• Catherine KiddItaly and Croatia 2026Traveler
    16th C cloister at the entrance.
    Ceramic panel in the CloisterVilla CourtyardVilla CimbroneWater well on the CloisterThe avenue of immensityStatue of CeresDavid and GoliathThe rose gardenThe tea roomPicture from the terrace of infinity

    Ravello

    May 19 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Today we took a harrowing bus ride up to Ravello. Horns honking, drivers yelling. Quite the circus.

    We arrived unscathed and made our way to the Gardens of Villa Cimbrone.

    In the late Roman times, this vast estate was valued for its timber and fertile lands suitable for farming.

    At the end of the 19th century, the abandoned lands were purchased by Lord Grimthorpe from England. Determined to bring the estate back to life, he turned it into a work of art. Today it is considered the most important example of the landscape, botany and culture of England created in the Mediterranean area.

    Some of the gardens are based on the early gardens laid out in 11th century. Most are a result of landscape architects who combined both English and Italian styles.    Read more