Do you want to bask in the gentle sun and swim in the sea? Come to the islands of Italy at any time of the year ! Ischia is one of the best vacation options. This island is called the pearl of the Gulf of Naples. In a paradise of southern Italy you can stroll through citrus and pine groves, admire beautiful flowers, exotic plants, sunbathe on sandy beaches and swim in the crystal clear sea water.
Hot (up to ninety degrees) thermal waters warm the island all year round and provide a special microclimate at which the average temperature, for example, in November is +22 ... + 25 ° C.
Location and Climate Information
Interested in Italy's largest islands ? Ischia is the largest in the Gulf of Naples. The distance to Naples is forty kilometers. Due to its fame and beautiful landscapes, this island is often compared with Capri. It consists of the following administrative districts: Lacco Ameno, Forio, Ischia Ponte, Ischia Porto, Casamicciola, Fontana Barano and Serrara.
Mennella - a famous scientist - investigated the weather features that some of the islands of Italy have. At the same time, Ischia received the title of the climatic pearl of the country. Compared to Naples, the winters are warmer and cooler in the summer. The island is located in a zone of stable mild Mediterranean climate, and all thanks to the diversity of terrain and location. The microclimate of different parts of the island is not always the same. So, in the western territories it can rain, and in the eastern - the sun shines. This plays a special role in agriculture.
Unique gift of nature
What, besides the sea and the sun, attracts many tourists Italy? The island of Ischia, whose thermal springs were appreciated by the Greeks in the seventh century BC, is recognized as one of the best health resorts in the country. Healing waters successfully healed the wounds of ancient warriors, retained their female youth and attractiveness, gave them the opportunity to continue the race, eliminated age-related ailments, and restored good mood and well-being. By orders of the Roman aristocracy, luxurious villas invaded this island in Italy. Ischia and currently does not lose its fame as a medical resort of world significance. Seventy thermal springs are currently known. Healing waters are enriched with alkali, iodine bromide salts, sulfates. However, at first people used them just for swimming and only later noticed that thanks to staying in such sources the body rejuvenates, arthrosis and rheumatism, problems with the liver, spleen, pancreas recede.
Where to stay?
Ischia island (Italy) can boast of excellent tourist offers. Hotels provide upscale relaxation. According to Western tourists, this resort replenishes the ranks of the elite.
The most discerning travelers stay at the Regina Isabella Hotel. Its luxurious museum setting will plunge into the times of Charlie Chaplin and Elizabeth Taylor.
Those who want to save money can also choose quite decent hotels on the island of Ischia (Italy). They are advised to stay in institutions of the class "economy", "prestige" or "family". The latter provides babysitting services. Among the most popular hotels are the following: Bristol Terme, San Giovanni Terme, Le Querce and Don Felipe.
In most hotels, regardless of the assigned category, thermal waters are treated. In addition, almost all hotels are happy to offer tourists their services beauty centers.
The main pride of the island
Thermal parks are what travelers and locals value the most. It's all about healing mud - a special substance that relieves stress and rejuvenates. For recovery, you only need to lie down in the "royal mess". What is the secret of amazing mud? How are they formed? Ordinary slurry is mixed with mineral sulphurous water, and then, under the influence of bacteria, sea air and the sun, it matures to the desired state. At one time, treatment on the island of Ischia (Italy) helped Elizabeth Taylor to maintain a breathtaking appearance for many years. Clark Gable did not disdain miracle therapy . Dirt contributed to the fact that he not only looked, but also felt great.
Currently, not only world-famous stars can afford to visit the island of Ischia (Italy). "Poseidon Gardens" and "Negombo Gardens" - the famous thermal parks of the resort. Millions of tourists come there every year in the hope of getting rid of existing ailments. The "Gardens of Poseidon" is rightly called the eighth wonder of the world. This park has twenty outdoor and indoor thermal pools. In each of them, a special concentration of trace elements and a temperature level are maintained. Thanks to this, every vacationer has the opportunity to undergo the most suitable course of wellness procedures. Another advantage of the unique park is that it is located along a beautiful sandy beach.
The Gardens of Negombo
This thermal park is located in the bay of San Montano. In it, twelve pools (open) are equipped for vacationers. The almost complete absence of waves and excellent sandy beaches are a pleasant addition to the therapeutic process.
City Thermal Center
In this institution on the territory of Ischia Porto, you can take courses of various rehabilitation procedures. The multidisciplinary center provides all the opportunities for full-fledged therapy and rehabilitation. It has two departments - balneological and gynecological, as well as a massage room and a sauna. Thanks to modern medical equipment, inhalations, audiometry, hydromassage and hydrokinesiotherapy, ultrasound examinations and much more are performed.
Main resorts
Ischia Island (Italy) receives only positive reviews from tourists. And all because on its territory there are many resorts that can satisfy the needs of the vast majority of travelers. We list the most famous and popular of them:
- Casamicciola . This small seaside town has become famous thanks to the Thermal Park "Castilene Gardens". For more than a hundred years, it has been ranked first in popularity among the island's resorts.
- Lacco Ameno . This city has the smallest square. It is interesting for the local Church of Santa Restitut, the Museum of Archeology, and the Negombo Gardens Thermal Park.
- Forio is the second largest city after the capital. The largest shopping center on the island is open on its territory. In addition, it is here that the famous "Gardens of Poseidon" are located.
- Serrara is a small seaside town adjacent to a fishing village. This village is called the most charming on the island: houses of all shades of pink, narrow streets, fashionable hotels, cathedrals and churches, cozy restaurants and taverns, small shops - it is enough to fall in love with this place forever! The nearby thermal parks are Apollo and Aphrodite and Tropical.
Attractions, entertainment
The key to healing, amazing landscapes, fine wine, unsurpassed local cuisine - all this is Ischia Island (Italy). The reviews of tourists who visited this paradise are unanimous in one thing: you will not have to be bored during your vacation.
The first colonists from Greece came to the island in the eighth century BC, however, no architectural monuments of that period have survived to this day. During the time of the Romans, many rich villas appeared on Ischia. It is known that the island was donated to Cornelius Kosa by Julius Caesar. The sixteenth century is considered the period of the emergence of modern tourism in Ischia. So, this place began to attract not only Italians, but also residents of other European countries.
It will take several hours to explore the entire island. The main city of the same name is located in a closed harbor, which was formed on the site of the crater of an extinct volcano. This settlement and its environs are the most densely populated part of Fr. Ischia. There are many restaurants, hotels, shops. The city also has the most famous attraction of the island - Aragonese castle. This is a medieval fortress, which was built on the site of the fortifications of the fifth century BC.
Corso Vittoria Solono is the central street of the capital. She was named after the famous poet of the 16th century, with whom Michelangelo himself was friends. Today, the street is a string of trendy shops and restaurants.
In Lacco Ameno, you can admire another attraction of the island - Fungo Reef (literally translated - "mushroom"). From the volcano Epomeo - the peaks of the island - breathtaking views of not only Ischia, but the entire Gulf of Naples. Particularly active tourists go on day trips to other cities on the mainland and to the islands of Italy. Ischia can be the starting point for traveling to Sorrento, Naples, Pompeii or about. Capri.
Local kitchen
What does Ischia Island (Italy) receive from gastronomic tourism enthusiasts? Mostly positive. Some dishes can only be tasted there. For example, a rabbit "in Iskitansky." Almost all restaurants of the island offer to try this dish, but the Poacher is unrivaled in this regard (it is located in the mountains near the forests of Frassitelli). Before him go the bus line CD or CS.
The most popular among many varieties of pizzas is Margarita. In addition, options with the addition of arugula and cheese, sausages and spicy herbs are considered very tasty. As experts say, pizza is best to try in La Tinaia (center of Forio), in Non Solo Pizza (Ischia) or in Ciro (Rome).
Fish on the island of Ischia is always the freshest and very tasty. The best restaurant specializing in seafood is Ciccio in the port of Forso, as well as Sokkorso in front of a church in the same city. As for the capital, there are establishments Damano and Koko Galo. At first, they usually order spaghetti with garlic sauce or seafood. If for the second you have a traditional rabbit, then you should order bucatini with meat sauce of the same animal in front of it.
Alcoholic drinks
Very good wines are produced in Ischia. September and October are considered the most favorable months for grape harvesting. The most popular brands are Ambra, Epomeo, Per e Palum, Cenatiempo, Viancolella. The same factories produce liquor infused with local lemons. It is served in all restaurants and sold in most supermarkets.
It is established that the quality of wine can vary depending on the position of the vines in relation to the sun. For example, in areas of the island such as Hillo and Panza, higher-quality drunken drinks than in Fiajano. Wine is produced not only in factories, but also at home.
Conclusion
If you have not yet decided on a vacation destination, go to Ischia. It is the most picturesque and largest island in the Gulf of Naples. In addition, it is the most famous beach and medical resort in Italy. Have a nice trip!