TR - Italy, Summer 2023
Jan 17th, 2024, 09:49 AM
#42
Exactly what is it you are supposed to see with this showing?
Jan 17th, 2024, 08:35 PM
#44
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I love the looks of the La Prosciutteria spread. The link takes me to a website that lists multiple locations but none in Rome. Would love to add this to my list for “next time”, can you tell me where it is or the name so I can google it? Thanks!
Jan 17th, 2024, 10:16 PM
#45
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Also for Terrazza Navona. I want to go there!
Thanks.
Jan 18th, 2024, 02:23 AM
#46
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Jan 18th, 2024, 05:56 PM
#49
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Jan 27th, 2024, 07:06 AM
#50
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Second to last stop - Ischia!
My partner and I had each briefly (and separately) visited Ischia in the off season and getting back there was a priority of our trip. We traveled from Rome to Naples by train and then transferred to the Metro to get to the ferry. All arrangements went almost without hitch. Our ferry arrival port was supposed to be Forio, but due to sea conditions we instead arrived in Ischia port. Not a big deal, but an added bit of adventure as we squeezed onto a crowded bus for a scenic tour from one side of the island to the other. Once we made it to Panza, our AirBnB host met us at the bus stop and brought us to our home for the next 4 nights.
The property was down a fairly steep set of steps and was the larger portion of a two unit building. We had more than adequate space, but quickly learned there were some issues...to the point that I began searching out other available options on the island. There were ants in the kitchen and bathroom as well as a lack of basic kitchen items. Ultimately, we decided to lean in and just go with it - a decision I don't regret, but we won't be staying there again. The location was a bit too distant from strollable streets and the stairs were of the type that one would consider whether one really wanted to climb them again.
At about the midway point in the stairs going up.
Bathers in the hot waters
The "beach" in Panza
After we settled in, we took a walk to some wild hot springs. The walk there was almost completely downhill meaning, of course, that it would be all uphill on our return. We paced ourselves accordingly. The "beach" was essentially a pool surrounded by rocks to separate it from the open sea. Primarily used by locals, this pool mixed the cool ocean water with extremely hot volcanic springs to create a temperate bath area. We climbed in, guided by nice people who waved us away from the source of the hot water. It would have scalded for sure. As we sat in the water, we learned that when the hot water intermittently flowed in we should use our arms to add cooler sea water into the pool. It was kind of fun, but ultimately it wasn't the most comfortable area to sit in since it was quite crowded.
We returned to our accommodations and readied ourselves for dinner in the village. We happened upon a local spot which was fun with good, not great, food. Our server was terrific, though, and he made some suggestions for beaches we might like, including a beach club in Forio. Later that night we did some research and decided that Giardini Poseidon Terme would work for us. It was not inexpensive at 50 euro each, but it was lovely with an organized beach with chairs and umbrellas, restaurants and cafes, a natural sauna, showers and 20 different pools of various temperatures. It felt absolutely luxurious!
I want to be there again right now!
Our private beach
Can you see the steam?
The pools are all heated naturally with various temperatures achieved by blending naturally hot water with cold.
One of the showers.
It was such a wonderful day, that we vowed to return again - a promise we kept two days later. Although a bit pricy for admission, we managed to bring our own light lunch of caprese sandwiches to enjoy on the sly. we accompanied lunch with delicious purchased spritzes because we're not total cheapskates!
Our next day we took the bus to San Giorgio with the Hotel San Giorgio as our ultimate destination. Once again, we were there to simply to laze around and take in the waters and the view. We walked from where the bus dropped us to get to the hotel, but on the return we took advantage of a very inexpensive water taxi. Entrance to this thermal spa was, I believe, 40 euro per person, which was a fair price. We spent the entire day reading on our chaises, swimming in the ocean and moving from pool to pool. There was also a very nice restaurant where we enjoyed lunch on the terrace.
View as we walked from the bus stop to our destination.
I could have looked at this scene all day.
Water taxi
Passing water taxi as we approached San Giorgio.
While we waited for our water taxi, we observed a sign and a roped off area of the beach warning about hot sand. These volcanic waters are no joke!
To be continued with a final Ischia post and a few days in Naples...
My partner and I had each briefly (and separately) visited Ischia in the off season and getting back there was a priority of our trip. We traveled from Rome to Naples by train and then transferred to the Metro to get to the ferry. All arrangements went almost without hitch. Our ferry arrival port was supposed to be Forio, but due to sea conditions we instead arrived in Ischia port. Not a big deal, but an added bit of adventure as we squeezed onto a crowded bus for a scenic tour from one side of the island to the other. Once we made it to Panza, our AirBnB host met us at the bus stop and brought us to our home for the next 4 nights.
The property was down a fairly steep set of steps and was the larger portion of a two unit building. We had more than adequate space, but quickly learned there were some issues...to the point that I began searching out other available options on the island. There were ants in the kitchen and bathroom as well as a lack of basic kitchen items. Ultimately, we decided to lean in and just go with it - a decision I don't regret, but we won't be staying there again. The location was a bit too distant from strollable streets and the stairs were of the type that one would consider whether one really wanted to climb them again.
At about the midway point in the stairs going up.
Bathers in the hot waters
The "beach" in Panza
After we settled in, we took a walk to some wild hot springs. The walk there was almost completely downhill meaning, of course, that it would be all uphill on our return. We paced ourselves accordingly. The "beach" was essentially a pool surrounded by rocks to separate it from the open sea. Primarily used by locals, this pool mixed the cool ocean water with extremely hot volcanic springs to create a temperate bath area. We climbed in, guided by nice people who waved us away from the source of the hot water. It would have scalded for sure. As we sat in the water, we learned that when the hot water intermittently flowed in we should use our arms to add cooler sea water into the pool. It was kind of fun, but ultimately it wasn't the most comfortable area to sit in since it was quite crowded.
We returned to our accommodations and readied ourselves for dinner in the village. We happened upon a local spot which was fun with good, not great, food. Our server was terrific, though, and he made some suggestions for beaches we might like, including a beach club in Forio. Later that night we did some research and decided that Giardini Poseidon Terme would work for us. It was not inexpensive at 50 euro each, but it was lovely with an organized beach with chairs and umbrellas, restaurants and cafes, a natural sauna, showers and 20 different pools of various temperatures. It felt absolutely luxurious!
I want to be there again right now!
Our private beach
Can you see the steam?
The pools are all heated naturally with various temperatures achieved by blending naturally hot water with cold.
One of the showers.
It was such a wonderful day, that we vowed to return again - a promise we kept two days later. Although a bit pricy for admission, we managed to bring our own light lunch of caprese sandwiches to enjoy on the sly. we accompanied lunch with delicious purchased spritzes because we're not total cheapskates!
Our next day we took the bus to San Giorgio with the Hotel San Giorgio as our ultimate destination. Once again, we were there to simply to laze around and take in the waters and the view. We walked from where the bus dropped us to get to the hotel, but on the return we took advantage of a very inexpensive water taxi. Entrance to this thermal spa was, I believe, 40 euro per person, which was a fair price. We spent the entire day reading on our chaises, swimming in the ocean and moving from pool to pool. There was also a very nice restaurant where we enjoyed lunch on the terrace.
View as we walked from the bus stop to our destination.
I could have looked at this scene all day.
Water taxi
Passing water taxi as we approached San Giorgio.
While we waited for our water taxi, we observed a sign and a roped off area of the beach warning about hot sand. These volcanic waters are no joke!
To be continued with a final Ischia post and a few days in Naples...
