Prior to covid, we'd originally booked a week at the Corricella Hotel. It is that pink building dead center. Their Lampana restaurant also has an exceptional perspective. The contrasting dullness of the former prison Castell d'Avalos aka Palazzo Reale (closed 1988) looms overhead. mafia figures were once imprisoned there.
Prior to covid, we'd originally booked a week at the Corricella Hotel. It is that pink building dead center. Their Lampana restaurant also has an exceptional perspective. The contrasting dullness of the former prison Castell d'Avalos aka Palazzo Reale (closed 1988) looms overhead. mafia figures were once imprisoned there.
0 2023/12/19 23:16:22
With the whimsical houses behind it, this boat was stored outside. But the local architecture also boasts some clever arched boat-storage shelter and corners.
With the whimsical houses behind it, this boat was stored outside. But the local architecture also boasts some clever arched boat-storage shelter and corners.
0 2023/12/19 23:30:23
Four raggazzi headed to play calcio. Argentinian superstar Diego marradona is revered here, with tiny shrines to prove it!
Four raggazzi headed to play calcio. Argentinian superstar Diego marradona is revered here, with tiny shrines to prove it!
0 2023/12/19 23:34:31
Abbazia S. Michele Arcangelo, its stylish façade impossible to miss up in that same Terra Murata.
Abbazia S. Michele Arcangelo, its stylish façade impossible to miss up in that same Terra Murata.
0 2023/12/19 23:35:27
Hand-painted tiles depict the lovely little enclave of Corricella. Another 'painters paradise'.
Hand-painted tiles depict the lovely little enclave of Corricella. Another 'painters paradise'.
0 2023/12/19 23:38:22
We left Corricella and descended back down to the main town Marina Grande and its Porto ferry. We just missed one boat so hung around this area for a while. It too had its own appeal, including 'Dal Cavaliere' Bar (1960), famed for its pair of traditional puff pastries: la Lingua and la Frollicella. Each lemon custard pastry had its own dedicated postcard, both colorful and tasteful. The lineup was insane and we waited a very very long time! But after the crowds died down: VG people-watching.
We left Corricella and descended back down to the main town Marina Grande and its Porto ferry. We just missed one boat so hung around this area for a while. It too had its own appeal, including 'Dal Cavaliere' Bar (1960), famed for its pair of traditional puff pastries: la Lingua and la Frollicella. Each lemon custard pastry had its own dedicated postcard, both colorful and tasteful. The lineup was insane and we waited a very very long time! But after the crowds died down: VG people-watching.
0 2023/12/19 23:40:09
The golden hour arrived and was most welcome. Kids played soccer, pescatori finished their tasks for the day and a pair of bumbling Canuck travelers caught their breath. Then they somehow missed the NEXT ferry, after an apparent miscommunication with the hip young ticket booth guy. There was no point in getting uptight--it was nobody's fault but ours. Relax idiot, and go with the flow...
The golden hour arrived and was most welcome. Kids played soccer, pescatori finished their tasks for the day and a pair of bumbling Canuck travelers caught their breath. Then they somehow missed the NEXT ferry, after an apparent miscommunication with the hip young ticket booth guy. There was no point in getting uptight--it was nobody's fault but ours. Relax idiot, and go with the flow...
0 2023/12/19 23:49:10
So we gaped at yet-another water reflection (see next song) then decided to take public bus L1. Mrs Z and I knew that its route takes one around the entire isle, not a bad way to kill an hour. Bar capricio sold us tickets. We made lemonade from lemons, as we viewed Chiaia, Carbogno, Solchiaro and Chiaiolella. The latter's chi chi beach has a a number of popular cafes and is favored by locals for sunsets.
So we gaped at yet-another water reflection (see next song) then decided to take public bus L1. Mrs Z and I knew that its route takes one around the entire isle, not a bad way to kill an hour. Bar capricio sold us tickets. We made lemonade from lemons, as we viewed Chiaia, Carbogno, Solchiaro and Chiaiolella. The latter's chi chi beach has a a number of popular cafes and is favored by locals for sunsets.
0 2023/12/19 23:52:37
I think that maybe the bluffs in the foreground are Cape Miseno, once site of WWII defense guns. At this very moment, our return ferry back to ischia had just launched. We went atop to enjoy the marvelous, if breezy, atmosphere.
I think that maybe the bluffs in the foreground are Cape Miseno, once site of WWII defense guns. At this very moment, our return ferry back to ischia had just launched. We went atop to enjoy the marvelous, if breezy, atmosphere.
0 2023/12/20 00:06:18
And were glad that we did. The ferry cruised along the Scola Frusta coastal section of Procida's 'Vivara' wilderness reserve. Moody clouds signaled a special sunset to come. It was one of those added-value moments while one is in transit, much like Venice's vaporetto #1.
And were glad that we did. The ferry cruised along the Scola Frusta coastal section of Procida's 'Vivara' wilderness reserve. Moody clouds signaled a special sunset to come. It was one of those added-value moments while one is in transit, much like Venice's vaporetto #1.
0 2023/12/20 00:06:37
Arriving safe and sound (except for one cracked lens cover) back at Ischia's Porto. Its faro guides us in. Mt Epomeo rises 800m just behind. A couple months prior, its slopes had experienced a terrible mudslide. People lost their lives. One of our taxi driver's elderly in-laws barely escaped, but lost everything. We were told differing reasons as to the cause, from unenforced municipal buildings laws to a simple act of Mother Nature--she always bats last. *next: the Aragonese Castle
Arriving safe and sound (except for one cracked lens cover) back at Ischia's Porto. Its faro guides us in. Mt Epomeo rises 800m just behind. A couple months prior, its slopes had experienced a terrible mudslide. People lost their lives. One of our taxi driver's elderly in-laws barely escaped, but lost everything. We were told differing reasons as to the cause, from unenforced municipal buildings laws to a simple act of Mother Nature--she always bats last. *next: the Aragonese Castle
0 2023/12/20 00:06:55
Seen behind this row of boats is the Phlegrean coast, with Cuma Lucrino and Torregaveta. But its key town is Pozzuoli. That port has its own Roman ruin, much of which is submerged: Baia. My late mother's old friend lives in Pozzuoli. Little did I know when I snapped this shot, that in under 2 weeks, I'd be calling that same friend from Canada with news of mom's funeral.
Seen behind this row of boats is the Phlegrean coast, with Cuma Lucrino and Torregaveta. But its key town is Pozzuoli. That port has its own Roman ruin, much of which is submerged: Baia. My late mother's old friend lives in Pozzuoli. Little did I know when I snapped this shot, that in under 2 weeks, I'd be calling that same friend from Canada with news of mom's funeral.
0 2023/12/20 00:07:14
0 2023/12/20 13:52:15
0 2023/12/20 13:53:41
0 2023/12/20 13:53:51
Following here: the many moods of the Castle. It is the icon of Ischia. There will distant shots, followed by an actual visit up there.
Following here: the many moods of the Castle. It is the icon of Ischia. There will distant shots, followed by an actual visit up there.
0 2023/12/20 13:54:42
This was the exact spot where scenes from 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' was shot. Matt Damon, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow dine together. The overflowing waters were due to the previous night's storm, a spring tramontane perhaps?
This was the exact spot where scenes from 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' was shot. Matt Damon, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow dine together. The overflowing waters were due to the previous night's storm, a spring tramontane perhaps?
0 2023/12/20 13:55:01
Some of the sunrises were special.
Some of the sunrises were special.
0 2023/12/20 13:55:30
The castle motif outline is seen on some local promo for this and that.
The castle motif outline is seen on some local promo for this and that.
0 2023/12/20 13:55:52
The Cartoromana belvedere overlooks the sprawling 'Termale Eden' spa. That popular thermal spa was in the process of preparing for opening in the next few weeks. Those islets trace the edges of Ischia's own submerged ruin, the 'Villa Romana'. Snorkelers love to explore those ruins. As we traipsed across that SE corner of the isle, we joined another hiker. She was lovely young Veronique, a Belgian archaeologist who worked in Holland. She was also very knowledgeable about Euro-travel in general.
The Cartoromana belvedere overlooks the sprawling 'Termale Eden' spa. That popular thermal spa was in the process of preparing for opening in the next few weeks. Those islets trace the edges of Ischia's own submerged ruin, the 'Villa Romana'. Snorkelers love to explore those ruins. As we traipsed across that SE corner of the isle, we joined another hiker. She was lovely young Veronique, a Belgian archaeologist who worked in Holland. She was also very knowledgeable about Euro-travel in general.
0 2023/12/20 13:56:44
Mom and adult daughters. Like Veronique, they were daytrippers from Naples.
Mom and adult daughters. Like Veronique, they were daytrippers from Naples.
0 2023/12/20 13:57:00
Local fishermen collected on that pier early each morn, to be transported to jobs elsewhere.
Local fishermen collected on that pier early each morn, to be transported to jobs elsewhere.
0 2023/12/20 13:57:11
Pescatori beach would've been packed had this been high season.
Pescatori beach would've been packed had this been high season.
0 2023/12/20 13:58:21
The very nearby view from the so-called Torre di Michaelangelo. He almost certainly never actually lived there, despite the tourist hype myth.
The very nearby view from the so-called Torre di Michaelangelo. He almost certainly never actually lived there, despite the tourist hype myth.
0 2023/12/20 14:18:49
The three of us continued our hike into Ischia's hinterland. Here, the view near Scola di S. Anna. We got lost soon after, a lucky stroke that resulted in seeing additional areas.
The three of us continued our hike into Ischia's hinterland. Here, the view near Scola di S. Anna. We got lost soon after, a lucky stroke that resulted in seeing additional areas.
0 2023/12/20 14:22:25
This view from our patio never got old.
This view from our patio never got old.
0 2023/12/20 14:23:00
Next: *a visit up to the actual castle.
Next: *a visit up to the actual castle.
0 2023/12/20 14:23:14
Our creamy-colored rental building to the right. We were on the top floor, near corner. The lower building directly below our patio was the INPS. I gathered that was some sort of combo government-run-job-agency-cum unemployment office? The island population is 64,000 but I've no idea what jobless numbers are nowadays. That INPS also doubled as a handy bus stop. Bus 7 goes from Porto down to Ponte, a distance that otherwise can be walked in about 45 minutes.
Our creamy-colored rental building to the right. We were on the top floor, near corner. The lower building directly below our patio was the INPS. I gathered that was some sort of combo government-run-job-agency-cum unemployment office? The island population is 64,000 but I've no idea what jobless numbers are nowadays. That INPS also doubled as a handy bus stop. Bus 7 goes from Porto down to Ponte, a distance that otherwise can be walked in about 45 minutes.
0 2023/12/20 16:06:04
Our splurge apartment overlooking the sea was 'Aquamarina', one of an adjoined pair known together as 'Exclusive Home Ischia'. I'd read about it years ago in a Moon Handbook guide. We paid $690 Canadian per night. That rate included a fully-equipped modern kitchen, plus a hot tub. If the latter is important to you, clarify which unit has the hot tub---there is currently but one.
Our splurge apartment overlooking the sea was 'Aquamarina', one of an adjoined pair known together as 'Exclusive Home Ischia'. I'd read about it years ago in a Moon Handbook guide. We paid $690 Canadian per night. That rate included a fully-equipped modern kitchen, plus a hot tub. If the latter is important to you, clarify which unit has the hot tub---there is currently but one.
0 2023/12/20 16:06:12
The wonderful Conte family own and operate Exclusive Home Ischia. Daughter Gabriella (above) is the main contact, but her friendly brother Pierre-Mario also plays an important role in the day-to-day process. Our unit was spotless, could've eaten off the floor.
The wonderful Conte family own and operate Exclusive Home Ischia. Daughter Gabriella (above) is the main contact, but her friendly brother Pierre-Mario also plays an important role in the day-to-day process. Our unit was spotless, could've eaten off the floor.
0 2023/12/20 16:06:37
Their advice about local wine was bang-on. The Romans called Ischia 'Aenaria'---the land of wine. Hence the oh-so clever name of the local bookstore 'Imagaenaria'. Readers will love that shop for its mom-and-pop feel. Above was the straw-colored award-winning white wine that the Contes highly recommended. They were right!! The white wine grapes grown on the volcanic slopes of Mt. Epomeo are the 'Biancolella' variety.
Their advice about local wine was bang-on. The Romans called Ischia 'Aenaria'---the land of wine. Hence the oh-so clever name of the local bookstore 'Imagaenaria'. Readers will love that shop for its mom-and-pop feel. Above was the straw-colored award-winning white wine that the Contes highly recommended. They were right!! The white wine grapes grown on the volcanic slopes of Mt. Epomeo are the 'Biancolella' variety.
0 2023/12/20 16:06:53
The Greeks settled here in 775 BC and as part of Magna Graecia called Ischia 'Pithecusa'. Red grapes here are ruby red. They have colorful names such as Per e' Palumm (Pigeon's claws) and Piedirosso (red foot). Ischia sees 3-and-a-half million tourists per year (many middle-aged Germans) and it'd be interesting to learn whether most prefer the local white or the local red?
The Greeks settled here in 775 BC and as part of Magna Graecia called Ischia 'Pithecusa'. Red grapes here are ruby red. They have colorful names such as Per e' Palumm (Pigeon's claws) and Piedirosso (red foot). Ischia sees 3-and-a-half million tourists per year (many middle-aged Germans) and it'd be interesting to learn whether most prefer the local white or the local red?
0 2023/12/20 16:07:03
The Contes will spoil you, oft by surprise. We found this packet from Vittoria Cafe/pastry shop in our entry lobby one morning. So thoughtful. Millie Grazie!
The Contes will spoil you, oft by surprise. We found this packet from Vittoria Cafe/pastry shop in our entry lobby one morning. So thoughtful. Millie Grazie!
0 2023/12/20 16:07:13
I rest my case. As well, there was another wonderful surprise. Mrs Z and I once discovered an amazing Swiss brand of shampoo-gel soap called 'Prija'. We'd first encountered it in our rental house in Meursault (Burgundy) and loved its herbal 'eruca sativa' smell and texture. We thereafter tried for years to buy some of that, all to no avail. Lo and behold, when we arrived at our Aquamarina apartment, the featured soap was Prija. What a coincidence.
I rest my case. As well, there was another wonderful surprise. Mrs Z and I once discovered an amazing Swiss brand of shampoo-gel soap called 'Prija'. We'd first encountered it in our rental house in Meursault (Burgundy) and loved its herbal 'eruca sativa' smell and texture. We thereafter tried for years to buy some of that, all to no avail. Lo and behold, when we arrived at our Aquamarina apartment, the featured soap was Prija. What a coincidence.
0 2023/12/20 16:07:23
Capri can be seen here in the distance, sandwiched visually between Ponte and the Castle. It is much more expensive than Ischia. *Incidentally, a WWII tragedy occurred in this vicinity during 1943. RAF bombers needlessly sank the postal ship St. Lucia just off the local islet of Ventotene. The death toll was 120 innocent civilians killed.
Capri can be seen here in the distance, sandwiched visually between Ponte and the Castle. It is much more expensive than Ischia. *Incidentally, a WWII tragedy occurred in this vicinity during 1943. RAF bombers needlessly sank the postal ship St. Lucia just off the local islet of Ventotene. The death toll was 120 innocent civilians killed.
0 2023/12/20 16:07:43
Our patio had true 360 views. Right below, this workman takes his lunch break.
Our patio had true 360 views. Right below, this workman takes his lunch break.
0 2023/12/20 16:07:53
Behind us was also interesting scenery.
Behind us was also interesting scenery.
0 2023/12/20 16:08:12
So close that we could almost reach out and touch it.
So close that we could almost reach out and touch it.
0 2023/12/20 16:08:21
Same pink building with the abovementioned INPS in the foreground.
Same pink building with the abovementioned INPS in the foreground.
0 2023/12/20 16:08:34
More visuals.
More visuals.
0 2023/12/20 16:08:53
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