Ventotene

An enchanted place, a fishing village in the heart of the windy island (hence its name), it has preserved traces of the Roman presence over time, such as the Port, the Peschiere and the Pozzillo, an old Roman towpath. A village of small colourful houses, boats resting waiting to put out to sea, nets to dry, Ventotene has a maritime soul. But the village has also played an important role in history: an island of confinement during the years of fascism, it hosted Altiero Spinelli and Ernesto Rossi, opponents of the regime, who wrote the 'Ventotene Manifesto' here, the driving force behind European unity. And finally, the island's cuisine, famous for its lentils, which it combines with tasty fish dishes, deserves a mention.