The pontine islands: A Mediterranean escape

This island paradise is Italy's hidden tresure. 庞廷群岛：地中海的逍遥聖地，这处岛屿天堂是意大利的隐秘瑰宝。

Just off the coast of Italy, a bit south of Rome, lie the Pontine Islands, a sun-soaked seaside haven. With its calm atmosphere and sleepy little harbors, this small archipelago is not well-known to foreign tourists. But for Italians on summer vacation and the rich and famous keeping a low profile, it's a favorite destination. Lazy sunbathers and adventurous explorers alike can find their perfect holiday here. There are plenty of hiking trails, historic sites and amazing views scattered around.

The Island also boast beautiful beaches, great swimming opportunities and some of the best seafood in Italy. To get to the Pontine Islands, travelers can take a plane from Rome or Naples. It's also possible to catch a ferry from one of the cities on Italy's western coastline. However, only two of the islands - Ponza and Ventotene - are large enough to provide ferry connections and places to stay. But visitors can rent a boat or use their own to travel conveniently between the smaller islands.

Ponza and Ventotene
A tiny island less than 10 kilometers long, Ponza is the most popular among tourists.Visitors can stay at hotels or, for a cheaper option, rent an apartment for a short time. During the day, tourists flock to Chiaia di Luan, a curved stretch of sand on southern Ponza. Swimming is the preferred way to spend the day - there's no shortage of spots for swimming or diving. Tourists can swim either near the beaches or from boasts in quiet coves that can't be accessed by land.

There are also underwater shipwrecks for curious divers to explore. On land, a variety of historic ruins that are centuries old can be explored. The island of Ventotene, Ponza's calmer neighbor to the southeast, has a long history as a prison. Founded in 313 B.C. as a Roman colony, it became the ideal place to confine misbehaving Roman royalty over the years.

In the first century, Emperor Augustus exiled his daughter Julia there. later, Nero sent his 20-year-old wife.Although they were banned from returning home, some of these prisoners stayed in palaces. The ruins of some of these can still be seen. For visitors interested in architecture, Ventotene offers a castle, the Church of St. Candida and a town hall. These, along with many other buildings on the island, were built in the 1700s.

Off the beaten path
There's more to see and do beyond Ponza and Ventotene. On the island of Zannone lies a nature reserve. Only  one square kilometer in size, it has hiking trails, forests and wild sheep that roam freely.
Zannone is open to visitors during the day, but camping is not allowed. Palmarola, called the "Pearl of the Mediterranean Sea," is the second largest of the Pontine Islands.

Trademark clear waters, ocean caves and unusual rock forms make Palmarola a great location to explore by boat. Each of the Pontine Islands has something to offer- history, nature and a chance to enjoy the warm Mediterranean climate. Whether for adventure or just a break, these islands are the perfect escape for a holiday by the sea.

More Information:
In 1768 King Ferdinand IV of Naples sent hundreds of Criminals to Ventotene for an experiment Ventotene was a clean and beautiful island with no problems. King Ferdinand thought that if he sent criminals to such a pure environment, they would become good people. But soon there was so much crime and fighting on the island that he had to take the criminals back. The experiment was a complete failure.

Grammar Tips:
Lazy sunbathers and adventurous explorers alike can find their perfect holiday here.
alike- both or at the same way.
Lazy sunbathers and adventurous explorers alike.
Although the movie is based on a fairytale, it is sure to please children and adults alike.
The fashion designer's new collection has captured the interest of young women and mature ladies alike.

Vocabulary Tips:
haven "e" - safe place, peaceful place. 避风港，避难所
*The boy is safe in the haven of his mother's arms.
*The cafe' around the corner is Pamela's haven. She goes there to relax almost everyday.
profile -质料，姿态，状态。
keep a low profile - 保持低调，低姿态，
*This celebrity is trying to keep a low profile on her family life.
*The new CEO cleverly kept a low profile to avoid any objections.
boast-拥有，以拥有。自豪
*The company boasts its devoted staff and creativity.
*The area boasts its natural resources and wildlife. 天然那资源。。野生动植物。

Chat Room:
port/ harbor  -海港
port -大型的海港，供停泊大型游轮或商船的海港 for commercial use such as loading people or merchandise.
harbor-小型的港湾。供小型以及家庭拥有的游艇停放。也指“海港的水域”
calm atmosphere and sleepy little harbors.
port city -位于海港的城市，如纽约市.
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A.D. + year;  year + B.C.
A.D.= Anno Domini 西元。。
B.C. = Before Christ 西元前
A.D. 2011 - 今年是西元2011
3000 B.C. - 主前（西元前）3000 年。
Ventotene - founded in 300 B.C. 监狱之岛-是在西元前300年发现的。
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off the beaten path -离开一般人常走的路。冷门，不寻常的路线，不出名的，人们不常去的。
也指“不寻常，打破常规的”
off the beaten path = alternative 令类的。


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