The Garden of Eaden: ROME: How to get to Villa D’Este from Rome

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When in Rome, the urge to immerse yourself in its history can be overwhelming. And while the draw of visiting one of the world most beautiful gardens can prove to be irresistible, the practicalities of getting to Villa D’Este are somewhat different.

Resting in the hilltop town of Tivoli, Villa D’Este is a good 36 miles away from the centre of Rome, so getting there by way of Rome's ‘easy-to-use’ Metro is out of the question – you are going to have to catch a train.

Of course, the easiest way to get to the train station is by using the metro. To begin with, make your way to the Terminus station as you will need to catch a tube travelling on the Linnea A line towards REBBIBIA. Get off at TIBERTINA station and make your way to a ticket booth to pick up tickets for the overland train to TIVOLI. You can pick up return tickets at this point although you can always get some more at Tivoli train station. Two return tickets to Tivoli from Tibernia will cost 9 Euro. I know this seems far too cheap, but that was what I was charged last week - the ticket seller may have under charged me by mistake.

The journey to Tivoli will take about an hour, but once you get out into the country the scenery is beautiful.

When you reach Tivoli station, avoid the temptation to follow the road that leads down to the right. Instead walk a short distance down and cut through to a path on the left that will lead you down to a modern 3 span bridge that stretches across the river. Cross the bridge to reach the town then follow the plentiful and well posted signs to Villa D’Este. To walk from Tivoli station to Villa D'Este will take between 10 and 15 minutes. It is very easy and will save you from trying to find somewhere that sells a bus ticket - as well as avoiding the risk of getting on the wrong bus (or the right bus but going in the wrong direction).

You will know that you are heading in the right direction as soon as you walk past the fortified castle. A bit further along and you eventually come across a square/municipal park with an old clock tower set behind it. Again, follow the sign for Villa D’Este which will lead you into a courtyard - Piazza Trento- containing a church and a restaurant. Adjacent to the church is the entrance to Villa D’Este, and the old clock tower you saw earlier will be in front of you as it is actually built into the fabric of Villa D'Este itself.

TICKET PRICES

As of last week - 2011 - ticket prices were 11 Euros each.