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The Guardian - UK

Travel

Guardian readers

‘Pillars, pergolas, palms and pines’: readers’ favourite gardens in Europe

Garden on Lake Como, Italy — ‘One of the most beautiful places I’ve visited’ … the gardens of Villa Monastero on Lake Como at Varenna. Photograph: LaraIrimeeva/Getty Images

Lake Como scented with citrus and herbs

Varenna is the perfect Italian village, from its hilltop castle to the shore of Lake Como. Easily accessible by train or ferry, it is host to a spectacular botanic garden. The meandering Passeggiata degli Innamorati – the Lovers’ Footpath – brings you in 20 minutes from the ferry to Villa Monastero (entry €10, open March-November). With pillars and pergolas, palm trees and pines framing views of the deep blue lake and mountains beyond, scented by citrus and herbs, the garden is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. And there’s a bar. Perfect happiness.
Maartje Scheltens

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