Time stands still inside Villa Borghese, where locals mingle with visitors, all seeking the same serene refuge from the bustle of the city.
Shady umbrella pines and lush lawns make the green heart of Rome a perennial picnicking paradise. And there's no shortage of activities amid the expanse of nature: bike and footpaths are lined with statues and fountains; three museums, a re-creation of an Elizabethan theater, and a zoo answer the call for culture and entertainment.
The Aldrovandi Villa Borghese, with its bird's-eye view overlooking the gorgeous greenery, provides a grand gateway into the gardens below.
The Aldrovandi Villa Borgehese packs all the essentials necessary for an unforgettable day in the park.
With the staff’s inherent knowledge of the lay of the land, the Aldrovandi Villa Borghese packs all the essentials necessary for an unforgettable day in the park.
Guests are outfitted with complimentary bicycles, a sumptuous picnic lunch loaded with local delicacies, prepared by resident chef Claudio Mengoni, and a sommelier-selected bottle of fine Italian wine. After the picnic and a ride in the park, guests pedal their way to the nearby Galleria Borghese art museum. Reservations book up months in advance, but Aldrovandi guests needn't worry, since the hotel has arranged for booked tickets ahead of time.
Built in the early 17th century in the Baroque style, the 20-room villa-turned-gallery houses some of Rome's most impressive sculptures. On the ground floor, the Apollo and Daphne room is named for Gian Lorenzo Bernini's sculptural depiction of the mythical Greek sun god and the beautiful Naiad nymph.
Holding court nearby, in the Pauline Room, is Antonio Canova's seductive Venus Victrix, a white marble depiction of Pauline Bonaparte (Napoleon's sister), commissioned by her husband Camillo Borghese. Upstairs, the second floor is reserved for paintings by Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, and other Italian masters.
To learn more about the Aldrovandi Villa Borghese or to arrange a romantic picnic and museum excursion by bicycle, please contact the concierge upon making a reservation.
