Tivoli Tour - Xander was an outstanding tour guide. The tour was amazing and the views were unbelievable. He was very knowledgeable and went out of his way

Wonderful Tivoli Escape with an exceptional guide - Xander - Perfect Day Trip from August Rome: We booked this Tivoli tour for our group of three - myself, my 16-year-old niece, and my father - hoping to escape Rome’s August heat and crowds for a day. As it happened, we were the only ones booked, so our semi-private tour became a private experience at no extra charge. August is Actually Ideal for Tivoli: Here’s something we discovered: while Rome was absolutely packed, Tivoli was remarkably quiet. Our guide Xander (Alessandro) explained that these sites are especially popular with Italians, who are all away on August holidays. We had entire sections of the gardens to ourselves - what a contrast to the Colosseum the day before! The sites were also noticeably cooler than central Rome. Xander (Alessandro) - A Naturally Gifted Guide: Xander truly made this tour special. Rather than delivering a rehearsed script, he engaged us in natural conversation throughout the day, seamlessly weaving in historical context and stories. He had an impressive ability to read our group - noticing what caught our attention and adjusting his commentary accordingly. What really stood out was how he managed three generations with different energy levels and interests. Sometimes my niece wanted to explore quickly, sometimes my dad needed to rest in the shade, and sometimes we’d all stop and chat for extended periods about everything from Roman engineering to modern life and everything else in between. Xander adapted perfectly to each situation, making the day feel relaxed despite covering a lot of ground. (Nice touch: LivTours sent a follow-up email the next day with photos from our tour, and mentioned that Alessandro had told them how much he enjoyed showing us around. It’s clear this is a company where the guides and office actually communicate.) Villa d’Este - Extraordinary Renaissance Gardens: Our family has visited many of the world’s great gardens across England, Europe, and Japan, and Villa d’Este absolutely ranks among the most fascinating. It’s not just beautiful - it’s an engineering marvel with over 500 fountains operating purely by gravity, no pumps needed. The Cardinal who built it in the 16th century actually diverted an entire river to create this water wonderland. The Fountain of Neptune and the Avenue of 100 Fountains were spectacular, and with so few visitors, we could properly appreciate each one. The spray from the fountains was also very welcome in the August heat. Hadrian’s Villa - A Lost World: This sprawling 2nd-century complex is unlike any ruins I’ve visited. It’s enormous - larger than Pompeii - and was essentially Hadrian’s attempt to recreate his favorite buildings from across the Empire in one place. The Canopus area, with its Egyptian-inspired pool and colonnade, was particularly atmospheric with so few people around. Xander brought the ruins to life, explaining the heating systems, the emperor’s private island study, and the architectural innovations that influenced building for centuries. You do need sturdy shoes - you’re walking on original Roman stones that are quite uneven - but it’s absolutely worth it. Logistics - Smooth and Comfortable: • Meeting point pickup and drop-off ran seamlessly • The air-conditioned van was a blessing in August • All entrance tickets were included and pre-arranged • Lunch break in Tivoli town was perfectly timed. Xander recommended an excellent local trattoria and we invited him to join us - he was wonderful company over lunch too. (We discovered at the end he’d secretly paid for his own meal, though we were hoping to treat him. Class act.) • The drive itself was pleasant, allowing us to see the countryside around Rome Final Thoughts: After five days battling crowds at the Colosseum and all over central Rome, we almost skipped this tour - so glad we didn’t. It offered a completely different pace and perspective on Roman history. The combination of two superb sites, each remarkable in its own way, made for a perfectly balanced day. The small group format (maximum 6 people, just 3 in our case) made everything more enjoyable - no waiting for stragglers, easy to hear the guide, and flexibility to adjust the pace. While the sites themselves are spectacular, it was really Xander who elevated this from a good tour to an exceptional experience. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to see beyond Rome’s main attractions, especially families with mixed ages and energy levels. And if you’re hesitating about August because of crowds - don’t. The quiet sites were an unexpected bonus.

Ostia Antica with Xander - The ruins were amazing to visit and it was so helpful to have Xander to explain and answer questions. He was very knowledgeable, patient with our family and engaging with the kids. Great spot and far fewer tourists!

Great Tour of Ostia Antico - We loved our tour. Xander was an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable and entertaining. He gave us not only a great amount of knowledge and history but also the stories behind the history.

Great experience with a great guide - Xander was a terrific guide. Knowledgeable, enthusiastic and patient with my questions. The site was fascinating and I'll definitely do some more research on Ostia Antica. Highly recommended.

The perfect day in Ostia Antica with Michela - Michela’s knowledge of the ancient city is extensive and her passion for the history of the area was evident throughout the day. She took us thru areas we would not have found on our own. Her descriptions of the ruins and style of speaking when delivering information made us feel like we could see the city as it may have been when it was a bustling port city. Michaela’s outgoing and friendly personality made the day that much more special. I would highly recommend this tour with Liv tours and specifically Michela!!!💜

Day trip away from Rome - Tivoli gardens and fountains & the tours of baths and villas outside Rome were the perfect escape from the crowds. Xander had great artist renderings to help visualize former glory of the impressive places we toured. Easy to talk with. Our driver was also excellent. Teens and adults enjoyed.

A Xander tour of Ostia - Xander was a Very informative from a very friendly guide. He helped me go behind the scenes and off the beaten path of this huge area. Bravo Xander!

Relaxing and private tour with knowledgeable guide - We have been to Rome many times but have never been to Ostia Antica despite driving by it several times. This trip we made sure we went. Massimo was a great guide. He was very knowledgeable about Ostia Antica and also about Ancient Rome as a whole - he was very kind to answer all of our questions! We had a baby with us and brought our stroller which we knew would be a pain but he helped us the whole way which was unnecessary and very nice! Definitely worth it. Will likely book another tour when we are in Naples.

Good tour - Explained things but had trouble with English . Good background of ostia. Lit of historical facts he was a pleasant person