Staying in Formia

If you would like to stay in an apartment which is easily accessible by public transport and within walking distance of the beautiful Formia beaches, then look no further than our apartment in the San Pietro area of Formia in the Lazio region of southern Italy. This is a modern two bedroom apartment on the 2nd floor of a very secure block; it is beautifully furnished with rosewood and oak Italian furniture.

The beautiful beach in Formia within walking distance of the apartment

Facilities and Information at a glance:

General:

Central Heating, Air Conditioning, TV, Video / DVD player.

Standard Utilities:

Kettle, Toaster, Iron, Hair dryer, Cooker, Microwave, Fridge, Freezer, Washing machine

Rooms:

Bedrooms / Sleeping areas (2), Bathroom with shower and WC (1)

Furniture

King-Size beds / Sofabeds (2), Single beds (2), Cots (1), Dining seating for 8, Lounge seating for 5, Sleeps maximum of 7

Other:

Linen and towels provided.

Outdoors:

Balcony / Terrace

Access:

Parking space, Nearest Airport: Rome (110 km), Nearest Railway: Formia (1 km), Nearest Beach: Formia (0.5 km)

Notes:

Sorry no pets, self-catering

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 1 has a king size bed with a crystal chandelier and fully fitted large oak storage units, with matching headboard, dressing table and two mini chests of drawers. There is ample wardrobe and storage space in this room for luggage as well as clothes. Bedding for all 6 beds and the travel cot is stored in the centre section of the triple wardrobe: sheets, blankets, pillow cases, towels, flannels etc. The bed has an excellent orthopaedic mattress which is perfect after a day in the sun or a day’s sightseeing. This room also has a new single folding bed and a Mothercare travel cot for babies and toddlers which we purchased for the flat last summer.

Chandelier, Dressing Table and Chair in Bedroom 1

Wall to ceiling built in unit and large triple wardrobe in Bedroom 1. New pull-out bed on the left and Travel Cot in its case on top of the wardrobe.

Family room / second sleeping area

The second bedroom, which can also double up as a living room, has a properly sprung double bed (which can fold into a sofa, though we now leave it as a bed). This room also has a pull out single bed and a footstool; the pull-out bed can be used as an armchair when not required as a bed.

This room also has a TV with a new DVD player with digital receiver which now gives guests access to over 100 channels, when reception is good, including the BBC world news channel. This room also has a single wardrobe and a large chest of drawers.

Bedroom 2 / Living Room

Swimming pools at private resort a short walk from the apartment

Entrance and hall

In the hall there is a solid oak coat and hat stand, a hall side-board with matching mirror (this is where we leave the air conditioning remote, the iron, the hairdryer, spare bulbs and other bits and pieces). Further along the hall there is a modern cupboard where we store the beach parasol, beach toys for children, extra bedding and cleaning materials – including bath mats, bucket, mop, broom etc.

Secure Front door with double bolt locking system, dining chairs, hat and coat stand and cupboard where air-conditioning remote is stored.

Kitchen, bathroom, air conditioning

The flat has a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom with bath and shower. The kitchen is well stocked with glassware, crockery and cutlery. The air conditioning unit in the hall cools the flat down very well in the summer. We recommend the air conditioning is kept at 20 in August as it is very hot outside; any cooler could cause a chill. It is not worth using the air conditioning if the doors and windows are open. Please note it may take a while for the air conditioning unit to cool down the flat in July and August if it has not been used for a while.

Well Equipped Kitchen

Bathroom with Bath, Shower, Bidet and Slim-line Washing Machine

The balcony, parking and the neighbours

There is a sun blind on the balcony and a large washing line hanging down from the balcony. In the summer months it takes as little as two hours for washing to dry. To keep overheads as low as possible, we operate a self-valeting system with regard to the cleaning of this flat; more details on this will be sent to you prior to booking.

Many of the neighbours in this and the mini apartment block across the way are known to us and are always happy to assist our guests in any way they can. We will give you the names of a couple of very helpful neighbours before you set off for Formia. There are also some new younger families in these two blocks with young children; several of our guests have mentioned over the years, that their children made friends with some of the children in the apartment block soon after arrival and were being called for on a daily basis to go and play in the little children’s playground at the end of the close.

There is a small private parking area just outside the apartment block for local residents. You will be entitled to park there but you must avoid the disabled space in yellow and make sure you do not block the entrance to one of the neighbours’ garages.

Balcony from bedroom door with sea view

Balcony from kitchen door showing parking area below

The beautiful Formia Coastline

Local supermarkets and restaurants

We send all our guests detailed information on supermarkets, shops and restaurants in the local area. Rest assured you will have plenty of choice: The excellent local delicatessen is less than a five minute walk away from the apartment; to get to it you just cut across the mini parking area in the opposite direction to the Appia, you then cross the road and the delicatessen / green grocer will be immediately visible. Here you can buy a large variety of cold meats, buffalo mozzarella, seafood in olive oil, roasted vegetables, fresh peaches, huge watermelons and much more. You will be totally spoilt for choice. Do try the Porchetta Romana and the Sfoglia di Mozzarella while you are there, you won’t be disappointed. If you are going on an excursion, this is an excellent place to buy your packed lunches. You choose your rolls then your fillings, then they make the sandwiches for you; there is no extra charge for this and you would save money having to buy poorer quality food from more expensive tourist areas if you are going sightseeing. If you would like to go to a supermarket for your main weekly shop, then you could go to the new IN’s supermarket on the Appia. This has a large parking area and a good selection of produce at discounted prices. Instructions on how to get there will be sent to you in your information pack.

Locally sourced Buffalo Mozzarella (image from campaniameteo.it)

The excellent Ravello take-away is just around the corner. Please do not be put off by the words ‘take-away’, this is not junk food; on the contrary it is a good quality local restaurant run by the Ravello family who prepare delicious home cooked food for busy locals at a fraction of the cost of a sit-down meal. A family of four can buy a two course meal at Ravello’s for approximately €30, including drinks. You also have the option of sitting outside on their patio and eating the food there; there is no extra charge for this.

Breakfast al fresco in stlye

The Tartufo Restaurant / Pizzeria is on the Appia, just a five minute walk away. This is an easy, effortless alternative to eating at Ravello’s or at home. This restaurant specialises in dishes using mushrooms and truffles. The white truffle taglierini are certainly worth sampling. For a special celebration or as a special treat on your last night in Formia, you could treat yourselves to a fine dining experience at the Miramare Hotel. The Miramare is also within walking distance and is certainly worth going to at least once while you are there. In the summer you will be seated outside on their beach terrace with the spectacular view of the Gaeta peninsula in the background. Remember you will benefit from the fact that this flat is not in a holiday village but in a residential area of Formia. Do note that the quality of the produce available in the delicatessens and supermarkets and the local restaurants in areas such as these, need to satisfy the high expectations of the Italian residents of the area; the prices are competitive, the service you will receive is of the highest standard and the produce is as good as you will find anywhere in Italy.

Salumeria where you can have fresh sandwiches made for packed lunches