One of the prettiest places in Florence, with incredible views of the city, is Giardino Bardini.  Here are a few of my fav photos I took last summer of the garden and its views.

Here comes the first view of the Duomo dome as one walks up and into the garden.

And here is a view of Santa Croce with it’s campanile at the back and its white marble encrusted facade at the front (left in picture below).

Here’s a zoomed in shot of Santa Croce from Bardini garden.

Now I am high enough in the garden to photograph the actual garden, for now some of it is below me.

Turning around, here’s the garden terrace above me.  Those Renaissance landscape architects sure knew how to make use of a hill when creating a garden!

I mean, really, how lovely is this garden?  I love this shot below.  The sky is so dramatic!

Some blooming dahlias in the garden.  Flowers are not a big part of Italian (or French) formal garden design.

Here is the path I am following.  Gorgeous architectural and horticultural details all along the way to keep you intrigued.

And it may be a hot summer day and you make have pea gravel in your sandals.  You may find the passage challenging because it is mostly uphill (because it is).  But then, there’s this:

What a view!

Come back soon for part 2 of this garden tour.  Ciao!

then, lucky you!  You might want to check out some of the extraordinary programming at Villa La Pietra near Florence.

Maybe I’ll see you there!

http://lapietra.nyu.edu/events/