ITALIAN SUMMER Trip In Gaeta

Let's discover the beautiful Medieval Gaeta on the Ulisses coast off the beaten path

On the coast between Rome and Naples, Gaeta sits along the “Riviera di Ulisse” or Ulysses’ Coast, a land of myths derived from the Odyssey and from Roman poets like Virgil. Gaeta rests on a promontory, capped by a castle with prime waterfront spreading out like wings from the center. To the north are sandy beaches and inlet coves, while to the south is a waterfront walk studded by boat marinas, a port, and ship yard. In between them is the lovely town center with its shops and cafes and piazzas. The U.S. Navy has a small base here, so you’ll hear some American accents around town, and there is an Italian naval installation here, too, but it’s not so dominant that it feels like a military town. Gaeta, in fact, retains its charm as a seaside town that is lived in and loved by its residents, and that draws Italian tourists in the know.

Laidback and casual, Gaeta is a year-round town rather than strictly a summer destination, with 21,000 residents. The oldest part of town is clustered on the promontory around the castle like a hill town, while below the newer center is more level.
A train station at next-door Formia gets you to Rome or Naples in about an hour. If you don’t want a car, there are buses to get you to Formia and other area towns. Boaters will be happy here with the marinas and the varied coastline you can cruise or sail to, including the pretty island of Ponza. You can rent boats if you don’t want to buy one.
This is a friendly town and one where English is spoken—thanks to the small navy presence. Gaeta provides plenty of stores, shopping, dining and drinking options, so you won’t feel isolated, and considering its size it has more services than you would expect.
It is on a pretty piece of coastline, but there are mountains just beyond for a variety of hikes or horse rides. Situated between Rome and Naples gives you access to the culture and events in both cities.
The weather is tempered by the sea giving it the “classic” mediterranean climate with palm trees, cactus, and macchia brush all around the area, giving way to pines and woods beyond town. A dusting of snow may happen occasionally, but generally winter temperatures average 45 F to 52 F, cooling down 10 degrees or so at night. Summers are warm, averaging 82 F by day but cooling down to 69 F or 70 F at night, though July and August may see temperatures up to 90 F or so. The wet months are November through February.
There is a hospital in Gaeta and larger medical facilities in nearby Formia, with extensive specialized services in Caserta, Naples, or Rome.

## Lifestyle in Gaeta