Welcome back to one of those stories I love sharing at least once a year: a special journey through places where wood meets nature, turning into inspiration — or into a dream — for those who love carving, walking, or simply letting themselves be enchanted.

Today, I want to take you somewhere truly unique: “Giardino Belvedere“, in Caprile, a small village in the province of Biella, deep in the green and surprising Valsessera. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/vHCrLbaX7Fr7k4QX6)

It’s not one of those classic parks full of carved wood sculptures, like the ones I’ve told you about before: here, wood is certainly present, but it’s part of something much bigger. In this place, wood lives immersed in nature, in constant dialogue with plants, with scents, with the rhythm of the seasons. t’s an artistic garden in Piedmont that escapes definition: botanical, sensory, poetic, sculpted… One thing is certain: this is where everything begins.

Before I take you into this enchanted world, there’s something important you should know: Belvedere Garden is private. Since 2020, its owner has made the rare and generous decision to open it to the public — a choice that has had a profound impact on the lives of those who live and work here, as well as on the delicate ecosystem of the garden itself.

That’s why you can only visit by booking in advance. There are no walk-ins, no free wandering: every visit is a guided experience, led by the owner Mariateresa herself (or by trusted collaborators), to let you savour every corner with intention and awareness. At the end of this article, you’ll find all the practical information you need to plan your visit the right way.

A true story (with the perfect surname)

Belvedere garden didn’t come from a marketing strategy or an architectural plan. It was born almost by accident — as is often the case with the most precious things.

It’s the result of the vision of Mariateresa, a successful entrepreneur in the cosmetics field who, through a mix of fortunate (and less fortunate) events, discovered a new way of living: more natural, more attentive, more in harmony.

She embraced German alternative medicine, herbal remedies, and natural beauty. But above all, she came closer to the earth. And the earth, as we know, always gives back. That’s how this garden came to life.

And now for a charming little twist of fate: her husband’s last name? Belvedere. I mean… what else could this couple have created, if not a place that’s truly a “beautiful view”? 😊

Where the woods begin to speak

It all starts with a short dirt road that quickly pulls away from the tiny village of Caprile and slips into the forest.

In a heartbeat, you’re in another world.

Greeting you is a stunning double-faced woodspirit, carved with care. A few steps later, a perfectly sculpted guardian owl watches silently from its perch. These are the first gentle signs that here, nature and art walk hand in hand.

A bit further on, Mariateresa herself appears to welcome you — with the passion of someone who doesn’t “own” the place, but truly loves it. And that’s when the tour begins — the real one.

Not a garden, but a world in balance

Belvedere Garden is much more than a garden. It’s a botanical park, where every plant is chosen, nurtured, and cared for with love — mostly by Mariateresa herself, with the help of a small, dedicated team.

The emotional impact is immediate. Nothing is random. Every story she shares becomes a tale: botanical details, curious facts, tiny anecdotes — all weaving together into an ecosystem that feels as if it’s dreaming.

The visit starts in a more intimate section which we might call the Winter Garden — or as Mariateresa calls it, the Garden of Readers and Thinkers. It’s the cultural soul of the place, and it’s beautiful all year round. Here, even in the colder months, certain plants bloom and perfume the air, living their lives “off-season”, flowering in winter and resting in summer.

This isn’t just a garden that shines in spring — it’s thoughtfully designed to offer beauty in every season.

The terrain, naturally fragile and prone to landslides, has been restored with intelligence and creativity: chestnut wood terraces, soil-binding plants, roses and winter shrubs guide the path uphill.

At the top, you reach a truly magical spot: a natural stage with wooden benches and backrests carved in the shape of books. This is where readings and cultural events take place — or where you can simply enjoy a moment of peace, perhaps flipping through a book from the little wooden wagon that serves as the “Forest Library”.

A garden for all the senses

designed as a journey to be lived, not just seen.

Every area awakens a different sense. Each zone tells its story through shapes, sounds, scents, colors, and hands-on experiences. The entire garden is divided into themed areas that engage sight, smell, hearing, touch… and even taste, if you happen to join one of the herb- and cooking-themed workshops!

You’ll walk through the Sound Garden, the Water Garden — a cool and peaceful area where the reflection of water blends with the greenery in perfect calm — the Reading Corner, where books are not only for browsing but also sculpted elements that have become part of the landscape… and many other areas waiting to be discovered within the Holistic Garden.

Everything — even the vegetation — is chosen to harmonize with the spirit of each area. The plant species reflect the theme of the zone they belong to, without ever feeling out of place. It’s a kind of nature that seems wild, free, a little whimsical… and yet it’s clearly designed, cared for, and thoughtfully arranged. A gentle anarchy that awakens the senses — and makes you want to stay.

Stories carved between the leaves

In this garden, wood is not a guest. It is a living part of the landscape. The sculptures that inhabit it are not mere decorations, but characters in a larger story — even though they are born from fallen trees.

Created through the meeting of Mariateresa’s imagination and the skilled hands of sculptor Fabio Nicola (a local professional artist who works with wood, iron, and other materials with incredible mastery), fantastic creatures take shape: the protective giant, cheerful caterpillars, bees, ants, butterflies, and many other light presences that suddenly appear among the bushes and paths.

Here, wood tells stories. It’s not a theme park, it’s not an open-air museum: it’s a narrative ecosystem, where every carved trunk becomes part of a fairy tale.

And just when you think the surprises are over, there it is: a treehouse, built in the shape of a giant beehive.

A real B&B, complete with bed, bathroom, terrace, and a view over the beating heart of the estate. Small, functional, almost surreal — and yet perfectly real. It’s not just a place to sleep: it’s a way to truly connect with the place, to let yourself be cradled by the garden itself, as if you were a part of it.

Where ideas bloom
(and dreams take root)

Along the main paths, you’ll find spaces designed for sharing: an open-air but covered kitchen, fully equipped for events, workshops, and seasonal gatherings. And then there are picnic areas nestled in the greenery, beneath spectacular trees — perfect for a slow pause or a good chat in the shade.

But perhaps the most exciting part is the one that doesn’t fully exist yet. Because this garden never stops evolving: like the seasons, it keeps blooming with new ideas.

Near Mariateresa’s home — a former mill beautifully restored — a gentle uphill path begins, lined with a series of wooden mushrooms, each one unique, each with its own expression.

It’s a symbolic trail that leads to the nursery, but also to what’s yet to come: it’s precisely in this area that two new sections are about to take shape. One will be dedicated to meditation and yoga — a space for stillness and breath, nestled in the heart of nature. The other, inspired by the movie “The Wind Phone” (Kaze no denwa, 2020, directed by Nobuhiro Suwa), will offer an intimate place where you can symbolically “speak” with those who are no longer here.

A profound, poetic, and gentle idea. And just imagining it makes you want to return.

A path that leads into the forest

Just beyond the mushrooms lies the nursery — the quiet heart of care. Here, every new plant is settled in and observed: how it reacts to the soil, the light, the climate. Only when it finds its balance will it be moved to the part of the garden that suits it best. This too is a gesture of attention, patience, and thoughtful care.

And it’s from here that another path begins — outside the guided visit: a free, always-accessible trail that leads into the woods. It’s dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, to whom Mariateresa is deeply devoted, and it offers another way to be alone, to listen.

A simple yet evocative path, carrying the same spirit as the garden itself: giving space, of gently walking alongside without holding on. You can take it if you want to keep walking. Or if you simply need some peace. Whether you reach it on purpose or by chance — it’s a gift.

Sharing is an act of love
(but also of responsibility)

There’s something I want to tell you with complete honesty — because places like Belvedere Garden aren’t meant to be taken lightly.

Everything I’ve written so far is filled with enthusiasm, and I couldn’t do otherwise: those who know me know I only share what truly moves me. But I can’t ignore the fact that every time I tell you about a place this special, part of me feels afraid.

Because it’s one thing to promote beauty, to support projects that deserve to be known, to uplift those who work with love and respect. It’s another — entirely different — thing to shine too bright a spotlight on something that simply isn’t built to withstand a flood of visitors.

And unfortunately, very few people stop to think about what really happens when too many visitors are brought into places that were born to be welcoming — but not overwhelmed. Delicate ecosystems — whether gardens, trails, forests, or tiny villages — aren’t made for crowds, for those chasing the perfect snapshot, for those who pass through without truly seeing. Places like this should be understood, not consumed. They should be experienced, not stormed.

That’s why I often find myself in a difficult position. On one hand, there’s the mission that led me to start this blog: to share beauty, to take you with me to the places where nature and wood intertwine, to tell stories that deserve to be heard. On the other, I know all too well that this very act of sharing can turn into a double-edged sword.

I don’t want to generalize or point fingers — and I certainly have nothing against “influencers.” To some, maybe I even look like one. But when I see a place I love being overwhelmed by people who don’t listen, don’t read, don’t respect, don’t understand… I feel responsible.

It’s a heavy thought, every time. But I choose to tell you anyway, because I believe in my readers. Because I hope that my community is different, made of people who are curious, thoughtful, passionate. Just like me.

So yes — go. Visit Belvedere Garden, and all the other places I’ve recommended in the Wood, nature and fun category. But always do it with deep respect — for the work, the hands, the ideas, the plants, the silence… for everything that took shape through love, care, and time.

We should be the success of these places — not their downfall.

If we learn to enjoy beautiful things without ruining them, if we become joyful but responsible visitors, then yes — sharing will always be an act of love.

More wonders nearby: wood and nature, once again

If you decide to visit Belvedere Garden (and I truly hope you do!), I warmly suggest extending your trip a little: this zone, the Biella region, is a hidden gem, filled with trails, forests, breathtaking views, and a surprising natural and geological heritage.

Not far from the garden, there’s another special stop for those who love wood and meaningful stories: Oasi Zegna (web site), born from the vision of another great local entrepreneur, Ermenegildo Zegna, who planted — nearly a century ago — no less than 500,000 trees to reforest these hills. Today, those woods have become one of the most enchanting places to explore, especially during rhododendron blooming season.

At the entrance of Trail No. 5, near the Bocchetta di Stavello, you’ll find the “Bosco Animato” (“Enchanted Forest”) — a short path where local chainsaw carving artist Max Bove has brought new life to fallen trunks and diseased trees, transforming them into charming little animals, forest spirits, and joyful woodland creatures.

It’s a tender and surprising place, perfect for all ages — even though it’s not very well marked. Still, it’s open all year round and free to visit.

I recommend parking in the lot near Bocchetta di Stavello, right below the San Bernardo Sanctuary, where the trails toward the higher Bocchetta Margosio also begin. Here you’ll also find the curious crystal meditation labyrinth.

From the left end of the parking area, walk past the picnic zone and begin observing carefully: you’ll soon enter the woods and discover about twenty wooden sculptures scattered along paths that wind through trees, quiet, and enchanting views.

And if you’ve got the legs and breath for it, hike all the way up to the San Bernardo Sanctuary: from there, the view stretches over the Biellese mountains, the Aosta Valley… and even as far as Switzerland and France.

I hope I’ve once again sparked your desire to set off, to walk, to lose (and find!😅) yourself in places that speak softly but leave a lasting mark. I’m leaving you with a short video — just a taste, a teaser.

Because some emotions aren’t meant to be told or shown — they’re meant to be lived!

And if you love wood, nature, carving, creativity, true stories, and people who never give up… then this place is already waiting for you! Enjoy the journey and your well-deserved break — see you next month! 😘🤗