Throughout May, June and July 2009, the 16 th century Quistini manor house at Rovato, near Brescia, Lombardy, throws open its magnificent gardens to visitors. The 10,000 square metres of land contain itineraries that take visitors through delightful corners such as the Secret Garden of the Hydrangeas, a garden dedicated to ancient and modern varieties of fruit trees, the Rose Labyrinth and an English Garden. The gardens possess a collection of ancient, modern and English roses, many varieties of which can be purchased on the spot.

For information: www.castelloquistini.com