Saturday, 19 May 2012 - Gelati a Sperlonga

For a change of scene from yesterdays abbeys and cemeteries we decided to have a day at the beach.
None of us had seen the Mediterranean, and this might be our only chance.  We had a choice of two beaches, so we decided to do both of them.  So, the four of us, and Tom Tom, set off for Gaeta.  We found it, and walked around the waterfront, not too spectacular.  Did some shopping in a deli for bread and salami etc for lunch, practising our Italian and keeping the locals amused.  Skilfully navigated around the coast to the actual beach and wandered on.  I think these beaches are all reserved, but as it was early in the season none of the 'concessions' were open so we just parked ourselves on the beach.  Had lunch, frolicked in the sea and (some of us) admired the girls in bikinis.

Gaeta.  Who forgot their bikinis then?

None of us are beach addicts so we decided to be reckless and head off a few kms to view the next beach at Sperlonga.  Apparently the Roman Emperor Tiberius had a holiday home there, although we didn't find it.  Still we did find the beach and a Gelataria where we all sampled the products.  Looked a nicer - and more expensive - beach than the one at Gaeta.

Sperlonga - looked too expensive to get on the beach here.

We then set off back to Atina and did some more walking.  We had booked a meal at a Restaurant (Il Vicolo) for that night (our last here).  The restaurant, like the food stores in this town, was almost invisible.  There were, apparently, at least two restaurants in the old part of Atina and Mike and I had walked around everywhere at least twice before we found this one.  The sign was about 6 inches square, on the door, down some steps.  I spotted a credit card sign (smaller) which gave us the clue.  See the picture, although I am obscuring the aforementioned signage.  We had booked in at 7 pm - when they opened.  So we rock up to the door at 7:01 and it's all locked, although we can see people in the kitchen.  After a few minutes a nice lady let us in and said we must be travelling on English time!  Lesson learned.  Anyway the food was great and not too expensive, although the service was slow.  Although no written menus tested their English and out Italian to the limit.  It was a great end to our trip south.

Arriving at Il Vicolo on English time

Tricia's diary says:

Lovely day, drove to Gaeta and Sperlonga on Med Coast.  Had lunch on the beach.  Going out for dinner.  Great meal.