The Pontine Islands: A Mediterranean Escape 龐廷群島：地中海的逍遙聖地3

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.

ban

architecture

roam 漫步

pearl 珍珠

trademark

【Chat room】

off the beaten path 離開一般人常走的路、不尋常、打破常規的(小眾的)

alternative另類的

【Key word】

ban 禁止

banning / banned

The movie was banned in several countries because it discussed sensitive political issues. 這個電影因為討論敏感的政治議題，所以在幾個國家被禁

American beef was banned because of mad-cow disease. 因為狂牛症所以美國牛肉曾經被禁。

roam 漫步、漫遊、流浪

Gangsters roamed the streets of the inner city at night.

夜晚的時候幫派份子在市中心橫行無阻

Rita roamed around from town to town trying to find her meaning of life.

Rita 從一個城市流浪到另一個城市試圖去尋找她生命的意義。

trademark商標、特徵

Vivid colors and structured cutting are the designer’s trademarks.

鮮明的色彩與結構強烈的剪裁是這位設計師的商標

Justin Bieber’s trademark hair caught many young girls’ eyes.

The Pontine Islands: A Mediterranean Escape 龐廷群島：地中海的逍遙聖地2

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 Luna, 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 boats 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’a 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.

flock to

curved

diving 潛水、跳水

cove 小海灣

shipwreck

ruin

confine

exile = sent someone away from their country or from their group 流放

【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 Ferdinnand 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.

【Chat room】

A.D. 2011

A.D. = Anno Domini (拉丁文)西元

B.C. =before Christ 西元前

A.D.通常放在年份的前面，B.C.要放在年份的後面

3000 B.C. 西元前三千年

【Key word】

curved 彎曲的、呈弧形的

curve 使彎曲

The curved surfaces of this cathedral make it really unique.

這座教堂弧型的表面使它顯得非常獨一無二

The curved edge of the toys made them baby-proof.

這些玩具弧形的表面使小孩子玩起來相當安全

confine 關禁閉、限制出門

The prisoners who caused trouble were confined for a whole week.

The patient was confined to bed for three months because of his severe injuries.

病患因為重傷臥病在床一個月

exile放逐、使流放

The former president was exiled to the United States and stayed there for years.

The government had no choice but to exile these anti-socials.

政府別無選擇只好流放這些反社會者

exile 也可以當名詞使用

The king spent years in Europe in exile. 這個國王多年來流亡在歐洲