Naples – gregsitaly

CASTELLO ARAGONESE

My wife Angela suggested a visit to the island of Ischia, which is a short ferry ride from Napoli. At first I did not know what to think about this. Having never heard of it I began to do some research. The online photos looked good and we have always liked islands. Getting there was an adventure for us as we have to drive from Napoli to the suburb of Pozzuli. We were bring our rental car as this is a good size Island. There were no problems and a pleasant voyage with a quick stop at the island of Procida. This is also a place Iw Ould like to visit when we return to Napoli. Spend time at the beaches and enjoy the warm waters. Find a spa with hot springs feeding it. Walk or take the bus. This island is doable. Scenes from the movie, “the Talented Mr. Ripley” were filmed in Ischia. Also “While We Were Here” with Kate Bosworth. See all the films that used ischia as a location https://www.ischiareview.com/ischia-in-the-movies.html

THE ISLAND OF PROCIDA

ISCHIA MAP IN CERAMIC TILE

Once on the Island we started to explore. At on time we were on a small dirt road when it got narrower and narrower. Eventually had to back up and work our way into town,

HOT SPRING MINERAL POOL

Ischia is know for its hot spring fed mineral pools. The springs feed the pools and they are drained out each night and left to fill overnight. At least in the case of our hotel.

HOT SPRINGS FEEDING THE POOL

The Old Butcher Shop Selling Everyting

Ristorante Lo Scoglio, Sant’ Angelo d’Ischia

We headed out to dinner and found Lo Scoglio. It is located in Sant’Angelo and proved to be an excellent choice. The name translated to THE ROCK.

Photo from the restaurant web site.

View from the dining room

My wife’s choice, fruit dal mare.

Lo Scolgio in the daylight.

Il centro

Peperoni

The teenagers had no problem diving off the rocks.

View from our hotel.

Here is the link to the Wikipedia description of Ischia. It is definitely a destination not to miss in Italy https://wikitravel.org/en/Ischia

Naples is a frenetic city with an amazing charm. I found this out the first time I drove in this city and did not speak any Italian. I jumped on the Tangenziale, Naples answer to the Long Island Expressway. Immediately I found I was in a war zone and in over my head. Slowing for an accident someone clipped my mirror and sped off.

As time went on I discovered Naples and it people are amazing. In a Fratelli Pellone I was invited to make pizza. In the markets we found bargains and amazing foods. Walking the streets we felt comfortable even at night. My wife and I have been back several times and always enjoyed our visits. Whether it was a musuem visit, or just talking to people we felt at home.

The novels of Elena Ferrante usually take place in the neighborhoods, the quartiere. Those are the streets we walked. The series of books tells the stories of Elena and Lila from their childhood to adulthood as they progress through the challenges the Neapolitan society and continual changes.

fre·net·ic

frəˈnedik

adjective

fast and energetic in a rather wild and uncontrolled way

The Naples waterfront from a Hotel Paradiso high up on the hillside.Boats docked in the harbor.On the street heading to the market.
All kinds of seafood.Definitely not the A&P.Muscels, Cozze. These did not travel 3000 miles.It is not the wash, it is ART.

La Galleria Umberto

Evening at the harbor

At Pizzeria Pellone, they let me make a pizza. You don’t walk in to a pizza parlor in the US and have them invite you to help in the kitchen. That is what makes Naples great. The people. We were staying in a hotel in the business area of town. There were no open restarunts near us. I stopped and asked someone for advice on where to go. He brought me to a small alimentari, grocery store , and asked his boss. That kind man walked us halfway to the pizza place and made our evening special.

It goes in the oven and with the high heat from the wood fire, 5 minutes is all it takes.Here it is ready to eat. This was a tomato pie. My wife and I joined the crew. What a treat. Pizzeria Pellone, Via Nationale, 93 Napoli. It is great Pizza.