Get off the beaten path and explore a picturesque town, far older than even Rome itself. This tour will take you to the Roman Emperor Hadrian’s villa, and the Renaissance palace and gardens of Villa d’Este, with its stunning water gardens.

Duration

6 hours

About

For those looking for something a little different, this tour is the perfect excursion out of the city and away from the crowds. The tour will start with your guide picking you up in one of our luxury vehicles to begin the adventure out of the city. Though only 30 kilometres outside Rome, Tivoli is still relatively unexplored and is home to some of the most eye-wateringly beautiful sites in the entire region. On the way to Tivoli your guide will start to give you an idea of the land and people that shaped the landscape before the Romans came to dominate the world. The town of Tivoli was, in the ancient world, a thriving city called Tibur, nestled in the middle of the Sabine Hills in the centre of the Etruscan world. Originally a major Etruscan city, it was always known as a sacred and holy centre with many temples, and it was even home to one of the 9 sibyls. The first stop you will make is at the countryside villa of the famed emperor Hadrian. An architect himself, Hadrian designed the villa as his perfect summer retreat. Built in the second century AD the complex stretches over 250 acres (larger than Pompeii) and contains over 30 buildings including dining rooms, temples, kitchens and even a Maritime theatre where the emperor could watch the latest plays while lounging in the pool or just catch up on his reading in his library on the artificial island. A lover of all things natural, Hadrian ensured that the palace had a small farm making it entirely self-sustaining and he loved it so much that he spent his final years there, ruling the empire from his favourite spot.

After absorbing as much as we can from the ancient world there is a short drive to the historic palace that is Villa D’Este. The palace was constructed in the 9th century AD by Benedictine monks and was used by their order until the 1400’s when Cardinal Ippolito d’Este (son of the infamous Lucrezia Borgia) expelled the monks and took it over for himself. After this the palace always remained close to the church’s elite, and hosted many Popes over the years as a convenient and refreshing getaway from the city. It was then that the palace started to take the form we now recognise, with famous artists commissioned to decorate the palace, and by the mid 1500’s the first of the many fountains had started to appear. The enormous complex, covering more than 11 acres, boasts over 50 fountains, 200 basins and over 60 waterfalls all flowing from almost a kilometre of canals and is entirely powered by gravity. The haunting beauty of the gardens, a contender for one of the 7 wonders of the modern world, can make you forget that it remains to this day one of the most impressive feats of engineering ever accomplished but with all the Greek and Roman statues, secret gardens and refreshing pools, it’s easy to get distracted.

Once you have explored to your heart's content your guide will take you straight back to our driver who will drop you at the location of your choosing.

What's included

• Entry to the each site included in the tour
• Expert Local Guide
• Headsets for groups when appropriate
• Transport during the tour.
• Lunch and a drink

What's Excluded

• Some temporary exhibitions and special events may be excluded
• (Additional) Food and Drink
• Gratuities

Know Before You Go

Please check-in at the meeting point 15 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time. Tours will depart promptly at the scheduled time, and no refunds will be given for late arrivals or missed tours.

Proof of identification may be required, so please bring a valid form of photo ID for each guest.

Tours will proceed in all weather conditions, unless the site is closed by authorities for safety reasons. It is highly recommended to bring bottled water, sunscreen, hat and umbrella.

All tours operate within the current COVID-19 regulations set by the Italian Government.

Wear comfortable walking shoes and be sure to dress warmly in colder temperatures, and bring a cover for bare shoulders inside any churches in the warmer months.