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Discovering some of Florence's Secret Gardens
[Renee Gross]
It felt like an overnight change, but I realized it had been creeping up on me for awhile. A renewed anxiety should have been my first clue; the lady who usually greets me with a morning buon giorno nearly ran me off the sidewalk with her extra-hyper Chihuahua. Or maybe it should have come to fruition when I strolled down a familiar neighborhood street, turned the corner, and thought I might be completely lost. The half a dozen storefronts normally closed for a permanent siesta, were bustling with customers and serving-up huge dollops of melting gelato and hot nutella crepes. My suspicions were confirmed with a brisk walk down to the Duomo where I was immediately absorbed into a swelling crowd and pushy street vendors. The change I was noticing came from pent up energy; this erratic behavior could only be explained by a bad case of Florentine spring fever.Bikes rambling down the sidewalks, women wrestling overflowing bags of fresh produce, children dripping chocolate gelato down their cheeks, calico fans arriving at the stadium in droves, and flowers popping out of the ground after months of hibernation could only mean that Florence was on the brink of changing seasons. If you are like most youth in the springtime, you may find your hard earned euros are dwindling, but your spirit for entertainment and social life rejuvenated. Now is the opportune time to take advantage of Florences natural beauty and explore the secret gardens and parks that have gone unvisited all winter.
If its a hidden, neighborhood getaway you want then head for the Park of Villa Ventaglio, situated just northwest of the soccer stadium on Via Aldini, #12. This park caters to children and families by offering a clean, smoke-free, calico-free atmosphere. At the entrance you will be welcomed by a filed of wild flowers and a path that snakes its way up the Tuscan hillside. Numerous benches are scattered throughout the grounds, making this an ideal place for the booklover or daydreamer.
If one is more inclined towards convenience and temporary escape, there is a small garden only a short walk from the centro off San Borgo Pinti, 99 called Gardens Della Gherardesca. This garden, maintained by the City Council of Florence, features a small pond and tree-lined avenues. The backyard-type setting it suggests makes this a great after-lunch destination.
Lastly, the artist in each of us can be explored by taking a trip to the Horticultural Gardens in Via Bolognese, located north of Piazza Liberita. A rainbow-colored fountain in the shape of a lizard leads one up the stairs to an overlook of the city. This contemporary mosaic piece of art is a rare and unusual find amidst a city rooted in rich art history. There is also an inviting greenhouse whose warmth may beckon on chillier spring evenings.
Next time you find yourself wishing for a simple getaway grab your sunglasses, a bottle of wine, a good book, and a few friends to explore an afternoon basking in the natural beauty of Tuscany.
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