Ischia: sightseeing, excursions

Our compatriots have long been fond of sunny and hospitable Italy. Many Russians gladly 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 flowering and development of Ischia falls on the period of the Roman Empire. In these distant times the city of Aenarius appeared. Today, on the site of its founding, researchers and scientists find various objects of historical value. In the Middle Ages, the island of Ischia was a tasty morsel for the invaders, so the local population had to build a lookout tower along the perimeter.

Until the time when the island became a full member of the united Italy, it was the property of the family of Napoleon. As historians testify, here came to correct the health of J. Garibaldi.

Geographical position

Ischia is the largest volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples. It consists of six administrative districts. The island is at a distance of 14.8 km from the mainland, has a total area of 46 square kilometers, and the coastline is 34 kilometers. The place is considered the most favorably located in the world.

The island of Ischia (the map will show it to you) is 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 equivalent parts - Ischia-Porte and Ischia-Ponte. However, the largest city of the island is Forio. It is famous for its monuments, which keep traces of raids of the Saracens. The smallest town is Lacco Ameno. Here, tourists are attracted by an amazing reef, shaped like a mushroom.

If visitors want to get to another city of the country from the island of Ischia (Naples), the ferry will take them to this most beautiful place in just an hour.

Reasons for the popularity of the island

Why do many want to be here? It is no exaggeration to say that Ischia is one of the most visited resorts in sunny Italy. Perhaps, because here you can spend not only a luxurious holiday, but also effective treatment.

The island of Ischia is famous for its numerous radon hot 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 quiet family vacation with children.

Transport

Lovers of active recreation 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. To the services of holidaymakers constantly plying cruise boats.

In the old days on the island there was an ass path, which was now asphalted, turning it into 36 kilometers of excellent roadway. True, this road turned out to be narrow, so with a breeze along it it is unlikely to get a ride.

While relaxing on the island of Ischia, you can make excursions to other Italian cities. Most tourists go to beautiful Naples.

Surely many are interested in the question, how to get to Ischia? There are several ways to do this. The fastest of them is to fly to Rome and transfer to a fast train going to Naples. The trip will take two hours. Then from the station you need to take a taxi or a bus to the seaport, from there by ferry or boat you can get to the island of Ischia. To save time, you can fly from Moscow to Naples directly.

Ischia: thermal parks

This place, which attracts all the guests of the island. Often, tourists, after hitting the thermal park once, buy a subscription for a week. These unique centers are aimed at restoring the human body, relieving stress, rejuvenating without using medications and procedures.

On the territory of the park everyone can visit the therapeutic thermal specialized centers, whose specialists will make professional massage, help take thermal baths, talk about mud treatment.

Thermal waters

Even the ancient Romans well studied the beneficial effect of thermal waters on human health. However, the most active development of them falls on the sixteenth century. It was during this period that the physician J. Jazolino was engaged in scientific research of thermal waters. It is important that this water is suitable for oral administration.

There are sources that are knocked out to the surface in the sea and, naturally, are accessible to all. These waters are saturated with phosphates, mineral salts, bicarbonate, bromine, aluminum, iron. They are effective in the treatment of neuroses, arthritis, metabolic disorders, infertility, respiratory system diseases. It is necessary to remember and existing contraindications - water is forbidden to people with diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Volcanoes

For all visitors to Italy, it is always interesting to see the volcanoes on the island - Epomeo (788 m), Monte-Wezzi (395 m), Trubotti (512 m). All of them are asleep. Their last active activity dates back to the fourteenth century. Today, only hot thermal springs and steam remind of those times.

It is quite natural that Italians have learned to make medicines and cosmetics since ancient times. Drugs based on thermal waters help to treat spine diseases, neuralgia, certain types of skin ailments.

Ischia: attractions

We recommend that you begin to get acquainted with the history of the island from the study of the exposition of the archaeological museum of Pitekuzy. There are samples of terracotta, bronze, exquisite painted vessels, everyday objects of people who lived on the island many centuries ago.

Local residents consider the main treasure of the island of Aragonese Castle. 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. From these ancient times the castle is connected to the island by a dam.

Impressive dimensions of the building, its area - five hundred and forty-three square meters, and height - one hundred and fifteen meters. In ancient times, in its territory were thirteen churches, which in the nineteenth century were destroyed by the British. Despite its complex history, today the castle is still a grandiose structure, a magnificent monument of history and architecture.

The cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God suffered not less damage. Despite this, it still has decorative elements of a luxurious chapel decorated with frescoes of saints.

The exposition of the museum of Lukino Visconti is fully devoted to the work of the great director. Here are exhibited numerous photographs and stage costumes.

Two fabulous hectares of land, on which three thousand of the most diverse plants grow, are the Mortell gardens. They began to be created by the wife of the composer W. Walton. The garden is broken up near Monte Zaro. You can visit it from April to November.

Ischia has a lot of unique monuments. The sights of the island are not only historical and architectural monuments. Natural miracle of the island is the largest complex of thermal waters - "Gardens of Poseidon" in the bay of Chigara, protected by UNESCO. There are eighteen swimming pools with thermal water.

To imagine the beauty of these places, take a look at the photos of the island of Ischia, which are presented in our article.

Beach holidays

Excellent and well-groomed beaches on the island are great. They all have their own characteristics. Some of them are paid. In addition, there are many public but well-equipped beaches. Almost on each of them there is a cafe, a restaurant or a pizzeria. Vacationers can rent a sunbed, umbrella, equipment for swimming.

On the island of Ischia beaches differ from others in the country by the presence of thermal springs. For example, on Kartaroman Hot Keys beat near the shore, which allows you to swim in warm water even in winter.

The largest beach is Marina dei Maronti. It stretches for three kilometers, also has its sources and therapeutic mud.

The locals consider the most popular beach of Tsitar Beach. It is located at Mount Epomeo.

Kitchen island

The magnificent island of Ischia, the rest on which you will remember for many years, it is difficult to imagine without the original national cuisine. What is its peculiarity? The most popular and favorite dish of many tourists is the fragrant and delicate rabbit in Iskitanski. Many locals prepare it on Sundays. Rabbits for this dish on the island are grown in natural conditions.

Kitchen in such places can not be imagined without fish and seafood. Ischia is not an exception. The sea urchin, squid, mussels, octopus, mackerel, tuna are excellent here.

For dessert, we recommend that you try an amazing rum woman. It is traditionally added to the fragrant lemon liqueur.

The wine of Ischia is known outside of Italy. It is very fragrant thanks to the 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 of them to choose the right one? Today we will introduce a few of them. Perhaps this will help you decide the choice.

Villa Ireos 3 *

This hotel is suitable for both business and leisure travelers. The rooms are equipped with high-speed internet, pets are allowed. There are: TV, internet, telephone, desk, cot. Free parking. The hotel has a good restaurant, a cozy bar, a nice lounge and a garden.

Grazia Terme 4 *

This hotel is located in an elevated position, in the center of the subtropical park, in the Lacco Ameno area. The rooms have a shower or bath, telephone, radio, TV. The hotel has a bar, a panoramic terrace and a pool bar, two artificial ponds 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 is a magnificent garden, in which luxury pine and palm trees grow, underneath there are thermal pools with hydromassage. The hotel was built in 1900 and still preserves the atmosphere of ancient hospitality. No 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 lobby of the hotel is originally decorated, a large bar is by the pool and on the terrace, there is a cozy restaurant offering delicious dishes of national and European cuisine. In addition, there is a well-equipped modern gym, indoor thermal pool, beauty salon.

Regina Isabella 5 *

A magnificent VIP hotel with a luxurious and elegant atmosphere. It is located in a quiet area of Lacco Ameno, on the sea coast. All rooms have satellite TV, safe, telephone, minibar. By the sea there are two restaurants, a TV lounge, a library, a beauty salon, a boutique, a parking lot.

There are also sporting activities - renting various equipment for self-study or in the presence of an experienced instructor with various sports on the water. At guests' service are billiards, table tennis.

Holidays in Ischia

If you come to the island in June, then on the twenty-ninth day you can become a participant in the solemn procession, which thanks the sea for its generous gifts.

On the twenty-sixth of July, the inhabitants of the island celebrate the feast of St. Anne solemnly. On this day at the church of St. Anne fishermen gather with their wives and children. Since ancient times there is a belief that she patronizes women who are expecting a child.

In honor of the holiday there is a parade of boats beautifully decorated with flowers, various competitions are held, people are resting on picnics.

On the twenty-sixth of August on the island celebrate the day of Saint Alexander. The celebration is accompanied by a magnificent costumed procession through the streets of the cities. There is no doubt that a person who once visited the island of Ischia will save bright impressions from this charming place for many years, where people's traditions and national sights are carefully guarded not only by the state but also by ordinary citizens.

He is rightly called the "Green Island". Unusual landscapes will not leave anyone indifferent, and curative thermal waters will support health and will emphasize beauty.