A little bit of “the notebook”

Today we are taking a trip to Rome to the Villa Borghese.

When I arrived at this place, an image immediately came to mind: Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in a canoe on the lake. Almost everyone knows this scene from the movie "The Notebook." For my generation, the entire film is practically the epitome of romance.
And this place is also quite romantic, and the atmosphere there fascinated me so much that I would like to tell you a little about it today.

Villa Borghese

The small lake is located in Rome and belongs to the Villa Borghese. However, the Villa Borghese isn't actually a villa, as one might initially assume. "Villa" is the Italian word for city park. This one is located directly north of the city center and is hard to miss on the map. At 5 km, it is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Rome.2 as one of the most beautiful green spaces in the city. It contains not only several temples and fountains, but also a zoo and a museum with a remarkable art collection. And, of course, the small lake I mentioned at the beginning.

After walking around Rome all day and exploring the many churches, squares, obelisks, and other sights, you probably want to rest a bit. At least, that's how my family and I felt when we visited Rome a few weeks ago. So we headed to Villa Borghese to get some nature and relax. But the park isn't just popular with tourists—Romans themselves also enjoy spending a lot of time there.

SOURCE: VILLABORGHESETOURS.COM

Story

The current site was once the estate of the noble Borghese family in the early 17th century. It housed stables, gardens, vineyards, and enclosures with rare animals. Water features were also held there. Cardinal Borghese opened the park to the public at that time. He was a passionate art collector, and his private collection can now be seen in the park's own museum, the Galleria Borghese. After the cardinal's death, his heirs had the estate converted into an English garden at the end of the 18th century, giving the park its present appearance.

View over the city

The park has several entrances, but most visitors are likely drawn to the adjacent Piazza del Popolo, which leads to Villa Borghese. From there, you climb a few steps up the Pincio Hill, on which the park is built. This elevated position affords a magnificent panorama. From there, you can see not only the Piazza del Popolo, but also St. Peter's Basilica and several other Rome landmarks across the Old Town.

Lake of Villa Borghese

Of course, the park has some beautiful spots, and it's definitely worth exploring the entire park. But one part you absolutely shouldn't miss is the artificial lake, Laghetto di Villa Borghese, which reminded me so much of the scene from "The Notebook."

On a small island in the lake is a Temple of Asclepius, dedicated to the god of healing. The lake's inhabitants include not only ducks and geese, but also numerous small turtles, which can be spotted in every corner.

And if you want to get even more of a “The Notebook” feeling, rent a rowboat and explore the lake.

If you would like to get more travel tips or learn about healthy eating, mindfulness or sustainability, take a look here over.