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August 6, 2006

Summer Day-Tripping

During the summertime, Rome empties out from Friday afternoon to Sunday evening. Traffic going away from the city is unbearable. Tourists take over the historical center, queuing at the gates to the Vatican City as well as the geleteria. In the outskirts, shops and restaurants close down and the locals have no choice but to take advantage of the good weather.

There are a number of options for lakes and beaches located relatively close to Rome. The easiest to get to are the beaches of Ostia. Just a short train-ride away from the Roma Ostiense Station, these beaches are also the site of many summertime beach-parties hosted by Rome’s top clubs. As for swimming, it is well known that Ostia is not one of the cleanest beaches… Fortunately, the beaches of Fregene and Nettuno can also be reached by train from the Roma Termini Station.

Sperlonga

For those willing to venture a litter farther, Sperlonga is my personal favorite spot. A train from Termini will drop you off near a bus-stop that takes you right to the water. Running parallel to the shoreline is a strip lined with shops and restaurants – but I suggest hiking up the hill to the village built into the hill and overlooking the sea. In Sperlonga, the water is always crystal clear.

For freshwater fans, there are a number of lakes nearby Rome as well. Bracciano can be reached by train from Roma Ostiense and Castel Gandolfo by car

Posted by Kelsea  at 9:31 AM | Permalink

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