I awoke the next morning to the sound of, first the American, and then the Italian National Anthems.  Wondering what was going on, I looked out the window, to see that across the street from the hotel, in the naval yard, the sailors were beginning their day, and this was how it apparently started.  The…

The Ex-Chiesa di San Biagio or, as it was known before, the Chiesa di Sant Antonio Abate, was destroyed during World War II.  Today, all that remains of this ancient structure is a sole altar wall.  Those of us living in places like the United States read about the great wars in our textbooks, and…

Not having a car ourselves, we arranged for a driver to pick us up in Sperlonga, and then take us to our next destination, the city of Gaeta.  There, once again, we had booked a one-bedroom apartment to stay in, right in the historical center of the city. For the first part of the day,…

Tiberius reigned over the Roman Empire from 14 to 37 AD.  Like most Romans today, he sought to escape the summer city heat by heading to the shore.  He chose the tiny coastal city of Sperlonga, to build his summer residence in.  Now, as I said before, with paid admission to the Archaeological Museum, visitors…

On our second day in Sperlonga, we awoke to find the sun shining down, the temperature perfect, and it wasn’t long before we were out, beginning our next adventure.  Our first stop was going to be Bar Tropical, as we woke up late, and missed the breakfast in the hotel.  After a bit of nourishment,…

Dating from the fifteenth century, the lovely Cappella di S. Rocco Extra Mura was built just outside of the old city walls.  Today, surrounded by other buildings, it remains a tiny jewel set on the road that leads up to the Centro Storico.  As we climbed higher, towards the old town, the view before us…

I had arranged for a car service to pick us up in Castel Gandolfo, and take us to our next destination, Sperlonga.  I did that because it was the quickest way to get there, without having a car of one’s own.  If you do have your own auto, or choose to hire a taxi, the…

Our last day in Castel Gandolfo was one that began with mixed weather.  Clouds came, and clouds disappeared.  Nevertheless, we did our best to get outdoors, and enjoy ourselves.The mosaic artwork, “Bombardamento di Propoganda Fide,” commemorates the  bombing of February 10th, 1944, by allied forces of the Propoganda Fide College.  The Americans were certain that…

Approximately 8,967 people call Castel Gandolfo home today.  Even though most tourists probably only experience Piazza della Liberta, and the Palazzo Apostolico, the entire town is picturesque, and worth exploring!While walking along Via Massimo d’Azeglio, we came upon the lovely statue titled “L’Abbraccio.”One can’t help but be captivated by the mosaic titled “Alba Primigenia,” which…

We boarded the tram, along with approximately twenty other people, just past the archway to the left of the entrance to the Palazzo Apostolico di Castel Gandolfo.  The tram would take us through the gardens that lay just outside of the Palazzo.  This was once the residence of the Roman Emperor Domitian.  So, during the…

Included on the list of the “Most Beautiful Towns in Italy,” Castel Gandolfo is a perfect place to visit.  I highly recommend spending at least two or three days there, in order to fully experience the charm and beauty of the town.The fountain in Piazza della Liberta was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, in 1661.Many…

I left the city of Fiumicino, bright and early, to go to the nearby airport, to meet my partner who was flying in from New York City.  I had my luggage with me, as I had to check out of the hotel in the morning, and our plan was to go straight to our next…