Acqua di Parma

LA CALETTA AS SEEN BY ALICE MOIREAU

For me, Ponza is the kind of island that stays with you and quietly draws you back. I discovered it five years ago, after asking my friend Erika Blu where she spent her summers in Italy, as a true Roman. She told me about Ponza, and from the first moment I arrived, I felt something very special. I fell in love with its discreet beauty, its rare atmosphere, and that nostalgic seventies feeling, almost as if the island had been gently suspended in time. Nothing feels artificial here, nor calculated. That is what makes it unforgettable.

What I love most is its simplicity. Even the smallest rituals become part of the pleasure. Going to the alimentari feels almost like a treasure hunt: seeing what is there that day, choosing whatever feels right in the moment, picking up a few fresh things for a picnic without overthinking anything. It is instinctive, relaxed, and exactly how I like summer to feel.

When I set up the picnic, I never want it to feel too perfect. For me, beauty in summer comes from a certain informality: a little wind, the sound of the water, something slightly out of place. At the same time, I do love bringing a few things that make the moment feel more special — some plates, linen napkins, and a good olive oil. These small touches can change everything. They keep the mood simple, but make it feel more considered.

At places like the natural pools, it only takes a few small gestures to create my own little world. Nothing complicated, nothing too arranged, but somehow everything finds its place. I like that balance between spontaneity and intention. It still feels easy, but there is always care in the details. Swimming in Ponza is another essential part of it all. The water here is unlike anywhere else for me. It is refreshing enough to cool you down, but gentle enough that you want to stay in for hours. Between dips, I love taking a moment to apply the Bergamotto La Spugnatura Hair & Body Oil, something that stays on the skin with the memory of the sea. It is one of the moments when I feel most connected — to the island, to summer, and also to myself.

Later in the day, everything begins to shift. Taking a boat out in the late afternoon towards Cala di Lucia Rosa, is always one of the most precious moments. The energy of the island softens, the light becomes golden, and the sea takes on a quieter mood. Being on the water at that time feels almost unreal, as if the whole day is pausing for a moment. A touch of the limited-edition Fico di Amalfi feels completely at home in that setting, with its bright, summery character in the spirit of La Caletta. And when I arrive near Cala di Lucia Rosa, I often have the same thought: that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Looking at the cliffs and the rocks, surrounded by all that beauty, makes you feel very alive.

There’s just something about an Italian summer that is uniquely its own— it holds both intimacy and sociability so naturally. You can spend the day in silence, close to the sea, in your own rhythm, and then suddenly find yourself at the port, playing tris with a signore you just met, laughing with friends. Places like Bar Tripoli capture that spirit perfectly for me.. Then there are those golden-hour moments, like sunset drinks at Cala Feola. The view there is breathtaking. When the sun starts to go down, everything feels almost unreal. The light changes the landscape completely and gives it a dreamlike quality that stays with you.

Scent is also a very important part of how I remember summer. I have always loved citrus fragrances, and Bergamotto La Spugnatura feels especially moving to me. It is delicate, fresh, and full of nuance. There is something about it that feels deeply Italian, and when I wear it, it brings me straight back to Ponza. It becomes part of the day, part of the skin, part of the memory. If I had to define my personal La Caletta in one feeling, it would be quietness. A calm, private kind of feeling. Something that makes you feel relaxed, safe, and fully present. And when I leave, I always carry the same thing with me: lightness. After days spent swimming, eating well, dancing, talking, and living so close to the sea, you return to reality feeling different. A little lighter, a little freer. And that is exactly why you keep coming back.