And the Hamptons of Rome is ...
Let’s see: Rome is not on the coast, it has its own beach though, Fregene, as remotely close to the Hamptons as Jersey Shores. But just drive a bit north, a bit south and sail a bit west and you ARE where the Hamptons were invented (sometimes I speak “Mean Girls”).
In a radius of 100 Km. you find Capalbio and Orbetello, Porto Ercole and you go south and you find il Parco del Circeo, Sperlonga (way more south), Ventotene, and with Gaeta and Ponza I mean WOW. I actually think that Ponza could really be its Hamptons. And to give you a hint of the splendor of the beaches, the sea, the seafood, thesunsets, they are on the Mediterranean, same as all the places that the Roman Emperors had selected as their summer residence, like the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, the Eolian islands.
Now let's read the article on W Magazine where they tell you that the Hamptons of Rome is Puglia and have a thing or two straightened up:
- Puglia is a region, not a city or a neigborohood, it's like Lazio, the region where Rome is. Same as Tuscany that is the region where Florence is. So when you are in Florence you don't "also go to Tuscany" because you already are in Tuscany.
- Italy is shaped like a boot and Puglia is the “heel” which lands its beaches on the Adriatic sea, not the Med and there’s a sea of difference, pun intended.
- In other words, it’s like saying that the Hamptons of New York is Georgia, that is, nothing to do.
- Distance from Rome to Borgo Egnazia is almost another plane ride.
- After some investigation, because I had never heard of that place before, I found out that's the place where Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel got married.
- NOW you get it.
- Rule n.1 of vacationing in Italy: do like the locals do.
Not saying that whatever they are promoting isn’t gorgeous, spectacular, romantic, chic and all, but it’s like comparing apples to oranges.
On this same wave length:
WHAT TO PACK FOR AN ITALIAN SUMMER
Tank + shorts + flip-flops, fanny pack, visor and gooey white SPF, especially if you wear them ALL together.
one more thing: cappuccino is morning breakfast with croissant, not after lunch or dinner. If you don't believe me, take a peek at the table next to you next time that you have lunch.
More on this on the book: get on the newsletter to stay