THE FINE PRINT

GETTING THERE

Ponza is reached by hydrofoil or ferry from the ports of Formia, Anzio and Terracina, all an hour or so by car or by train from Rome and Naples. By hydrofoil the crossing takes an hour and 10 minutes, by ferry about two and a half hours.

Book tickets online (Vetor Aliscafi, vetor.it; Laziomar, laziomar.it) or at quayside kiosks. Non-residents aren’t allowed to drive their own cars on the island in summer, but cars may be hired. Most travellers, though, use small buses or taxis, or hire scooters and boats. ponzaviaggi.it

STAY

Hotel Mari

With 16 rooms, this charming, friendly boutique hotel has fine views over the harbour. Corso Pisacane 19, +39 0771 80101, hotelmari.com Grand Hotel Santa Domitilla

Set in a lush garden, this stylish hotel and spa has Roman grottoes, saltwater pools and a restaurant.

Via Panoramica,

+39 0771 809951, santadomitilla.com

Hotel Chiaia di Luna

A colourful, multi-terraced hotel with views over the magical bay of the same name. Via Panoramica, +39 0771 80113, hotelchiaiadiluna.com

EAT

Acqua Pazza

A brilliant one-star fish restaurant on the piazza overlooking the port. Piazza Carlo Pisacane 10, +39 0771 80643, facebook. com/AcquaPazzaPonza Eea

High over the port, chef Davide De Luca plans his menu by the catch of the day – a triumph of local flavours. Via Umberto I, +39 0771 80100, mondoeea.it

A Casa di Assunta

In this local institution, owner Assunta Scarpati’s traditional cooking with homegrown ingredients captures the quintessence of Ponza. Via Aversano, +39 0771 820086 Gennarino a Mare

This pleasant seafood restaurant is located on a pier to the south of the main harbour.

Via Dante Alighieri 64,

+39 0771 80593, gennarinoamare.com/ ristorante.asp

SAIL

No stay on Ponza would be complete without a boat trip to a few of the Pontine Islands. Join a trip or hire a boat at Settemari ( settemariisoladiponza.altervista.org), Diva

Luna ( divaluna.com), or Cooperativa Barcaioli Ponzesi ( barcaioliponza.it).