My Favorite Restaurant

BELLA NAPOLI, on the port of Forio, serves some of the finest seafood in the whole Mediterranean. I actually watched 3 men carry a fresh caught swordfish into the kitchen while I was having lunch one day with a friend. Leo, part owner and manager, gives great advice and recommendations on his daily specials, and for those who don't speak italian Leo speaks some english.  Pastas are outstanding and presentations are awesome. Buon Appetito !

THE EASTER PERIOD

One of the most beautiful times of the year in Ischia !!  Lemons abound everywhere and the trees create a look of a yellow umbrella all over the island. It's the season of   LIMONCELLO !!!!  A delicious liqueur made from lemon rinds, grain alcohol, water, and sugar. It's usually served after lunch or dinner and should be chilled. One sip and you're completely sold on it !!!!
This is also the period of lamb..........eaten in most homes on Easter sunday..........roasted with garlic, olive oil, and fresh rosemary............or as some do in Ischia, roasted with garlic, olive oil, and cut up fresh cherry tomatoes. For dessert the traditional PASTIERA is eaten...........it's a type of pie that looks actually like a quiche, containing egg, flour, ricotta, sugar and a light crust.
There will be a procession in the middle of town in most villages on Easter and onlookers will see the locals carrying the statue of the Angel that symbolizes the rebirth of Christ. Another wonderful tradition of Ischia !

THE PIETRTORCIA WINERY

On the outskirts of the town of Forio lies a delightful winery called PIETRATORCIA. Open to the public from April through October, this family run winery offers wine tastings and dinners with a reservation. The tastings run approximately 12euros per person and include delicious appetizers such as bruschetta made with regional tomatoes and locally grown basil, homemade sausages, and olives. Along with freshly made bread from wood-burning ovens, this is one of the best ways to pass a few hours in the afternoon. The grape medley involved is explained by both italian and english speaking servers and sits underneath a grapeleaved pergola overlooking a lush garden and Mount Epomeo in the background. A must for the wine lovers of the world ! Their wine is superb !

Getting to Ischia

Getting to Ischia is definitely a time consuming challenge ! If you have the time and finances it's worth your while to arrive in Rome and stay there for a few days. Be the tourist, cover every corner by foot, then after enough of city life, hop on the train to Naples. Ischia will be awaiting you with it's thermal waters and spas to relieve those aches and pains from sightseeing. 

Italy has excellent train service and there are trains leaving Romes' Stazione Termini about every 45 minutes for Naples. The best one of course being the EUROSTAR which is a high-speed train that takes 1hr 10mins to Naples. It's comfortable, air conditioned in summer, and when you purchase your ticket your seat is already designated. Prices run high, depending on the season, an average of 44euros one way 2nd class............but the alternative is the INNER CITY train which costs approximately 26euros, takes 2 hours, and transports anything but Italy's finest !  Once in Naples Central Station you can hop in a cab and ask to go to Molo Beverello which is the port where you would take the hydrofoil to Ischia..........the fare should run around 15euros.

Ischia Ferry

There are 2 options when going to Ischia. You can take a hydrofoil which costs approx. 17euros, or take a ferry which leaves from Porto Massa down the road which costs appro. 10euros. The hydrofoil arrives in 50mins and the ferry about 1hr 15mins. Once again, depending on the time you have and the money you're willing to spend is how you can determine your mode of transport.

When to go to Ischia is simple to figure out.  May, June, mid-sept until end of oct. are the best periods. Weather is mild, you don't have to fight off the bird-sized mosquitos, and tourism isn't at its' peak. Beaches are less crowded and restaurants and cafes have available seating without waiting. 

For some reason unknown to mankind, most of the entire country of Italy goes on vacation at the same time........the month of August. With that said, I recommend staying as far away as possible in that period. July is also quite crowded but not as much as August. Unfortunately the Italians are not lovers of air conditioning, in fact they detest it, so if you're naturally "hot blooded" or going through menopause...........stay home !!

Check out the Spas

Most of Ischias' hotels have thermal pools and spas.....however, the most beautiful of all is in the town of FORIO in a beach area called CITARA.   It's called GIARDINI POSEIDON which means Poseidon Gardens and it was founded and run by a German doctor. It is now managed by his daughter and people from all over the world flock to it from May on.......for a full day it costs about 36euros, half day 23 and from 4pm till closing at 7pm 16euros. It is impeccable.....with gorgeous flowers covering the grounds and layered pools of thermal waters of different temperatures. It is built against a mountain and the saunas are natural caves of steam from the underground. There is a restaurant and a self-serve cafeteria on the premises along with ...................a wine bar !!! 

Giardini Poseidon

 After a healthy day of releasing toxins you can go and drink them all back !!  The spa is mostly outdoors and sits on a beach.....bathing caps are a must for hygienic purposes and if you don't have one with you it can be purchased in a gift shop. A wonderful way to pass a day and the "Ischia Experience " .

Check out my upcoming weekly blog posts!

My ongoing blog will cover a wealth of topics that I'm sure will capture your attention! Ciao !

Welcome to Ischia

"Dreamy" would be an accurate word to describe the hidden spots of the island of Ischia off the coast of Naples, Italy. "Breathtaking" would be appropriate to define the views of the Mediterranean from the hillsides. "Humorous" would explain the everyday interaction of the locals while going about their daily chores.