The "Riviera Di Ulisse"
Gaeta, Formia and Sperlonga

An undiscovered pearl of the Mediterraneum, off the beaten track. Imagine a long stretch of wild rocky coast, punctuated by sandy beaches and recultivated plains, a visual experience that astonishes most travellers new to the Ulixes Coast.

The Ulixes Coast, where the Ausoni and Aurunci Mountain chain rises 1500 metres above sea level, breaks off from the Appennini plummets into the Tyrrhenian Sea. The terminus is an array of reefs, precipices and sandy inlets separated by ancient watch-towers built in a time to prevent the visits of the unwelcomed Saracen invaders.

It is a land rich in exceptional archaeological finds, with recently created natural parks and marine reserves that respect of the breathtaking environment of the Regional Park Riviera di Ulisse.

Established on February 6, 2003, the “Parco della Riviera di Ulisse” includes three protected natural areas: the Suburban Regional Park of promontory of Monte-Scauri/Gianola, the regional urban park of Monte Orlando and the stretch of Sperlonga coast with the Monument Promontory Villa di Tiberio and Coast Torre Capovento-Punta Cetarola. A land rich in Roman finds and therefore of significant historical and archaeological value, in addition to the naturalistic one. On the other hand, the whole of the Gulf of Gaeta (ancient Amyclanus sinus) was intensively occupied since the late Republican period (II-I century BC.) by manufacturing plants and residential complexes, buildings, tombs, marinas and fisheries belonging to prominent members of the Roman aristocracy who chose this area as favorite place of residence.

Gaeta

The historic centre:
GAETA, a small town at the end of a picturesque peninsula on the Tyrrean sea, sits upon a crag. It is separated from the new town by Mount Orlando, a stronghold hill fortified during the Reign of Naples with impressive bastions and defenses. Intact atop the summit is the Roman Mausoleum of Munazio Planco, The mountain side is highlighted by the Sanctuary of the Montagna Spaccata, "The Shaken Mountain", a church named to St Philip Neri, a hermit who lived out his days in the church. Built in the 16th century, the church is situated on a sheer rock face that drops to the coastline below, the site of Grotto of Turco. The hill, a former island, connects the mainland and the new town. A big marina situated in the gulf is complimented by the white sandy beach of Serapo. GAETA, a small town at the end of a picturesque peninsula on the Tyrrean sea, sits upon a crag. It is separated from the new town by Mount Orlando, a stronghold hill fortified during the Reign of Naples with impressive bastions and defenses. Intact atop the summit is the Roman Mausoleum of Munazio Planco, The mountain side is highlighted by the Sanctuary of the Montagna Spaccata, "The Shaken Mountain", a church named to St Philip Neri, a hermit who lived out his days in the church. Built in the 16th century, the church is situated on a sheer rock face that drops to the coastline below, the site of Grotto of Turco. The hill, a former island, connects the mainland and the new town. A big marina situated in the gulf is complimented by the white sandy beach of Serapo.

Serapo A very beautiful boulevard runs from the small Roman port of the old town through the Cape to the fish open market, a distance of 2 km.Every afternoon, as the fishing boats return, a improvised merchant market sprouts up on the dock from 5p.m. till 9 p.m. Fish may be purchased from the stalls across the boulevard.

Gaeta-Roman Port
On one side lies the sea, on the other the fish market. Local houses line the alleyways connecting the boulevard with "IL BUDELLO"( named by the Roman holidaymaker) or the "Piccolo Alley" (given its name by the the Americans of the VI Fleet Flagship homeported in Gaeta).

Piccolo Alley,
the longest street of Gaeta, is 2.5 meters wide, and is paved with ancient stones. This alleyway looks as it did hundreds of years ago: no cars, no motors; only workshops and artisans, the colors of yesterday and alley voices.

Gaeta extends today on the bay side till Formia. The most picturesque beaches are on the other side, after Serapo beach, on the way to Sperlonga. Marvel at beautiful sandy beaches, emerald bays, colorful reefs in the midst of a multicolored transparent sea.

Breathingtaking beaches abound; Ariana , Torre Viola, Arenauta, S.Vito creek, and S.Agostino. And don't forget the Torre Scissura promontories.

Torre Scissura Beach

Gaeta, the Marine Republic and ancient Roman holiday resort, today is a splendid sea resort; mild climate, beautiful beaches for swimming and tourist attractions, rich in history, religious significance, and natural wonders.
Leave the overcoat at home. Gaeta promises spring days in February and sunny mild all year round. Try avoiding the middle of August when downtown could be overcrowded.

FORMIA - Vindicio

A train station graces FORMIA, 4 km away and the halfway point between Rome and Naples. From elegant Vindicio beach you see Gaeta protecting the bay. Throughout the afternoons wind-surfers and kite-surfers vie for space on the windy sea.

The Vindicio Beach

When ancient Rome Vindicio was part of the villa of Nerva, senators and other celebrities of the time regularly visited a local landlord. The mild local climate and two famous wines, the white Falernum and red Cecubo, may have played a role in attracting the landlord's guests.
Nearby are several beautiful antiquities: The Tomb of Cicero; the Nerva Walls; and a beautiful Roman "Caposele Port" perfectly preserved and restored marina attracting visitors to Vindicio beach.

SPERLONGA
Sperlonga was a forgotten fishing village until the 1960s, when a road built from Terracina to Gaeta brought tourists to this coastal delight. Scenery adjacent to the road allowed tourists to discover the villa of Tiberius Emperor, which led to Sperlonga's rebirth as holiday resort. Today it is the most prominent local attraction, teeming with narrow winding alleyways, workshops, rustic white Mediterranean houses, a stepped-street reminiscent of Capri, and a lovely piazzetta inviting tourists for a glass of wine or an ice cream.

The Relish restaurant features simple but tasty cuisine: tasty Mediterranean fish and seafood whose secrets lie in the tomatoes, the olive oil, basilic, the small sweet green peppers (friarielli), eggplant and peppers nurtured by rich soil and the warm Mediterranean sun! Your eyes will be filled of pleasure glancing at the stalls in the open markets.

The local restaurants abound in culinary delights: linguine alla pescatora (spaghetti with sea fish), fritto di calamari e gamberi (fried calamars an prawns), fritto misto di paranza(mixed fried small fish), rombo al gratin (Sea Bass au gratin), orata alla griglia (grilled goldenfish), spigola all'acqua pazza (sea-wolf semi-boiled with tomato), ham, and "mozzarella di bufala". A few km. from the coast in the hills, everything changes: baby goat and lamb dominates the tables, sausages are uncomparable and local red wines predominate.

PLACES TO BE VISITED

No trip to local sights is complete without the view from theSanctuary of Madonna Della Civita, the central square of Minturno, the stunning village of Campodimele, the Montecassino Abbey, the Fossanova Abbey, and the ruins of a Medieval hamlet:

OASIS OF NINFA.
Nestled in between the Castle, the town hall, the ruins of Churcies and local homes is the Oasis of Ninfa, a remarkable garden-park dazzling with a variety of plants and flowers that captivate its visitors. Access is limited, but the garden's delights are certainly worth the trip.

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