Ciao! Welcome to my guide on Ischia – an island in the Gulf of Naples. My name is Federica Xotti and I was born in 1992, in a little town near Udine in the northeast of Italy. I graduated from the University of Udine with a degree in Science and Cultural Tourism, and lived in Udine until I was 24.
I began to get interested in travel at the age of 18. It all started when my passport permitted me to move and travel alone (without my parents). In 2011, I started my blog to share my experiences around the world because I love writing. However, I couldn’t have imagined what would happen next.
Within just a few short years, I started to collaborate with tourism boards and travel agencies to promote destinations, hotels, activities, etc. Initially, this was through my blog and then it was across my social media accounts.
When I was 24, I moved to Milan. I have lived in this city for three years and have developed more collaborations with other kinds of brands including beauty, fashion and food brands. This has enabled me to become an all-round content creator. Last year, I also published a book called “Il mio mondo è a colori” where I talk about my experiences around the world.
Three Wonderful Days in Ischia
I visited Ischia because I had a collaboration with a hotel on the island. I stayed at La Madonnina – an amazing hotel right on the sea. This gave me the opportunity to visit the island for the first time which I was grateful for.
I stayed in Ischia for three days but I hope to come back soon because it’s a great destination for a holiday. The island is large (considering the size of the other islands in the Gulf of Naples) and the best way to get around is by scooter (renting one on the island) or taking advantage of public buses.
Ischia is divided into five villages and each one has its own characteristics and beauty. I enjoyed the local food on the island which was incredibly yummy and I loved relaxing on the beaches. Taking part in a day-long boat trip is also a fantastic idea to enjoy Ischia from a completely different view.
Ischia – A Little Jewel of Italy
Ischia is a little jewel! Everyone should visit because it offers lots of different opportunities: you can relax in the thermal baths, swim at the beaches, visit cultural places such as churches, see the Castello Aragonese d’Ischia and so on. It’s also a wonderful location for photography lovers as there are many interesting spots and viewpoints that are picturesque.
The one place in Ischia that really took my breath away was Sant’Angelo – an awesome little village. It’s little but so charming, with an amazing little rocky hill that you can climb up to admire a spectacular view from the top.
Top 10 Things To Do in Ischia
- Relax in the thermal baths
- Enjoy a boat trip all around the island
- Go shopping at Via Roma in Ischia Porto
- Sunbathe and relax at the beautiful beaches
- Explore Sant’Angelo to shoot beautiful pictures
- Watch the sunset in front of Castello Aragonese d’Ischia
- Fall in love with the island by simply enjoying every moment
- Take a coffee or dessert break at Bar Calise, a historic place of Ischia
- Visit Forio and its church (Chiesa del Soccorso) at the top of the village
- Get lost in the Giardini la Mortella – a spectacular garden developed by the wife of British composer Sir William Walton.
I think my best memory from Ischia was the aperitif I enjoyed in front of Castello Aragonese d’Ischia at sunset. It was such a magical moment. I love spending time by ancient buildings, enjoying a nice glass of wine, watching the sunset on the sea and taking in the scenery while sitting down.
Need to Know Before you Go
The inhabitants of Ischia (around 60,000 people), just like the other people who live in Southern Italy, are very very welcoming. They are extremely kind and smiling. It’s actually impossible not to love them when you meet them.
In addition to the friendly people, the local cuisine in Ischia is delicious. My favorite dish there was called Coniglio all’ Ischitana (Ischian rabbit) with cherry tomatoes, onion, garlic and a bunch of herbs such as rosemary, sage, thyme and marjoram. The fish recipes on the island are also worth trying.
For your accommodation, I recommend staying at La Madonnina (where I stayed) and also Regina Isabella. Keep in mind though that Ischia is not cheap, so if you would like to enjoy it all you have to have a high budget. Also, don’t rent a car – it’s difficult to drive around the little streets of the island. I suggest hiring a scooter instead, as it’s easier to drive and park.
