1. Tivoli


Best for: History buffs and cultural heritage lovers looking for an easy day trip from Rome
The elegant gardens and villas of Tivoli are a wonderful escape from Rome and will delight art history buffs and nature lovers. Tivoli can be reached by train in under an hour from central Rome and has two noteworthy villas that are UNESCO World Heritage sites; Villa d'Este, with its mesmerising fountains and terraced Renaissance gardens and Villa Adriana, is a large Roman archaeological complex constructed by Emperor Hadrian.
Get there: A 50-minute bus from Rome Tiburtina to Tivoli Piazza Garibaldi
Stay here: Residenza Carlandi Tivoli is right in the centre, and a short (scenic) walk from Villa d'Este
Don’t miss: Admire the splendid Teatro Marittimo, an island within Villa Adriana that has become a symbol of the ancient archaeological site