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The volcanic island of Ischia sits some 30km off the coast of Campania, in the Gulf of Naples. This largely mountainous rock in the Tyrrhenian Sea has three main centres - Ischia Port, Ischia Ponte and Forio. Forio, on the western coast is a buzzing little town of around 14,000 people, with some great restaurants and bars. The main eateries are situated along Via Bocca and Via Citara. The main focus of things is Citara beach, which as well as beautiful sands and blue waters has the Poseidon Thermal Garden spa, with a variety of thermal, Kneipp and seawater treatments. The Soccorso Church is also a must-see. Near to the town (Forio-San Francesco) are the superb gardens of La Mortella, created by William Walton and his widow Susanna (who settled on Ischia in 1946). The composer commissioned Russell Page from England to lay out formal gardens, and half a century and more on they are a delight. Ischia isn't big, covering some 46 square kilometres in total and rising swiftly to the highest point of Monte Epomeo, so taking in all the sights is a definite possibility. A trip to that high point (788 metres) affords superb views over the ocean and to mainland Italy. There are a number of thermal spas, including Casamicciola Terme. Other sights include the Castello Aragonese at Ischia Ponte. See too the Villa La Colombia (the Dovecote) which was created by Luigi Patalano and now has a museum dedicated to Luchino Visconti.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Forio hotels.
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