Mid-January, with snow on the ground, is a wonderful time of the year to relax by the fire and look back at favorite trip pictures, a treat I save for myself as I enjoy this downtime after the holidays. The Northern Lake District of Italy still pulls at my heart strings; I’ve adored that part of the world since I was a young bride. My new takeaway? A focus on the hills around the lakes, not just the gardens along the lakes (as in the elegant villa in the feature image, above). And how they accommodate these landscapes, the most striking being Villa del Balbianello

These are steep hills, and it’s fascinating to see how landscape designers and gardeners (over many years) have accommodated that challenge…hedges are pruned to almost “snuggle” into the slope,

and trees are purposely positioned to convey a sense of drama…as in this magnolia, hovering over the point of the lawn and trimmed to exaggerate the slope.

One could call this a green version of the Great Wall of China, with the elaborately carved signature stone wall interrupted by a clipped hedge that weaves and winds its way along and up the hillside.

The designers of these hills have mastered the art of “going with it”. Nothing seems to be on flat land (the stone busts on plinths provide a sharp contrast to the rising landscape behind).

A view from our hotel….a study in contrasts, lines, curves, and alternating triangular shapes juxtaposed with differing hedge material. A design of steep stone stairs, bordered either side by square pruned hedges, rises to meet a 40 degree angled path up to the top of this hill. Nothing fancy, but what a mastery of incline design.

A riotous display of azaleas that appear to be bumping their way up a steep lawn.

What an overview of Villa Carlotta… all the better to read the shapes and geometric design work on each terrace.

I couldn’t resist including this “garden room” at Isola Madre’s private villa with its painted ceiling and Venetian chandelier. Delicious!

Steep climbs or descents, whichever you choose, but blessedly under the canopy of wisteria, just starting to bloom…

A chance shot that proved to be one of the best of this simple, and old garden, Parco Sherrer.

Sublime in every way, the many painted buildings of Morcote, looked down upon by a centuries old church.

The last picture that I took before departing the Lake District, summing up why this part of the world continues to linger in my heart.

Heading the list of my favorite fountains (and it’s a long list)! Well-considered water streams of different height and volume within an elegant quatrefoil on a rectangular stone pad. The corner flower beds of white calla lilies add that final note of refinement and elegance.