SAILING EXPERIENCE
The medieval town dominated by an imposing castle is famous for its volcanic lake and quiet atmosphere.
Glittering waters, picturesque seaside towns, sleepy islands and clean beaches can be found on this portion of the Tyrrhenian coastline, just few miles south of Rome. Once the heart of one of the world’s greatest civilisations, Lazio’s coastline is dotted with spectacular ruins, which we can include in a customised itinerary, or you can plan a relaxing day at sea with no other aim that enjoying the blue landscape, eating onboard, sunbathing and swimming/snorkelling. The Italian coastline has much to offer to both experienced sailors and novices assisted by expert skippers. We can sail from the picturesque fishermen borgo of Nettuno or from Ostia Lido and arrange a one-day experience or a multi-day cruise which can include the hidden gems called “Pontine islands”: Ponza, Ventotene, Palmarola. These are just the three main islands of a tiny volcanic archipelago inhabited since the Neolithic times and abandoned in the Middle Ages, due to constant raids by Saracens and pirates. It’s a true paradise just 22 nautical miles away from the coastline.
Complete your day trip:
relax seekers
Snorkelling, swimming, sunbathing in a quiet caletta”(a little bay), reading a book while cradled by the sea waves, sipping a glass of prosecco while the sun sets on the Mediterranean…. sailing is all this and more, do not feel compelled to sightsee, just relax!
Archaeo fans
The main archaeological sites on the Southern coastline are:
- the harbour of Ancient Ostia
- Nero’s villa on Anzio beach
- Domitian’s villa in Sabaudia and the remains of the acropolis on mount Circeo
- the temple of Jupiter Anxur in Terracina
- Sperlonga’s villa attributed to Tiberius
- ancient mausoleums near Formia and Gaeta
- the Augustan villa on Ventotene island….
As you can see, plenty of choices to arrange a full week of archaeological explorations while you enjoy the sealife during the rest of the day.
curious wanderers
Nettuno and the Pontine islands offer nice strolls to “explorers”. In Nettuno you can walk through the well-preserved old quarter with medieval streets and small squares. You can also visit the Forte Sangallo, a castle built in 1503 by Renaissance architect Antonio da Sangallo the Elder. Here, 7800 US soldiers who lost their lives here during the II World War rest in peace: this intense memorial and cemetery really deserves a visit. Pay a more cheerful visit to the harbour and little village on the island of Ponza, with its colourful little houses. On Santo Stefano island visit the old jail, an Italian “Alcatraz”, which was still in use in 1965. And, finally, the Roman villa on Ventotene, named after Julia, daughter of Augustus who was exiled here by her father.
