24 Hours on Ischia

As part of my discovery tour in the Gulf of Naples, I also spend a day on Ischia. The ferry that takes me there rocks quite a bit, and I realize that I don't have what it takes to be a sailor...

The island, which covers just under 50 km² and has 60,000 inhabitants, offers something for everyone: beaches for lazing around, villages to linger and enjoy, historical sites to visit, and for hikers, Mount Epomeo, which is almost 800 meters high - a remnant of a volcano that became extinct about 600 years ago, and to which the island owes its formation. I explore the old town center of the main town, which confusingly is also called Ischia, and climb the Aragonese Castle, which sits on a little island called Isolotto. The castle is definitely a highlight, and after two rainy days in Naples, I finally enjoy the sun again and the wonderful panoramic view of the city and the sea.

After this mini climb, the more challenging tour of the day begins: I take the local bus to the sleepy village of Fontana, from where hiking trails lead to Mount Epomeo. Fog rolls in and already envelops the mountain top, nevertheless I bravely set off - a mountain goat does what it set out to do. The path becomes narrower and narrower, the fog denser and denser, but you don't turn back just before reaching the goal. The last leg is spectacular: I can't see anything because of the fog. But then suddenly the wind whisks the fog away and reveals the rock face below the summit: I discover houses carved into the stone and numerous cave-like caverns that were used in the past to store snow. Packed into the hollow spaces and covered with leaves and straw, it was brought to the village in isolated baskets and processed into ice cream there when needed.

When I conquer the summit, thick fog prevails again, and I have to endure a little wind and cold until the weather gods clear the view for a brief moment again: I see a breathtaking landscape below me and all around me.

After this (including descent) workout of almost two hours, I continue by bus to Sant'Angelo. The village is picturesque and located on a tiny peninsula, and it has numerous hot springs that boost tourism all year round.

Finally, I continue the tour around the island by local bus and arrive in Ischia again via Forio and Casamicciola (considered the thermal area of the island with the most springs).

It was a super nice day, and the island, where almost everyone speaks German, is an ideal place to relax. I really need to relax because in a few hours, the rocking ferry will bring me back to the mainland.