Five Reasons You Have To Visit Ischia, Italy
As most of you know as I’ve been harping on about it I went to the Italian island of Ischia last month and had a fantastic time basking in the October sunshine and finding out more about the island itself. Other than the time travelling I spent two and a half days experiencing what Ischia had to offer. And I know for a fact that I’ll be back to the island one day. If you’re thinking about your holiday for 2018 here are some reasons why Ischia would make a great choice.
Why you should visit Ischia: Hospitable friendly locals
You’d like to think that every customer-facing individual would be friendly. But sadly in some countries or areas this isn’t just. Every single person I met was absolutely amazing. Locals would say hi when they passed you on mountain hikes and everyone was so hospitable.
I didn’t encounter anyone in a restaurant/ attraction which didn’t speak a good level of English which makes a big difference in a foreign country. I do feel bad that they have to speak English and we don’t speak Italian but it does help.
Must visit: The thermal baths
As Ischia is a volcanic island the thermal water is one of the biggest attractions for visitors who want to enjoy the health benefits and have a relax. There’s a number of natural hot springs such as Sorgeto, Nitrodi and Cavascura. While in areas of St Angelo hot jets rise from the sand. There’s also a number of thermal parks such as Poseidon and Negombo where then thermal water is harnessed to create a number of pools with varying degrees of water ranging from a heat-induced 40-degrees right down to 15-degrees. If you go to the natural thermal waters chances are you’ll be able to grab some volcanic mud as well. This can be used as a face mask to cleanse and soften your skin.
The thermal baths are the perfect way to spend a relaxing morning. And a definite must if you’re visiting the island.
Visit Ischia for Mountain hikes
The tallest peak in Ischia is Mount Epomeo which reaches a height of 789 meters. So it’s visible from pretty much anywhere on the island. The mountainside is full of lush greenery, water tanks carved into the stone and a few vineyards. There’s a path which leads to the summit from Fontana with a variety of routes. These depend on how long and tough you want it to be.
The peak was created after an underwater eruption thousands of years ago and remains a key part of the island. After reaching the top you’ll find a small former monastery where monks would come and live. Alongside some spectacular views and a cafe to enjoy a drink before you make your descent.
Food in Ischia: Fresh seafood and authentic cuisine
Now I don’t know about you guys but food plays an important part of any holiday so having tasty food is high on my list. Thankfully Ischia is perfect for that. Yes you have the more traditionally thought Italian food and you can grab a great pizza or pasta dish anywhere but being an island means that there’s a lot of seafood about. I’d say about 60% of what I ate on the island was seafood and every single piece tasted so fresh it was probably in the sea just a day earlier.
Another authentic dish is rabbit, something I hadn’t expected to love as much as I did but the meat was so tender and cooked with freshly grown tomatoes and herbs. Just amazing!
Why you need to visit Ischia: The Wine
Ischia is very self-sufficient growing and producing a lot of their own product and around 80% of the wine consumed on the island has been made right there. While they make both red and white, the later is the most common, probably because it goes better with seafood and other food eaten. I’m not a huge wine drinker at all but I did sample some at pretty much every meal we had – it would be rude not to – and it was so nice. Not too sharp and with a lovely flavour.
Wine made on the island isn’t exported so it’s purely for the islands own use so I did have to bring back a bottle for my mum who enjoyed every last second of it.
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33 responses to “Five Reasons You Have To Visit Ischia, Italy”
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All About Me
Rhian Westbury
Travels and Destinations
Nothing currently planned
Ooh! I’ve never heard of Ischia before, but it sounds really amazing! I love hiking, and the thermal baths sound super relaxing, so I think it’s somewhere I’d love! I’m glad you had such a great time! <3 xxx
I do love beautiful mountain hikes especially as my family are from Madeira. But I love that Ischia has thermal baths as I believe they are very good for you and even better for stress too!
Ohh thermal baths! Haha. I’d love to visit Italy, it looks so beautiful x
We need to see YOU in these travel posts! When we see how excited and happy you are,it makes want to jump on the first thing flying!! Beautiful pictures…..
Oh wow! This place looks straight out of some spectacular epic high fantasy novel. Sounds like you had great fun too. I’m wondering about those 40 degree thermal pools though. How do you get in them? Seems a little too hot! Thanks for sharing your travels with us anyway. It helps to keep track of all the places I want to visit haha!
i love love love thermal baths! I would visit for that alone! this part of Italy looks absolutely gorgeous! I should visit sometime soon
Oh Italy be still my heart! Number 1 dream destination right there! Their hospitality is indeed great and your plate with the seafood looks so yummy!
What a delightful place to visit. I’d start with the thermal baths and then wibd my way around the rest. Viva italia!
I’ve never heard of this place before, sounds like you had a fab time exploring.
Those sound like fabulous reasons to visit. Thanks for the recommendations.
looking at your photos and I’m already in vacation mood, looks like a place I will love it and that spaghetti plate got me real hungry
wow, great tips. I would drink a glass of wine and admire the view
Friendly locals, mountain hikes, thermal baths, fresh cuisine and wine. Local wine !! This describes the perfect holiday. By the way, I am visiting Venice in November too. Any posts on that??
I have never been in a thermal bath before. That sounds really awesome.
Wow, I’m sold! I’m definitely moving this up higher on my list of places to go 🙂 Simply gorgeous!
So why was everyone so nice but the folks at the Poseidon thermal baths???? I was waiting for you to share but I didn’t see it. Do you have a story?? hehehehe
What a beautiful place, I would so love to visit. Kaz
Have always wanted to visit here! Was planning a nice getaway for next year Easter so will keep this in mind. Looks so beautiful and the food looks divine!
Looks like a lovely place to visit -I love Italy too -will have to add this to the bucket list!
This place looks amazing! We’ve been thinking of visiting Italy for our honeymoon next year. I love the look and sound of the country and I’ve heard nothing but amazing things.
Wow, it really looks a nice place to visit with my hubby and I really enjoy the view.
Your panoramic first image looks beautiful. Cant help but see the resemblance to Mont St Michel in France. Beautiful both!
We have never been to Italy but I know we should as it looks amazing
I have been thinking about going to Italy next year with my daughter, weve never ever been before and the place looks amazing.
That looks like an amazing vacation. Italy is so beautiful! It’s one of my top places to visit.
How come I’ve never heard of Ischia before? seems like an amazing place *-* I’ll definitely visit it next time I’m in italy
Beautiful and I can see why you are recommending this destination. I would love to visit there someday!
Looks like my kind of destination! The thermal baths look awesome! I will add this to my list!
Sounds like a great place to visit! I am dying to go to Italy. Hopefully I will be able to plan a trip soon. The thermal baths sound amazing.
Oh, how was the hike??? Were they extremely steep or pretty okay???? Love, hiking. And the thermal baths. 🙂 That sounds interesting. hehehe
This sounds like the perfect holiday! Wine and seafood! Ahhh I would love to taste them! Also I would love to see more pictures of the hike! I bet it was amazing!
I’ve never heard of Ischia but all of Italy is so beautiful! I’ll definitely have to add this as a stop on my future trip. I love mountains so I would definitely appreciate the hikes. Not as much of a wine fan though haha.
Lovely place! ☀️❤️ Visited in september 2019