Perfectly placed at the foothills of Monti Tiburtini, and skirted by the tranquil Aniene River, it’s not very difficult to see why Tivoli was a favorite holiday destination of Ancient Rome’s elite. Hop on a train with your local Rome host and get whisked away to this whimsical town, where you’ll begin your day with a thorough exploration of Villa d’Este and its sprawling grounds.

Think Opulence and Renaissance glamour. Settle your frazzled senses with a tasty lunch at a local trattoria where you’ll indulge in a three-course meal.

Stroll through the charming town to the bus stop, where your adventure continues to Villa Adriana - which was Emperor Hadrian’s personal little country lock-up-and-go (yes, Hadrian’s wall - that one). And it’s not so much ‘little’ as it is absolutely awe-inspiring.

Lose yourself amongst the olive groves which are dotted with statues and imagine what the palace once looked like as you step inside its ruins and weave between marble pillars - the site is so colossal that it feels more like a town than a single villa!