Ventotene,
Ponza & Palmerola
These charming little islands
lie some 35 miles NW of Naples. Such a place was balsam for us
coming from the hectic mainland. The roads are narrow, the cars
the smallest you can buy, and driving is a patient business.
Definitely the tourist have discovered such relaxed places. Fortunately
there are now high rise hotels, only small albergos scattered
all over the islands.
Ventotene
The island has a history
going back to long before the Roman Empire. Cacear Augustus,
trying to get the Roman capital away from their decadent way
of life, had to expell his beloved daugther out here, since she
had an apetite of life/love, not in accordance with her father's
policy. She was expelled with 22 slaves and had built a villa
out here, where she continued her style from Rome, even after
she married Agrippa, the age of her father, and is said to have
built the little hand made harbour out here, dug out of the volcanic
rocks. Interesting what you can do when you have an ample supply
of slaves.
The athmosphere is relaxed.
You can visit the excavations of Julia's villa (ask at
the Municipality, when open). If your imagination is intact,
you can stand in her private bath/terme and fancy what happened
here when her old Agrippa was busy supervising the work on the
harbour.
The nature is superb. If
you go to the end of Via Olivia, turn right into what looks like
a private road. Some 100 meters on, keep right, along the wall/fence.
There you will have a magnificent view of the Northern rocks,
showing "the volcanic" history of Ventotene.
Ponza
 If
Ventotene is more "one coloured", the volcanic activity
on Ponza has presented us with a variety of rock formation. You
find it shining white, grey, red, brown etc. Here are lots of
caves that can be explored by dingey or by sightseingboats. Ponza
is still a living fishing port, although tourism has startet
to play an even more important role. Here are no high rise hot els,
only small ones, tucked in among the other old buildings.
They have been smart not
to cater for the lower end of the marked. People coming to Ponza
are not those coming for "sun and booze". Highly visible
in the souvenir shops. Not much "made in China".
There are several small marinas.
We preferred to anchor. Take care. The turning ground for the
ferries is slightly closer to the port, than indicated by Rod
Heikell.
Palmarola
This uninhabited rocky island
lies some 10 miles west of Ponza. An Italian charter captain
had been there with with a group of National Geography staff,
who had declared Palmarola as one of the 10 most beautiful places
they had visited. There are no regular boatservice and a visit
has be on own boat or with a charter from mailand or Ponza.
Updated 04.11.2005
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