Tivoli or Cortona

Kristina, I agree with the previous reply. Villa d'Este would be more of a "day trip", unless you want to spend one night in the area and explore it in more detail. Cortona is a scenic Tuscan hill town and more of a "destination" to stop for a day or two. There are some Museums and Churches to tour, and nice shops along some of the small streets. Evenings tend to be a bit "quiet", but it's nice just to enjoy the ambience along with a fine hot meal and a few glasses of Vino. In addition to being the setting for the book and movie Under The Tuscan Sun, Cortona was also used for the Andre Rieu Tuscany concert (one of my favourites!). Happy travels!

They are not really comparable. The Villa d'Este is a day trip from Rome, in the same town (more or less) as Hadrian's Villa. Villa d'Este is famous for its incredible fountains, and Hadrian's Villa is almost as big as a city of amazing Roman ruins. You could spend a night in Tivoli and see both if you wanted to. Cortona is a lovely hill town that merits an overnight stay at least, and is nowhere near Rome. It is the setting of Frances Mayes' books beginning with Under the Tuscan Sun. You really need to read about both before you set your itinerary, because they are totally unlike.