The garden wakes - first camellias and what's coming next

Villa Vale Flores didn't get its name by chance. The garden takes up nearly half the property and is designed to have something blooming every month. March belongs to the camellias - they start shy, white and pale pink, and within two weeks the whole hedge is covered. Then come the wisteria, purple clusters that scent the air on warm afternoons.

The rough calendar: camellias (Feb–Mar), wisteria (Apr), hydrangeas (Jun–Aug), jasmine (May–Sep). Plus roses, lavender, and a fig tree whose fruit becomes the jam served at breakfast.

For garden lovers, Carolina can show you the kitchen garden out back, where she grows tomatoes, courgettes, herbs. In March it's still empty, but the first sowings begin.

A good month to visit: rooms still available, low season prices, and the garden just starting to explode.