Name: Villa Gamberaia
Address: Via del Rossellino 72 Settignano,Via del Rossellino, Florence, Florence, Florence, 50135, Italy
Rating: 8

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Free Wi-Fi

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Pool and beach

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Piazzale Michelangelo

Basilica of Santa Croce

Academy Gallery

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Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Palazzo Vecchio

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Uffizi Gallery

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Ponte Vecchio

Pitti Palace

Firenze-Peretola Airport

Pecci Contemporary Art Museum

Museo del Tessuto

Monash University - Prato

Castello dell'Imperatore

Santa Maria delle Carceri

Galleria Comunale e Museo Civico

Duomo di Prato

Museo dell'Opera del Duomo

Palazzo Pretorio

Palazzo Datini

Museum of Mural Painting

Villa Gamberaia

Florence

The most beautiful gardens in Italy above Florence in the beautiful village of Settignano, the Villa Gamberaia, a spot to be visited absolutely to relax and appreciate the moment and history, to enjoy the moment, to write, to meditate, to photograph or to dissect...

Villa Gamberaia: The most beautiful gardens in Italy

I am writing this review with a heavy heart, as my partner and I had initially been very excited about the prospect of hosting our wedding at Villa Gamberaia. The villa's reputation and beautiful setting had captured our interest, and we eagerly began our planning process. We embarked on a two hour trip to the Villa with our toddler to have a first hand experience of the setting.

Unfortunately, our excitement was short-lived due to the unprofessional and dismissive communication we received from the Chief Commercial Officer, Ms. Antonietta. While attempting to clarify aspects of our package and seeking flexibility in pricing, we were met with responses that were less than cordial, to say the least. The term "useless" was used to dismiss our valid concerns, which was both shocking and unprofessional.

We reached out to the Villa's management team, hoping for a resolution and a more constructive approach to our concerns. Regrettably, the issues we raised were not acknowledged. Instead, Ms. Antonietta's inappropriate communication was endorsed and we were asked to continue dealing with her.

Transparency is vital for future clients making decisions, and therefore, we felt it necessary to share our experience. A wedding is a significant event and the planning process should be met with understanding, flexibility, and professionalism, not dismissal and unresponsiveness.

Sadly, due to this negative experience, we have reconsidered our decision to host our wedding at Villa Gamberaia. We hope our feedback will contribute to the improvement of customer service for future clients.

Rude ... Stay away from Ms Antonietta & the Villa Gamberaia

Villa Gamberaia, 
When Love meets Poetry in the capital of the Arts…
By Estelle Arielle Bouchet
One of the most beautiful gardens of Italy belong to the historic Villa Gamberaia whose long terraced slopes hang softly over the city of Florence, and the mirror-like pools of its famous parterre d’eau reflect the ever-changing moods of the Florentine sky. Its unique garden plan and setting in the Tuscan landscape have been studied and celebrated by architectural historians and garden designers throughout the centuries.
At the turn of the twentieth century Villa Gamberaia was home to two artists: Princess Jeanne Ghyka, sister of Queen Nathalie of Serbia, and her American companion Florence Blood. It was under Princess Ghyka’s loving care and vision that Gamberaia became the enchanted place to which a privilege few were invited, a private and exclusive retreat to European royalty, diplomats and art connoisseurs. In 1896 and again in 1898, the poet Gabriele d’Annunzio visited the Gamberaia, recording in his journal its mysterious charm and imagining it as the stage set for his dramas. In the following years, he lived not far away at the Capponcina, just across the road from his beloved Eleanora Duse. From its origins in the early1600 to the present, it preserves the cherished memories of all who have lived here or visited, a place of both worldly beauty and spiritual wonder.
What else if one decides to marry or to celebrate in Tuscany? What more than this feeling of “plenitude” in such a remarkable location? Having spent plenty of time in this enchanting space, I can testify that Past and Present tend to merge here in a magical dimension, evoking a kind of Eternal Eden.
Today it is a joy to consider that persons from around the world now have the opportunity to celebrate their marriage, or renew their vows, in the chapel of Gamberaia or in its flagrant green gardens or spend a holiday in the guest houses of the property. Hosts will enjoy a refined Tuscan dinner on the terrace overlooking Florence, where the stunning view is framed by statues of urns and hunting dogs, set in sharp relief against the dramatic sunsets of the City of the Medici. Located about fifteen minutes by car to the wonderful art treasures of the city as well to other villas and gardens in the vicinity.
The Villa Gamberaia brings all these memories where love and transcendental beauty are leitmotifs… Villa Gamberaia still retains the original plan of a terraced garden to the early 17th century. The setting and layout were praised by Edith Wharton, who saw it after years of neglect when its former French style parterre had been turned into a flower and vegetable garden and by Georgina Masson, who saw it restored by Sig. Marcello Marchi after its near ruin during the Second World War to the immaculately clipped and tailored condition today. Today Villa Gamberaia belongs to his son in law, Luigi Zalum, husband of the late Franca Marchi, Marcello’s daughter and to Luigi and Franca’s children.
Set high upon the crest of the hill, the Gamberaia stands above the adjacent agrarian countryside. Its terraces are filled with simple but elegant architecture and a variety of greenery. Entering through its gates, one is struck by its other-worldliness, the surreal character of the enclosed space. One cannot fall to admire its beauty, to feel its grandeur, to marvel at its intimacy and to puzzle over the harmonious assemblage of separate garden spaces. The siting and composition, created by Lapi family in the early 1600s, further refined and embellished by their successors, the marchesi Capponi , is a simple yet subtle lesson of garden design, perfectly integrated into the Tuscan landscape. On the highest level, the lemon house and terrace with its delicious and fragrant lemon trees overhang the main level with its formal arrangement of garden rooms. Below the lowest terrace the olive groves extend far into the valley eye. 

The surrounding countryside and borgo

The village of Settignano is a picturesque village situated on a hillside northeast of Florence, Italy, with spectacular views. The little borgo of Settignano carries a familiar name for having produced three sculptors of the Florentine Renaissance, Desiderio da Settignano and the Gamberini brothers, better known as Bernardo and Antonio Rossellino. The young Michelangelo lived with a sculptor and his wife in Settignano—in a farmhouse that is now the "Villa Michelangelo"— where his father owned a marble quarry. In 1511 another sculptor was born there, Bartolomeo Ammannati. It was the stone quarries of Settignano produced this remarkable series of sculptors.
Roman remains are to be found in the borgo which claims connections to Septimus Severus — in whose honor a statue was erected in the old square in the 16th century, destroyed in 1944— though habitation here long preceded the Roman emperor. Settignano was a secure summer resort for members of the Guelf faction of Florence. Giovanni Boccaccio and Niccolò Tommaseo both appreciated its freshness, among the vineyards and olive groves that are the preferred setting for even the most formal Italian gardens.
And the Villa Gamberaia reigns in a tribute to Love and Poetry! 
It offers a fantastic opportunity for an unforgettable celebration or holiday.
With the support of Patricia Osmond, PhD
Curator, Historic Archives
Villa Gamberaia (Florence)

 

Via del Rossellino, 72 50135 Settignano – FIRENZE

When Love meets Poetry at Villa Gamberaia-Firenze

The gardens of the Villa Gamberaia in Settignano, the charming village where Gabriele d'Annunzio lived, are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful gardens in Italy!

A charming place on the hills of Florence

We were lucky enough to have our wedding of 45 here last week, staying for 2 nights, 2 parties and 2 days of absolute incredible magic. I may be bias as it was our wedding day but I could never have dreamt or imagined such an idyllic perfect and wonderful time. All of our guests are still on a heavy fundown from this incredible place. 

There are 2 huge pools with bean bags and seating for relaxing. The in house catering is fabulous, the gardens go on forever as do the grounds and so to have the whole place to yourself is something you can only dream of. 

Antonietta our in-house wedding planner nailed every single element with ease and relaxation and the day went off without a hitch. The catering, the flowers and the DJ were all PERFECT, but the setting is so special. 

I would say I’d recommend it to anyone, and I would, but for me it’s now our most special place ever and I would actually just like to live there. 

Thank you Antonietta and Flor!!!
Love emma & Johnny

WHAT A WEDDING

I'm recommanding Villa Gamberaia not for the accomodation, but just for the garden and the enchanting view you can have. Everything is so well done and preserved: so, the entrance quite expensive is absolutely necessary (15 euro). I do suggest to visit this hidden jewel in may, according with the blowing of roses and peonias.
Perfect.

The silent dream which smells of Renaissance

I can only write this review as a guest opposed to actually being the host of an event, however WOW WOW WOW.

We were lucky enough to be invited to an amazing wedding that was held in this magnificent location, set high in the hills outside Florence.
From the moment we arrived we just knew how special this place is, the welcoming views are incredible. The staff friendly and efficient, the Wedding Planners based at this location know their stuff, and make every guest fell special. I can only imagine how the Bride and Groom would have felt in this magical setting.
The actual ceremony was hosted in a private enclave, a true fairytale setting for a perfect wedding.
We were so pleased for our friends, as the arrival drinks, canapés and the wedding meal were all excellent, even the bar service was unique.
Villa Gamberaia is of course high end, as it deserves to be, but Hey you only get married once and this is a very special place. To our friends thank you for the invite, we had an amazing time sharing your incredible day.

Happy guest

I am a wedding planner, and I have accompanied wealthy clients looking for a luxury villa to celebrate their wedding in on our own and the cafes we have not found. My client would have been very happy to invest his money in the rental of the villa, and his staff would have been very pleased to have him clean the floors, but he was very pleased to have the gentleness of his guides in the room, without even opening the doors. The limousine had to be looked for by ourselves and the cellars we did not find them. My client would have been very happy to invest his money in the rental of the villa, and his staff would have been very pleased to have him clean the floors for a total of about 16,000 euros, but he was very pleased to have the gentleness of his guides!

Don't go there.

It's all in the title. For a group of 30 people who booked and negotiated a group rate, which they no longer wanted to respect at the time of payment, the staff was more than unpleasant announcing dryly that the toilets next to him are not for customers, but his own!!, that ours are at the end of the garden.. all this by pulling the log.. add to that that the road to get there is particularly difficult, and the price practiced prohibitive: 15 € / per person, it's not worth the shot.

Beautiful gardens, beautiful views, but personal disgust

A garden of very ancient origin, with beautiful vegetable elements topped up, somewhat monochromatic, yes, but not losing its beauty, and a beautiful view of the Arno valley and the city of Florence.

Villa Gamberaia

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