10 of the best gardens in Europe that you’ve probably never heard of

Any list of European gardens must start with Italy, even though their immaculate form, symmetry and reliance on non-flowering evergreen structures might conflict with the modern desire for pollinator-friendly naturalism. The Italian garden reached its peak during the Renaissance and has changed little since then. The fundamental principles remain elegance, charm and decadent relaxation. Giardino Giusti, in the northern city of Verona and once famous among the influential families of 16th-century Europe, exemplifies this timeless artistry. Wander along the green cypress alley past the impressive statues of Apollo and Adonis, get lost in the 18th-century labyrinth and breathe in the ...