europeannovice

Hello again

Is one garden bigger more magnificent than the other? Is there a preference for one vs. the other? If we saw both is that duplication or each has its own merits? If so what sets each apart?

Thanks for your input.

bvlenci

They're very different. The garden at Villa d'Este is known for its water features, with around 50 fountains, besides waterfalls, pools,jets of water, and many other features, including a water organ.

The Boboli garden has fountains also, but it's more a large landscaped park. It's much more varied than the Villa d'Este garden, and I think it's a lot larger.

I think both are worth visiting, and there wouldn't be much duplication, but it depends on your tastes. Why don't you dig up some photos of both, on Google images, perhaps, or read descriptions in a guide book.

Dayle

I absolutely loved Villa d'Este and the fountains! A wonderland and the first real Renaissance garden Ive seen in Italy. Just what you picture a classic Renaissance garden should look like. The fountains are a delight. As I walked around, I noticed everyone was smiling....

The Boboli Gardens were a disappointment for me. We visited in March so there were no flowers and the gardens were somewhat unkempt. Ponds were in between season condition. Im sure the gardens would be much better from later in the Spring to Fall.

Yes both are very different so no duplication if you visit both.

bvlenci

I visited the Boboli Gardens on a very hot summer day, and I couldn't stay long because of the heat and lack of shade. It's an Italian-style garden, and flowers will never be a high point.

denisea

Villa d'Este is a fountain lover's dream. We were fortunate to visit during the evening (I think only possible in late summer). I want to go back in daylight.

I have not been to Boboli Gardens to make a comparison. But, I don't think you would regret visiting Villa d'Este. I thought it was spectacular.

We don't have a good camera so our photos are not very good (fountains at night need a much better camera than I have). I am sure I discussed Villa'dEste and nearby Hadrian's Villa in our trip report.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-hits-back.cfm

PalenQ

I absolutely loved the Villa d'Este water gardens (but don't go if there is a drought in the area) much more than the Boboli Gardens which were nice too.

and with the Villa d'Este you can also easily twin that visit with Hadrian's Villa ruins - just a few miles from Villa d'este and linked by frequent buses, which go onto Rome's metro line on the edge of Rome. I loved Hadrian's Villa - sans crowds of Pompeii and to me much more romantic.

Tivoli the town is a nice regional town as well - not a touristed town at all though it was during Roman days.

Jean

I think the only thing the Boboli Gardens has going for it is that it's a short walk from the historical center of Florence. OK, two things. There are some nice views of Florence from a few spots inside the BG.

Tivoli, Villa d'Este, Hadrian's Villa is a day trip. Don't commit if there's any chance of rain. Not all of the garden fountains are running all of the time. The last time we were there (a few years ago), there was a schedule at the entrance giving the fountain 'show' times. Or perhaps they would respond to an email...?

http://www.villadestetivoli.info/infoe.htm

letsgeaux

I have never been to the Boboli Gardens but I highly recommend Villa d'Este. We got a rental car on our second to last day in Rome, drove to Hadrian's Villa in the morning and spent the afternoon at Villa d'Este relaxing around the beautiful fountains while sitting on park benches or strolling the gar. We went on a cool March day when it was not crowded. This is a perfect way to take a nice break from a hectic travel schedule.

europeannovice

Thanks all for your replies. Sounds like they are each different and both worth seeing although maybe not so much in the heat of the summer.

Denisea--thanks for the link to the trip report and pictures! Glad you found your lost items!

Jean--thanks for the link to the site

BumbleB6

I loved strolling through the Boboli Gardens, but - I can see where someone not enamored of garden design or landscaping in general, would not be. ( I think my husband and daughter may have been really bored, but they were patient and polite about my wanting to visit... )
If you're going during the summer, yes, the Boboli can be very hot and there is little shade. And yes, some great vistas of Florence in a few parts.

This thread is convincing me I need to visit Tivoli and Villa d'este if/when I go to Rome next fall.

greg

They are not duplicates. Villa d'Este has more of interesting features. It is better maintained than the Boboli Gardens. Villa d'Este is harder to get to from Rome than the Boboli Gardnes from Florence, well it is in Florence.