Lazio suggested itineraries

Half way between Anzio and Gaeta, Lazio's Circeo is an area in which, over just a few square kilometers, a staggering variety of geological features can be seen: enchanting beaches, steep cliffs, ancient caves, lakes inhabited by numerous bird species, lush woods and unforgettable islands. All protected within the National Park of Circeo. And tracing the coastline, a succession of watch towers, erected so as to defend the area from attack by the Saracen pirates.

Our itinerary commences in Gaeta. Positioned on the border between the gulf which bears its name and the Circeo, Gaeta is known principally for its port. Testifying to the historical importance of the town there is the Castle, used over the centuries as royal residence, army barracks, even prison. Not to be missed: the Romanesque cathedral dedicated to St Erasmus.

We travel just a few kilometers beyond Gaeta and immediately find ourselves deep within the Circeo, in Sperlonga. A sea much loved by scuba divers and a little town with commanding views of the coast. From here, boats transport visitors to the legendary Grotta di Tiberio, where to admire both natural beauty and the treasures left behind by the ancient Romans.

The next part of our journey takes us to Terracina. Here too the splendid sea forms a rival attraction to the town, this latter home to the cathedral of San Cesario, complete with flight of steps, belonging to the Roman temple around which the cathedral was built, in the 12th century. Not far from here, lies the Temple of Giove Anxur, place of worship dating back to the 1st century B.C, which more than merits a visit.

At San Felice Circeo we stroll through the characteristic historic center, which developed around the 13th century Torre dei Templari and the Palazzo Baronale. At the feet of Monte Circeo, San Felice forms one of the gateways to the National Park of the Circeo and its fascinating series of Karst caves. For speologists, the visit to the Grotta dei Guacceri is the equivalent to a journey back in time, when the area was inhabited by Neanderthal man. Close by, there is the Grotta della Maga Circe in which, legend has it, Ulysses let himself be ensnared by the sorceress Circe.

Proceeding along the coast, we arrive in Sabuadia, the most glamorous of Circeo's seaside resorts. Crowded beaches and secluded bays, but above all, a marvellous sea. For nature lovers, just a few kilometers away, there are the Circeo's four coastal lakes, the most important of which is the Lago di Paola, a saltwater lake which attracts dozens of species of migratory birds.

Next stop, Nettuno: the origins of which are linked to the temple dedicated to Neptune, god of the sea. A well known sea resort, Nettuno boasts both a castle and, just a few kilometers from the center, another fortress. Torre Astura was conceived as a watch tower and became, over the years, a fully blown castle connected to the mainland by a long wharf.

The last part of our journey brings us to Anzio, the beaches of which greet tourists with a mixture of sea and ancient Roman ruins, the most important of which the Villa di Nerone, residence of the emperor who made Anzio an important port. To this very day, life in Anzio still centers around its port from where each day the hydrofoils for the Pontine Islands and, in particular, the islands of Ponza and Ventotene, depart. The Pontine, or Ponziane, islands are divided in to two groups: that of Ponza, Palmarola, Zannone and Gavi; and, at a distance of circa 20 miles, Ventotene and Santo Stefano. The Pontine islands are much loved by scuba divers. The uninhabited Zannone is particularly beautiful, and is an integral part of the National Park of the Circeo. In the summer, the towns of Ponza and Ventotene are animated by the arrival of hundreds of tourists.