Tuscany and Beyond

The Renaissance gardens of Italy inspired the Italianate style, influencing garden design from the Baroque and Neoclassical periods to contemporary landscapes. Set among rolling vineyards, medieval hill towns, and historic cities, these gardens offer a remarkable blend of horticulture, art, architecture, and history.

Join HPSO October 4–16, 2027, for Tuscany and Beyond: Quintessential Gardens, Landscapes, and Towns of Italy's Heartland. Beginning in Bologna, we'll travel through Parma and along the beautiful Ligurian coast before continuing into Tuscany, with stays in Lucca, Siena, and Florence. Highlights include the historic gardens of Villa Reale di Marlia, Villa Torrigiani, and the celebrated La Foce Garden, designed by Cecil Pinsent. We'll also visit seaside gardens near Portofino, explore private estates and medieval villages, and experience the iconic landscapes of the Tuscan countryside, while enjoying the region's renowned food and wine.

Designed for gardeners, travelers, and lovers of landscape design alike, this journey offers exceptional opportunities to explore Italy's public and private gardens. Space is limited to 25–30 participants, and if registration requests exceed capacity, participants will be selected by random drawing.

Registration requests will be accepted Monday, October 26, beginning at 9:00 a.m., through Wednesday, October 28, at 11:59 p.m.

View the complete brochure and itinerary.

Your HPSO tour will be escorted by Phoebe Loconsolo, a Portland-area landscape designer with a background in art and design. Phoebe spent three years studying art and design in Rome and returns to Italy frequently with her Italian husband. Fluent in Italian, she has participated in several HPSO garden tours and looks forward to sharing her knowledge of Italy and exploring its rich garden heritage with fellow travelers.

Open to HPSO members.

We confirm membership before adding you to the selection lottery. Not a member yet? Join HPSO first, then register for the trip.