by Island oasis, Ischia, Italy
La Mortella is an unusual garden that we visited on the island of Ischia in the Bay of Naples. It is a marvel of exotic plants, created by Susana Walton from Argentina in 1958. The hanging orchids were stunning, and the experience was full of other delights such as the largest lily pads I have ever seen. The receptionist led us (with a talking parrot) to the cafe, where we enjoyed excellent food and then a concert featuring music written by Susana’s husband, Sir William. The gardens are open from 30 March to 3 November (admission €12) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. It is our memory of music, food and glorious surroundings.
David Innes-Wilkin
Bloom with a view, Ravello, Italy
Sitting majestically above the Amalfi coast, south of Naples, are the Villa Cimbrone Gardens. The site’s splendor has been celebrated since at least the 11th century, and the gardens are awash with roses and hydrangeas – creating an alluring fragrance. You can easily immerse yourself 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 opportunity, which is why the villa, now a luxury hotel, is a popular wedding venue.
Jillian Addison
Tips from Guardian Travel readers
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A perennial favorite near Munich
The Sichtungsgarten Weihenstephan in Freising (north of Munich) is a beautiful, peaceful garden that also serves as an educational resource for gardeners and designers. The gardens, started by horticulturist Richard Hansen in 1947, are maintained by the university, and the trial beds display exemplary combinations of plants, especially perennials (there are 4,000 varieties here). Varieties are monitored for their resistance to climate change, disease and pests. Collections include stunning peonies, hydrangeas, asters, hazel, rock garden plants and more. It is a must see garden: I wish there were more like this in the UK. Free entry.
Sarah Collings
Where I found peace in Paris
I visited Parc de Bagatelle – one of the four botanical gardens in Paris – in the middle of the Bois de Boulogne last May, and it was so beautiful. There is a chateau, a rose garden with 10,000 rose plants and a glorious pond with water lilies. The site is not really tourist heavy so you can spend a few relaxing and relaxing hours there. As well as a 19th century Chinese pagoda there are caves, artificial waterfalls and ponds, as well as an elegant restaurant. The park and its chateau were created in just over two months in 1775 after a bet between Queen Marie Antoinette and her brother-in-law, Charles, Count of Artois.
Katy Burns
Spring flowers and sea views, Sweden
The garden of Sofiero castle in Helsingborg was planned by Margaret of Connacht, 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 stunning garden more or less sloping down to the coast, where there are mountains of rhododendrons. draw a crowd in the spring. Today many events are organized to promote interest in gardening: tulip days in April-May and garden days with lectures and demonstrations in August, when the dahlia area is particularly beautiful. From the coast you can surf at Hamlet’s castle in Denmark.
As
On the tiles, Cádiz, Spain
The small park – called Carlos III Walk – next to the promenade at Cádiz is filled with palm trees and formal beds. The smell of orange trees fills the air. Impressive fountains edged in traditional blue-and-white designs are central to a geometric design with black-and-white tiled walkways leading out to the courtyards. Neat hedges frame flower beds full of bird of paradise flowers and topiary. The purple flowers of the jacaranda trees fall down alongside trees laden with oranges. The tangled roots of milk trees escape across a yard. The sound of the waves against the sea wall and the squawks of the green parakeets can be heard throughout the free park.
Wendy Mahe
Bloomhouse Moorish blooms in Palma, Mallorca
On a post-lunch meander through the back streets of Palma we came across the 10th century Arab baths (Banys Àrabs). A narrow shaded entrance led unexpectedly to a beautiful garden with lush walls dotted with geraniums and ferns overflowing their terracotta pots, giant palms providing much needed shade, and flowers growing from the many nooks and crannies that decorate the space. Porticos and other remains of the Moorish bath house are interwoven with the greenhouse, as they are from the 10th century. Take your seat, take a breath and take in the view. A real treat.
Sit
Festival of gardens, Loire Valley, France
The annual Garden Festival of the Chateau Chaumont (admission €15) in the Loire Valley will be the centerpiece of a wonderful garden holiday. This year’s theme is Jardin Source de Vie, highlighting the importance of insects to garden life, and to all of us. Held from April to October, the festival is always quirky, original and enjoyable. There are many gardens to visit nearby. Formal chateau gardens such as Villandry; the more informal and picturesque Prieurié St Cosme, home of the 16th-century poet Ronsard; the chateau de Amboise, with installations inspired by Leonardo de Vinci, who spent his last years at nearby Clos Lucé; and the privately owned Jardin de Sasnières is a small valley fed by springs and waterfalls. I would recommend staying in Blois at the 16th century Hotel Cote Loire.
Stephen
Buddhas among the buds, Portugal
About an hour north of Lisbon, near Bombarral, there is one of the largest oriental gardens in Europe, at 35 hectares. Bacalhôa Buddha Eden is beyond your imagination in this quiet area of the Silver Coast. There are formal gardens, sculptures and works of art that cross easily from one culture to another. Highlights include golden buddhas, pagodas, lakes and an African garden with statues dedicated to the Shona people. Admission is €6.
Lynn Walker
Winning tip: Cacti and coastal views, Costa Brava, Spain
In the beach town of Blanes, high on the cliffs but within walking distance of town, you’ll find the beautiful Botany Marimurtra Jardi (admission €8). Marimurtra, created in 1924, was the work of Carl Faust, a humanitarian German businessman with a passion for Catalonia and nature. There is a statue in town on the promenade of him looking up at his beloved gardens. Filled with glorious plants, bamboo, cacti and air plants that look otherworldly clinging to the trees, the gardens have views across the Costa. Look out over the sea and see the Catalan flags standing bravely on the rugged peaks. Stop here at the little cafe for a glass of cava and buy some mel de flors from the gift shop. Walk further to Cala de Sant Francesc for a swim and start the Camí de Ronda coastal walk, or back to Blanes for tapas.
Laura Carr
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