An Overview of the Garden

 If you typically visit the northern part of Italy for short ski breaks in the Alps, you’ll want to add a warm weather trip to see the breathtaking beauty of Verona’s Giardino Giusti. “Giardino” is Italian for “garden” and this beautiful, renaissance garden is named for the noble Giusti family who began overseeing its care in 1591. The layout of the garden was originally designed by Augustino Giusti and the fountains, maze, grottoes and statues added in the 16^th century are still there today.

 Things to See

 Whether you walk the gardens or view them from what’s known as the “monster balcony”, you’re sure to be drawn by the Italianate mix of natural and sculpted vegetation. Well-known for its great cypress trees, Giardino Giusti is one of Verona’s jewels and a peaceful and pretty place for a leisurely stroll. If you’re a shutterbug, take your camera to the far end of the garden where a short uphill climb brings you to a spot where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the City of Love.

 Immortalized in Writing

 German writer and poet, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe visited the gardens in the 18^th century and later immortalized its cypress trees in his writing. Mozart was also inspired by the beauty of Giardino Giusti, as have been members of royal families worldwide. These famous visitors were likely to enjoy the same activities while visiting the garden, which is just a few minutes’ walk away from the city center. As you stroll the gardens, navigate the labyrinth or relax beneath the trees it’s easy to imagine kings, queens and dignitaries walking through the gardens, too.

 Garden Legends

 Local legend has it that if two lovers can find one another in the small labyrinth adjacent to the gardens they are destined to remain together for life. Whether you visit with your true love or your children, you’ll have fun taking in the beauty of the sculpted myrtle hedges that have maintained the labyrinth for more than 500 years.

 Visiting Giardino Giusti

 Many travelers visit Verona, Italy to see the Arena, walk the marble streets or visit Casa di Giuletta—the balcony and garden area made famous by Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. But tourists and locals alike are delighted by the enchanting beauty of Giardino Giusti. Those traveling through the area will be glad they set aside time to visit the gardens, find their way through the maze and take in the city of Verona with a bird’s eye view.

 Giardino Giusti is open all-year round, starting at 9am and closing at 8pm in the summertime and at sunset in the winter. Although the garden is lush and gorgeous during the warmer months of April through September, the best time to see them without the crowds is during the spring. A 5 Euro entrance fee allows you to stroll the gardens or relax on one of its benches for the entire day.

 Guest post contributed by Mary Ylisela, who writes for Chalet Finder.co.uk. Find ski chalets in Italy in the likes of Val Gardena, Cervinia and Courmayeur.