Must-See Hidden Gems in Rome

Villa d’Este I first learned about the Villa d’Este from a BBC documentary that introduced Italy’s garden art, and I felt it was the pinnacle of garden design. After watching it, I realized it truly defined my taste in gardens. 🌿✨ With its ever-changing views and well-structured layout, it feels like a garden in Suzhou, but the Villa d’Este has a dramatic flair. On the surface, it appears grand and dignified, but there’s an underlying theatricality that makes you feel like something should be happening in this atmosphere. 🎭🌼 One disappointment this time was not seeing the fountains (the ticket price was reduced by 3 euros). If the fountains were working, it would have truly been a magnificent sight, as there are at least a hundred water spouts visible. 💦💫 I have to complain a bit about the garden management—the signage is unclear. The gender symbols for the restrooms are small, and the directions to the elevator and garden exit are quite chaotic. The entire town of Tivoli feels a bit disorganized. Locals think it's a small place that you can navigate easily, but for tired tourists, climbing dozens of steps can be a disaster. 😩🚶‍♂️ Compared to the north, this area is more chaotic, and Northern Europe tends to be better than Southern Europe in this regard; English-speaking countries generally have clearer signs than European ones. #GreatPlaces #LifeInEurope #UrbanLife #FirstTierCities #RomeItaly