Rome's historic villas and parks are brought to life through a series of free guided tours by the Servizio Visite Guidate, the official body in charge of giving tours of the capital's parks as well as their centuries-old villas and gardens.

The educational tours include a look at each park's most significant trees and plants. The participating parks are Villa Pamphilj, Villa Celimontana, the Park of the Martyrs at Forte Bravetta, the nursery at S. Sisto, Parco della Serenissima, Villa Torlonia and Villa Borghese.

A minimum of six and maximum of 25 people can join the tours which can be booked by schools, associations and individuals, tel. 065817727, Mon-Fri 09.00-13.00, Thurs-Fri also 14.30-16.30.

For details of addresses and tour times see the city website.