From a email written by a traveler:
Through a palazzo entry on the Via de’ Bardi is the entry to the newly-opened Bardini Gardens. Right beyond the Via de’ Bardi, which is one block across the Arno, the hills begin to rise up steeply to where the old fort is located at the back of the Boboli Gardens. The entire hillside – I’d guess 20 acres – is composed of formal and semi-formal gardens.
None of this has been open to the public – ever. It has been restored over five years or so and just opened within the last few months. Statues, fountains, rivulets, massive and mini stairways, plazas, and perches. Trees and other flora of every conceivable variety. Plus . . . and this is a stunning plus . . . closeup views of the whole city. The views are like being swept on a magic carpet from San Miniato al monte so close to the city that you feel you can reach out and touch the Duomo. The gardens are peaceful, beautiful, fanciful, stunning, thrilling, eccentric, and a joy.
From the back of the Bardini Gardens you can go down a short block and through a back gate into the Boboli Gardens. Liz and I truly loved the Bardini Gardens. Fortunately we forgot to bring our camera. We would have wasted our time trying to take thousands of pictures. As Ama’s mother said, “Pictures not enough.” You need to go there. “Web site not enough” either, and the Web site pictures don’t approach what the eye sees, but there is a Web site.
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