Hi!
We have one week in Italy in early June and were thinking about basing ourselves in a picturesque but less over-run with American tourists beach town south of Rome from which we could do day trips to the Pontine Islands, Abruzzo National Park, and maybe Pompeii. We're an active family of five that enjoys exploring charming villages, historic sites, and outdoor activities like snorkeling and hiking. We'll have a car. I'm looking for recommendations for the best base: Gaeta, Sperlonga, Terracina, or San Felice Circeo. Also, Ponza Island looks gorgeous, but reviews remark on the amount of trash and neglect on the island itself. I was originally thinking about spending a night or two there, but now I'm re-thinking. I understand that we couldn't take our car there. Thanks in advance for your insight!
Posted by
5804 posts
I love the way you think, but I think you may need to scale back a bit. Abruzzo NP is two hours from the coast, so finding one base to visit all of those places is a tall order. Would you be willing to split the week in two--half in the park and half at the caost? Where are you arriving/departing?
Have you scoped out the transport to the Pontine islands? Seems like you would want to be close to a ferry departure point.
https://www.italia.it/en/lazio/pontine-islands
Shame to hear that about Ponza as I have it on my list, but unfortunately not a rare occurrence. I have been to many of the islands in Croatia, and there is a seasonal "beach cleaning" for all the flotsam and jetsam that washes into the coves. The seas are full of trash.
You might want to check out the area north of Rome around Monte Argentario--it also offers a lot of what you have described as seeking and I can recommend it without reservations (*except bug spray, bring that!), whereas I can't say about the Gaeta area. Good luck!
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you for your reply! Monte Argentario looks amazing and I like that we could explore Giglio Island from there. I originally was exploring beach towns south of Rome since my daughter is meeting a friend farther up the Tuscan coast after our family trip - rough life, I know! I also like the possibility of splitting time between the coast and someplace like Orvieto or Viterbo. I was trying to avoid Tuscany in the summer as my family is allergic to big crowds of tourists!
Posted by
5804 posts
I have only been in late May, but I always found that time of year perfect, so I would not be very concerned about early June in all but the most popular places. We were in Porto Santo Stefano last year in late May and crowds were not a factor at all. In early June the season is really just getting started. We had our options open about Giglio but just stayed on the promontory instead. There are some nice hikes and nearby Maremma park (30 minute drive) is one of our favorite places.
It's nothing like Pompeii, but the Etruscan sites are interesting.
Posted by
North Italy
502 posts
We spent ten days in San Felice Circeo one September and also visited Gaeta, Sperlonga and Terracina. We've seen a lot of Italy (we live here) but this area wasn't one of our favourites. Difficult to say why. San Felice is nothing special and I wouldn't base there - there's a bit of historical centre up on the hill and a nothing special beach. Sperlonga and Terracina are both nice. Of the places you mentioned Gaeta was definitely our favourite: https://slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com/2020/12/september-2020-circeo-gaeta.html
It's a bit stressful driving and parking in the area especially at weekends as there are a lot of people from Rome too.
However early June should not be too crowded anywhere -schools in Italy close about 8th June.
Valadelphia's idea of the Argentaria area is good and means you could easily visit some lesser known and equally beautiful towns and villages inland: Lago di Bolsena, Pitigliano, Viterbo, Vetralla ecc.
I preferred that area to the Circeo-Gaeta area. The only issue in the Maremma area is biting insects - avoid Principina a Mare .......