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Latium The western coast of Italy, peering off into the Tyrrhenian sea in the direction of sunny Elba and Corsica, is home to some of Italy’s most breathtaking, deep blue coastline. It is also one of the most historically intense regions of Italy, and home to Rome. It was a mixing ground for Etruscans and often attacked by the Saracens, and the archaeology leaves behind a fascinating tale of multiple conquests and cultural confluence, Latium played no small role in shaping the Italian identity.
Rome is a fascinating city, but oftentimes tourists visiting Latium are enamored of it, and fail to fully take in the intriguing beauty of the surrounding countryside. The beaches in Latium, for one, sparkle in the hot, midday sun and savvy worshipers of the golden orb spend hours leisurely soaking in the warm, life-giving rays. Spend a couple hours here and you, too, will understand why this was such a coveted coastline for invaders. Yellow sand beaches that softly caress your face as you fall asleep in the sun accentuate the regal tranquility which thousands of millennia of cultures enjoyed.
Resort destinations in Latium include the famous Tivoli, which is just a stone’s throw away from Rome. Fortunately, this epitomizes old-world charm. After all, the saying “they didn’t build Rome in a day” applies here as well. This was no overnight barn-raising of a resort town, but rather, like an ancient cathedral, something that took centuries to finesse. Check out, for instance, Hadrian’s Villa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back nearly 2,000 years. True to its name, the Emperor Hadrian was the first to summer here, at his perusal were well-stacked libraries, colorful floral gardens, an amphitheatre and a series of Roman baths. The archaeologist who gets to excavate this will have a field day.
Don’t worry, there is a resort you can actually visit. The Villa D’Este (literally, “Villa to the East”, the cardinal direction obviously a reference to Rome, the city to which, as we know, all roads lead). This combines medieval ruins with modern hospitality – it will, literally, take your breath away. Converted from a Benedictine Monastery in the mid 1500’s, the overflowing verdant, floral walkways, steamy spas, cool shade and intense sense of relaxation will overwhelm you. Accommodations are a splash, but well worth the experience. In fact, you’ll never want to leave. After all, Franz Liszt didn’t when he came here in the pursuit of inspiration (he found it, obviously). |
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