Ponza

The 15 Most Beautiful Italian Islands

"The largest of the Pontine Islands, reached by roughly a 90-minute ferry from several mainland ports, whose relative distance has helped it retain an air of exclusivity. Long favored by well-heeled Italians who prefer vacation rentals and alfresco fried seafood over five-star resorts and haute dining, the island’s beaches and beach bars can become busy in July and August—making shoulder-season visits appealing for those who want to observe local daily routines more quietly." - Elizabeth Heath Elizabeth Heath Elizabeth Heath is a writer and editor living on a hill in Umbria, from where she writes about travel in Italy, the rest of Europe, and farther afield. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines