Winter Break in Italy. Heading East from Rome, towards the snow covered peaks of Abruzzo, sits Tivoli Terme - location of the magnificent Hadrian's villa archeological site. This was the summer retreat for Emperor Hadrian who ruled Rome from 117 to 138 AD, and as one archeologist described it: "the Disneyland of antiquity...". The grounds are massive with significant ruins, populated with impressive pools and scattered among olive groves. We arrived when the site opened and had it the entire morning to ourselves.

Later that afternoon, one can visit the famous Tivoli Gardens, part of palace Villa d'Este. The villa was the brief home of Cardinal Ippolito d'Este. While the palace is impressive with each room referencing a theme from antiquity, even more so are the garden grounds surrounding the villa. Dozens of fountains set a soothing ambience while one walks among the mixture of fauna.

Lastly, shortly before entering the Peligna Valley, off the beaten path is the most significant archeological site in Abruzzo, Alba Fucens - a Roman colonial town that at its height had over 6000 residents. There are intact remains of thermal baths and an well preserved amphitheater. On a nearby hilltop is the medieval fortress village of Albe, destroyed in the 1915 earthquake and now resettled below, adjacent to the archeological site.

Timestamps:

(00:20) - Hadrian's Villa
(02:05) - Villa d'Este
(02:45) - Tivoli Gardens (part of Villa d'Este)
(03:28) - Alba Fucens

Music:

Serge Pavkin Music "Tears"
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Serge Pavkin Music "Peacefulness"
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