This week we went on a unique field trip, unlike anything we have done so far during our time in Italy.  It was enchanting, rich with history, and provided picturesque scenery in every direction that you could look.  We visited the Ninfa Gardens.  When you first arrive, it appears to be an average park that you could find anywhere in the world, but once you step farther within, that idea is quickly shattered by the beauty that surrounds you.
The gardens are set up in a way in which it appears that everything is natural and untouched by man.  Patches of green grass, flowers blooming in every color of the rainbow, and streams full of crystal clear water are dispersed in every direction.  Once I took a second to look closer, I realized that the incredible detail put into the Ninfa Gardens could only be possible through countless hours of work to make sure that every acre stays picture perfect.  I cannot even imagine the amount of lawn care that is required to keep the grass cut, the weeds pulled, and the plants trimmed.  The gardens do not have many paths made from dirt or gravel.  The paths are mostly grass paths, which adds to the image of natural beauty that they are trying to achieve.
We had a guided tour of the grounds.  The tour allowed us to learn more about the history of the gardens, which also includes the ruins of an ancient town left behind.  We were able to walk inside the ruins of a church with some frescoes still left on the walls.  We also learned that the water in the streams is so clean that you can drink it.  We took turns filling up our water bottles and enjoying the cold water during our walk; this was a unique experience that I had never had before.
This experience was one of my favorite moments of the trip because the beauty found here is so different from what we are normally surrounded by during our travels around Italy.  It was a much needed relaxing journey through history and scenery that will stay captured in our memories forever.
-Leah Carey

The crystal clear waters of the Ninfa Gardens where we were able to fill up our water bottles