Ischia, Capri and Procida – Pearls of the Tyrrhenian Sea

Day 1 – Journey to Ischia

PRAGUE – NAPLES – ISCHIA

You will fly from Prague to Naples (time to be confirmed according to the flight schedule). After landing in Naples, you will be taken by private minibus to the port and from there you will sail by boat to the island of Ischia. The crossing takes approximately one hour. On arrival on the island, you will travel to our hotel near the town of Forio in the north-western part of the island. The transfer takes about 20 minutes.

• Evening relaxation

Accommodation: Ideal Boutique Hotel/ 7 nights

Day 2 – Free Morning and La Mortella Botanical Garden

ISCHIA

• Morning qigong (Eight Brocades) and relaxation with Pavla

This day you can relax during the morning, each in your own way. On the beautiful sandy beach, by the hotel pool, at a massage, or in the town of Forio and its taverns.

In the afternoon we will set off to the unique La Mortella Botanical Garden and continue from there through the Bosco di Zaro park. After approximately 1.5 km, we will reach the closed Villa La Colombaia of the Italian director Luchino Visconti, who is also buried nearby in the woods together with his sister. We will continue along a forest path until we reach the well-known Marian pilgrimage site, where in a quiet natural spot we will discover the Madonna di Zaro. This site is known for an apparition of the Virgin Mary. From there we will head to the town of Lacco Ameno, whose pleasant atmosphere will win us over. On the way to the town, we can also swim at San Montano beach.

In Lacco Ameno we will walk along the promenade, refresh ourselves at one of the cafés overlooking the famous mushroom-shaped lava outcrop, and then wait at the harbour for the bus back to the hotel.

Route length: approximately 6 km

Day 3 – Full-Day Trek to the Island's Highest Peak, Monte Epomeo

ISCHIA – MONTE EPOMEO

After breakfast, we will set off on a trek to Ischia's highest mountain, Monte Epomeo (789 m).

We will take a local bus to the mountain village of Fontana, from where we will climb Monte Epomeo, where a stunning view of the Bay of Naples, Capri, Vesuvius and the Amalfi coast awaits us. We will then visit a small church and a hermitage carved into the rock, have lunch at a wonderful restaurant below the summit, and set off on the roughly 10 km descent to our accommodation.

Route length: approximately 13 km

Day 4 – Relaxation and Thermal Springs, Optional Visit to the Nearby Island of Procida

ISCHIA – PROCIDA

• Morning qigong (Eight Brocades) and relaxation with Pavla

After breakfast, a day of rest and relaxation awaits after the trek.

You can head to the beach three minutes from the hotel or stay and relax in the beautiful garden with its pool and thermal pool. For thermal spring enthusiasts, this day could be devoted to relaxing at one of the island's thermal complexes.

For lunch, dinner or just a drink, you can head to the nearby picturesque town of Forio, around a 15-minute walk along a pretty coastal promenade.

It is also possible to head to the nearby island of Procida on this day, the smallest inhabited island in the Bay of Naples, considered by many Italians to be one of the most authentic islands in all of Campania. Unlike busy Capri or the larger Ischia, it has retained the peaceful atmosphere of a fishing island, where life moves at a slower pace. The ferry crossing takes about 20 minutes.

Day 5 – Full-Day Excursion to Capri

CAPRI

The excursion to Capri begins with a morning departure from Ischia Porto, ideally around 8:00, to allow enough time to enjoy the island before the busiest tourist period. After a crossing of approximately 50 minutes, we will arrive at Capri, where a local guide will be waiting for us, and we will continue by bus to the quieter town of Anacapri.

From there follows the ascent of Monte Solaro, with wonderful views over the whole Bay of Naples (a cable car is also available for an easier option). This is followed by a short break in Anacapri and a transfer to the centre of Capri, where we will visit the famous Piazza Umberto I.

Next comes a walk to the Giardini di Augusto gardens, with their iconic view of the Faraglioni rocks, and possibly a light trek to the Arco Naturale.

We will return to the harbour in the afternoon, with departure back to Ischia between 16:30 and 18:00.

• Route length: approximately 12 km

Day 6 – Relaxation and Thermal Springs, Optional Visit to the Nearby Island of Procida

ISCHIA – PROCIDA

• Morning qigong (Eight Brocades) and relaxation with Pavla

Po snídani nás čeká odpočinek a relax po dnu stráveném na Capri.

Můžete se vydat na pláž vzdálenou 3 minuty od hotelu nebo zůstat relaxovat v krásné zahradě s bazénem a termálním bazénem. Pro milovníky termálů by tento den mohl být zasvěcen relaxu v jednom z termálních komplexů na ostrově.

Na oběd, večeři nebo jen na drink můžete vyrazit do nedalekého malebného městečka Forio, které se nachází zhruba 15 minut chůze hezkou pobřežní procházkou.

Také je možné tento den vyrazit na blízký ostrov Procida, nejmenší obydlený ostrov v Neapolském zálivu, kteří mnozí Italové považují za jeden z nejautentičtějších ostrovů celé Kampánie. Na rozdíl od rušného Capri nebo větší Ischie si zachoval poklidnou atmosféru rybářského ostrova, kde se život odvíjí pomalejším tempem. Cesta trajektem trvá cca 20 minut.

Day 7 – Full-Day Tour of Ischia Island

SAN'T ANGELO – ARAGONESE CASTLE – PONTE ISCHIA

• Morning qigong (Eight Brocades) and relaxation with Pavla

After breakfast, we will set off on our air-conditioned bus for a full-day tour of the island. From the highest-lying village, Fontana, we will set off on foot towards the north-east of the island. The route runs almost along a contour line, descending gently beneath the highest mountain up to the Buonopane wine-growing area. After approximately 5 km we will reach a panoramic spot with the statue of the Madonna di Candiano, offering a view over the entire Bay of Naples. We will then descend to the bus, which will take us to the picturesque town of Sant'Angelo in the south of the island. We will have a walk through the town or head to Maronti beach, where it is possible to see hot sands, fumaroles.

We will then move to the eastern part of the island and visit Ischia's icon, the picturesque Aragonese Castle, whose origins date back to 474 BC, when it was founded by the Greeks. The site impresses with its rich history, varied spaces and beautiful gardens. If you prefer to rest instead, a pleasant alternative is to sit at a café in the town of Ischia Ponte.

Route length: approximately 8 km

Day 8 – Return to Prague

ISCHIA – NAPLES – PRAGUE

• Morning qigong (Eight Brocades) and relaxation with Pavla (depending on departure time)

After breakfast, departure by private air-conditioned minibus to the harbour, ferry transfer to Naples, transfer by air-conditioned minibus to Naples airport, and flight to Prague.