Italy Puglia & Napoli

Rode across the stormy tyranian Sea in a ferry on Monday to the island of Ischia for some R and R, escaping the busy Naples mainland.

For the first three nights I stayed on the west coast neat Forio in a old family owned sea resort with thermal pools, Western views of the sea and sunset, and beautiful gardens.

Because these islands are sitting over a giant volcano, there are natural thermal waters everywhere, and many places have developed their properties into multiple termal pools with the promises of curing all sorts of ailments by swimming in their warm springs.

The hotel where I stayed was beautiful.

Walking along the hillside I was surrounded by hanging gardens of familiar plants, but somehow they just seem more lush here. Magnolias, oleanders, palms, lantana, succulents, cactus, bougainvillea, petunias, hibiscus, irises, olives, figs, capers, dates and more.

I spent a day at the Poseidon thermal Spa and I will make a separate post on that because it was so beautiful there's no way I could put those photos into this overview.

Today I moved to a new place on the north side of the island closer to the town harbor of Ischia. There is a festival of Santa Anna here tomorrow complete with boat parades, fireworks, and dancing. I plan to watch it from a daily boat from the water. But today I will relax with a thermal bath and a view of the sea.

La dolce Vita!Les mer