L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021 www.italoamericano.org 22 L'Italo-Americano first place that the Romans flock to as soon as the sum- m e r h e a t m a k e s t h e c i t y uncomfortable. They travel there either by train, car, or motorino to crowd the many b e a c h c l u b s t h a t l i n e t h e seafront. These clubs are all typically equipped in true Italian beach-style décor and often with excellent restau- rants, too. But Ostia is not the only beach to visit close to Rome. A little further north, climb- ing along the coast and pass- ing the huge area occupied b y F i u m i c i n o a i r p o r t , i s Fregene, the other sea of Rome. Fregene, unlike Ostia, i s n o t a c i t y , b u t m o r e a series of villas, often large a n d b e a u t i f u l , g a t h e r e d around a huge pine forest. F r e g e n e h a s a l w a y s b e e n more "chic and cultured" t h a n O s t i a , a n d m a n y f a m o u s p e o p l e , s u c h a s Fellini, chose to have their s u m m e r h o l i d a y h o m e s there. There are few shops, only houses and beach club e s t a b l i s h m e n t s . M o s t o f these clubs have restaurants t h a t a r e a l w a y s f u l l f r o m May to October, especially on weekends. The beach is beautifully picturesque, the sea maybe not that great, but it doesn't matter to the Romans, who have homes there because they either h a v e a s w i m m i n g p o o l a t home or frequent a beach club that has one. When in Going a little further away from Rome, and facing the risk of hitting lots of traffic, one can go south, towards Circeo, where there are the b e a u t i f u l s a n d d u n e s o f S a b a u d i a a n d t h e e n o r - mous Parco Nazionale del Circeo - National Park of Circeo. The distance is about 100 km from the city, and therefore it is usually considered more of a week- end destination, as opposed to a day trip. The surround- ing area is also full of beauti- f u l p l a c e s t o v i s i t , e v e n inland, with small villages nestled in the countryside of lower Lazio. N o r t h o f R o m e , o n t h e other hand, there is a series of seaside towns that are highly populated by Romans i n t h e s u m m e r : S a n t a Marinella, Santa Severa and Ladispoli. Some more resi- dential, others towns, all along the coast to Civitave- c c h i a . C i v i t a v e c c h i a i s about 70 km north of Rome, and home to a large port for g o o d s a n d p a s s e n g e r s , where, among other things, c r u i s e s h i p s d o c k f u l l o f tourists ready to visit Rome, s o m e j u s t f o r t h e d a y , returning to the cruise ship in the late afternoon. Fregene though, it doesn't matter at all that there is the sea: you go for the sun, the social life, cycling or to enjoy the cool pine forest. Finally, it would be remiss to talk about beaches as the only place to cool off during t h e h o t R o m a n S u m m e r , because there are also lakes. Rome is surrounded by the famous Castelli Romani, a series of hills with lakes of volcanic origin. Less than an hour from Rome, you will f i n d L a k e B r a c c i a n o , Lake Castelgandolfo (the town where the Pope's sum- mer residence is located), L a k e B o l s e n a a n d Martignano. Many have places set up along the water similar to beach clubs and they are also surrounded by enchanting villages. In the summer, they are filled with tourists who prefer the quiet of the lake to the sea: a more than valid alternative to fre- q u e n t l y o v e r - c r o w d e d beaches. S o , d o n ' t j u s t t h i n k o f Rome as a crowded city, but also as a seaside city, and one that offers many possi- bilities for those looking for a swim, a bit of refreshment o r . . . j u s t a n i n c r e d i b l e seafood meal! Fishermen pulling and mending the traditional fishing nets by hand in Fregene (Photo: Cineberg/Shutterstock) The village of Anguillara Sabazia, on Lake Bracciano (Photo: Pramote Seemak/Dreamstime) The Eternal City has always had a strong bond with the sea. In Roman times, Rome already had a series of ports, which started from the coast and reached inside the city following the course of the Tiber River Continued from page 20 LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE

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