Most of people on this tour were there to see one thing - the Gardens at Ninfa, and we paid a lot of money to see them. I’m not sure we got full value for our money. Lunch was convivial with very good food and wine included, but it was not at an agrotismo as advertised. I liked the guide as a person, but I felt she could’ve told us things of interest during the 1.5 hour journey to Sermoneta. Instead, she was occupied helping the driver find the route. So, we heard nothing - nothing about the areas we passed through, nor the up-coming visits. This was significant because at the castle, the guide conducted the tour in Italian ( with other participants) and Barbara translated for us. It would’ve been more informative and interesting if Barbara had already filled us in on the basics. Even if she’d read something from Google we would’ve been better prepared for all the things of interest at Sermoneta. I expected her to know stuff. At Ninfa, an English speaking guide did a lovely job.

Even if you're not a gardener, Ninfa is magic. If you are, it's a must

We were so lucky. The morning we were driven 50 miles south by minibus from Rome to Ninfa, it was pouring down with rain, so that everyone but us had cancelled the tour. But by the time our lovely knowledgeable guide, Patrizia, could show us around the charming walled hill town of Sermoneta and have lunch, it was beginning to clear. When we actually arrived at Ninfa and another equally charming guide, the lovely Ilaria, showed us around, the weather was glorious - with the garden, set among medieval ruins, easily earning its reputation as the most romantic in the world, with the sound of water (a fountain, a river, springs) everywhere you go. By the time we left, the three of us knew we had been given a day we would not forget. Nor have we.

Our guide Patricia was great but in the Ninfa garden the group was much too big. We would have preferred to have more freedom to visit areas we wanted to see and less control by the garden guide. We would have preferred to only visit the garden and not the castle. The day was too long and tiring. Visitors now support the garden and should be able to enjoy it as they wish.