Here's Where You Can Find Paradise In Italy

By Luisa Taliento

AMALFI: SILENCE AND LEMON TREES

You walk barefoot on the lawn to the terraces overlooking the sea. No one knows what’s above or below. The ancient terracing technique created vertical green labyrinths protected by hedges, cultivated gardens, and pergolas laden with oranges and lemons that glisten like natural lamps under the blue skies of Amalfi. Hotel Santa Caterina is a floral hotel that is essentially visible only from the sea, set in the rocky cliff overlooking the water (tel. +39 089 871012, hotelsantacaterina.it). The hotel has become famous for its legendary privacy. People disappear into this green maze of suites, villas and chalets, with a heated infinity edge pool. What remains is the atmosphere of the romantic garden.

SCLAFAGNI BAGNI: SICILIAN SCENTS

There are no spectacular backdrops, interplays of perspective, visual tricks. The Tenuta Regaleali, in the hills southeast of Palermo, is the pure essence of Sicily, and this is also why it is part of the “Great Italian Gardens” circuit. 

You can explore it on foot, by bike or on horseback, filling your lungs with the scent of oregano from the Iblei Mountains, basil from the Madonie, jasmine and Banks’ roses. It’s hard to resist picking fruit from the fig, medlar and quince trees, or tasting the grapes along the geometric rows of vines owned by the Tasca d’Almerita family. 

Intense days are the prelude to pure relaxation at the iconic farm, which is still productive, and when you wake up in the morning you’ll get a taste of what is done every day in a country garden (tel. + 39 0921 544011, tascadalmerita.it).