Here are the pleasure gardens of Rome. This is the Villa Borghese and it is one of the greatest parks on earth. 

Construction of the gardens began in 1605 for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, nephew of Pope Paul V, on the site of his vineyards. The area served as his personal playgrounds, where he would entertain friends and esteemed guests, and where he built a splendid gallery to house his personal art collection. Today it houses some of the finest masterworks of painting and sculpture in the world, including important works by Bernini, Rafael and Caravaggio. 

The City of Rome bought the land in 1903 and it is now a public park, allowing us all to enjoy a bit of the good life of Cardinal Borghese and his wealthy companions. 

The Villa Borghese houses several other museums and points of interest as well, including a Shakespearian theatre and racecourse for horses, a zoological park and a pavilion for cinema buffs. The villa is not only there to hold works of art and natural beauty but to live in. 

Its position atop Via Veneto, the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo makes it the perfect place to run away to. And the park’s southern end on the Pincio hill is one of the most arresting and romantic places from which to view the city. 

Enjoy your journey.