Hello there. I am considering taking this tour in April and want your expert opinion of the hotel and your thoughts about being "stranded" (for lack of a better word) on Ischia for most of the nights. Is there lots to do there? I'll be alone, except for the others on the tour. Thanks in advance!

http://www.stayandvisit.com/itamalfirome.htm

ttt

Kathy, hi!

ttt - after nine minutes? Please...
...........................................

Kathy, hi!

You'll find a long discussion of what I assume to be the same tour in one of the Ischia Forums on TA:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop..._Campania.html

As I began by saying there, we've not been on one - so all I know is 2nd hand!

But perhaps start by reading through some of it, and see what you think? To me, it seems that those who appreciated what their money would buy thought it good - while others possibly had overly high expectations?

Generally islands aren't cheap, and Ischia's no exception.... however, the way some have carried on, I wouldn't half hope to find myself in a party of fellow-realists!

The headline prices, as I recollect, are the same as last year but - although I can't spot them now - the one thing that did strike me before was how the cost of taking all their Optional Tours might mount up?

I gather that - in anticipation of it being a bit quiet - some of the smaller family-run hotels may open for Easter, and then close again until the long holiday weekend that runs through into May...

And whilst that should have any great effect on the bars, restaurant etc, there might not be a huge amount going on in the evenings, especially if you'd mostly be dining in the hotel? (*)

By the time you'd arrive, we'll have been here for nine years - and came for several vacations before that - and rather like being "stranded" here, although Februarys can be a test of everybody's endurance!

For an idea of the Aprils we've seen, try...
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/springisch

And (*) perhaps also the month's edition of the island's visitor magazine from 2011 - which has reasonably good English alongside the Italian...

http://www.ischianews.com/images/pho...aprile_low.pdf

Not sure what else I can tell you, particularly on an open Forum such as this!

Peter

Thanks so much for the info, Peter. Your photos are gorgeous. The trip sounds great to me and just may go for it. My only concern is staying on Ischia each night. Do you think I'll be safe wandering alone? Are there plenty of cafes, wine bars and restaurants to discover on my own? Thanks again, Kathy

PS - the ttt was not me!

Thank you, that very kind!

At the risk of talking up something awful, Ischia's an extremely safe place - give or take a few ubiquitous Italian habits.... terrible slow-speed driving (even worse when reversing or parking), the tendency to barge right through you on pavements - pedestrians that is! And, thanks no doubt to the sanction of being banned from landing here, even the many Neapolitans who visit are less frenetic than usual.

Many Italian ladies come here, individually or in groups - for a few days at one of the many spas - and you'll see gaggles of them, I'm sure!

Lots of other eating and drinking places around, but these are some of the ones we enjoy - where we've always been treated well...
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/restaur

Peter

Ahhhhh, they all look so lovely - especially La Pirata and Pantera Rosa. I am in the food and wine biz, so I truly appreciate your suggestions. Ciao!

In that case then you may like this, some food-porn that shows off many of the delicacies that are to be found in the Campania region...

http://www.bb-napoli.com/english/specialities-guide.pdf

And April usually sees the launch of the new vintages of the island's long famous white wines...

http://www.epicurean.com/articles/wine-of-the-gods.html

Several vineyards offer visits... Although their website seems to be offline at the moment, one's the Casa D'Ambra winery mentioned in that article. If you were ducking out of any of the tours, try here in a week or two:

http://www.dambravini.com/

Or there's these people, who have several wineries around the country as well as a relatively new one here on Ischia:

http://www.arcipelagomuratori.it/ind...id=124&lang=en

And you may like to have a look at the special edition of the magazine for last year's wine festival - which has lots more food and drink stuff...

http://www.ischianews.com/images/pho...ischia-web.pdf

.................

Lastly.... April 25th is a national holiday, for the anniversary of Italy's liberation in 1945. Whilst never a major thing - and this year falling in the middle of the week - there should still be a few events going, with the various town bands turning out, etc etc. Details probably won't be announced until just prior to the day, so watch the magazine's website - or give me a shout shortly before you set off!

Peter

Thanks again. Haven't yet looked at the Web sites you mentioned, but can't wait! Ciao, Kathy