Lazio

Le nostre barche a noleggio

Ponza has been identified as the island of Eèa, from Eos, the Greek deity of the dawn, where the sorceress Circe attempted to cast a spell on the hero Ulysses, in Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey. In less than a day, it was Ponza that cast its spell on me. (John Irvin)

Pontine Islands, kingdom of contrasts: the sweetness of some of the most enchanting landscapes in the Mediterranean and a bitter history of exiles and borders. Sailing in these incredibly colorful waters on an individual or exclusive-use basis, on a sailing boat or catamaran, you may come across international celebrities who are totally in love with the archipelago. You may also come across descendants or admirers of people imprisoned here or exiled for political reasons on a pilgrimage. In any case, you cannot say that you know the wonders of the Tyrrhenian Sea without having touched the Ponziane (or Pontine) at least once in your life.

With our cabin cruise or charter cruises you will get to know Palmarola, Zannone, Ponza, Gavi, Ventotene, Santo Stefano, among wild bays and seaside villages that invite you to leave boredom and stress behind and rediscover joy and serenity. The Neapolitan imprint, a legacy of the Bourbons who ruled here for a long time, can be seen in the speech, in the tasty local cuisine and in the proverbial sagacity of the islanders.

On board Mondovela boats or catamarans you set sail from the Lazio coast, heading west towards Zannone, part of the Circeo National Park since 1979. Almost uninhabited and rich in lush Mediterranean vegetation, the island is a regular resting place for thousands of migratory birds.

Then there is Palmarola, splendid and intact, with the southern stacks, the characteristic rock face called the Cathedral and the beach dominated by a compact obsidian wall. Suggestive caves invite you to discover a sea that changes from cobalt to emerald depending on the natural light reflected from the seabed.

Ponza also offers extraordinary views and famous bays, from Cala dell'Acqua to Cala Feola, as well as the absolute enchantment of Chiaia di Luna, protected by the unmistakable 60 meter high tuff wall. Every corner reserves a gem: the Roman Caves of Pilate with the tunnels and tanks where the Romans raised moray eels, the turtle rock, the natural pools, the stacks and then the town, with the pastel-coloured houses, and the interior, dotted with intensely scented scrub and vineyard terraces.

The islet of Gavi is private property, but it can be admired from the sea before heading south towards Ventotene, chosen by Emperor Augustus to build his sumptuous summer villa at Punta Eolo. This island is also another concentration of beauty, although smaller than the others and rather harsh. The Roman port and the old warehouses dug into the tuff and the Bourbon village above dominated by the castle are of great impact. Ventotene has a magnetic charm that is difficult to resist. Natural and Marine Park, attracts many divers for the richness of the seabed.

A few miles away is small Santo Stefano. Barren and deserted, it is known above all for the Bourbon prison of 1795, a particular architectural work which, even if now worn out by time, is rich in stories, memories and ideas that are still current like that of a United Europe.