Gaeta Things to Do

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Well, the mausoleum dominates the view or rather is visible from as far away as Formia and with binoculars probably Scauri as well. It features in many photos of the Gulf of Gaeta in most books that talk about the History. It is also famous for the fact that it has managed to retain its outer covering where so many monuments have failed..........it has become among the best preserved of the Mausoleums in Italy.

One of the greatest activities that the Italians engage in is the daily walk.

It's always a grand time for socializing, observing the new "threads" that people are wearing, and stopping to buy a Gelato cone.

But, Sundays are the very best.

Everyone, and I mean Everyone, comes out to parade up and down the Pier Promenade. Small stands are set up for selling candies, nuts, children's toys, sunglasses, CD's, just to name a few.

The children run to the small park to play; mothers and fathers proudly display their newest addition to the family who is riding in an elaborate baby carriage.

At the time we stayed in Gaeta, the Chicago Bulls were at the height of their glory, and the locals would always ask us (being from the Chicago area) about MICHAEL JORDAN.

One Sunday afternoon as Allan and I were joining the Promenade walk, we saw a horse drawn carriage with a driver and a mother, father, and little girl. We inquired and found out that each Sunday the carriage rides are available.

The photograph is the picture that I snapped when we first saw the horse and carriage.

The "Old" section of Gaeta is a medieval urban development which was built upon the foundations laid during the Roman period. Heavily damaged during World War II, the recontruction is still in process. Nothing is more relaxing then following the walkways and imagining those who have walked them hundreds of years before. Please thou, be courteous, these are peoples homes.

Upon reaching the top of Mt. Orlando, but slightly below the mausoleum is a series of tunnels, stairs, and old gun placements. They form a circle around the top of Mt. Orlando. Old tracks are still visible at the lower level, where carts would have carried the munitions and supplies to the various areas. Bring a flashlight, but watch you step.

Mt Orlando is a protected natural park. From the top you can admire the views of Serapo Beach on the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Gulf of Gaeta, the town of Gaeta, and "Old Gaeta". At the top of Mt.Orlando you can visit the Mausoleum of Lucio Munanzio Planco, one of Caesar's generals. Also, remains of old fortifications still exist which can be explored, so bring a flashlight.

Serapo beach is one of the biggest, sand beaches in Italy, and the town about triples it's size in the summer vacation months (mostly August). If you come in September or June, it'll still be warm enough to be at the beach, and the crowds should be gone, the ugly umbrellas should be taken down off the beach and the costs should be down too. You can get to the beach easily. When you come into town on the bus, you'll be on the water. Gaeta is a peninsula, so just walk perpendicular from the water, and you'll hit the beach. It's probably only about a five minute walk if you go up the street that the post office is on the corner of. It's the next street up from the one Bar Triestina is on (going in the direction the bus came into town). Turn right at the post office, and you'll see the beach in a few minutes.

Serapo Beach is quite magnificent and if walking up Mount Orlando (down is easier), there are many opportunities to take a snap of it.

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Walking through the streets of this picturesk city is actually such a relaxing experience, everywhere you go the old country feeling is just everywhere.