Latium
This is the region of Italy that surrounds Rome.
On some trips we have stayed in this area and then travelled into the Rome when we wanted a day in the city.
On a number of trips we have stayed in Sperlonga, with its wonderful beach, as a way have ending the holiday with some very relaxing time before heading into Rome.
Civita di Bagnoregio
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Located around 100 km from Rome, or just 28 km from Viterbo, a visit to Civita di Bagnoregio is a quick trip back in time. It sits on a outcrop of volcanic stone and appears like an island surrounded by its valleys. At one time it was connected to the city of Bagnoregio but that land eroded away and today you enter the city by walking across a footbridge to go up to the old medieval town.
Pass through the stone gate and you have gone back in time. There is one main piazza, with the church San Donato dominating structure. This was the cathedral for the town of Bagnoregio until 1699. Along the piazza and the main street there are some three story buildings The Palazzo Alemanni is now owned by the local government and rooms on the upper level are used to host art exhibitions and conferences.
We were here in 2000 and while taking a fast shot of a woman on a chair, her son, Frabizio, joined us and invited us into this small restaurant/kitchen. We had some great bruscetto and wine in his basement kitchen. Very good.
Gaeta
Even though now when we look at pictures it looks spectacular, and tour books describe it as a beautiful site with charming Mediterranean architecture -- we just were not impressed. It was one of those occasion where we parked the car, said we would meet back a 7:00 pm and within a short time we were all heading back to the car hoping the others would be there. We all met early and headed back to Sperlonga.
The ancient city is on a narrow peninsula with the cathedral dating back to 1276. Yes there was a medieval feel, but I think it is just one of those places that we will have to return for a second visit.
Sperlonga
Here was a real surprise. In 2003 we were aiming for Gaeta. Our good friend, Carmen Grant, had seen the town of Gaeta featured on a cooking show and it looked like quite the destination. So that was the start of booking a vacation around Gaeta!
We could not find suitable hotel accommodations in Gaeta so we decided to say in the next town, Sperlonga, located about a half an hour along the coast. This turned out to be a very good thing. Gaeta did nothing for us, although even today, we see shots of the town featured on travel shows and it does look scenic. Oh well, it was off to Sperlonga.
The old part of Sperlonga is located on a precipitous ledge that hangs over the sea. Just walk down the road and climb the narrow maze of stairways into the old town. There you find network of small white-washed buildings with walkways for just that, walking. There are no cars in this town.
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There are a couple of cafes where you can sit, enjoy a drink and soak of the feeling of Italian life. Nothing hectic in this small town. No vespas, no cars.
So if you need a great beach location that is located not that far from Rome, Sperlonga is the place. After this, I don't think you find beaches this fine and unsploit until you are well down the coast. We have this as a place to which to return. As so we will.
Our 2008 visit to Italy has us spending a couple of days on the beaches of Sperlonga to relax as a way of winding down and ending the trip. Then it is a reasonable drive into Rome, a little pen shopping, and then back to Canada
Rome
We have stayed many many times in Rome, each time finding it such a pleasurable city to visit. We will try to summarize some of the sights that we have seen on the following page.