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The perfect weekend getaway from Rome is an hour and half train ride south to the coastal town of Sperlonga, along the Tyrrhenian Sea. After taking the train and getting off at Fondi-Sperlonga, you will need to take a short bus ride from the just outside the station to Sperlonga itself.
The seaside town gets its name from the Latin word speluncae, meaning cave or grotto (so that’s where the term spelunking originted!), referring to the nearby grotto built by the ancient Roman Emperor Tiberius.
Sperlonga lays claim to the best beaches in the Lazio region, boasting a sandy and surprisingly clean coast. In fact, the beaches that stretch from Sperlonga to the more southern town of Gaeta have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag for encouraging eco-friendly sustainable development.
There are also some hidden beaches that most are unaware of. It is easiest to access them by canoe or small boat, however most can reasonably be reached by swimming around the picturesque cliffs.
Tip: In summertime, local teenagers have been known to provide transport on their boats to make a quick buck, although these improvised tours are a rare treat.
– Contributed by Ian Zurzolo, (see bio, writer, editor, American University of Rome Senior, Italian Notebook Editorial Intern.
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Thank you so much for the information and welcome back. I have missed you. M
The beaches of Sperlonga are really beautiful! If you’re planning a day trip from Rome to Sperlonga check out this interesting blog post with some useful tips on how to reach Sperlonga and enjoy a day at the beach: http://www.venere.com/blog/rome-sperlonga-beach/ Cheers!
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