Lisa's WOW - The Boboli Gardens, Florence
The Boboli Gardens are not part of the official tour. They are, however, a suggested Rick Steves sight and should not be missed.
The Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens are part of the same estate. Once home to the last Grand Dukes of Tuscany - the Medici family - the palace is now a museum. It sits at the lowest part of the grounds with the hills of the garden rolling behind.
The gardens are quiet and serene, which is amazing when you consider they are situated in the middle of Florence. It's an uphill walk; but a leisurely one. The paths take you past beautiful sculptures, fountains, a labryinth of well-manicured shrubs, lawns and trees. At each landing, you can't help but to turn and look at the palace and rooftops below.
At the top, there are a set of double winding steps (not too many) that lead to the terrace of the Pitti Porcelain museum. I read somewhere, after the tour, that this patio is the highest point of the estate. Had I realized that when we were visiting, I might have had an expectation of what I would see at the top. I am glad I didn't, though, because as I stepped from the staircase, I found myself gazing out at the most breathtaking view of Tuscany imaginable.
To say Italy is beautiful would be an understatement, but this was the countryside that came to mind when we booked the trip. This is the landscape I didn't realize I had been waiting to see.
This was my "WOW" moment.
