In 79 AD, the Villa dei Papiri, a superb residence bursting with exquisite frescoes and lush gardens, overlooking the Bay of Naples, was buried by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. In the 1960s, the oil investor J. Paul Getty, decided to construct a replica of the abode, not to live in, but to provide the perfect museum for his vast collection of art and antiquities. Getty died in 1976, and never saw the finished product, but today, the magnificent structure rising from a narrow canyon on the Pacific Coastal Highway in Malibu, is the only museum devoted to Greek, Roman, and Etrurian art and antiquities in the nation.

The Getty Villa is a wonderful place to spend a day roaming the marble laden galleries and gardens and feel like a Roman aristocrat. Organized by theme, the 1,200 artifacts that can be displayed within the 48,000 square feet of gallery space at any one time, are arranged into sections like "Stories of the Trojan War," "Gods and Goddesses," and "Dionysos and the Theater." Visitors, who enjoy free admission, but must secure a timed ticket in advance, traverse easily between indoor and outdoor areas, making their way eventually to the villa's lovely cafe, one of the many education programs that occur throughout the year, or even to the villa's outdoor theater where they can take in a Greek play. When the day of ancient exploration comes to an end, find your way back to the conveniences of modern civilization at the W Los Angeles - Westwood, an urban sanctuary, just ten miles away.