This is making me want to reread Ferrante!

Anonymous wrote:ugh, went to Santa Marinella this past July (was also living in Rome) and the sunbeds were 60 Euros each (and there were six of us, so 180 for the day). It was also very crowded and the water wasn't that clean. I could see how it would be lovely in September, but I was really put off by the cost.

We had similar prices in Liguria,but there was also a free part of the beach directly next to the paid part, and plenty of people set up there with their own sun umbrellas, etc.

ugh, went to Santa Marinella this past July (was also living in Rome) and the sunbeds were 60 Euros each (and there were six of us, so 180 for the day). It was also very crowded and the water wasn't that clean. I could see how it would be lovely in September, but I was really put off by the cost.

When we lived in Rome, our favorite beach to visit for the day was Santa Marinella. Going a little further out south, you could spend some days at Gaeta. We stayed at an agriturismo nearby but there are lots of resorts and you will get the true Italian beach town experience- there will be almost no foreigners there. It was heaven.

Anonymous wrote:Ponza is where to go but it is a hike in train and ferry from Rome. I could not make it work last yr with our schedule unless we stayed in Ponza. It's a big island for locals. Honestly you could make a trip out if island hopping Italy v mainland sights - they are fab. We did Amalfi and Capri but the way to do a beach is to def go south. Even in Ponza it's a water experience v beach. Superlonga would be beach but I tell you Rome is not a beach holiday - it's hard to get that relaxation vibe in N Italy on a beach.

Don't agree with that last part. We had a nice relaxing time at a beach town in Liguria. There are a number of nice beach towns an hour in either direction from Genoa.

Ponza is where to go but it is a hike in train and ferry from Rome. I could not make it work last yr with our schedule unless we stayed in Ponza. It's a big island for locals. Honestly you could make a trip out if island hopping Italy v mainland sights - they are fab. We did Amalfi and Capri but the way to do a beach is to def go south. Even in Ponza it's a water experience v beach. Superlonga would be beach but I tell you Rome is not a beach holiday - it's hard to get that relaxation vibe in N Italy on a beach.

Did a great day trip to Sperlonga, very nice little beach with neat ruins to visit. Did a train/bus connection, I don't know if the bus still runs.

What’s your budget?

Ponza island is a secret
Or try Ischia

Take a look at Sperlonga. Haven't been there, but looks like it would be a good option, and it's 1:15 on the train (and then a short cab ride) from Rome.

We took a day trip from Rome to Ostia, which is a 30 minute train trip. We visited the ancient Roman town of Ostia Antica in the morning and went swimming at the beach town of Ostia in the afternoon. If you really want 5 full days at the beach, it might be worth traveling farther, but if you're open to just doing a few days it's a nice option that would give you more time for Rome or other places nearby.

Go to Taormina in Sicily after Rome. (I'm obsessed with it since watching The White Lotus).

We've taken the train from Rome to Sorrento and explored Amalfi/Capri towns and beaches, so that might be an option. Easier to see Pompeii as a day trip from Sorrento as well.

For an option closer to Rome -- this past summer, we spent a few days at this hotel: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187790-d286440-Reviews-Grand_Hotel_Le_Rocce-Gaeta_Province_of_Latina_Lazio.html

looks like their official website is under construction. Beach was private -- small/rocky, but gorgeous as were the hotel grounds. It is built into the cliffside, so many terraces and stairs. Rooms were comfortable, but not super fancy. Hotel restaurant was great for breakfast and dinner. There is also a pool and another terrace restaurant that had lunch/drinks.

Train to/from Rome was a little over an hour.

You can check if there are any Disney cruises that fit your timeframe. They have short cruises in Europe during some of the summer weeks. Other cruiselines do as well, like 3/4/5-nighters.

Sardinia? Its gonna be hot end of summer...

Hi-We are planning a late summer trip to Rome and hoping to add a beach somewhere for the last five days of the trip to keep my teens happy. What is the best way to do this? Are there beach resorts within a few hours of Rome? Would it be worth it to fly to Nice and see beaches there? Open to ideas on how to keep three teens happy 1 college and 2 hs. TIA