EXTRA GOLDEN DAYS ON THE ISLAND OF ISCHIA:

For Women Only

October 26-30, 2025

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 / Marvelous La Mortella Gardens and Classical Music Concert
Day 2: Discover Ischia’s Enchantments including Castello Aragonese and Sant’ Angelo at Sunset
Day 3: Taste Ischia’s Wines and have a Buona Sera in the Village of Forio
Day 4: La Dolce Vita Morning / Farewell Dinner in Napoli
Day 5: Arrivederci…

October 26 – October 30, 2025
$3690 per person / single room
$3190 per person / double room
$350 Deposit to Reserve,
Final Payment due July 18, 2025
3 Spots Left –
Email Susan for more info or to reserve your spot, 100placesinitaly@gmail.com

CLICK HERE to READ MORE about
What’s So Wonderful About the Island of Ischia

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

Full Itinerary:

Golden Day 1: Depart from Sorrento – Welcome to Ischia / Marvelous Mortella Gardens and Concert

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.

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.

In the late afternoon a private taxi-van 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–spectacular at sunset!

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

Then you’ll enjoy an hour-long concert of classical music at the garden’s intimate theater.

Back at Regina Isabella, you are free to enjoy dinner on your own at the hotel’s dining room, or in the charming village of Lacco Ameno.

Meals: L

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 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, 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*

Giardini Ravino, (15 minute taxi)
Arrive here to be awestruck by one of Europe’s largest collections of cacti and succulents. You can lunch at the garden’s caffe that serves a Cactus Cocktail, with peacocks adding flashes of color to the scene.

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

—Villa Arbusto (5-minute walk from hotel)
This former villa turned archaeological museum features 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.

—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, we’ll depart from the hotel with our entertaining local guide to discover more of the island. Afternoon highlights include the quaint village of Ischia Ponte, to enjoy its artisan shops and a visit to the famous Castello Aragonese.

We’ll continue on to the beautiful village of Sant’Angelo, to enjoy this magical location at sunset.

We’ll dine in Sant’ Angelo under the stars, to deliciously savor the experience.

Meals: B, D

Golden Day 3: La Dolce Vita Morning / Wine Tasting and Buona Sera in the Village of Forio

Today you may choose to begin the day enjoying the hotel’s beach, gardens, and spa…

Or choose one of the options away from the hotel described in Day 2.

In the afternoon, we’ll be transported to a nearby hillside winery for a tasting at a family run cantina of Ischia’s award-winning vintages.

Then we’ll move on to the Chiesa Soccorso, a 13^th-century church set on a stunning promontory, that is one of Ischia’s most famous places to watch the sunset.

A short stroll away is the folksy village of Forio, where you’ll blend in with the locals for la passeggiata (strolling) and shopping and then we’ll have a delicious dinner together at a lively local restaurant.

Meals: B, D

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

On this final morning in Ischia, you may enjoy the hotel and spa
OR choose from the La Dolce Vita experiences described in Day 2.

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 taxi-van 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
1 wine tasting in Ischia
3 multi-course dinners, wine included
Guided tour of Ischia, Castello Aragonese and La Mortella Gardens with classical music concert
Entrance to Castello Aragonese, 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
Travel Insurance (Recommended)
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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