Hello,

I would love some input in my plans for visiting Ischia in October.

We initially thought that we would spend 3 nights on the Amalfi Coast(Positano) early October, however after researching we decided to spend the time on Ischia as it sounds less touristy. Our time is somewhat limited.

Here are my thoughts...

-Fly into Rome 11am Wed Oct 3, pick up rental car and drive to Positano-area for late lunch and then drive up to Naples(along that road with the hairpin turns!) to get a late ferry to Ischia. We thought that we would stay at the Albergo Il Monastero. How cool to stay in a castle, right? Well, they only have a room for two nights(and we can't get into our Apt rental in Montalcino until Saturday!) ...Also, upon reading more and more; it sounds like the place to stay is Sant'Angelo. Are we better to look for somewhere to stay there? We have no real plans for our stay yet; a lot will be dependent on weather unfortunately.

Could someone advise on this? I realize that the post is somewhat jumbly, that is how my head is now trying to figure out the best way to to things!!!

Thanks, Tanya

Tanya, I hope someone who has been there in October can be of more specific help. I have been to Ischia just once, and only for 4 days, but I loved it.

It was at the very end of May and even then just seemed to be gearing up for summer. Lovely at that time, since things were blooming and the weather was balmy.

We stayed in Casamacciola (spelling?) and while we totally enjoyed the place we stayed, it was kind of like Fawlty Towers Italian style, so I hesitate to recommend it. The area we stayed was perfect for us - felt that it was a lively enough town and not just tourist-oriented.

Sant' Angelo is charming and has many good seafood restaurants. Between there and the town of Forio, at Panza (or is it Ponza?)there is a hot spring that bubbles right out of the sea. If you don't mind walking down (and up) 200 steps, it is a special place (learned about it here on Fodor's).

I am concerned that October could be less inviting, so I hope you get some feedback on that time of year...

We were there the second week of October and it was still quite warm -- there were still plenty of people on the beaches and in the water.

Hi Tanya - October in Ischia can be lovely - I was there mid-October 2 years ago and the weather was perfect.

I don't think you can go wrong staying in Sant'Angelo or Forio.

My only reservation about your plan is lunch in Positano en route. You wouldn't get there before mid-afternoon, I think ...

It might be better to do Positano as a day-trip from Ischia.

[Alternatively if you stay on the Amalfi Coast you could do Ischia as a day-trip from there].

Steve

Thanks. Those were the things that I was toying with as well...The idea of lunching in Positano area, is because my husband would really like to do that drive along the coast. Didn't really want to leave Ischia on the Saturday, drive down and then back up to Montalcino...I do realize that the weather may be dodgy in October, but we are willing to chance it. Any recommendations for a place to stay in Sant'Angelo? I will go on ischia.it today and look, as well as do searches on this, but first experiences are always appreciated. Annebelle2, we are very excited for that hot spring you mention. Thanks. Tnaya

Tanya - The complete Amalfi Drive takes 2-3 hrs. excluding stops. With stops it takes all day.

You will not have time to drive it - and have a meal in Positano, and stop and enjoy the views, and return to Naples for a ferry - leaving FCO at 11a.m.

If you want to drive it I think you need to stay there, not Ischia.

You really can't do the Amalfi Coast justice in a couple of hours ...

Steve

I think your plan to visit Ischia is great, but I hope you don't go to Ischia expecting it to be "less touristy". In fact, it is a tourist destination, just more German tourists than American ones. Sant'Angelo is lovely, bu† if course there are many, or I should say mostly tourists. I love visiting Ischia and hope you enjoy your time there.