Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

The Charming Streets of Anzio, Italy

(Pronounced AAAN-she-oh)

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

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Anzio, Italy was a town that won our hearts.

A simple seaside place that was packed with centuries of history, it offered us good weather, delicious food, friendly people and the beauty of nature.

It's a sparkling gem about an hour's drive south of Rome and north of the jet-setter destination of The Almalfi Coast.

Exploring the charming streets of Anzio provides a delightful experience, where you can appreciate the fusion of history, local culture, and traditional Italian architecture.

Enjoy our photos of this lovely town.

Map of the city of Anzio, Italy

As you can see from this map, Anzio is right on the sea.

Marked are the Grotte di Nerone or Nero's Grottos, carved out of the hillside and bricked for stability. These are wonderful out-of-the-sun shade suppliers for beach goers.

There is Anzio Beach of WWII fame, and both the port and the seabreak are clearly marked.

Streets and other notable places are also noted.

Outside garden restaurant

All throughout Anzio are these lovely garden style restaurants serving fresh seafood and home made pastas.

Cafes, bakeries and Gelaterias abound.

Piazza Piazza Papa Pio II with the Fontana del Calamo

Not far from the sea is this small Piazza Papa Pio II, named after a 15th century Pope.

Surrounded by municipal buildings serving as a local government center, there is also a gelateria, various restaurants and cafes, shops and boutiques.

A corner building with Muslim architectural influence

Arab Muslims established a presence in Sicily and southern Italy during the 9th and 10th centuries. The Arab rule in southern Italy lasted for several centuries and left a lasting cultural impact, particularly in architecture, agriculture, and language.

This beautiful building sets a strong appearance on this corner near the sea in Anzio.

Another stately building of Muslim influence

Balconies and shutters are also part of the traditional Italian architecture, but you can also see the Arab typical shapes as well.

All of this adds a touch of elegance to the streetscape.

Monument to Angelita di Anzio

During World War II, Anzio and its surrounding area became the site of a major amphibious landing by the Allied forces as part of the larger Italian campaign. Codenamed Operation Shingle, it aimed to establish a beachhead in Anzio and break through the German defenses in Italy.

The Battle of Anzio, which took place from January to June 1944, was a fierce and protracted struggle, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. The Allies eventually succeeded in capturing the area and used it as a base to launch further attacks against German forces in Italy.

The story goes that Angelita, a little girl from Anzio, was looked after by the Americans during this strategic and historic landing in WWII.

Angelita was wounded in the abdomen by the explosion of a bomb and was loaded onto a jeep by two American soldiers to be taken to a field hospital. After that nothing was heard of her, nor of the brave soldiers who had rescued her.

It is assumed that she died after that bombing, and in the 1970s a statue was dedicated to her on the Mallozzi Riviera, in her memory and in the memory of all the child victims of the war.

Narrow alleyways and streets run all through Anzio

You will see these colorful facades on the buildings along the streets of Anzio making the area vibrant.

Painted in various shades such as pastels and earth tones, these colors contribute to the picturesque scenery and create a buoyant atmosphere.

You can see the Tyrrhenian Sea at the end of this street.

More outdoor cafes

The indoor-outdoor eating style in Italy is very attractive.

Social, enticing and downright pleasant, people gather to have a pastry, cafe or a meal. Visitors soak up the atmosphere and observe the passersby.

Notice the wrought iron balconies, pastel colored buildings, and the many plants.

Outdoor restaurant with palapas

The wind has kicked up this particular afternoon and the waves are crashing on the beach. Still, with the sun shining, it's easy to eat a meal out of doors and enjoy the sea.

The road in the center of the photo leads to the harbor.

Various road signs at this corner

You can see signs to Nero's grotto and villa, as well as to Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena. This Italian bank is the oldest surviving retail bank in the world.

A better view of the beach from the harbor road

You will notice that this is the same restaurant with the palapas pictured earlier.

From this angle on the way to the harbor, it shows the wider expanse of the beach and the restaurants and hotels that line it.

More alluring pastel colored buildings are in the background.

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Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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