Hadrian's Villa

We are likely to use a car this year, but it's not primarily a Rome trip. Many people combine Villa d'Este and and Hadrian's Villa, by train, from Rome. But I think that would require a cab for Hadrian's. When we went to the garden (d'Este), we didn't have a car, but I forget if we walked from the train station. Many people recommend a full day for serious exploration of Hadrian's Villa, but I suspect half a day is enough - haven't been there yet. For effortless but no control of timing, consider Viator - I don't mean to sound contemptuous, we've used them in places like Lisbon or Athens, where there was a lot of distance to cover and sights to see.

I like Tivoli and Villa d'Este, which are easy to visit by train. It is about a 15 minute walk to the Villa from the train station. Hadrian's Villa requires a bus ride from Tivoli -- or a cab -- unless you have a guided tour. Coming from Rome, it might be better to use a guide if you want to see both sites. Frankly, I prefer Villa d'Este.

It's easily an hour in each direction by train or bus, plus tour time and lunch, make it easily 5-6 hours just for one site.

Check out Roninrome's very helpful info on how to do that daytrip from Rome: http://www.roninrome.com/sites-and-attractions/how-to-get-to-villa-adriana

Thanks, all!

This is one of my favorite sites and I visited twice with disappointing tours before finally scheduling it in as the first night of a trip to Tuscany. We picked up a car at FCO and drove straight to the hotel at the gates of Villa Adriana and spent the afternoon in the sun enjoying the site. I would figure out how to get there without a tour -- the tours are awful, shorting time at this wonderful site (neither even let people get to the main pool which is the most stunning part of the site) and pushing people into tourist traps sales shops. It is a full half day and quite wonderful.

Ville d'Este has an interesting garden; the villa itself is not interesting IMHO.

This is one of my favorite sites and I visited twice with disappointing tours before finally scheduling it in as the first night of a trip to Tuscany. We picked up a car at FCO and drove straight to the hotel at the gates of Villa Adriana and spent the afternoon in the sun enjoying the site. I would figure out how to get there without a tour -- the tours are awful, shorting time at this wonderful site (neither even let people get to the main pool which is the most stunning part of the site) and pushing people into tourist traps sales shops. It is a full half day and quite wonderful.

Ville d'Este has an interesting garden; the villa itself is not interesting IMHO.

For those of you who took disappointing tours -- can you name names? I'm looking at one from viator that looks ideal, but if you've had a bad experience maybe we'll re-think it.
thanks!