I have heard conflicting opinions on the island of Procida. Is it a beautiful paradise or something much much worse??

If you're going to to be in that area, find out for yourself. It's a short aliscafo ride from Naples. Stop in Ischia also. Hire a taxi and have him take you around the island.

Thanks Ann, but I was hoping for input that will help me decide whether to make reservations there or elsewhere (Ischia?) for a few night.

Procida is very small... very small... There is a hotel there that looked lovely - and I said that if I were to come back and decided to stay over, I would definitely consider staying at the Miramare (I think that's the name)... I stayed in Ischia for a few nights and took a day trip to Procida. Ischia has more to do...<BR><BR>In terms of Procida being a paradise or something "much, much worse", I can't imagine what you mean... It's certainly far closer to a paradise.<BR><BR>Dona

Thanks Dona. The pictures show closer to paradise, but Ive heard its dirty, crowded, somewhat dangerous. Kind of like the bad side of how people describe Naples, but in an island setting. Im not looking to do much, so if thats the biggest downside of the island, and the rest is gross exaggeration, I should be fine there.<BR>p.s. I did a search and cant find the Miramare???

I am leaving tomorrow for Rome, Procida and Amalfi coast, so I will let you know when I get back. I've heard it's beautiful, relaxing, friendly and very safe. I am staying at Hotel Celeste and Mr. Lubrano, the owner sounds very friendly and helpful. There was a great report last year from Joedy (sp) an American stationed in Naples about Procida. Actually, that report was what made me want to go there.

We stayed at Hotel Celeste the end of April. It is lovely. Procida is clean, safe, and parts of it are densely populated, but in a pleasant way. It is much more attractive than most of Naples. Try searching for Procida on this forum.

Sally: do you pronounce it PRO-chee da, or Pro CHEE da. I've heard it both ways. Thanks for your comments about Hotel Celeste.

Thanks Sally, youve helped to reassure me : )<BR>And Barb, have a wonderful trip, I look forward to reading about your experiences!<BR>(p.s. I did a search on this website, but I do tend to discount the majority of the posts since they came from the hotel owner.)

And Barb, I've been told by reliable sources that the stress is on the PRO

One of the travel magazines covered it recently. Suggested it was a mix of the good and bad mentioned so far. But the key claim that turned me off was walker unfriendliness and general difficulty of getting around its narrow roads.

JT, any idea which travel magazine?? Think, think : ) Thanks!

PRO-chee-da is the correct pronunciation according to our Italian friends.<BR><BR>Transportation was not a real problem for us. We used a taxi, mini-bus or best of all a mini-taxi(a little truck with the seats in the back- that was fun!) to get from the port to Hotel Celeste. Hotel C. is in walking distance of the spectacular beach and another good restaurant.The flowers are beautiful, very luxuriant. It reminds me of the Northern California coast.<BR><BR>

P.S. The owner of Hotel Celeste is a retired sea captain who used to go to the California coast. He let us use his computer for email. Have fun!

I don't know what I was thinking!<BR><BR>The hotel I was referring to is the Park Hotel Miramare on Ischia... not Procida. Sorry for the confusion [my own...]<BR><BR>Dona