Boat excursion with lunch on board to discover Ischia

We begin our tour to discover Ischia and as soon as we leave the port of Forio, here is the first beauty that we will be able to observe: "The Church of Soccorso". Located overlooking the sea, glittering thanks to its white plaster that stands out against the blue sky, the Chiesa del Soccorso is not only a well-known tourist destination much loved by those who visit Ischia and its localities, but it is also the emblem, religious and cultural, of a living community that has always been in symbiosis with the sea, a natural element strongly recalled also by the structure of the church. The original facade of the Chiesa del Soccorso was a very eclectic mix of styles: from Gothic to Renaissance, passing through the richest Baroque. The interior of the church, with a nave with three chapels and a basilica plan, contains several vaults, from barrel to cross vaults. On the left side of the structure there is a small gothic bell tower. Another peculiarity is the "Cristo di Legno".

Here we come to the first stop at the "Baia di Citara", here we will serve delicious bruschetta with Ischia tomato and basil accompanied by local wine. There are many legends that make the bay of Citara a fascinating place, and it is even more so to let the legends themselves be, told by the old Forian farmers, of the myths handed down from generation to generation, from distant times. The very name of the locality seems to derive from Venus Citarea and the prodigy who created the bay of Citara and its baths, from the tears shed by the goddess for having lost her beloved Adonis. Another version tells that instead it was Tifeo with his tears who created the flooding of the bay, this time tears of joy for having received the forgiveness of Jupiter. In addition to the marine conformation of the bay, it is said that the Pietra della Nave, is nothing more than a rock, but according to legends, it seems to be the galley with which Ulysses traveled, having received it from Alcinoo, king of the Phaeacians, to return to Ithaca.

We are in Forio, facing the open sea, where the waves break on the rocks with all their strength where, at the top of the mountain, we can observe To reach the lighthouse of Punta Imperatore. The view from Punta Imperatore is one of the most incredible in the world and we can only imagine how Lucia Capuano, the first female lighthouse keeper in history, spent her days. In fact, she is the protagonist of the history of the Punta Imperatore Lighthouse which dates back to the 1930s. Lucia Capuano was married to Francesco known as "a'lanterna", the first lighthouse keeper who died there. At the time Lucia was just 30 years old and already had seven children; these were the war years and Donna Lucia decided not to give up and to take her husband's place in that lighthouse that had killed her husband. A story of female emancipation that of Lucia Capuano, in a time when women were relegated to the role of mothers and housewives.

Continuing the navigation, we will have the opportunity to see the bay of "Sorgeto" very closely. The bay of Sorgeto is a small inlet set between rocks overhanging the sea and, apart from its rare beauty, it is known for being a real free natural thermal park, which can be visited 24 hours a day throughout the year. Here the underground volcanic activity causes thermal waters to emerge from the sea bed at about 90° and mix with the sea water, naturally creating the same precious mixture of sea water and thermal water which is generally created artificially and used in thalassotherapy in the thermal establishments. Therefore, in the bay of Sorgeto, despite being in the open sea, you can enjoy the same effect obtained by bathing in a large swimming pool in a thermal park. The bay is quite sheltered from the winds so it is possible to enjoy a peaceful and sun-kissed swim for most of the day.

The navigation continues with many surprises along the beautiful Sant'Angelo where we will make another stop for a swim. Sant'Angelo is perhaps the most picturesque and famous village of Ischia: however, it is not a separate municipality, it is instead the marine fraction of the municipality of Serrara Fontana, on the southern side of the island. The village of Sant'Angelo with its tufaceous islet called "la Torre" is one of the most famous postcards of Ischia. It has always remained a bit detached from the rest of the island and tourism here also stands out: the quality of the hotels is on average higher and everything is more peaceful also thanks to the decision to leave the entire center of Sant'Angelo completely pedestrian and forbidden to cars. Sant'Angelo is divided into two parts: the upper part with the church of San Michele Arcangelo, the narrow alleys and below the tourist port with the promenade, the square and the tower, the tuff islet connected to Sant'Angelo Angelo from a narrow isthmus of land.

The suggestive Maronti, full of surprises! The "Spiaggia dei Maronti" is one of the most famous and popular beaches on the island of Ischia. Surrounded by an unspoilt natural landscape and offers a spectacular view of the coast and the crystal clear sea. Fumaroles are one of the most famous volcanic phenomena that can be admired on the island of Ischia. They are located at the beginning of the Maronti beach, in the Sant'Angelo area, and are caused by the underlying geothermal activity of the town. In this area, the thermal water reaches the highest temperatures on the island, close to 100°C. Cavascura, the most ancient thermal basin of Ischia, is an extremely suggestive place which bears witness to the history of the ancient civilizations which spent their time on the island. Even today Cavascura retains its original appearance and offers tourists one of the oldest and most evocative spas in Europe, where it is possible to relax with massages, mud treatments or thermal showers.

At this point we are in the "wildest" area of Ischia, "La Sgarrupata". (Here the stop is foreseen if there are changes in the program or by choice of the Captain after evaluations of the body of water). The Sgarrupata in Ischia is a very high coast overlooking the sea, born from the stratification of different geological eras with enchanted colors, from ocher yellow to purple red, a beauty set by a crystalline sea with emerald green seabeds thanks to the presence of vast prairies of posidonia. One of the places not to be missed. It can also be visited by land, but due to its difficult route, many tourists prefer to reach it by sea.

And here we are at lunchtime! Before delighting your palate with our traditional Neapolitan cuisine, we will make an excursion to the "Grotta Verde" located in the bay in front of the "Punta della Cannuccia", near "San Pancrazio". (It should be remembered that the location for lunch may vary depending on the weather conditions and the excursion to the "Green Grotto" may also vary). San Pancrazio: what is it about? This is the small lake that forms behind the rocks near the green or earth cave as it is called. It is that cave that to access it you have to dive into and once inside the body lights up with a green light as if it were phosphorescent. This location can only be reached by sea. We will also be able to observe a restaurant that now lies among the ruins caused by a landslide about twenty years ago in the bay of San Pancrazio.

After the "wild area" we head towards "Cartaromana beach" located in the homonymous bay. The main feature is the wonderful view of the Aragonese castle. It has very fine sand and crystal clear sea. A seabed rich in a real archaeological and faunal treasure. Erosion has played its part here too, reducing the stretch of beach to a minimum, but it is still possible to indulge in the warm embrace of the sun on the black rocks. The characteristic of this beach is the hot bath, the effect of a natural hydrotherapy in the sea. Reachable on foot following a rather tiring path, by sea it is certainly the most suggestive way to observe it in all its beauty, immortalizing the bay like a nativity scene.

And here we are at the majestic "Aragonese Castle"! (Here the stop is foreseen if there are changes in the program or by choice of the Captain after evaluations of the body of water). The Aragonese Castle is a fortification that stands on a tidal island of trachytic rock located on the eastern side of the island of Ischia, connected by a 220 m long masonry bridge to the ancient Borgo di Celsa, known as Ischia Ponte. The islet on which the castle was built derives from a synactic eruption which occurred over 300,000 years ago. It reaches a height of 113 meters above sea level and covers an area of approximately 56,000 m². Geologically it is a bubble of magma that has been consolidating during eruptive phenomena and is defined as a "stagnation dome". The castle is accessed through a tunnel dug into the rock and commissioned in the mid-fifteenth century by Alfonso V of Aragon. Before then, access was only possible by sea.

We head to the Casamicciola-Ischia port area, to reach the beautiful bay of the "English beach". The English beach is a small volcanic beach of pebbles and dark sand. Located on the north coast of the island, it is sheltered by the cliff. This secluded beach got its present name during WWII, when the British used it as a landing point during an attack. Finding this hidden gem, not easy to find, adds a little adventure to a good walk. You will need to find the cobblestone path near the pier at the far end of Ischia Porto, indicated by a vibrant bougainvillea that will guide you along the way. You should go quite early in the morning, when the beach receives more sun before ending up under the shadow of the cliff, better to go by boat right?

Among the many places to discover, there is one of the small symbols of the island as well as one of the most characteristic places. We are talking about the so-called "Fungo di Ischia" in the pleasant Lacco area. The town rises in a natural amphitheater that overlooks the sea. Among the things to see we must mention the tower of the town hall, the basilica of Santa Restituta, the parish of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the museum and the excavations of Santa Restituta. The "Fungo" is located in the middle of the sea, on the edge of a small cliff. It is, in practice, a rock of green tuff about ten meters high. Centuries ago, it was erupted from the mouth of Mount Epomeo. Falling into the sea, it cooled down. Over time, the wind and the sea have done the rest, giving it its peculiar shape.

We have almost reached the municipality of Forio, but first we observe the mountainous coast of Zaro, dominated by luxury houses of rare beauty. But on Zaro there is an even greater peculiarity: On the 26th of each month there is the apparition of the "Madonna of Zaro". What we know: In 1994 in the house of two brothers (Paolo and Luigi) prayer groups were formed after they claimed to have seen the Madonna and in which some families began to participate. On October 8, 1994, Paolo and Luigi together with Imma and Marianna (two sisters), after lunch, went for a walk in the woods of Zaro, after a while they climbed up a hill, overcame it, and found themselves in front of two rocks , the only free space because there was dense bush around it. There they recited the Holy Rosary and the Heavenly Mother appeared to Paul and said to him: "This is a blessed place". The same evening, during the rosary at home, Our Lady spoke to Luigi and told him: "Zaro will be a place of pilgrimage".

The last beauty that we will observe before entering the port of Forio is the beach of "San Francesco". (Here the stop is foreseen if there are changes in the program or by choice of the Captain after evaluations of the body of water). The beach of "San Francesco" in Forio is certainly a beach for romantic spirits, nestled as it is between the leap of "Punta Caruso", dotted with cacti, and the ancient town of Forio guarded by its sacred sentinel: the church of the Rescue. Even the sea here in San Francesco is of that special color that only calm waters can have: it is emerald, inhabited by colonies of small fish that wallow around the protective reefs or in the cave that opens into the side of the mountain.