Summit Gaeta

Monday was beach day. We packed a lunch and left early, around 8:30am, for the sandy beach of Formia. The day was beautiful and hot, a high of 36C at the beach.

We spent a lazy and relaxing day in the water and sun-tanning. We were introduced to Creme Cafe, a slush-type espresso drink. It was too die for. It was so refreshing and good. Actually, since our arrival in Italy ...

... away, we can see the remains of the foundations of the old Roman Amphitheatre. It was a smaller version of the Colosseo in Rome and sat about 20,000 people.

Next we visited the Commonwealth War Cemetery located in the heart of Cassino. Here are buried the young Canadian, British, Indian, Australian and New Zealander soldiers that fought in the area of Cassino from February to June of 1945.

We ended the day with another 3 hour long supper.

... Also, they are only 45 minutes away from beautiful beaches in Formia and Ghiada.

We spent the day relaxing with the family. In the evening they had prepared a huge supper. For those that do not know, eating is very important to Italians. They usually do not have supper before 8:00pm and it usually takes a few hours. It's their way to catch up on the days events and crisis.

Le valigie si sono chiuse a fatica come al solito....al ritorno non so perchè, ma le stesse cose sembra che non ci entrino più nelle valigie...

Colazione e poi in aeroporto, anche se un po' presto, ma abbiamo da restituire la macchina e controllare il peso delle valigie perchè non sborserò più un centesimo per l'eccedenza bagaglio!!

Infatti eccoci sul pavimento dell'aeroporto a sparpagliare vestiti tra le varie valigie e ...

... br>Sant'Agostino; San Vito; Arenauta; Ariana; Quaranta Remi; Fontania and Serapo.

On weekends in July and during the month of August this area is crowded with Italian holidaymakers. However the beautiful beaches remain surprisingly quiet during the rest of the year, despite the rainless summers, and many months of good weather.

On the opposite side of the peninsula there is a busy, modern port named "Porto Salvo" and ...

... near to Itri, on the outskirts of Formia.

During the era when young British aristocrats and scholars undertook the cultural "Grand Tour" of Italy, a common itinerary would have included Rome, Venice, Florence and Naples. Thus many great artists and writers would have journeyed along the route of the Via Appia, and Itri may have been a welcoming resting place for weary travellers.

Charles Dickens, when travelling ...

... little town is extremely popular with the well heeled Italian visitors from the city of Rome, particularly during the month of August, or on sunny summer weekends, when they flock to the seaside to escape the city heat.

However out of season Sperlonga reverts to a sleepy, peaceful setting for a relaxing Italian holiday, because, as yet, this very special place is still comparatively undiscovered by international ...

... fortnight staying with some of my Italian cousins, in Atina. It was our first meeting but we were so warmly welcomed and received into the family fold and Atina transpired to be even more charming than I could ever have imagined.

Thus began our irresistible love affair with "La Bella Italia"
which finally inspired us to risk everything, sell up lock, stock and barrel
and ...

... defensive structure. The is a path leading all around the town walls, known locally as "Lover's Lane", from which there are stunning views of the countryside.

There are 2 parish churches, one dedicated to St Michael Arcangelo (11th century) was built over a pre-existing pagan temple, the other is the church Annunziata (13th century) and the Convent of Sant' Onofrio was founded in the 11th century.

Campodimele, Latium, Italy nonnalou

Today we rented a car and drove down to Gaeta, a couple of hours south of Rome. First of all, yes, I drove a car here, and yes, it was insane. Italians make a show of installing traffic control devices like stop lights, stop signs, speed limits, lane dividers, etc., but absolutely nobody follows them. If you don't drive aggressively, you are going to have a very bad day. So when in Rome... Gaeta is a port/beach town on a little peninsula on the west ...