EXTRA GOLDEN DAYS ON THE ISLAND OF ISCHIA:

For Women Only

October 27-31, 2024

led by Author Susan Van Allen

Susan exceeded my expectations! Would love to tour with her (and the ladies) again!
-Tina, Colorado

Join Susan Van Allen, author of 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go, for dreamy days on a Bay of Naples treasure: the island of Ischia, where travelers are welcomed in warm, southern Italian style. Since the days of the Roman Empire, Ischia has been praised for its mineral-rich thermal springs that make visitors feel marvelous. You will “take the waters” at our home base—a glamourous hotel/spa—and venture off to discover the island’s lush gardens, enchanting villages, amazing castle, and vineyard-covered mountains.

These Extra Golden Days are ideal to add on to an Italy itinerary–a chance to discover a gem many travelers miss, with insiders’ guidance. The 4-night itinerary is designed for a full immersion into authentic island pleasures, culture, and history. Mornings are on your own to indulge in Italian spa traditions or hiking adventures, and afternoon/evenings are group experiences, where with Susan and wonderful women you’ll discover Ischia’s natural beauties, fascinating past, soulful spirit, and extraordinary food and wine.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Ischia
Day 2: Discover Ischia’s Enchantments including Charming Ischia Ponte and Winery Dinner
Day 3: Marvelous La Mortella Gardens / Buona Sera in the Village of Forio
Day 4: La Dolce Vita Morning / Farewell Dinner in Napoli
Day 5: Arrivederci…

October 27 – October 31, 2024
$3690 per person in double room
$4390 per person in single room

Small Group Tour – 14 Guests Maximum
SIGN UP DEADLINE – MAY 15

For more information, contact Susan at 100placesinitaly@gmail.com

Full Itinerary:

Golden Day 1: Depart from Sorrento – Welcome to Ischia

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.

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 settle into this paradise set in a seaside cove, with a lovely private beach, pool, restaurants and bars—all with stunning views.

There will be a delicious welcome lunch at the hotel’s seaside restaurant, and the afternoon is at leisure. You can wander around the surrounding village of Lacco Ameno and enjoy the pretty waterfront walk of caffes, boutiques, and the Santa Restituta church.

Or at the hotel you can get into the La Dolce Vita spirit at the beach, pools, spa, 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: L, D

Golden Day 2: Discover Ischia’s Enchantments

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 hotel’s beach, gardens, and spa. The spa’s specialty is thermal mud treatments, scientifically prepared with a 6-month maturation process, and highly praised for treating inflammation and improving circulation. The natural mix of great minerals that flows through the springs here is so fascinating, they were studied by Marie Curie and top medical universities in Europe.

OR 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, a private beach, restaurants, and a spa, offering a range of treatments.

Susan Van Allen, 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go, Women's Travel Italy, Small Group Tour Italy, Women's Travel — *Poseidon Thermal Park*

—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 and lunch, with peacocks adding flashes of color to the scene.

*Giardion Ravino has the largest collection of cacti and succulents in Europe*

—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 and enjoy lunch in a nearby rustic restaurant.

After lunch the group will gather at the hotel 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 beautiful village of Sant’Angelo, to enjoy this magical location at sunset.

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: B, D

Golden Day 3: Marvelous La Mortella Gardens / Buona Sera in the Village of Forio

Today you may choose to enjoy the hotel’s beach, gardens, and spa…

Or choose from your La Dolce Vita Morning options (see Day 2),

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), which Homer wrote about in The Iliad.

—

After lunch you’ll join the group, and a private mini-bus will take us uphill to La Mortella, 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.

*Lady Susanna Walton’s Dream Project: La Mortella Gardens*

From the garden we’ll move on to the Chiesa Soccorso, a 13^th-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: B

Golden Day 4:
La Dolce Vita Morning / Farewell Dinner in Napoli

On this final morning in Ischia, you may choose to enjoy the hotel and spa
OR choose from the 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 join the group and be transported to Ischia Porto to board the ferry to Naples. There we’ll check into the 4-star Santa Lucia Grand Hotel, an elegant Belle Epoque treasure, set on the bay.

There will be time to enjoy a stroll and aperitivo right outside the hotel, on the seaside promenade 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: B, D

Golden Day 5: Arrivederci!

You’ll be picked up by your driver to be transported to the Naples airport or train station, with Golden Memories of our days together.

Meals Included: B

*If you’d like to extend your vacation in Naples, or any other Italian location, Italy Vacations will be happy to help with hotel arrangements.

*Itinerary subject to change. If changes must be made because of weather or unforeseen circumstances, replacement events will be equally as awesome as above.

*Activity Level: We explore at a leisurely pace, always leaving time to stop and taste the prosecco. Comfortable walking shoes are necessary, as the villages we visit are pedestrian only, and the La Mortella Garden we tour is terraced and has steps. Also there are ferry rides, so precautions should be taken for those with motion sickness.

What’s Included:

Entertaining hosting by author Susan Van Allen, focusing on Italy’s celebration of all things female
3 nights at 5* Albergo Regina Isabella in Ischia in Superior Seaview Rooms
1 night at 4-star Hotel Santa Lucia, Naples in Classic Rooms
Free use of thermal pools and gym at Albergo Regina Isabella
15% Discount on Spa Treatments at Albergo Regina Isabella
Transportation by private minibus and public ferry, including private departure transfer from Naples hotel to airport or train station
Daily buffet breakfast at the hotel
1 multi-course lunch with wine
3 multi-course dinners with wine
1 wine tasting in Ischia
Guided tour of Ischia and La Mortella Gardens
Entrance to La Mortella Gardens
Gratuities for all group activities, including guides, drivers, and restaurant staff
Charitable donation of $25 to UNICEF

What’s Not Included:

Airfare
Spa Treatments
Meals not included in “what’s included”
Fees for Optional La Dolce Vita Mornings (Taxi, entrance, and guide fees)
Gratuities for private transfer drivers and hotel staff
Optional travel insurance
Everything not mentioned under “the itinerary includes”

La Dolce Vita!

What a wonderful week. Susan’s attention to detail, expertise and genuine love for Italy was infectious and made the week so special…”
–Diane, South Carolina

The week is expertly designed and hosted by Susan Van Allen, with a balance of planned group and free-time independent experiences.

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