A 50-minute ferry ride from the port of Naples and conveniently accessible from B&B La Corte, Ischia is the largest of the islands in the Gulf of Naples. Known as the “Green Island” for its lush vegetation, it offers a perfect balance of spa relaxation, volcanic nature, enchanting beaches and excellent food and wine traditions.
Ischia’s volcanic origin has created a unique territory where hot springs with therapeutic properties recognized since antiquity gush forth. The Greeks called the island “Pithecusa” and even then exploited the healing waters to treat rheumatism and skin diseases. Today Ischia is one of Europe’s most renowned spa destinations, with more than 100 hot springs feeding world-renowned spas and wellness centers.
The Aragonese Castle is the undisputed symbol of the island, connected by a stone bridge to the village of Ischia Ponte. This medieval fortress, built in 1441 by Alfonso of Aragon on a volcanic rock islet, has withstood centuries of sieges and earthquakes. Inside are the Church of the Immaculate Conception with frescoes of the Giotto school, the Convent of the Poor Clares, and picturesque gardens offering breathtaking views of the Gulf of Naples.
La Mortella Gardens, created by the wife of composer William Walton, are a botanical masterpiece that combines subtropical plants from around the world in a natural amphitheater of rare beauty. These gardens, inspired by the principles of English garden design, are home to more than 1,000 rare species and offer classical music concerts in an enchanting setting during the summer season.
Mount Epomeo, at 789 meters, is the highest peak on the island and offers 360-degree views ranging from the Campania coast to the Pontine islands. The climb, possible on foot or by mule, passes through chestnut and pine forests to the church of San Nicola, carved entirely out of tuff. From the summit terraces, the sunset over Procida and Capri offers unforgettable emotions.
The thermal baths of Ischia are a universe of wellness that take advantage of hyperthermal waters that flow at temperatures up to 80 degrees. The Poseidon Gardens in Forio, with their 22 thermal pools set in tropical gardens, offer a total sea-view relaxation experience. Terme Negombo in Lacco Ameno and the Aphrodite Thermal Gardens in Sant’Angelo are other wellness oases where you can regain mental and physical balance.
Sant’Angelo is a picturesque fishing village connected to the main island by a sandy isthmus. This little gem, closed to automobile traffic, retains the atmosphere of yesteryear with colorful houses, seaside restaurants and the famous Maronti Beach, one of the most beautiful on the island where natural hot springs gush directly onto the shoreline.
Citara Beach in Forio is famous for the thermal springs that gush from the seabed, creating natural pools of warm water where you can relax while admiring the sunset. The characteristic Punta Imperatore lighthouse dominates this wild stretch of coastline, considered one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean.
Lacco Ameno is home to the famous Fungo, a tufa rock shaped by wind and sea that has become a symbol of the island. This elegant village is home to historic spas frequented by European nobility and the Archaeological Museum of Pithecusa, where the Cup of Nestor, one of the oldest examples of Greek writing in the West, is preserved.
Ischia’s enogastronomy celebrates the products of the volcanic land: rabbit all’ischitana, a traditional dish cooked with cherry tomatoes and local herbs; DOC wines such as Ischia Bianco and Forastera; and the fragrant lemons that grow in terraced gardens. The Pera Pennula, an ancient fruit grown only on the island, is a gastronomic rarity to be discovered.
Ischia’s ceramics keep craft traditions alive with decorations that reproduce the colors of the sea and Mediterranean vegetation. Stores in the historic center of Ischia Porto sell unique objects that carry with them the essence of the green island.
Ischia’s nature trails allow visitors to explore the volcanic hinterland through thermal forests where fumaroles and hot springs bubble up. The Mount Epomeo Trail and the Falanga Trail offer scenic treks through the island’s unspoiled nature.
By returning to B&B La Corte after a stay in Ischia, you will have experienced the perfect balance between nature and wellness, discovered unique volcanic landscapes and found energy in the thermal waters that have offered peace and regeneration of body and spirit for millennia.
