While

While
tourists flock to the storied Amalfi Coast, Italians head
to Ischia for their holiday breaks.
The volcanic islet boasts the best of Neapolitan food, lazy beaches
overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, and a cool island breeze. Come for
the archetypal Italian pace of life and a quaint village feel in
the island’s tiny comuni.

Although popularised by Anthony Minghella’s The Talented Mr.
Ripley which brought Jude Law, Matt Damon and Gweneth Paltrow to
Ischia’s shores, the island isn’t fazed by its acclaimed
reputation. Differing from its glam neighbour Capri, Ischia significantly lacks
plush boutiques and sophisticated bars, instead offering an
abundance of family-run trattorias and colourful houses stacked
along cobbled alleys.

Head to the pedestrianised Sant’Angelo to roam about the harbour
and sunbathe on sandy beaches (we recommend Spiaggia dei Maronti),
before climbing to the 15th-century fortress of Castello Aragonese.
Bag a table along the hamlet’s waterfront to watch the sunset as
you sip on famed Ischian vermouth.

Don’t miss…

Ischia is known for having some of Italy’s best thermal spas
thanks to volcanic action heating the island’s natural springs.
Poseidon Thermal Gardens offers 22 naturally heated swimming and
bathing pools, while Terme di Cavascura has mineral-rich waterfalls
and springs. Hollowed into Ischian cliffs in a deep valley, this
ancient spa is the perfect place to treat your freshly bronzed
body.

Who to take with you

Someone not afraid of carb-overload. Try the family-run La
Locanda di Vito for the ultimate Neapolitan pizza, or Trattoria da Peppina
di Renato for pasta dishes in a rustic
setting.

When to go

While the island often gets busy during summer months, the
bustling atmosphere is part of Ischia’s appeal. Go in June to embrace the summer heat
alongside holidaying Italians from the mainland.

Where to stay

Il Pellicano’s sister hotel Il Mezzatorre Hotel & Thermal
Spa reopens this month after an extensive refurb. While
Ischia’s comuni offer rustic Italian charm, this hotel oozes
elegant allure. Located in a secluded cove amid chestnut forests
and volcanic rock, Il Mezzatorre benefits from a private bay, beach
and a spa housed in a 16th-century watchtower.

Most likely to bump into…

Literature lovers. The island features in Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan
Novels as a holiday spot for some of her best-loved characters.

Essentials to bring with you

With thermal spas and sandy beaches galore, you’ll spend most of
your time in swimwear. This red Hunza G Osiris bikini includes
cute ruffled-trimmed, high-waisted briefs and a bandeau top to
avoid pesky tan lines.

How to get there

Fly to Naples, where boats and ferries
frequently sail to the island in around an hour.