. Famed for it’s small but perfectly formed proportioned we have the place to ourselves for an hour. Honestly it’s a bit past its best and though very peaceful, some areas are the wrong side of gentile decay. The rave reviews this garden receives are from people staying in the villa and its at it best viewed from the first floor. As a paying visitor €12.00(more than the Uffizi)this is not a view we are afforded. Head into Florence to our favourite eating hole (Bolvadino) for another scrumptious lunch.
Great views over Florence.



1 comment:

  1. Which explains why the Italians drive the Cinqecento and not the Boggler Mk II (the approach, my dears, the approach!)

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