Hi everyone! My mom, cousin, and I will be visiting my brother in Rome October 15-22. We would all love to take a weekend trip somewhere, as we have never been south of Rome. Any suggestions for someplace not too far, but memorable and fun? We're all into food, art, history, and the beach I personally could go shopping in Milano for the weekend (would love to find a Mantilla-style veil for my wedding dress), but I've been overruled...
Closer than Milano, I would suggest, given your stated interests, trip to Sorrento and Capri. There are great threads on both of these places, if you do a search. And I'm sure others will make more recommendations, once they see your post. Ciao, Cheryl
I really enjoyed Sperlonga, south of Rome before Gaeta for a small beach town! very clean a cute little village above, but it won't be Italian beach season so probably will be very closed!
I second Diva's suggestion for Sperlonga...beautiful cozy town on the sea with some quaint shops and pretty views. Nearby in Gaeta you could visit Split Mountain or stroll the old city there as well. There is also an amazing colosseum about an hour away in Santa Maria Capua Vetere (near Caserta) second in size to the Flavian Amphitheatre in Rome, but in this one you're allowed to roam the passageways below the floor level and see where the cages where, how the animals and gladiators/prisoners were moved around below the colosseum. Very interesting. When we visited we were the only ones there wandering among the ruins.
Posts: 959 | Location: Bouncing Between Italy and America | Registered: 08 November 2002
I was just going to post this question, because we've been living in Rome for 3-plus weeks and are longing for a bit of green. What's a good, not too far away place to take a curious, foodie seven year old boy who's like to see "some leafy green" --? We're willing to rent a car. Any agriturismos we should know about?
R.G.
Posts: 326 | Location: @##$@!! Los Angeles | Registered: 19 March 2002
Depending on traffic, Castelli Romani is about an hour's drive from Rome. There are several towns that are worth a visit, but for food I would recommend Frascati. In that interesting town you can get an exellent porchetta sandwich, tasty sweets and gelato. There are also interesting small restaurants/pizzerie that you will run across in walking around the center of town. To choose one use the "eye and nose" test .
Castelgondolfo would be the other town worthy of a visit, especially if you are looking for green as the vistas from there are quite beautiful.
Another area that is just a bit further south is the Anagni--Fiuggi--Acuto area. Anagni is especially interesting and Fiuggi is an upscale town noted for its waters. One of our favorite restaurants is in Acuto--Le Colline Ciaociare. This is a very small restaurant with only five tables. The restaurant is on the main road to the town. A google search will turn up a great deal about this area.
Have you tried the allementari in Via di Torre Argentina which is, as I recall, in your neighborhood as it is between Via di Santa Chiara and Corso Vittorio Emanuele?
Peter
Posts: 1632 | Location: Essex Fells, NJ and Longboat Key, Florida | Registered: 21 July 2002
P., that store is a block from our apartment. Fantastic goodies, easily minimizing my need to cook.
Thank you. Will report.
R.G.
p.s. haven't found the wine store of my dreams yet. I'd like not to have to go to the ghetto -- it's a drag lugging wine bottles across the Largo Argentina.
Posts: 326 | Location: @##$@!! Los Angeles | Registered: 19 March 2002
I third the Sperlonga option and second the Frascatti Region as well. Can't go wrong with either. Have you thought about North to Orvieto. Also a very good choice and very easy to get to.
Tony Polzer Tour Operator 3 Millennia Tours - Tours of Rome www.threemillennia.com tony@threemillennia.com
Posts: 1315 | Location: Rome, Italy; Zagreb, Croatia | Registered: 12 February 2003
Sperlonga seems lovely, just judging by the photos I've found on the web! A little beach getaway may be the perfect side trip for us all.
And to answer Diva's question, yes my brother is currently living and studying in Rome. He shares an apartment in Monteverde with another student, and walks to his school in Trastevere. He's a little bummed about being on the outskirts, but having lots of fun nevertheless! I just read his email recounting Notte Bianca - what an adventure! Apparently he spent about 7 minutes trying to find the keyhole to his apartment in the blackness!
Maybe he'll end up marrying an Italian girl, and then I can come to visit in the summer