suec1

In several films recently I believe there have been scenes from this location. On several trips to Rome over the past 15 years, I don't remember seeing them promoted in tourist info. Are they new, well er, newly re-opened? How convenient are they to visit using public transportation? Thanks!

PalenQ

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1025

Well a UNESCO World Heritage Site speaks volumes about these astounding gardens, which I have visited twice - the Vila d'Este was a country home of some rich Bishop - bishops lived high off the hog back then and the water gardens he created or were created at some point in the back garden are stunning in the elaborateness though in dry seasons their water flow is reduced - it is the splishsplashing playful water fountains that are the hallmark of this place.

Tivoli, which dates from Roman days and has some amazing Roman relics like a huge damn, is a fair-size city about 20-30 miles east of Rome - I took the train but buses I believe are quicker and depart from a terminus of Rome's metro system on the east side of Rome.

Hadrian's Villa is just a few miles towards Rome from the Vila d'Este/Tivoli and to me is even more spectacular than the Vila d'Este gardens. A sprawling site over which are many Roman ruins where the Emperor Hadrian once frolicked - with young boys - accepted in those times. The bus from Tivoli to Rome stops on the main street running by the ruins; sosme bus services stop right at the site entry. Hadrian's Villa is one of the top Roman archaeological sites I have ever seen