From 7 to 9 August 2026, the garden of Villa delle Sirene, along Lungomare Caboto, hosts the second stop of «Le Strade del Gusto e dell’Inclusione»: three evenings of a food and wine fair, from 19:00 to 24:00, with free admission. Fourteen stands showcasing the finest delicacies from Lazio, served by forty young people for whom this is no game: it is a trade they are learning.
Not just a festival, but a project
The event is promoted by Regione Lazio, ARSIAL (Regional Agency for the Development and Innovation of Agriculture in Lazio), and ASP – Istituti Riuniti del Lazio, together with Lazio Crea. The underlying idea is simple and practical: the food, wine, and hospitality sectors are among the most effective at building independence and job opportunities for people with disabilities.
This is why the forty participants are neither guests nor extras. Supported by expert tutors, they manage the welcoming of guests, table service, and the presentation of products: the three elements that, in hospitality, turn ordinary service into an evening to remember. The guided tastings are their chance to showcase everything they have learned.
Behind this journey is a network of local organisations: AIPD Sud Pontino (Italian Association of People with Down Syndrome), Liberautismo APS, and the Fondazione «Don Cosimino Fronzuto».
The fourteen stands at the fair
The fair is open every evening from 19:00 to 24:00. Here is who you will find and what they bring:
- Spritz Aut, Brindiamo all’Inclusione — Associazione Liberautismo
- Tiella di Gaeta PAT and Votapiatto — Andale
- Colline Pontine DOP extra virgin olive oil and Olive di Gaeta DOP — Az. Agricola Cosmo Di Russo
- Lazio IGT wines — Casa Vinicola Ciccariello
- Seafood sandwiches and fried specialties from the Gulf — Marelì, Rosso Pontino
- Handcrafted vegetables preserved in oil — Ichì
- Gourmet sandwiches featuring DOP and IGP delicacies from Lazio — Ristorante Stato Brado
- Locally sourced jams from the Sud Pontino — Cooperativa Sociale La Fonte
- Buffalo mozzarella, cured meats, and traditional cheeses — AIPD Sud Pontino ETS-APS
- Carciofi di Sezze PAT (artichokes) — Azienda Agricola Luccone
- Crostatine di visciole PAT (sour cherry tartlets) — Dolcezze di Sezze
- Riviera di Ulisse honey and beehive products — Apicoltura Ziniti
- Freshly brewed coffee, ground coffee beans, and biscuits — Torrefazione Caffè Traniello
- Ciammelle Elenesi PAT, Baci di Gaeta, and artisanal pasta — Fondazione Don Cosimino Fronzuto
Two absolute must-tries
If this is your first time in Gaeta, start with the tiella: two discs of pizza dough made with extra virgin olive oil, baked with a generous filling inside. The version with octopus and black olives is the most famous, but you will also find variations with escarole, salt cod, or onions, changing with the seasons. Alongside it, try the olive di Gaeta DOP, grown on terraces overlooking the sea: even before being a local product, they are an essential part of the landscape.
The day-by-day programme
The village is part of the celebrations in honour of the Madonna di Porto Salvo, organised by the parish of Santi Cosma e Damiano alongside the Associazione Culturale E.T.S. Gaeta. The schedule is packed, and all events are free to attend.
Friday 7 August
- 19:00 — Opening of the village at Villa delle Sirene
- 19:30 — Illumination of the festival lights
- 21:30 — Musical performance «Rotta Armonica. Il canto del Mare tra i vicoli di Elena», presented by Associazione Athena
Saturday 8 August
- 21:30 — Enrico Ruggeri concert, Elettric Tour
Sunday 9 August
- 17:00 — Street performance by the «Ercole Montano» Marching Band, conducted by Maestro Giovanni Izzo
- 18:00 — Madonna di Porto Salvo procession
- 22:00 — Concert by the Manhattan Swing Band
- 24:00 — Fireworks display, by Victor Ferraro Fireworks
Every day, from 19:00 to 24:00
- evening opening of the Chiesa di Santa Maria di Porto Salvo and the Chiesa dei Santi Cosma e Damiano Vecchia
- live art performances with master artists M. Monaco and M. Magnatti, curated by IS Io Studio Italiano
- dynamic art exhibition by Antonella Magliozzi, «Il mare dei desideri e i Setti mari», at Via Indipendenza 289
- tourist info point curated by ASP Istituti Riuniti del Lazio and radio broadcasts with Radio Spazio Blu
While you’re there: the Annunziata is open until midnight
Throughout August, the Complesso monumentale della SS. Annunziata is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–13:00 and 18:00–24:00, with an info point on the church square. It is a wonderful opportunity to see the Cappella d’Oro in the evening, as well as the contemporary art exhibition «Non ancora. Dieci visioni della speranza» by Antonio Poce, held in the complex’s former pharmacy.
Practical information
- Where: Villa delle Sirene, Lungomare Giovanni Caboto (corner of Via Indipendenza), Porto Salvo district, Gaeta
- When: Friday 7, Saturday 8, and Sunday 9 August 2026
- Hours: every evening from 19:00 to 24:00
- Admission: free
During the festival days, the neighborhood gets very lively and traffic patterns may change, so arriving early is recommended. You can find full details about the event on the dedicated page, and read all about the religious celebration in the guide to the Festa della Madonna di Porto Salvo.
The third and final stop of «Le Strade del Gusto e dell’Inclusione» will be held along Viale Battaglione degli Alpini, from 25 to 27 September 2026.
