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An Italian Secret Garden

The tiny, unknown town of Ninfa, Italy (about 44 miles from Rome) was virtually abandoned 600 years ago. At its peak it had about 2,000 residents before it was destroyed by Pope Clement VII after a civil war.

Before its last heir died in 1977, she left the crumbling town and its gardens to two foundations who have revived its cypress trees and roses growing over ancient bridges and medieval towers.

Ninfa and its illustrious gardens are now open to the public from April through November and small groups are permitted to tour the 'enchanted' garden with its orange and banana trees and imported international flowers.

Aaaaah...we say sounds like something out of a fairy tale.

The best way to get there is via train to Latina from Rome, and then catch a taxi to the gardens. For tickets and groups tours call the Fondazione Caetani , 011 39 06 68803231, or the World Wide Fund for Nature, 011 39 06 84497206 (ancient gardeners don't believe in websites we guess...)

Related Stories:
·   Once it was a ruin. Now it's a beautiful garden [Christian Science Monitor]