LISTING PHOTOS
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Little alley in Sperlonga fishermen village
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Landscape and view from Campodimele on the Aurunci Mountains
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The medieval alleys of the village of Itri in South Pontino
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The Lake of Fondi
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The cliffs of Monte Orlando (Gaeta)
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The medieval beauty of Gaeta
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Page Views: 187
Date Added: 23/09/2007
Last Updated: 23/09/2007
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Gaeta, southern Latium , Price: 250,000 plus
Italy isn’t only Rome, Florence or Venice. In reality, the genuine images of traditional Italy are often hidden in towns and counties where not many international tourists travel or visit. Here in the southernmost area of Lazio each town or village is a precious box that keeps ancient traditions, and folklore of invaluable cultural significance;
Some of Rome's best-hidden history, legacy and secrets are tucked well away in the ancient villages and towns of the surrounding Lazio region.
The countryside and seaside south of Rome in southern Latium is geographically called South Pontino (Sud Pontino in Italian). Italy's magical combination of sun, sea, cuisine and culture has long attracted travelers to its beautiful shores. Surprisingly, in Italy there are still some undiscovered corners and the South Pontino is one of them.
Travelers going south of Rome by driving or train will experience a quiet and peaceful journey in the middle of rural South Italy. Ancient Roman roads will take travellers up to the enchanting Gulf of Gaeta right in the hearth of Sud Pontino.
About one hour driving out of Rome, starting from the Circeo Promontory, travellers will be in a sunny corner of Italy with landscapes blending magically the nearness of the Ausoni and Aurunci mountains to the South Tyrrhenian Sea.
The Sud Pontino is still unspoilt and plenty of traditions, an old land with many ancient hidden treasures. Historically a land of passage, this is the door to the South of Italy, to a deeply Mediterranean Italy, with its people, cultures and sunny landscapes.
Medieval hilltop villages amid verdant fields. Driving on the coastal roads will disclose a corner of Italy with enchanting places on the sea. The towns on the sea like Gaeta, Sperlonga, Terracina, Formia, San Felice display to travellers their historic medieval districts. Here, the hillside villages of South Pontino blend in their beauty their medieval heritage with the archeological treasures of ancient Rome’s history. The landscape is then framed by the sea between the Pontine Islands and the coast with enchanting marine sceneries for the travelers reaching the South Pontino by sailing.
The routes of your driving journey can either follow the coastal roads or the internal ones crossing landscapes of hills and mountains. Either way, the use of secondary roads will disclose corners of undiscovered Italy to foreigners. The roads among hills and mountains will reveal the medieval images of small villages like Itri, Campodimele, Pico, Lenola, Spigno Saturnio, Ausonia, Castelnuovo Parano, Maranola, Castellonorato, a historic group of little villages nestling in the foothills of or within the Aurunci Mountains, part of the Aurunci National Park.
The natural border of the South Pontino finally terminate in the south with a splendid view of the Gulf of Gaeta. On the way travellers will find the little fishermen village of Sperlonga. The unique aspect of this tiny village of South Italy lies in its ancient beauty and architecture. Sperlonga preserves unchanged that picturesque and romantic look of an old village of medieval times.
If you want to explore this area of Italy in southern Latium (Lazio for the Italians) you can read articles and open many photo galleries in our web site by following the link at the end of this short commentary. The articles cover a variety of subjects such as individual towns and villages sightseeing, culture and way of life, local gastronomy and culinary habits, regional wines, special and unique local food, delicatessen and products, cultural and family itineraries, nature, parks and wildlife, sailing destinations and many other aspect of this charming territory. The main aim is to render justice to this undiscovered corner of Italy while providing an interesting alternative to all travelers visiting Rome, Naples and the beautiful but crowded Capri Island, Sorrento and so on.
The pieces of writing provide an interesting insight to the way Italians live just about one hour away from the eternal city of Rome and the colorful Naples. Follow us in the journey of discovery of this ancient land, the South Pontino
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