WE ENJOYED THE GARDENS AT VILLA D'ESTE ON OUR TRIP TO ITALY IN JULY
...MADE YOU WANT TO PEE THOUGH WITH ALL THE WATER FEATURES! GREAT ON SUCH A SCORCHER OF A DAY THOUGH, WITH WATER SPRINKLERS ON, MYSELF AND MINI-ME DECIDED TO COOL OFF BY RUNNING THROUGH THEM!
got an email from the travel department about a tour of Italian gardens they are doing 16th October...check out the web site www.thetraveldepartment.ie
they leave from Ireland, but perhaps if you got a cheap flight to dublin you'd consider joining the tour...
I live in Bangor so the ferry from Holyhead would be my best option. Will check the link out later, not exactly looking for a holiday at this time of year but you can't have too many travel sites in your favourites.