Where?

Sperlonga, Italy

Why now?

For a
beach holiday on Italy’s western coast that doesn’t involve
fighting over a parasol in Positano, venture to Sperlonga,
a relatively undiscovered seaside paradise located in the country’s
Latina province. Teetering atop a cliff, this pocket-sized town
tops our list for maxing out on sunshine and minimising on crowds
this summer. Its sandy facades are met by the cerulean waves of the
Tyrrhenian Sea, making for Amalfi-like vistas without the price
tag.

Quietly frequented by icons including Albert Camus and Cy
Twombly in the middle of the 20th century, Sperlonga has a history
of housing stars looking for an idealistic beach retreat sans
glitz. Hop on board by shimmying into a chaise lounge at one of the
town’s tranquil beach clubs and spending hours lingering over a
good book and an Aperol spritz.

Don’t miss

Jutting out from a grotto is the ancient summer villa of the
Roman Emperor Tiberius. A visit to the villa’s ruins is a must, as
is dropping into the adjacent museum that houses sculptures
representing The Odyssey that were found within the cave. The
grotto itself is also quite a sight to behold, as Tiberius is said
to have held many sybaritic dinner parties there.

A Sperlongan landmark that is obvious from the minute you set
foot in town is the Torre Truglia, a sun-bleached tower that was
used to monitor incoming pirate attacks during the 17th century.
The top of the tower offers a unique vantage point for scoping out
aquamarine waves breaking in the distance and blue-and-white
striped umbrellas dotting nearby beaches.

Who to take with you

A friend who’s obsessed with 1960s Riviera glamour.

When to go

Throughout the summer months.

Most likely to bump into

A writer dreaming up a 21st century, Italian version of
Fitzgerald’s Tender is the Night.

Essentials to bring with you

Channel Bardot vibes all the way; think silk headscarf, loose white button-up shirt and bikini
bottoms only.

How to get there

Fly into Rome Fiumicino Airport and take the train straight to
Fondi-Sperlonga station. From there, catch the bus into Sperlonga
proper, no car rental necessary.