If you want to experience the incredible wealth of history and culture and things to see and do in Florence but also want to spend time enjoying the beauty and peacefulness of the Tuscan countryside, then it would make sense to find a vacation rental near Florence. These rentals in the area surrounding the city offer you the chance to both readily visit Florence and to also explore the wider region of Tuscany. In this area around Florence, you will find endless little gems and surprises from specialist stores and makers to wineries, incredible restaurants to stunning historic villas and much more besides. One special gem far off the regular tourist path is Il Giardino Sotto Vico.
Literally meaning “the garden beneath Vico”, this botanic garden is located just outside the town centre of the town of Vico d'Elsa, which is located in the metropolitan area of Florence. Established by a small group of locals who wanted to create a garden for the town, it has grown in size and popularity. The interest and enthusiasm for the initiative has increased and gone from an idea to simply repurpose and reclaim a disused plot of land and become something that has captured local hearts and imaginations. Families, schools, locals, and more now all come together to help grow, add to, preserve, and admire this little beauty. It is a therapeutic space that improves both the physical and psychological health of the individual by immersing them in natural surroundings and the highly social and community-driven atmosphere of the space.
Literally meaning “the garden beneath Vico”, this botanic garden is located just outside the town centre of the town of Vico d'Elsa, which is located in the metropolitan area of Florence. Established by a small group of locals who wanted to create a garden for the town, it has grown in size and popularity. The interest and enthusiasm for the initiative has increased and gone from an idea to simply repurpose and reclaim a disused plot of land and become something that has captured local hearts and imaginations. Families, schools, locals, and more now all come together to help grow, add to, preserve, and admire this little beauty. It is a therapeutic space that improves both the physical and psychological health of the individual by immersing them in natural surroundings and the highly social and community-driven atmosphere of the space.
Visitors are encouraged to come and wander the space at ease and to admire the incredible work of the local people who have turned this disused and forgotten about piece of land into something special, into a magical oasis of joy and calm. The main attraction is the greenhouse. Measuring 200 square metres, it is stuffed to the gills with an incredible collection of cacti and succulents, some of which are rather rare examples. Carefully curated and tended by local volunteers, this collection of plants is a true work of art. In addition to the plants inside the greenhouse, there are the lovely outdoor spaces, part of which is divided into five areas that correspond with the five senses and also includes a wood cabin, a route for the blind, the “route of life”, a gazebo, and a lake. The garden also takes in the naturally-occurring flora and views of rolling hills and typical Tuscan vistas offered by this beautiful part of the world.
Finally, there is a rather wonderful play area for kids that has been designed to accommodate those with special needs who might want to also enjoy it, something that all playgrounds should do but this is not often the case. Everyone is welcome here at the Giardino Sotto Vico. The rest of the spaces in the gardens have also been planned with making them accessible to all constantly being kept in mind. Furthermore, there are outreach programs that bring disadvantaged kids and youths from the surrounding area and teach them how to tend gardens and to enjoy the therapeutic effects of spending time in such spaces and both locals and tourists are encouraged to enjoy this magical space that volunteers from the community have worked so hard to create. At the end of the day, the main objective of this project and garden is to bring people closer to nature because, “ultimately, our quality of life and relationship with nature is central to all and every one of us.”
So, if you have found a vacation rental in the Vico D’Elsa area and are looking to truly relax and unwind, why not come and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of spending time in a space like this little gem?
Il Giardino Sotto Vico
Address: Via Zambra, 3/A, 50021 Barberino Val D'Elsa FI, Italy
+39 331 404 8373
The garden is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 9am to 12 pm and then 3pm to 8pm. It may be visited at another time by appointment.
Finally, there is a rather wonderful play area for kids that has been designed to accommodate those with special needs who might want to also enjoy it, something that all playgrounds should do but this is not often the case. Everyone is welcome here at the Giardino Sotto Vico. The rest of the spaces in the gardens have also been planned with making them accessible to all constantly being kept in mind. Furthermore, there are outreach programs that bring disadvantaged kids and youths from the surrounding area and teach them how to tend gardens and to enjoy the therapeutic effects of spending time in such spaces and both locals and tourists are encouraged to enjoy this magical space that volunteers from the community have worked so hard to create. At the end of the day, the main objective of this project and garden is to bring people closer to nature because, “ultimately, our quality of life and relationship with nature is central to all and every one of us.”
So, if you have found a vacation rental in the Vico D’Elsa area and are looking to truly relax and unwind, why not come and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of spending time in a space like this little gem?
Il Giardino Sotto Vico
Address: Via Zambra, 3/A, 50021 Barberino Val D'Elsa FI, Italy
+39 331 404 8373
The garden is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 9am to 12 pm and then 3pm to 8pm. It may be visited at another time by appointment.
