Your Lecture-Tour-Guide takes you to the slopes of the Apennine Mountains East of Rome. Here in the fabled medieval city of Tivoli you visit two spectacular sites. The Villa d'Este is home to arguably the most spectacular fountains and gardens of the world. This palatial residence of Cardinal d'Este (son of Lucrecia Borgia) harbors over 1,000 fountains and clearly illustrates the opulent lifestyle of Renaissance aristocracy. Next stop is the former country estate of the Emperor Hadrian. Ruler at the height of Rome's power and influence, Hadrian fancied himself an architect and patron of the arts.

The ruins of this Villa bear witness to his talents, vision and empirical taste. Your Lecture-Guide compares and contrasts these two private dream residences, separated by a thousand years yet similar in vision and grandeur.

Subiaco, twenty five miles from Tivoli is renowned for the oldest Benedictine Monastery. Founded in the 9 th century it has been considered the cradle of Bendictine order. Visit places surrounded by spectacular nature, where St Benedict retired from the world and where St Scolastica found her vocation.