We needed to stay somewhere near Rome on the night before we dropped off the car in Rome, and someone suggested we stop in Tivoli to see the Villa d'Este and the Villa Adriana. We had no idea we were going to have such a marvelous stay. This B&B/hotel is sublimely beautiful. It is conveniently located directly across the road from the Villa Adriana on ten hectares of land: a long cypress tree lined path ushers you into this historic estate. Beautiful gardens, hilltop views, and then the gorgeous suite: a sitting room with a comfortable couch and chairs and stunning views, a big and well stocked bathroom, and the bedroom, which is elegant and comfortable. The pictures don't even do this place justice. It's like being in a grand estate, only it's also comforting and relaxing. Isabella and her mother-in-law Mary Ann and her daughter Anna are wonderful hosts. Breakfast of croissants and coffee and the option of fruit and yogurt too: all delicious. Oh and the free parking right there on the estate and the free wi fi: great perks. Plus you can walk to a fabulous restaurant, Villa Esedra, in less than five minutes. We spent a memorable day at the Villa D'Este marveling at the fountains and gardens (a 10 minute drive away), then changed and walked to this wonderful restaurant. Coming back in the dark, walking up the cypress lined path and seeing the estate's two donkeys grazing and entering this storied estate in moonlight and reading in the comfortable bed: bliss.
