Rome, Italy:
We have rented (several times) an apartment in an Italian villa on a hill that is a 10-minute walk to the Forum. From the top of the hill, there is a wonderful view of the Vatican in the distance. The gardens are enclosed by walls, including the ancient Aurelian wall on one side at the gate of Porta Metronia. We love the gardens there and enjoyed meals on our private terrace. The gardeners grow vegetables and fruit among the flowers, shrubs and trees.
We have rented (several times) an apartment in an Italian villa on a hill that is a 10-minute walk to the Forum. From the top of the hill, there is a wonderful view of the Vatican in the distance. The gardens are enclosed by walls, including the ancient Aurelian wall on one side at the gate of Porta Metronia. We love the gardens there and enjoyed meals on our private terrace. The gardeners grow vegetables and fruit among the flowers, shrubs and trees.
Another favorite place in Rome is Villa Borghese, both for the Bernini sculpture and other art inside and the gardens/grounds on the outside. 
The villa gallery can be visited by advance ticket bookings. The grounds are open without an admission charge. These photos were taking by looking through the wrought iron fence that enclosed the parterre garden.
The villa gallery can be visited by advance ticket bookings. The grounds are open without an admission charge. These photos were taking by looking through the wrought iron fence that enclosed the parterre garden. 
Pompeii, Italy:
There are a few ancient gardens restored at the archaeological site of Pompeii. The garden layout was so perfect for the setting. Of course, the site is filled with statuary, mosaics and frescoes. Among the "garden" aspects of the site, what stood out most to me was this water feature and an arbor restored at the site of an ancient villa.
Florence, Italy:
On most visits to Florence, we spend a half day at Boboli Gardens. This year, there was an exhibit on ancient gardens that included gardening artifacts that had been unearthed at archaeological sites, including Pompeii. In addition to the beautiful gardens and grounds, one can enjoy the fabulous views from different vantage points up the hill. To see photos of those views, visit the link to our Tuscany vacation blog.
On most visits to Florence, we spend a half day at Boboli Gardens. This year, there was an exhibit on ancient gardens that included gardening artifacts that had been unearthed at archaeological sites, including Pompeii. In addition to the beautiful gardens and grounds, one can enjoy the fabulous views from different vantage points up the hill. To see photos of those views, visit the link to our Tuscany vacation blog.
Happy Gardening!
Cameron
