The adventure begins in the morning at Sorrento’s Marina Piccola where you’ll board a ferry to Ischia, crossing the beautiful Bay of Naples.
Alternatively. guests may ferry on their own from Naples and meet us at Ischia Porto.

Arriving in Ischia, a private driver will take you along the coast to your luxurious home for the next 3 nights: the 5-star L’Albergo della Regina Isabella. The sprawling Spanish style resort was built by film producer/publisher Angelo Rizzoli, over the ruins of ancient Greek baths. It became a hotspot in the 1950s, attracting such stars as Elizabeth Taylor and Anna Magnani, and still retains its retro-glam vibe. You’ll settle into this paradise set in a seaside cove, with a lovely private beach, restaurants and bars—all with stunning views. And most wonderful is the hotel’s spa, where the island’s healing waters can be experienced in thermal pools and with state-of-the-art treatments, at a 15% discount on this trip!

You’ll gather with Susan and the group at the hotel’s seaside restaurant for a delicious welcome lunch. The afternoon is all yours to wander around the surrounding village of Lacco Ameno and enjoy the pretty waterfront walk of caffes, boutiques, and the Santa Restituta church. Back at the hotel you can get into the La Dolce Vita spirit at the beach, pools, enjoy a spa treatment, and check into your lovely room, with its sea view.

Dinner at the hotel, with a view of the stars over the sparkling sea, will complete the dreamy welcome to your Ischia Golden Days.

Meals included: L, D
 

This morning, after enjoying the hotel’s abundant breakfast buffet, you are free to personalize your La Dolce Vita morning.

You may choose to enjoy the pools, beach, and spa treatments at the hotel.

OR you may opt for one of these morning experiences:
--Poseidon Thermal Gardens (20 minute taxi)
Ischia’s biggest thermal water park is set amidst lush greenery and an enchanting bay. Here you’ll enjoy twenty spring-fed pools that cover a terraced hillside, restaurants, and a spa, offering a range of treatments.

--Nitrodi Natural Springs / Ravino Gardens (30 minute taxi)
Nitrodi’s curative hot springs are tucked in a hillside in the middle of the island. For over 2,000 years they have been praised for miraculous healing of skin ailments. The modern complex is a tranquil, oasis, with thermal showers, gardens of medicinal plants to use for aromatherapy rubs, massage rooms, and sun beds to relax with sea views. There’s also a bar that serves drinks of thermal water mixed with herbs. On the way back to the hotel, you can stop at Giardini Ravino, to enjoy one of Europe’s largest collections of cacti and succulents, along with a caffe that serves a Cactus Cocktail, with peacocks adding flashes of color to the scene.

--Guided walk or hike (Destination of your choice)
A local guide will happily lead you on a customized leisurely walk or hike, that suits your activity level.  Choices range from winding up to the top of Mount Epomeo (Ischia’s highest peak) for stunning views, walking through a shady forest, or along the coastline to the Sorgeto thermal springs that flow amidst seaside rocks, where you are welcome to stop for a soak.

After lunch,  the group will gather with our entertaining local guide to discover more of the island by private mini-bus. Afternoon highlights include the quaint village of Ischia Ponte, to enjoy its artisan shops and views of the famous Castello Aragonese.

We’ll continue on to the village of Sant’Angelo, to gasp over Ischia’s most beautiful sunset views. The Golden Day will end at a family-run winery, set in the mountains, to fully immerse ourselves in Ischia’s culinary traditions—with wine tasting and a delicious dinner under the stars.

Meals Included: B, D

Today you may choose from your La Dolce Vita Morning options (see Day 3), AND perhaps add:
           
--Villa Arbusto (5-minute walk from hotel, closed Monday)
This former villa turned archaeological museum features eight rooms of astounding finds from Ischia’s Greco-Roman history. The star of the collection is Nestor’s Cup, (eighth century BC), that Homer wrote about in The Iliad.

After lunch you’ll be picked up by a private mini-bus and transported uphill to La Mortella Gardens, an exotic, terraced wonderland, praised as one of the most beautiful gardens in Europe. This was the dream project of an Argentinian woman, Susanna Walton, who moved here with her British husband, composer William Walton in 1949. You’ll hear stories about Susanna’s life as you are guided through a spectacular mix of orchids, ferns, palms, water lilies, and fountains, and then have a leisurely break at the garden’s tea house.

From the garden you’ll be driven to the perfect place to watch an Ischia sunset: the Chiesa Soccorso, a 13th century church set on a stunning promontory. Nearby is the folksy village of Forio, where you’ll blend in with the locals for aperitivo and then dinner on your own, with Susan’s guidance.

Meals Included: B

On this final morning in Ischia, you may choose from the menu of La Dolce Vita experiences described above in Days 2 and 3.

OR opt for:
--Guided tour of Castello Aragonese
The Castello Aragonese is the symbol of Ischia, with a fascinating mix of watchtowers, churches, and monasteries that represent 2,500 years of the island’s storied history. Adding to the fun are modern art installations, an artisan boutique, and caffes to relax for beautiful views. You may complete the experience with lunch in the charming nearby village of Ischia Ponte.

After lunch, you’ll be transported to Ischia Porto to board the ferry to Naples. You’ll be met at the port and taken to the Grand Hotel Santa Lucia, set on the bay. There will be time to enjoy a leisurely stroll and aperitivo on the seaside promenade outside the hotel, as the sun sets, with Mount Vesuvius in the background.

Our Farewell Dinner is at a folksy seafood restaurant on the Naples Marina, where we’ll revel in southern Italian seafood flavors, refreshed and inspired from our Golden Days.

Meals Included: B, D

Your driver will transport you to the Naples airport or train station, where you’ll depart with joyful memories of your Golden Days.

Meals Included: B