My husband and I have two days to spend relaxing after a business trip and are deciding between Capri and Ishia. Information on Ishia is sparse so am hoping that someone may be able to share information on travels to Ishia. Any info would be great. We are thinking about staying at Grand Albergo Mezzatore on Ishia or Relais Maresca on Capri. We are looking for a very relaxing environment. Thanks

since this is a NEW question <BR>

Maggie, <BR>I think it depends on what you are after. <BR>We were sooo close, yet so far, from Ischia, just 2 weeks ago! <BR>A good friend of mine goes to visit her uncle there every couple of years, and loves it. <BR>I want to go on my 50th. <BR>The island is beautiful, but less touristy. <BR>Ischia does have a website <BR>www.ischia.com <BR>(It is a slow loader) <BR>There is not much mention on the board about Ischia, but have you tried a word search? <BR>Type in the name of the island, in the Text Search box, at top of this page. <BR>And wait... <BR>Goodluck, and have fun

Maggie: <BR> <BR>If it's a relaxing environment that you're seeking, then ISCHIA is your choice. It does get busier during the summer (high) season, nevertheless it's less inundated with tourist frenzy than Capri. I only was on Ischia for a weekend a couple years ago & was staying with friends so can't comment on hotel options. However did look up 'Grand Albergo Mezzatore' & comes up as a 5-star hotel --- it looks very lovely. <BR> <BR>As to how to get to Ischia, you have a couple options. Most folks go via ferry. We took the ferry from Pozzuoli (a port just north of Naples) --- town's name is pronounced "potts-wally" and fyi, it's the birthplace of Sophia Loren. Anyhow, you can either drive your car onto the ferry or walk aboard. I'd imagine that depending upon time of year, you may need advance reservations if planning to drive aboard. Ischia has thermal baths which are quite popular with Europeans and so, it can get busy going to/from on the weekends. We were there during April-99 and drove up & on the next ferry without need for any reservations. <BR> <BR>Altho my visit was brief, i found Ischia a beautiful island --- more popular with Europeans (and yes, there are alot of Germans) than with the Americans that flock to Capri. <BR> <BR>Here's websites that you can seek out more info on Ischia & transportation there. One more thing, you can also get there out of a port in Naples; from Napoli, you also have option to travel via hydrofoil as well as by ferry. <BR> <BR>http://www.ischia.it/ <BR> <BR>http://www.ischia.com/eng/index.shtml <BR> <BR>http://www.ischiaonline.it/ <BR> <BR>

Thanks to all and yes we had already sought available info from the forum as well as island websites. I think we will opt for Ishia--fewer Americans and we'll send along a report to the forum upon our return. Thanks again!

Ischia gets my vote...but that's because my family was originally from there. It seems much less crowded than Capri, but it's much larger than Capri. <BR> <BR>If you want to relax, go to Ischia, specifically to Ischia Ponte...the old section near the Castello (castle). <BR> <BR>I have some shots on my website at: <BR>http://www.jimtardio.com/italy.html

Hi Maggie, <BR> <BR>Have you seen "The Talented Mr. Ripley"? The first part of the movie takes part in Mongibello (ficticious I believe) and they filmed it on Ischia. I haven't been there, but it looks beautiful and very relaxing in the movie.

My husband and I were in Ischia 1999 and just fell in love with it! There are not many American's there, mostly the other tourists we encountered were European. We rented scooters and cruised the island, enjoyed the mineral baths.. the little towns, the local wine.. heck pretty much everything, we were there in March and had Ischia nearly to ourselves. though Capri was really crowded, by comparison.