Of Trains, Buses, Hills and Water

 Our final day in Roma found us not in Roma, but in Tivoli.  And given our second last day in Roma was in a different country altogether, I’m now not sure if I ever was in Roma. 

Anyway, our day began in Roma and ended in Roma, but in the middle it was a story of Trains, Buses, Hills and Water.  And old shit.  Lots of old shit.

Anyone with the necessary degree in Advance Mathematics, a healthy amount of ESP, and the luck of an Irishman, is a 50-50 chance to navigate the Italian rail system.  The system runs on a series of guesses, powered by the work ethic of a sloth on Valium, and delivered through vehicles that look to pre-date Rome itself. 

However, if you can navigate that with any semblance of success, and we did (just) then you can visit one of the truly wonderful parts of greater Rome. Tivoli sits high on a hill, with its streets and residences reaching above each other and folding back layer upon layer.  Hadrian’s Villa ( I believe named for the great Roman Emperor  Villa) is old and awesome, however Villa d’Este is magnificence to behold.  Built in the 16th century for a Cardinal looking to further glorify his own name, and added to regularly since, the gardens are like nothing I’ve even seen before.  Before finishing one fountain, three more needed to be added on top.  Everywhere you look are beautifully maintained gardens, and water.  Lots of water.

Incredible water gardens at Villa d’Este

Breast-fetish or what?  Designed for the Cardinal who owned the Villa who clearly had an unhealthy relationship with the female form.






And Hadrians Villa which dates back to the fifth century…






And of course, then it was lunch and vino in wonderful Tivoli…







Comments

  1. GillyMay 7, 2024 at 5:10 PM

    What about the Tivoli church?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousMay 7, 2024 at 9:12 PM

      Apologies, we didn’t enter it but it’s the last photo. And one of the ruins of Hadrian’s villa was bound to have been a basilica - I mean who wouldn’t build one on their estate

      Delete
  2. JacindaMay 7, 2024 at 9:37 PM

    Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 8, 2024 at 1:47 AM

    Where to next?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndrewMay 8, 2024 at 2:02 AM

      Val d’ Orcia region in southern Toscana. Villa in a Small town called Bagno Vignoni. Thermal Springs, olives and (of course) Vino.

      Delete

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