Tivoli is a small town, located approximately 30 minutes drive from Rome and is the home of Villa d’Este, the masterpiece of the Italian Gardens, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its impressive concentration of fountains, nymphs, grottoes, plays of water, and music, it constitutes a replica model for European gardens in the mannerism and baroque styles. The garden is generally considered within the larger and altogether extraordinary context of Tivoli itself: its landscape, art and history, which includes the important ruins of ancient villas such as the Villa Adriana, as well as a zone wealthy in caves and waterfalls, displaying the unending battle between water and stone. The grandiose constructions and the series of terraces above terraces, bring to mind the hanging gardens of Babylon, one of the wonders of the ancient world. The addition of water, including an aqueduct tunneling beneath the city, evoking the engineering skill which the Romans themselves had.

For many visitors to Rome, a trip to the catacombs is one of the most moving and memorable parts of their holiday. While a visit to the Appian Way is worthwhile in itself – as you walk along the ancient cobblestones past vast tombstones and spectacular countryside you feel as though you’ve been transported back in time – a tour of the catacombs is undoubtedly the main highlight. Venture deep underground to explore the incredible tunnels that were dug out by hand nearly 2,000 years ago and learn all about the very beginning of Christianity. This is a side of Rome you’ve never seen before.