We’re almost halfway through 2014 but the season in Ischia is only beginning. As the tourism kicks up momentum from the boom of the Easter weekend, more and more curious travellers are arriving on our shores to explore what this beautiful island has to offer.
But what lies beyond its beautiful volcanic mountain, famous thermal springs and most popular sights? With this comprehensive list of alternative things to do in Ischia we encourage you to explore the other side of the island. Discover Ischia’s unique culture, people and history through outdoor activities, restaurants and bars and museums. We help you uncover 10 places around Ischia to eat, play, shop, celebrate and relax, as well as an attractive smattering of free things to do on the island.
The Casa Museo, or "House Museum" is nestled into the side of the mountain on the main SS270 road between Serrara Fontana and Barano and is the creation of owner Salvatore Di Meglio.
The house is built into the rock and comprises a series of stone and wood worked by hand to create stairways, tunnels, rooms and other artwork created with stones, pebbles, sea shells and glass.
Entrance is free, but you may leave a tip if you wish to.
Bar Calise Ischia
If you happen to be visiting Ischia in the quieter periods, the island may seem a little desserted until you go to the Calise bar near Ischia Ponte. This bar forms the social hub of teens, business men and tourists alike. If not gathered at the bar counter getting their fix of caffeine or cornetto, or musing over the hundreds of specialty pastries and sweets, they're out on the side walk chatting alongside parked mopeds.
This is the place for people-watchers and those wanting to get a enriched insight into the life of the islanders.
Not to miss is their spectacular display over Easter of all inhouse made chocolates.
Snorkelling around the Castle
Image courtesy of Nemoischia.it
Cost: From 15euro pp
Cost: From 15euro pp
Explore Ischia from a wetter perspective. Guided snorkelling tours are a great way to experience the biodiversity that lies beneath Ischia's sea water. Discover the unique "bubbling waters", spot octopus, diversity of fish life, maybe even the odd dolphin.
Contact: Pietro @ ANS Diving - Ischia Ponte pietrosorvino@yahoo.it
Bruno @ Nemo - Sant Angelo info@nemoischia.it
Bruno @ Nemo - Sant Angelo info@nemoischia.it
Cartaromana Beach
Image courtesy of Parco Cartaromana
Cost: Taxi boat from Ischia Ponte around 4euro pp
Cost: Taxi boat from Ischia Ponte around 4euro pp
This beach may be small but it definately boasts fab views of Castello Aragonese, Procida and the coast of Napoli as well as great little swimming spots around the Sant Anna rocks which peak out of the sea. The sand on this beach is always a little warmer caused by volcanic steam released deep below the surface. You can walk to this beach but it is rather hidden away and the foot path is quite steep, it is much more enjoyable to reach by boat.
Castello Aragonese
Cost: 10euro pp
Although this may be an obvious choice to visit, not many people do venture within the walls of the Castle. But if history is what you're looking for, then here is where you'll find it. Boasting some of the most amazing panoramic views the island has to offer, from Ischia Ponte, to Mount Vesuvius, Sorrento, Capri and back around to Cartoromana. The winding path takes you throughout the castle's gardens as well as museums, chapels and the cathedral. You almost get an eerie sense of what it must have been like living in the 1800's. Plus there are two coffee shops for anyone wanting to stop for morning or afternoon tea or a light lunch.
Fumerole "hot sands" on Maronti
Just below the Aphrodite spa on the foot path over Sant Angelo to Maronti Beach is where you'll find this tiny angle of beach where the ground gives off heat energy and produces great clouds of steam and the gas bubbles in the sea at a temperature of 100 ° C. A few meters from the shore, snorkellers can see the bubbles of gas escaping the sea floor, and on the beach, rocks and red tape mark the hot spots of the beach, for your protection. Since Roman times the hot sand was used to cure the ailments of the body, as soldiers would bury their bodies into the heat of the beach sand up to their necks. Ofcourse, the heat was also found to be ideal for cooking.
If you are looking for a special evening, not to miss on a starry night with good company is a baked chicken with potatoes and hard-boiled eggs as the locals do it. Wrap it all up in alluminium foil and leave it cook in the 100 degree temps in the sand of the fumaroles, and after just over an hour everything is ready. In warmer periods, while waiting for the food to cook, bathing in the moonlight is a must, thereafter returning to the warmth of the sand to look at the stars while enjoying some local wine.
Sundowners at San Montano
Perched up on top of a rocky outcrop between Negombo spa and the town of Lacco Ameno, San Montano hotel and spa will make you feel like a secret observer of the island. The patio and pool area of the hotel overlook the bay of Naples and mount Epomeo. Its like having a birds eye view of the ongoings of the island. At dusk, this place is truly one of the most magical places to sip on sundowners as the bay slips into shades of indigo and violet.
Contact: +39 081 994033 | View location
Contact: +39 349 3982431 | View location
Visit the Cantina Crateca
Image courtesy of vinicratecaischia.it
Cost: Free to visit
Cost: Free to visit
This breathtaking vineyard has only been open to the public for the last two years but it is well worth the visit. Overlooking the valley of Forio from the mountain's edge, these two hectares of lush grape vines seem to drop off into the sea when you're standing amongst the them. You can go anytime you like however Tuesdays is their special lunch day where you will get a personal tour of the vineyard, visit the sulphur rocks and enjoy a lovely lunch in their characteristic cantina while tasting their fragrant wines. Booking is essential. Contact for costs.
Dinner at La Casereccia
Cost: Dinner including wine from 20euro pp
What better way to enjoy a good Italian meal than to have it cooked for you by a real Italian mamma: with care and passion. At La Casereccia, this family run restaurant serves up food of the freshest ingredients, in season and personally prepared for you by the mamma. Freshest ingredients and careful preparation is what this restaurant is all about which is why they have seasonal menus offering you the best of what is good and available from mother nature.The spring menu is running until mid June and is jam packed with delicious combinations such as Bucatini pasta with Pancetta and Fava beans, and a must try Goats cheese Ravioli with rabbit sauce. Plus, the pizza is talked of as the best on the island.
Contact: Giuseppe +39 333 698 5665 or 081 987756 | View location
Contact: Giuseppe +39 333 698 5665 or 081 987756 | View location
Kayak or pedal-boat the bay of San Francesco
Cost: From 7euro pp including a sunchair and umbrella plus use of the kayaks and pedal boat
Find yourself a little spot in paradise at the La Rotonda sul Mare. From June this little self-catering resort is open to the public where they offer free use of kayaks and the pedal boat when you hire a sunchair on the wooden deck overlooking the bay of San Francesco and Forio. There is also a snack bar serving light lunches and drinks, internet and wash rooms available.
No comments:
Post a Comment