The Gardens of Lucca Itinery for a tour of gardens in Tuscany. Useful because it has links to the gardens' websites.

http://www.castellodelcatajo.it/ many terraces as the garden is built on a hillside. Magnolias all round the lake. Garden is a bit on the wild side and you need to push your way through the overgrown vegetation. If you can pass through the maze and find the pond and bathing hut you are doing well

http://www.mega.it/eng/egui/index.htm List of gardens, places, photos in and around the city of Florence

http://www.ischia.it/mortella/index1uk.htm founded by William Walton, an English composer and designed by Russell Page an eminent landscape archtect

http://www.villarvedi.it/ on the Bretna Riviera where the Venetian royalty built their villas.

http://www.villacarlotta.it/ On Lake Como, nicely laid out garden to wander round. Flower beds, hedges, small woodland path at rear of house. Rhododendrons, azaleas and roses. Photos

http://www.bergerfoundation.ch/Jardin/jardin-este_english.html an excellent site with loads of pics and historical information