This sleepy gato lies atop a car parked in the courtyard. That was where scenes from the Italian TV drama 'My Brilliant Friend' were recently shot.
This sleepy gato lies atop a car parked in the courtyard. That was where scenes from the Italian TV drama 'My Brilliant Friend' were recently shot.
0 2023/12/20 17:05:55
We self-caterers shopped at local Ischitani stores such as large and friendly Francesco supermarket, the deli-bakery Boccia (try their toasted mortadella sandwiches) and (unshown) Luciano Gelato. Staff at all three were very friendly. The latter sold to us even after we'd missed their closing by 10 minutes---try that in North America! Boccia's owner was a sports fan who warned me about the local Napoli soccer star which our own Toronto FC team had just signed for a fortune: "Poor character."
We self-caterers shopped at local Ischitani stores such as large and friendly Francesco supermarket, the deli-bakery Boccia (try their toasted mortadella sandwiches) and (unshown) Luciano Gelato. Staff at all three were very friendly. The latter sold to us even after we'd missed their closing by 10 minutes---try that in North America! Boccia's owner was a sports fan who warned me about the local Napoli soccer star which our own Toronto FC team had just signed for a fortune: "Poor character."
0 2023/12/20 17:10:27
0 2023/12/20 17:32:07
Average temperature was 17-19 degrees. Ottimo.
Average temperature was 17-19 degrees. Ottimo.
0 2023/12/20 17:32:18
Mr. Conte should be proud of his son Pierre-Mario (literally a 'fixer') plus lovely Gabriella ('Gaby') seen below with her beautiful mother.
Mr. Conte should be proud of his son Pierre-Mario (literally a 'fixer') plus lovely Gabriella ('Gaby') seen below with her beautiful mother.
0 2023/12/20 17:33:02
Ischia got style. *Next: apologies for the out-of-order confusion; we'll get around to that castle tour plus the rest of the Ponte area, as well as the rest of the island.
Ischia got style. *Next: apologies for the out-of-order confusion; we'll get around to that castle tour plus the rest of the Ponte area, as well as the rest of the island.
0 2023/12/20 17:33:25
After taking that elevator-lift, one arrives at some very compelling terrace viewpoints. Those panoramas allow for 360 views across the castle site, be they hilly landscape or eastward back to the mainland. So much of an experience on ischia could fairly be described as 'picturesque'.
After taking that elevator-lift, one arrives at some very compelling terrace viewpoints. Those panoramas allow for 360 views across the castle site, be they hilly landscape or eastward back to the mainland. So much of an experience on ischia could fairly be described as 'picturesque'.
0 2023/12/21 16:21:31
The paths take tourists all over. There are churches, chapels, towers, crypts, antiques and an old prison. The gardens include olives, grapes and citrus.
The paths take tourists all over. There are churches, chapels, towers, crypts, antiques and an old prison. The gardens include olives, grapes and citrus.
0 2023/12/21 16:21:44
In 1809, cannons from the English navy destroyed some of the castle. The full history of the Castle site goes back almost 3,000 years.
In 1809, cannons from the English navy destroyed some of the castle. The full history of the Castle site goes back almost 3,000 years.
0 2023/12/21 16:22:24
We saw a number of cats up there, but none quite topped this one for having a mysterious aura. It relaxed as though it owned that green space.
We saw a number of cats up there, but none quite topped this one for having a mysterious aura. It relaxed as though it owned that green space.
0 2023/12/21 16:22:40
Without doubt, the most macabre aspect about the site is its infamous Nun's Cemetery. Centuries ago, some sadistic religious leader got the idea to allow the bodies of deceased Clarisses Clare nun up there to simply decompose in their individual, walled draining seat. The remaining nuns were thereafter forced to attend group prayer hours scheduled throughout each day, by the row of those decaying corpses. The stench, the sight, the risk of serious disease, the shock to newcomers....no words.
Without doubt, the most macabre aspect about the site is its infamous Nun's Cemetery. Centuries ago, some sadistic religious leader got the idea to allow the bodies of deceased Clarisses Clare nun up there to simply decompose in their individual, walled draining seat. The remaining nuns were thereafter forced to attend group prayer hours scheduled throughout each day, by the row of those decaying corpses. The stench, the sight, the risk of serious disease, the shock to newcomers....no words.
0 2023/12/21 16:22:53
Btw, there is a nice combo restaurant-bar called Coco right at the foot of the bridge. It is run by a brother-sister team. One walks across the bridge, then takes an elevator to get up to the castle, be it for a stay at their seasonal hotel OR instead for a meal at either of the cafes up there. Ignore misinformed locals who might try to tell you that covid cancelled that lift or otherwise restricted its use for workers--simply untrue, at least in our experience.
Btw, there is a nice combo restaurant-bar called Coco right at the foot of the bridge. It is run by a brother-sister team. One walks across the bridge, then takes an elevator to get up to the castle, be it for a stay at their seasonal hotel OR instead for a meal at either of the cafes up there. Ignore misinformed locals who might try to tell you that covid cancelled that lift or otherwise restricted its use for workers--simply untrue, at least in our experience.
0 2023/12/21 16:23:29
Returning back down and then across the bridge during the golden hour will guarantee visitors the chance to see local Ischiatani taking it easy. Just behind this crowd is the very modest local Museum del mare (of the sea).
Returning back down and then across the bridge during the golden hour will guarantee visitors the chance to see local Ischiatani taking it easy. Just behind this crowd is the very modest local Museum del mare (of the sea).
0 2023/12/21 16:26:11
A pair of stylish local ladies.
A pair of stylish local ladies.
0 2023/12/21 16:26:32
Those ladies almost seem to be represented by this boutique's stone signage mere minutes away back in Ponte's main drag, via Luigi Mazzella. *be careful, there seems to be additional 'via Mazellas' throughout.
Those ladies almost seem to be represented by this boutique's stone signage mere minutes away back in Ponte's main drag, via Luigi Mazzella. *be careful, there seems to be additional 'via Mazellas' throughout.
0 2023/12/21 16:26:48
Time for a castle tour. Bus #7 will take you from Porto down to the terminus in Ponte i.e. at the foot of the bridge. The Aragonese Castello will appear right before you, perched 113 meters atop its own trachytic rock islet. An isle within an isle. Note the bass-playing llama on the bus promo.
Time for a castle tour. Bus #7 will take you from Porto down to the terminus in Ponte i.e. at the foot of the bridge. The Aragonese Castello will appear right before you, perched 113 meters atop its own trachytic rock islet. An isle within an isle. Note the bass-playing llama on the bus promo.
0 2023/12/21 16:27:24
The southerly view from inside the small hexagonal Tempio St. Peter Pantaniello ('Pete from the small marsh'). The floors are Campanian terracotta.
The southerly view from inside the small hexagonal Tempio St. Peter Pantaniello ('Pete from the small marsh'). The floors are Campanian terracotta.
0 2023/12/21 16:49:13
Far niente.
Far niente.
0 2023/12/21 17:07:35
There might be music. The musician was petite Beatrice from Moldova. She switched from classical to 'The Godfather Theme' as we passed. Check out the vibrating second string.
There might be music. The musician was petite Beatrice from Moldova. She switched from classical to 'The Godfather Theme' as we passed. Check out the vibrating second string.
0 2023/12/21 17:08:00
Those views look across to the mainland, including these trees near villa Antonia.
Those views look across to the mainland, including these trees near villa Antonia.
0 2023/12/21 17:12:48
Taking the sun.
Taking the sun.
0 2023/12/21 17:21:38
The end of another wonderful day. You won't regret this castle visit.
The end of another wonderful day. You won't regret this castle visit.
0 2023/12/21 17:22:25
0 2023/12/21 17:42:16
There is at least one stone sculptor on the isle. The tiny hamlet Panza has many aged stone houses, relics from a bygone time. One such structure has been made into an intriguing restaurant called 'Arca' over in Ciglio.
There is at least one stone sculptor on the isle. The tiny hamlet Panza has many aged stone houses, relics from a bygone time. One such structure has been made into an intriguing restaurant called 'Arca' over in Ciglio.
0 2023/12/21 17:43:01
Ischia also has an water viaduct down its middle called The Piastri Pillars. We were told that it was built in the 17c and was not as we'd assumed ancient Roman. Nitrodi is the name of one established old spa that markets its special drinking waters.
Ischia also has an water viaduct down its middle called The Piastri Pillars. We were told that it was built in the 17c and was not as we'd assumed ancient Roman. Nitrodi is the name of one established old spa that markets its special drinking waters.
0 2023/12/21 17:43:10
Everyday life across the island included the ubiquitous laundry hung to dry and also...
Everyday life across the island included the ubiquitous laundry hung to dry and also...
0 2023/12/21 17:47:09
dogs taking their owners for a spin. We had to obey the traffic light at Piedimonte coz the road there narrowed in an untypical way.
dogs taking their owners for a spin. We had to obey the traffic light at Piedimonte coz the road there narrowed in an untypical way.
0 2023/12/21 17:47:28
The previous shot showed the spiaggia at Sant Angelo. Above is the isle's largest village, Forio. Its motif is the whitewashed Chiesa del Soccorso. There is an excellent cafe located right by the parking lot between that iconic church and the Municipo. Ischia has 103 thermal springs, 95 thermal spas plus 67 fumaroles, and busy Forio has many of those amidst its outskirts.
The previous shot showed the spiaggia at Sant Angelo. Above is the isle's largest village, Forio. Its motif is the whitewashed Chiesa del Soccorso. There is an excellent cafe located right by the parking lot between that iconic church and the Municipo. Ischia has 103 thermal springs, 95 thermal spas plus 67 fumaroles, and busy Forio has many of those amidst its outskirts.
0 2023/12/21 17:48:08
Taxi driver Pippo Cortese (334 341 5747) can be found most days down at Monzu cafe close by the bridge. He took us for a half-day on what he called a 'Hidden Corners' tour. Andiamo!
Taxi driver Pippo Cortese (334 341 5747) can be found most days down at Monzu cafe close by the bridge. He took us for a half-day on what he called a 'Hidden Corners' tour. Andiamo!
0 2023/12/21 17:51:47
Maronti beach is the best for beachcombers. Italian law states that everything must be left in place.
Maronti beach is the best for beachcombers. Italian law states that everything must be left in place.
0 2023/12/21 18:08:53
The assortment was a shutterbug's dream.
The assortment was a shutterbug's dream.
0 2023/12/21 18:09:06
The view from Maronti beach to Capri. Just north is Barano/Buonopane, the rural locale where Stanley Tucci was once shown eating a rabbit dish in his Ischia episode. That restaurant was Il Focolare. A good overlook of Maronti can be had at Dionisio's 'Libeccio Cafe'. Cicero apparently used to visit the nearby 'Cava Scura' thermal springs at this very spot.
The view from Maronti beach to Capri. Just north is Barano/Buonopane, the rural locale where Stanley Tucci was once shown eating a rabbit dish in his Ischia episode. That restaurant was Il Focolare. A good overlook of Maronti can be had at Dionisio's 'Libeccio Cafe'. Cicero apparently used to visit the nearby 'Cava Scura' thermal springs at this very spot.
0 2023/12/21 18:09:21
Sant Angelo is a great place to buy quality ceramic art. There is a wide variety of such pieces on sale there at shops where the isthmus starts to join with the Rock.
Sant Angelo is a great place to buy quality ceramic art. There is a wide variety of such pieces on sale there at shops where the isthmus starts to join with the Rock.
0 2023/12/21 18:09:38
Sant Angelo is very popular with Germans, however their numbers are down after the Deutschmark-to-euro conversion. Angela Merkel is one of them---she owns a villa close by.
Sant Angelo is very popular with Germans, however their numbers are down after the Deutschmark-to-euro conversion. Angela Merkel is one of them---she owns a villa close by.
0 2023/12/21 18:09:56
The village Lacco Ameno is where one finds one of the more attractive thermal spas on the island: Negombo. Its sheer variety of offerings from various massages, to different water-bathing designs, to unique pools, a coveted beach (shown here) and more, make this a good choice. Unfortunately, we'd been misled by a claim on trip Advisor, wherein someone suggested that this spa was open off-season 'during weekends'. Not true. Sigh...
The village Lacco Ameno is where one finds one of the more attractive thermal spas on the island: Negombo. Its sheer variety of offerings from various massages, to different water-bathing designs, to unique pools, a coveted beach (shown here) and more, make this a good choice. Unfortunately, we'd been misled by a claim on trip Advisor, wherein someone suggested that this spa was open off-season 'during weekends'. Not true. Sigh...
0 2023/12/21 18:17:56
An annual Film Fest occurs at the snazzy Albergo Regina Isabella hotel in Lacco Ameno. This quintessential emblem of La dolce Vita is located there in the NW corner of Ischia in nearby Mortella Gardens. That luxe hotel felt very different from the spartan buildings in need of a paint job up in lofty Fontana village. Or the pza. Mardel Plata memorial to those impoversihes locals who once emigrated to Argentina.
An annual Film Fest occurs at the snazzy Albergo Regina Isabella hotel in Lacco Ameno. This quintessential emblem of La dolce Vita is located there in the NW corner of Ischia in nearby Mortella Gardens. That luxe hotel felt very different from the spartan buildings in need of a paint job up in lofty Fontana village. Or the pza. Mardel Plata memorial to those impoversihes locals who once emigrated to Argentina.
0 2023/12/21 18:23:40
In Lacco Ameno, we found this statue of Deus Neptune as well as the Fungo Rock, a mushroom-shaped oddity just off-shore.
In Lacco Ameno, we found this statue of Deus Neptune as well as the Fungo Rock, a mushroom-shaped oddity just off-shore.
0 2023/12/21 18:23:51
You can buy some straight-forward utilitarian stuff for the kitchen.
You can buy some straight-forward utilitarian stuff for the kitchen.
0 2023/12/21 18:24:06
Or go high-end.
Or go high-end.
0 2023/12/21 18:24:24
Lacco Ameno golden hour.
Lacco Ameno golden hour.
0 2023/12/21 18:50:56
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