Our compatriots have long fallen in love with sunny and hospitable Italy. Many Russians are happy to spend their holidays in the magnificent and well-groomed resorts of this country. Today we will tell you about the island of Ischia.
From the history of the island
The heyday and development of Ischia falls on the period of the Roman Empire. In these distant times, the city of Aenaria appeared. Today, at the site of its foundation, researchers and scientists find various objects of historical value. In the Middle Ages, the island of Ischia was a tidbit for invaders, so the local population had to build observation towers around the perimeter.
Until the moment when the island became a full member of the united Italy, it was the property of the Napoleonic family. According to historians, G. Garibaldi came here to improve his he alth.
Geographic location
Ischia is the largest island of volcanic origin in the Gulf of Naples. It consists of six administrative districts. The island is located at a distance of 14.8 km from the mainland, has a total area of 46 square kilometers,the length of the coast is 34 kilometers. The place is considered the most advantageously located in the world.
The island of Ischia (the map will clearly show this to you) is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, seven kilometers from the continent and forty kilometers from Naples. The main and most visited city of the island received the same name - Ischia. It is conditionally divided into two equal parts - Ischia Port and Ischia Ponte. However, the largest city of the island is Forio. It is famous for its monuments that keep traces of the Saracen raids. The smallest town is Lacco Ameno. An amazing mushroom-shaped reef attracts tourists here.
If visitors wish to get to another city in the country from the island of Ischia (Naples), the ferry will take them to this beautiful place in just an hour.
Reasons for the popularity of the island
Why do so many people want to be here? It will not be an exaggeration to say that the island of Ischia is one of the most visited resorts in sunny Italy. Perhaps because here you can spend not only a luxurious holiday, but also an effective treatment.
The island of Ischia is famous for its numerous hot radon geysers. Their waters mix with the sea, which gives a unique opportunity to swim here even in winter. This resort is designed for those who prefer a relaxing family holiday with children.
Transportation
For lovers of outdoor activities, experts recommend staying in hotels and hotels in the bay of Ischia Porto or Casamicciola. From here it is most convenient to get to Naples, Sorrento or Amalfi. At the service of vacationersregular cruise boats.
In the old days, there was a donkey trail on the island, which has now been paved, turning it into 36 kilometers of excellent roadbed. True, this road turned out to be narrow, so it is unlikely to be able to ride along it with the breeze.
Resting on the island of Ischia, you can make excursions to other cities of Italy. Most often, tourists go to beautiful Naples.
Surely many are interested in the question of how to get to Ischia? This can be done in several ways. The fastest of them is to fly to Rome and transfer to the fast train to Naples. The trip will take two hours. Then from the station you need to take a taxi or bus to the seaport, from there take a ferry or boat to the island of Ischia. To save time, you can take a direct flight from Moscow to Naples.
Ischia: thermal parks
This is the place that attracts all visitors to the island. Often, tourists, once in a thermal park, buy a subscription for a week. These unique centers are aimed at restoring the human body, relieving stress, rejuvenation without the use of medications and procedures.
On the territory of the park, everyone can visit specialized thermal healing centers, whose specialists will make a professional massage, help you take thermal baths, talk about mud therapy.
Thermal waters
Even the ancient Romans have well studied the beneficial effects of thermal waters on human he alth. However, the most activetheir development falls on the sixteenth century. It was during this period that the physician J. Yasolino was engaged in the scientific study of thermal waters. It is important that this water is suitable for ingestion.
There are springs that come to the surface in the sea and, of course, are available to everyone. These waters are saturated with phosphates, mineral s alts, bicarbonate, bromine, aluminum, and iron. They are effective in the treatment of neuroses, arthritis, metabolic disorders, infertility, diseases of the respiratory system. It should be remembered about the existing contraindications - water is prohibited for people with diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Volcanoes
Everyone who comes to rest in Italy is always interested in seeing the volcanoes located on the island - Epomeo (788 m), Monte Vezzi (395 m), Trabotti (512 m). They are all sleeping. Their last activity dates back to the fourteenth century. Today, only hot thermal springs and steam remind of those times.
It is quite natural that the Italians have learned to make medicines and cosmetics since ancient times. Medicines based on thermal waters help treat diseases of the spine, neuralgia, and some types of skin ailments.
Ischia attractions
We recommend that you start your acquaintance with the history of the island by studying the exposition of the Pitecusa Archaeological Museum. Here are samples of items made of terracotta, bronze, exquisite painted vessels, household items of people who lived on the island many centuries ago.
Locals consider Aragonese Castle to be the main treasure of the island. It is located on a picturesque rocky shore. Its appearance is attributed to ancient times, however, in the Middle Ages it was decided to rebuild it. Since ancient times, the castle has been connected to the island by a causeway.
The size of the building is impressive, its area is five hundred and forty-three square meters, and its height is one hundred and fifteen meters. In ancient times, there were thirteen churches on its territory, which were destroyed by the British in the nineteenth century. Despite its complex history, today the castle is still a grandiose building, a magnificent monument of history and architecture.
The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady suffered no less from the destruction. Despite this, decorative elements of a luxurious chapel decorated with frescoes of saints have survived to this day.
The exposition of the Luchino Visconti Museum is entirely devoted to the work of the great director. Numerous photographs and stage costumes are exhibited here.
Two fabulous hectares of land, on which three thousand of the most diverse plants grow, are the gardens of Mortella. They began to be created by the wife of the composer W. W alton. The garden is laid out at Monte Zaro. You can visit it from April to November.
Ischia has many unique monuments. The sights of the island are not only historical and architectural monuments. The natural wonder of the island is considered to be the largest complex of thermal waters - Poseidon Gardens in Chigara Bay, protected by UNESCO. There are eighteen pools with thermal water at guests' disposal.
To imagine the beauty of these places, look at the photos of the island of Ischia, which are presented in our article.
Beach vacation
There are a lot of excellent and well-groomed beaches on the island. All of them have their own characteristics. Some of them are paid. In addition, there are many public but well-equipped beaches. Almost every one of them has a cafe, restaurant or pizzeria. Vacationers can rent a sunbed, umbrella, swimming equipment.
On the island of Ischia, the beaches differ from others in the country by the presence of thermal springs. For example, on Kartaroman hot springs beat right on the shore, which allows you to swim in warm water even in winter.
The biggest beach is Marina dei Maronti. It stretches for three kilometers, also has its own springs and therapeutic mud.
Locals consider Citara Beach the most popular. It is located near Mount Epomeo.
Island Cuisine
The magnificent island of Ischia, where you will remember your vacation for many years, is hard to imagine without original national cuisine. What is its feature? The most popular and favorite dish of many vacationers is the fragrant and tender Iskitan rabbit. Many locals cook it on Sundays. Rabbits for this dish are grown in natural conditions on the island.
Kitchen in such places is impossible to imagine without fish and seafood. The island of Ischia is no exception. Sea urchin, squid, mussels, octopus, mackerel, tuna are excellently cooked here.
For dessert we recommend to tasteamazing rum baba. It is traditionally added with Iquitanian flavored lemon liqueur.
The wine of Ischia is known outside of Italy. It is very fragrant thanks to spices - marjoram, rosemary and dill.
Where to stay
It's hard to believe, but on this small island there are more than two hundred and fifty hotels of different levels of comfort. How to choose the right one from them? Today we will introduce you to a few of them. Perhaps this will help you make your choice.
Villa Ireos 3
This hotel is suitable for both business and leisure travellers. Rooms are equipped with high-speed internet, pets are allowed. Available: TV, internet, telephone, desk, crib. Free parking. The hotel has a good restaurant, cozy bar, nice lounge and garden.
Grazia Terme 4
This hotel is located on a hill, in the middle of a subtropical park, in the Lacco Ameno area. The rooms have a shower or bath, telephone, radio, TV. The hotel offers: a bar, a panoramic terrace and a pool bar, two artificial reservoirs filled with thermal water. For active guests there is a bowling alley, table tennis, tennis court.
Floridiana 4
Very comfortable hotel, located in the quiet center of Ischia Porto, at a distance of 100 meters from the sea. Around the hotel there is a magnificent garden, in which luxurious pine and palm trees grow, under them there are thermal pools with hydromassage. Hotelwas built in 1900 and still retains the atmosphere of ancient hospitality. Not a single visitor will be deprived of the attention of friendly staff.
The rooms are well equipped technically - air conditioning, telephone, TV, mini-bar, terrace or balcony. The hotel lobby is originally decorated, there is a large bar by the pool and on the terrace, there is a cozy restaurant serving delicious dishes of national and European cuisine. In addition, there is a well-equipped modern gym, an indoor thermal pool, a beauty salon.
Regina Isabella 5
Great VIP hotel with luxurious and elegant surroundings. It is located in a quiet area of Lacco Ameno, on the sea coast. All rooms have satellite TV, safe, telephone, mini-bar. By the sea there are two restaurants, a TV room, a library, a beauty salon, a boutique, a parking lot.
Sports activities are also provided - rent of various equipment for self-study or in the presence of an experienced instructor in various water sports. It offers guests billiards, table tennis.
Holidays in Ischia
If you come to the island in June, on the twenty-ninth day you can become a member of the solemn procession that thanks the sea for its generous gifts.
On the twenty-sixth of July, the inhabitants of the island solemnly celebrate the feast of St. Anne. On this day, fishermen with their wives and children gather near the church of St. Anna. Since ancient times, there is a belief that she patronizes women who are expecting a baby.
In honor of the holiday, a parade of boats beautifully decorated with flowers takes place, various competitions are held, people relax on picnics.
On the twenty-sixth of August, St. Alexander's Day is celebrated on the island. The celebration is accompanied by a magnificent costumed procession through the streets of cities. There is no doubt that a person who once visited the island of Ischia will keep vivid impressions of this charming place for many years, where folk traditions and national attractions are carefully protected not only by the state, but also by ordinary citizens.
It is rightly called the "Green Island". Unusual landscapes will not leave anyone indifferent, and healing thermal waters will support he alth and emphasize beauty.
