Gaeta holiday apartment accommodation with walking, beach/lake nearby, balcony/terrace, rural retreat, TV

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Penthouse (apartment)

Home description

It consists of an entrance, living-dining room with sofa, large kitchen, main double bedroom, large room with three single beds, bathroom with bathtub, extra toilet. It is located on the second top floor (no lift) of a residential building, set on a hill in an elegant area. There is a large furnished terrace all around the apartment which overlooks the entire bay and provides a breathtaking view changing in colours and beauty at any time of the day. On clear mornings you can see as far as the islands of Ponza and Ventotene. The apartment is located at walking distance from the city medieval centre of Gaeta (10 minutes) and from the main beach "Serapo" (20 minutes). If you don't feel like walking, a bus will connect you to both places and elsewhere in a few minutes.

The living-room has two large windows, one leading to the covered terrace. While you sit either inside or outside, you will enjoy the harmonious sight of Gaeta gulf, spacing from the Orlando Mountain and the Medieval city on your right to Formia, Scauri, Gianola promontory and Minturno on your left and the Domitia Bay and Mondragone (40 kms from Naples) in front of you. There is nothing better after a day trekking, swimming or sightseeing than relaxing on the terrace and admiring the stunning view while you drink a good glass of wine or a cold beer.

Another deep pleasure is getting up in the morning and watching sunrise and the glittering calm sea all around you! Preparing a meal in the kitchen is handy and pleasant: plenty of space and all the equipment you need. Everything is there including two fridges and a small table to sit with two and have a first intimate cup of tea in the morning. You could then plan your day and decide whether to go...fishing or making a boat trip to discover the enticing coast.

The main bathroom is equipped with sink, wc, bidet and bathtub with telephone-like shower. The second bathroom is equipped with sink, wc and washing machine. Hot water is available all the time.

Bedrooms are large and comfortable. The main bedroom is mainly furnished with xix century taste and will surprise you with very special romantic details: the iron bedhead, the dressing mirror, the pink Murano deco lamp and the lamps of the night tables that reproduce in bronze the famous Riace giants. The atmosphere and also the brand new orthopaedic mattresses will guarantee a fantastic rest. The same applies for the beds in the other bedroom. The second bedroom has three large windows and ample space to walk around. In the main bedroom two ample wardrobes allow you to store all the clothes you intend carrying with you. There you will find linen and towels for the week. In the three-single bedroom you will find a desk with chair and a large bookshelf with three closed cabinets for storing clothes. An extra one-door wardrobe is adjacent to the room.

View of Gaeta Gulf from the apartment terrace	Dining-living room
Main bedroom (partial picture)	kitchen

To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/53053

The Lazio region

The coast between Terracina (Circeo) and Formia is linked to Ulysses, Eneas and the Romans. The latter appreciated its mild climate and beauty and had their summer mansions built there. In 1957 impressive statues from emperor Tiberius' mansion were discovered in a sea grotto half way between Sperlonga and Gaeta and later exhibited at the national archeological museum along the via Flacca. Gaeta, whose name originates from Aeneas' nurse Caieta (20,700 inhabitants) is located on the promontory of Mount Orlando (now Regional Park) and has always held a strategic position which made it a fortress inhabited by Normans, French, Spanish dominations. You will see medieval walls, doors and a castle. Gaeta's catholic inheritance is still present in many outstanding churches and paintings but also in religious events (on the second Sunday of August a big procession worships the Madonna of Porto Salvo: the statue is carried on a fishing boat to bless the gulf of Gaeta) and local pilgrimages (to the Sanctuary of the Split Mountain). .

Gaeta area

On foot you can visit the medieval town, the fish market, the port, Serapo beach, Mount Orlando with the impressive funeral tomb of Roman general Lucio Munazio Planco (1 century B.C.), the Sanctuary of the Split Mountain. On wednesday morning don't miss the local open-air market .
There are food festivals (in May and October), concerts (in July ), night life and music (in August).
By car , at less than an hour drive, you can visit Montecassino Abbey, the Sanctuary of Madonna della Civita, Minturno and its Roman amphitheatre, the fishermen village of Sperlonga, the national archeological museum and many other villages of interest (Terracina, Fondi, Campo di Mele, Maranola, Itri). If you are interested in swimming or just sunbathing, you have only the difficult of choice: apart from Serapo beach at walking distance, you can go to Ariana beach, Arenauta beach, San Vito beach or even farther towards Sperlonga beaches (12 kms away).
If you want to make a one-day tour, visit either Naples or Pompei, or one of the islands (Capri, Ischia, Ponza, Ventotene). The ferry for Ponza and Ventotene leaves just 5 kms away from the house, at the Formia port.
If you are interested in deep sea diving, join the official diving team and discover the beauty of the blue sea reserve in front of the Split Mountain. You can also do free climbing, or just cycling... Children will enjoy the Aqua Park in Itri and later you will taste Itri's famous olive oil products (egg-plants, paprikas and others)

How to get there

Gaeta - Situated on the Ulysses coast, 130 kms south of Rome and 90 kms from Naples, it can be easily reached from Rome or Naples (a) by car or (b) by train.

a)From Ciampino or Fiumicino airport, hire a car and drive along the GRA direction Pontina. The via Pontina will take you straignt to Gaeta (follow the sign Napoli). It's about two hours drive. From Capodichino airport (Naples), drive along the Tangenziale and take the Domitiana road straight on to Gaeta. It's an hour drive.

b)From Rome Termini railway station take an intercity train to Naples via Formia and get out at the Formia station (about 1 hour and 10 minutes). There a public local coach will drive you to the flat in about 10 minutes.

Activities near Gaeta

Facilities

Further details indoors:
At your request we equip the apartment with bed linen, bathroom and kitchen towels for one week.. The contribution is Euro 10 per person per week.

There are pots, pans and sufficient plates and glasses. Food is not included.

The apartment is delivered perfectly clean. The cost for final cleaning is Euro 50.

Further details outdoors:
Just outside the house, you will find the Cappuccini friars’ steps that lead you straight down to the ancient city of Gaeta : via Indipendenza (Independence street) a long narrow street that crosses in length the XII century district of the city: Elena. With its many narrow ways that depart from it, via Indipendenza has always been inhabited by fishermen and peasants who live and sell their produce there. Everything in Gaeta tastes much better than, say, in Rome or anywhere else I know. Via Indipendenza is full of local fruit and vegetable shops but also of typical restaurants (trattorie). If you cross the street, you will immediately be in the middle of the fish market where fresh fish is daily carried and sold in afternoons, directly from the boats opposite to it. While if you walk all along it , you reach the main Piazza.

Walking along the Lungomare on your right, you will reach Flavio Gioia sailing peer where expensive motor and sailing boats are anchored most of the time. The club peer stands in the Piazza, centre of the new town where the road to Serapo beach departs. Corso Cavour represents the fashionable meeting point for local people: in the afternoons you will see pedestrians strolling about and chatting, watching each other, glad to meet and to be watched. There you can sit at one of the many terraces and taste the famous Italian ice-cream for example at the Triestina bar.

From that point of the Lungomare, you can either decide to go to Serapo beach, or to walk to the Medieval city (Gaeta medievale) or else to make a walking tour and explore Mount Orlando Regional Reserve. About half way to the top of Mount Orlando, you can visit the Sanctuary of the Split mountain and the Turk’s Grotto. If you decide to continue upwards, you will reach the Belvedere plain and the Statue of the "Madonna of Porto Salvo”(Safe Harbour) and, proceeding upwards you will see Lucio Munazio Planco funeral monument which stands at the top of the mountain and looks as impressive as a small Colysseum and the Lighthouse . The whole Reserve is forbidden to cars from the Sanctuary upwards, but if you do not feel like walking you can easily take a shuttle bus that operates in summertime for tourists at the cost of Euro 1 per person. Orlando mountain is a rare unspoilt example of Mediterranean vegetation full of aromatic bushes (wild sage and rosmarine) and flowers. Special paths for bird-watching are indicated along the way.

On your way down you can take a different road towards the Medieval city. on the opposite site of the promontory. There you will see the XII century bell house and the dome, several other churches, and the Castle. I would recommend you to take an aperitif on the terrace of “La Francese” bar , then eat a pizza at Emilio’s and finally taste an ice-cream at the Pinguino bar or at “Il Molo” . At medieval Gaeta peer often stop exclusive sailing boats faring from all over Europe and beyond.

More practical suggestions include the small food store at 50 mt from the apartment where you can buy fresh milk, croissants, fantastic bread, mozzarella cheese of the best (and safe) quality and other stuff you need. They even sell a good cappuccino and have espresso in the morning so that while you make your shopping, you can entertain yourself...

Remember that if you are not fitted or willing to take long walks, the bus stop is 3 minutes from the apartment (line C or A will take you anywhere you wish at the cost of Euro 1 per person. Just consult the timetables not to have to wait too long.

Free parking next to the apartment entrance is generally available but not guaranteed at peak periods (eg. in August.). If you prefer to have your private parking place, we can provide you with a in-built garage at the cost of E. 25 per week. In the city centre you will need a parking permit (daily -24 hours : 8 Euro or Euro 1 per hour).
.

Further details

The apartment is available for weekly, fortnight, monthly rent.
English-speaking representative on hand to answer questions.
Departure time is 10 a.m. Arrival in the afternoon around 4 p.m.
Guests are expected to leave the apartment furniture and equipment in the same place where they found them at arrival. Eventual damages to furniture or equipment will be deducted from the deposit. In case of controversy, owner will arrange for damages to be repaired and send you receipts to be deducted from deposit.
Smoking is allowed only on the terrace.

Conditions

Refundable breakages deposit of Euro 200 requested on arrival, to be refunded at your departure, subject to satisfactory property inspection.
Euro 200 of rental fee due before your stay to secure booking. The balance is expected at arrival upon delivery of apartment keys.
The property is suitable for elderly guests provided they don't suffer climbing two floors of steps.

Rental rates

Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
April-May-June	26 Apr 08	28 Jun 08	655£  528	0-	0-	1 Week
July - August	28 Jun 08	30 Aug 08	800£  645	0-	0-	1 Week
Sept. - Oct.	30 Aug 08	25 Oct 08	600£  484	0-	0-	1 Week
All Saints	25 Oct 08	3 Nov 08	555£  448	0-	0-	1 Week
winter season	3 Nov 08	20 Dec 08	400£  323	0-	0-	1 Week
Christmas/New Year	20 Dec 08	3 Jan 09	900£  726	0-	0-	1 Week

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion.
We expect you to pay cash on the day of your arrival. Rates include condominium and gardening costs, as well as garbage tax quota. Rates do not include electricity, water and gas (to be calculated according to gas consumption at the local documented rate costs).
Special offer: two- week period from 20 dec. to 3 Jan 09 at the rate of Euro 900 in total (heating to be added according to consumption).

On request we provide bed linen at the cost of Euro 10 per person per week.

Guestbook

"We stayed at this apartment in the beginning of May and can surely say that we do not regret at all about the choice we've made.
First of all I would like to point out that the view from the terrace that this apartment has is something unbelievable!!! I would say the view grasps 100% of the whole bay with abounding ships and yachts.....and the islands far in the horizon...You just can sit in the terrace, have a glass of good wine and contemplate - that is definitely promised.

That is surely depends upon your taste .....but if you would like to be in a place where you don't meet groups of tourists - that is exactly what you are looking for. Pure Italian life...with no influence of "tourism-mania". Far not everyone speaks English here, there are no taxis... Anyways it's up to you to decide what kind of holiday you prefer - that's my opinion only: the place where you can feel yourself like in your own country – literally speaking OR a completely unknown place with its customs, life style..cuisine.

The very city of Gaeta is located in a very good position: approx 80 km from Naples and 110 from Rome. It's not that difficult to have a bus ride to next town - Formia and change to train there. Tickets are quite cheap to my opinion. Approx. 7 Euro to Rome one way. Gaeta is a very safe place itself! We had quite late walks and were feeling completely safe.

Now about the flat itself. I must tell you that the flat is very spacious.. and has been presented perfectly cleaned - was especially important for us as we travelled with 1.5 y.o. child. One useful observation is that we never experienced any heat in the apartment. We were in May and it wasn’t hot itself, however some days were quite hot in the afternoon but in spite of that the apart was always cool and the sea breeze gently wrapped the terrace.

A separate paragraph should be devoted to the family which hosted us: Adriana, her husband and her mother (flat’s owner). Adriana was very helpful and attentive indeed: she even arranged two excursions for us: to Sperlonga and to the mountain Orlando in Gaeta. We really appreciate all the warmth we were given during our stay. In this sense we really felt as if we are at home: surrounded by care and hospitality.

Here are a few recommendations for those who seriously consider the apartment for the holiday:

1. Be prepared that there is no “in street” taxi in Gaeta. The taxi can be arranged by calling to a taxi company.
2. As I’ve mentioned already - it’s quite rare to meet English speakers – thus it’s better to have an Italian phrase-book. In our case - my knowledge of Spanish helped me a lot!
3. Rent a bike! The area around mountain Orlando is really worth a good bike ride!
4. Cook! The fish market which opens in the afternoon is something amazing! It offers a huge variety of seafood! Really tasty!
5. Be prepared that the apartment is located in the upper part and the main street and market are in lower one – thus you’ll either need to climb a good dozen of steps on the way back home (short way) or make street rounds. We never regretted this physical exercise before sleep – helped to burn some calories after tasty pizzas and vine!

To sum it all up: I would really recommend this apartment for good, calm and – one of more important things – real Italian-like holiday! Great rest and impressions are promised".

Evgenia Protasova and family (three adults and two children), Moscow, RF, 2008

***

Cliff Bernstein and Vava Buitenkant, New York, USA.

"13-22 June 2008. We came from Port Jefferson Station, New York, USA to take a break from our busy lives on the outskirts of New York City. Cliff is a radiologist and I (Vava) am a graphic designer. Cliff had been stationed in Gaeta as a U.S. marine twenty years ago and wanted to return for some nostalgia. Besides I had been pestering him to go with me to Italy ever since we met in 2002. I always referred to it as my "imagined favourite country". Now it is simply "my favourite country".

Anyway we ended up being very lucky finding the apartment advertised online. It has turned out to be everything we imagined. It is spacious, breezy and refreshingly cool after a long day of exploring Gaeta on these jot June days. And the views from the seemingly never-ending wrap-around terrace are as spectacular as we could have ever hoped they would be... All that clear bright blue water fading away to the misty dusty blue-gray mountains in the distance. Then there's the brillian green hill with the pink and sand-coloured balloings with their red-tiled roove nestled comfortably into its slanted side.

Anyway, back to the apartment... so many windows! And such a good atmosphere, complete with paintings and carefully rendered pencil sketches apparently of and/or by family members, truly like being fortunate guests in the Catanzano home. We have been so much more comfortable and felt so welcome than we would have been if we'd stayed in a hotel! In fact, although we've had some fun and exciting adventures out around the town, we've spent much of our time sitting at the table on the terrace (where I now sit writing this) with wine, bread, cheese, tomatoes, basil and olives.

Tips about the apartment - with all these windows you can definitely get a wonderful breeze going. However, care must be taken not to let them flap around and slam shut...Kitchen: to light the stove, turn the yellow gas knob so that the "wings" are in a vertical position, press the white knob on front of the stove that corresponds to the chosen burner and turn to the right. Light the burner with a match. When finished, don't forget to turn the yellow gas knob back to the original position with the wings horizontal. Bathroom: In the large bathroom there is a yellow cabinet containing a hairdryer and an iron. There is an ironing board resting against the wall in the smaller bathroom with washing machine. I was unable to get the outlet in the smaller bathroom to work so I ironed in another room (perhaps there is a switch to activate it?) I brought an adapter with me from the U.S. so that I could use the outlets here. The Cappuccini steps are a great way to get down into town without having to cross the Via Flacca. You can see the steps from the terrace ...get a sense where they are, and they will be easier to find once you have exited the apartment building. Turn left after you've gone through the building's gate, walk down the hill and make a very sharp lefthand turn to find the steps. When you get to the bottom, carefully note what it looks like at bottom of steps so you can find again upon your return! At the bottom you will be on Via Indipendenza, turn right on this beautiful old narrow street (mostly travelled by pedestrians with an occasional car or motor bike) to get to the main part of town. There are many little shops along the way and a large supermarket at the top of a small incline at the right (behind large open-air fruit market). Please keep in mind that most stores are closed between 1 p.m. and 4.30 p.m.! Cash - Upon arrival in Gaeta we tried to get into three different banks and found that they are very different here. They are not easy to just walk into like in the U.S.! You must go one by one through a glass revolving door where you can be rejected by your fingerprint! Inside it seemed that everyone on line was there to get paychecks cashed. Anyway, we ended up getting cash from the cash machines outside the banks by inserting our debit cards. So avoid bank hassle! Restaurants - there is a lot of great inexpensive food to be found at the small cafés/bars scattered around town. The pizza and panini were good everywhere we had them. You can't go wrong there! Most of the shops and restaurants are found in the main centre of Gaeta. However, one night we went to Il Nostromo, which Adriana had recommended as a very nice special place. You can get there by turning left (instead of the usual right) at the bottom of the Cappuccini steps and then walking toward Formia (without straying too far from the shore). Il nostromo is a very spacious, elegant yet comfortable restaurant with kind service and generous portions. The prices were very reasonable... (by New York City standards). We ordered linguini scampi and penne with salmon. We also ordered a salmon pizza which we ended up taking home and having for lunch the next day! Before the pasta was even brought out a platter of bread with tomatoes and herbs, a bowl of olives, a bowl of plain bread had been bestowed upon us!...

Sights - The day we climbed Montagna Spaccata/Monte Orlando was a very exciting one... It's a nice climb up via Lucio M. Planco but sunscreen is definitely necessary during the hot months. Also bring plenty of drinking water. If you go up Via della S.S. Trinità there is an amazing view down onto the wide beach below. There is a fun bar/pizzeria to the left of the road. If you walk a bit further past the souvenir stands out on the street, you will find a permanent small souvenir shop/bar to the right that looks like nothing special from the front, but if you go in and order a drink from the friendly grandmotherly woman at the bar, you can sit down with it at one of a handful of tables in the back - which overlooks the water (as it is securely built into the side of the mountain!). Absolutely delightful...

Anyway, it is our last night here, and we are sad to leave. Adriana has been most welcoming and hospitable. She greeted us with maps and schedules of events, and train/bus schedules and a handwritten list of recommendations, as would an old friend. She also text-messaged us now and then on my cell phone to make sure we were okey, and to ask if we needed anything. Very personal care! One morning Cliff also met her mom who is also delightful, as he reported, after Adriana had translated back and forth. He also commented that Concetta Catanzano looks a lot like the subject of the paintings/drawings here (quite stunning still, at 91!)."

Vava Buitenkant

.***
Thanks for nice accommodation and hospitality! We wish you all good summer period and autumn!
Tips for next visitors: We liked Miramare beach in Serapo. The Nostromo restaurant in Gaeta was good and the food was delicious. If you visit Rome, it's wiser and cheaper to travel by train.

Family Riikonen, Helsinki, Finland - July 2008

***

"I am sitting on the balcony - my favourite place of this beautiful apartment - and thinking about our wonderful holiday here in Gaeta.
Adriana and her 'mamma' are such fantastic, welcoming and kind people. Adriana could not do enough for us and she was so passionate about Gaeta and worked us to see as much as we could - she took us to the superb beach of 'Fontania' and to the Museum at Sperlonga. Gary loved the museum as he has studied the Greeks and he enjoyed explaining everything to Adriana and our sons Liam and Paul.

We have been here 8 days and only have 5 left. We feel so relaxed despite all the walking we have done! Our boys have coped very well with the 20 minute walk to Serapo beach every day - it is not too bad going but I found it a killer coming back up the hill or up the 105 'Cappuccini' steps! But the shower is fantastic after such a walk!

We have eaten at 'La Bella Napoli' and 'La Lampara' - we preferred La Lampara as we felt it was better value for money. Most evenings I cooked as we enjoyed eating on this balcony with this amazing view. We have enjoyed the 'bufala' mozzarella, Gaeta olives, tomatoes and basil. Also the salami, prosciutto, pizza and pasta consumed with lots of red wine of course!...

On Saturday we went to see our friends who run a bar at Vindicio beach in Formia - a lovely beach. The following day our friend took us to the Aquapark at Itri in the mountains which made a refreshing change from the beaches. Our sons loved the Aquapark.

We enjoyed watching the procession of 'La Madonna di Porto Salvo' on Sunday. The Madonna statue was taken from the church and put on a boat and taken across the harbour. Many boats followed and the streets were packed with people. At 10.30 p.m. there were fantastic fireworks and we watched them from the balcony with Adriana and her 'mamma'.

Adriana and her husband Anthon took us to 'La Montagna Spaccata' by car which is an absolute must - it was awesome.

On our last night Adriana dropped us off at the restaurant 'Il Nostromo' - a beautiful restaurant on the outskirts of Gaeta towards Formia. It was absolutely packed with people still pouring in at 10.30 p.m. for a table! The meal was superb but we over ordered despite the fact that Adriana had warned us about the portions and it was not expensive.

So now I'm sitting on our wonderful balcony having my last espresso before we return to the UK. I will miss this beautiful place and I will miss Adriana, 'la mamma' and Anthon. We will be back.
Arrivederci e mille grazie per tutto! Baci, baci...

Licia, Gary, Liam (aged 6) and Paul (aged 4) - Kettering, U.K. - August 2008

Availability notes

To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/53053

Contact owner

To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/53053

Contact details for home 53053 Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:	Adriana Lucarelli
Tel:	+39 06 50914960
Mobile:	+39 340 4621143
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Advertiser joined: 17 Mar 2008 This property added: 17 Mar 2008

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