Pontin Islands (Pontine)
Scattered across the sea between Rome and Naples, the Pontic Islands are among the least known Italian archipelagos and hardly anyone comes here, not counting the Italians themselves. Only two of these volcanic islands, Ponza and Ventotene, are inhabited, and only Ponza is focused on tourism. In July and August, it's a nice alternative to crowded Capri, in other periods, apart from the inhabitants, you will not see a living soul here.
Ponza
Even rocky Ponza, the main island of the Pontic archipelago, it is relatively small; it is eight kilometers long and one and a half wide. Ferries go to the CITY OF PONZA, one of the most beautiful towns on this stretch of the coast. Rows of neat, pastel-colored houses with flat roofs crowd around the bay, creating a pink semicircular square of the fishing harbor. It is a great place for a short break: there are relatively few shops with clothing and gifts, and although there aren't too many specific things to see on the island, walking around the city can be fun, especially during the passegiata season. Festive crowds then parade along the yellow ones, Arcades of Municipio filled with shops and cafes. She's small in town, clean beach, you can also go to the other side of the island (10 minutes) to the beach of Chiaia di Luna, a narrow strip of sand beneath a vertical rock, but you have to remember, that the waves are more aggressive here than elsewhere.
The only place on the island outside Ponza is LA FORNA, made up of clumps of houses above a wide green bay. The beach here is small and polluted, and better keep going down the road to the path that leads to the rocky shore: wonderfully clear water creates here the so-called. Natural swimming pool, where it is great to swim in the evening, after fishing boats enter the port. In complete seclusion, you can swim at the Spaggia Santa Lucia headland, where does the boat go by 7000 L per person both ways.
Sparse buildings stretch from La Foma to the sloping northern tip of the island, where the road suddenly stops. Steep rocky path (on the right) leads to more rocks, where you can swim.
HOW TO GET TO THE PONENTIAN ISLANDS
Ponza can be reached in summer from a number of coastal towns. A ferry from Formia runs daily throughout the year, usually early in the morning, and a hydroplane once a day (in mon. twice); the ferry journey takes two and a half hours. There is also a ferry from Terracina once a day (VI1-V1II twice a day) and the hydrofoil planes of Anzio once daily (except Tuesdays in August and 2 Tuesdays of September), which continue to Ischia and Naples. From each port, a ferry ticket costs money 16 000 L both ways, on a hydrofoil about twice as much, but the journey is twice as short.
From the mainland, Yentotene can only be accessed from Formia: ferries run once a day, though at different times, hydrofoil planes every day except Sundays.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
At Pro Loco in the city of Ponza (codz. 9.00-13.00 i 16.00-20.00), upstream of Banco di Napoli on the right side of the port, you can get maps and a list of accommodation. Anyway, offers of rooms for rent fall immediately after leaving the ferry and you should not agree to a price higher than 25 000 L; because at via Chiaia di Luna 8 (•0771/80043) the hostess finds rooms for an agreed fee. Of the hotels in Ponza, Luisa is the cheapest in via Chiaia di Luna (•0771/80975), with rooms for less than 30 000 L; Gennarino al Mare by the city beach (*0771/80071) It is more expensive, with doubles approx 50 000 L, but it's worth the cost. There is Hotel Ortensia in La Forma with rooms after approx 30 000 L. You can move around the island by bus, who travels approximately once an hour from Ponza to destinations including La Foma. Alternatively, you can rent scooters in Ciccio Nero, to the left of the main marina, behind 60 000 L per day (10 000 L per hour). Also motorboats are good (and in some cases the only) a way to visit the most romantic corners of the island: for rent at various points around the marina for 50 000 L.
In the field of gastronomy, the head hurts from the tabernacle: There are plenty of restaurants in Ponza, mostly very good, though expensive. Al Delfino Blu at the marina offers a local specialty in the form of zuppa di lertticchie (lentil soup); in Ippocampo on Municipio above prepare good spaghetti and fish dishes; The restaurant at Gennarino al Mare is also excellent.
Ventotene
The second inhabited island of the archipelago, VENTOTENE, it is located far south of Ponza and much flatter, much smaller, and not so lush green. You can stop there on your way to Naples, but there is no point in staying here any longer. The only town - almost a village - counts 500 residents. In the dusty market square there is a museum displaying finds from imperial-era villas. The ruins are scattered on the promontory to the left of the town. On the other side there is a small gray beach, volcanic sand.