Located in the hillside village of Settignano just outside Florence, Villa Gamberaia is one of Italy’s most exquisite estates, renowned above all for its remarkable gardens.
Built in the early 1600s by Florentine noble Zanobi Lapi, the Villa reflects the classical ideals of harmony and proportion that defined the Renaissance. Over time it passed through various hands, including Romanian princess Jeanne Ghyka who reshaped the gardens in the early 20th century. The result is a masterpiece, with its iconic water parterre, cypress alleys and terraces overlooking the Arno Valley.
In this video tour, Kate Bolton-Porciatti opens the gates to this historic estate to explore the Villa’s layered history, wandering through its celebrated gardens, and sharing why it remains a place of inspiration for artists, architects and dreamers alike.
Kate Bolton-Porciatti (MPhil.) is a professor of Italian cultural history at the Istituto Lorenzo de’Medici in Florence, where she teaches BA and MA courses in the humanities. Learn more here https://academytravel.com.au/tour-leader-kate-bolton-porciatti