beautiful gardens to get into the Spring mood

This tranquil, beautiful oasis is hidden behind the austere Palazzo di Brera, in the centre of Milan. Created in 1774 at the behest of Maria Theresa of Austria, as a haven of pleasure and delight, the Brera Botanical Garden also supplied medicinal plants to the Brera Pharmacy.

This garden is considered one of the best examples of neoclassical parks around. The neon pink tunnel of bougainvillea probably wasn’t intended to be a selfie hot spot, but it is. Elsewhere, Italian sculptures recline, like the elegant fountain of Poseidon. The perimeter wall has goat horns embedded in it – nobody knows why.

It hardly seems possible, but the little town of Thuin, not far from Charleroi, has ancient hanging gardens built on the steep hillside overlooking the River Sambre. Reached by cobbled lanes, the gardens were recently restored to create a fascinating trail running past small allotments, old city gates and an unexpected vineyard where they produce a few hundred bottles of Clos des Zouaves red wine every year.