TIVOLI, THE WATER GIANTS AND THE POPE'S PALACE

First day:

4 p.m. – Arrival and check-in with the host. Leisure time to discover the heart of Tivoli.

8:00 p.m. – Dinner at a local restaurant.

Second day:

9:30 a.m. – After breakfast meeting with your guide for a visit to the first of Tivoli's 2 UNESCO sites, Villa Adriana. A grand, innovative, revolutionary Architecture, the result of the genius of great Emperor Hadrian, who realized his ideal of Beauty here in the second century AD. A majestic and immense “Villa” equipped with large thermal baths, gardens enlivened by splendid fountains, triclinia, libraries, sumptuous buildings, worship places, theatres. Free time for lunch

5 p.m. (time varies according to season) Walk to discover the Mount Catillo Nature Reserve, which overlooks the municipality of Tivoli and offers memorable walks in an environment of high naturalistic value for the variety of botanical and faunal species and hiking thanks to the splendid views of the Roman countryside, the Aniene valley and beyond to the first Apennine foothills.

We will have a small aperitif while waiting for the sunset behind the Rome skyline.

8:00 p.m. – Dinner in a typical trattoria.

Third day:

10:30 a.m. Meeting with the hiking guide and departure at the discovery of the WATER GIANT path:” The remains of the great aqueduct really command respect.

What a great and noble purpose it is to provide a whole people with water by means of such a grand monument.” This is what Goethe wrote in his book “Italian Journey” and the emotion one still feels today in the presence of these admirable works is most intense! A beautiful and adventurous route along a loop that connects St. Anthony Bridge, Ponte della Mola, Ponte San Pietro, Old Mola along Via della Selciatella and Raminga Tower. Among streams, ancient maintenance roads and sometimes more challenging and steep trails in the dense forest, we will learn about the history of these places and at the end we will be able to reach San Gregorio da Sassola with its imposing Brancaccio Castle.

1 p.m. Tasting of local products in the heart of the medieval village of San Gregorio.

Visit of the medieval village in the afternoon and a special meeting awaits us!

8 p.m. Dinner in a typical trattoria.

Fourth day:

9 a.m. – After breakfast, meeting with the guide to visit the second UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tivoli, Villa d’Este. Known for its symmetry and geometric rules, the Italian-style garden is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, featuring a harmonious blend of nature and art. The tour will take us through the rich history of the House of Este, delving into their power games, loves, sumptuous banquets, and the unbridled passion for ancient artworks that made Cardinal Ippolito II the last prince of the Renaissance.