Galloping up the Coast

Porto Turistico di Roma, Ostia, Italy

Originally, our float plan allowed a few days to wallow about the attractive islands off Naples.  Rome called to us however, and to ensure there was time to rest and tour there, WJ3’s nose was headed north for another two long days of motoring.  It was also August, peak holiday season, so we hoped for a spot in the marina that would allow us easy access to Roma!

So, I guess we are not stopping at this one then.  Its even got a castle...sigh!

We did anchor overnight at Ponza, a delightful island just begging to be explored but ….

Ponza's cute main village in the evening light

Ponza's dramatic coastline
(note village at top & yachts at anchor)

So, yet another early morning start, and a fine southerly pushing us along with time even for a bit (4 hours) of sailing, meant we headed into Porto Turistico di Roma at a reasonable hour.  We even had time to gather our wits about us to plan for a 7 night stay from berth #600. 

This marina is quite some complex!  The staff were obliging; the marina itself is part of Rome’s closest beach scene (Ostia Lido) with shops and restaurants dotted along the corso and it’s not too far to find a mini market for some fresh food.  Yes, we even found a 24 hr laundromat at the marina, our first since Greece - heaven!!  So a day at either end of our stay was given over to boat duties leaving 4 days to cram as much as we possibly could of Rome’s best – without wilting in the heat and humidity or tourist crush.  Coffee or lemon gelato would be called on regularly to provide staying power!  The marina is also a stones throw to the south of the famous River Tiber. Perhaps we could dingy up the Tiber rather than take the train?  Anyway, on with Roma, La Dolce Vita then!

Wikipedia Attribution

(Roma, La Dolce Vita is Fellini’s satirical 1960 film.  Most certainly a highlight of a young “arty” misspent youth, was catching up with Fellini’s take on Rome.  Having said that, we did resist the Lonely Planet guide book walk in Fellini’s honour as somehow the city could never be quite the same – and dancing in Trevi fountain will most certainly get you arrested!  Traffic is somewhat tamed, though I doubt the drivers are!  And many streets closed, especially on Sundays, to make way for pedestrians. So the city is alive with ogling tourists, just like us!)