He says:

"Creating the gardens at Caruso was a real challenge. I had to ensure a smooth transition between the various levels planted with olives, lemons and vines. I structured the gardens around typical Mediterranean plants—strawberry trees, pomegranates and many more, ensuring year-round interest.

The gardens along the Amalfi Coast are the most complete in Italy: you go from sea level to 1,000 metres in minutes, so you have the full spectrum of plants, from bougainvillea, lemons, olives and walnuts through to chestnuts and mushrooms. All thrive on separate terraces, one above the other.

I love walking in the Belvedere garden at sunrise, towards the swimming pool—the atmosphere is pure magic. I also adore the olive terrace—I matched the trees' silvery leaves with jasmine and white roses. The trunks of the centenary pomegranate trees show their history. They're like an old man's hands—they have so much to teach.

I often take guests on tours of the gardens—most of them share my passion for nature. I suggest plants and herbs for them to grow back home and where to buy the seeds.

I always recommend guests take a walk after breakfast, when the scent of the flowers is most intense and the sun rising over the Amalfi Coast creates an atmosphere that is almost surreal. Sit on a bench in the garden and lose yourself in the perfume of an orange tree, or have an open-air massage among the jasmine flowers."

Contact us if you would like to take a private tour of Hotel Caruso's gardens with Gaetano.