Why Formia and Why Now?:
Beat the Credit Crunch and come to Formia. What makes this an area of Italy still worth visiting today is that much of what was special about Italy in the past can still be found here in 2009. Obviously there have been some changes, just as there have been everywhere but this region has not yet been totally transformed by ‘progress’ as many others have. This is a small pocket of Italy that is still real and genuine and not too expensive (compared to many other regions and cities in Italy). But for how long? One of the main UK Sunday papers dedicated its entire holiday supplement to this region of Italy last year and focused on how it is set to become the new Tuscany. If this is the case you would be well advised to visit it NOW so you can enjoy its authentic nature and its low prices before it is too late.
Children, Beaches, Aqua Parks and Restaurants.:
If you ask anyone who has been to the south of Italy with children to tell you about their time there, I am sure they will all agree on the warm welcome they and their children received, wherever they went. This was certainly true for us when our children were young, that’s why we kept going back. All beaches and pools in Italy are now obliged to have full time lifeguards to make sure children are safe when playing near or in the water. Restaurants, cafés, Italian style pubs, all have high chairs and are happy for families with young children to go and eat, drink or snack there at any time of the day or evening. Beach holidays are a wonderful way of entertaining young children as they will be occupied for the entire day at a comparatively low cost; they will make lots of Italian friends on the beach and could even learn a little Italian. Remember when the children are safe and happy, mum and dad can enjoy the long awaited rest they truly deserve.
Pompeii, Gaeta, Rome and Cicero's Tomb:
Italy is known world wide as one of the ‘cradles of civilization’; even if you choose not to spend your time sightseeing you cannot fail but be overwhelmed with the history and culture all around you in this unique area of Italy. When our children were younger we didn’t spend much time visiting Roman ruins in the southern Italian summer heat, but being surrounded by these and other historical wonders was always very special. It is a daunting experience when you are casually window shopping in Formia Centro and you stumble on the remains of a Roman tower, or when you are driving to the Aqua Park in Itri and suddenly you find you are driving past Cicero’s tomb or if you just happen to find a parking space opposite a magnificent Etruscan / Roman Theatre; quite by chance, not an experience you can have in many other European countries. What better early memory can you give your children than staying in a flat ‘just off the Appian Way’ or driving past Cicero’s Tomb on the way to the pool
Other Activities:
Eating out, dancing, island hopping, cultural activiities, going to traditional summer festivals, eating the best ice-cream in the world at Lavezzi's