Season Opening in Ischia: 5 Nights Half Board from April 24th

Forio old town. A stroll through white alleys and past the watchtowers built against Saracen raids; the largest is the 15th-century Torrione, the symbol of the town.

Chiaia and San Francesco beaches. The town's sandy beaches, a few minutes from the centre: the long, well-equipped Chiaia and the smaller, quieter San Francesco.

Chiesa del Soccorso. A small white church perched above the sea and decorated with majolica tiles: the favourite spot for watching the sun set over the sea.

Poseidon Gardens. 700 metres from the hotel, the largest park on the island, with more than twenty pools at different temperatures, a Kneipp path and a private beach on Citara Bay.

Citara Beach. Golden sand and sheltered water beneath the headland of Punta Imperatore; legend has it that a temple to Venus Citerea once stood here, giving the bay its name.

Cava dell'Isola. Between Citara and Forio, a lively cove of sand and rocks, perfect for an afternoon swim.

La Mortella Gardens. A botanical garden created in the 1950s by Susana Walton, wife of the composer William Walton: Mediterranean and tropical plants, fountains and greenhouses. In May it is in full bloom and hosts classical music concerts.

San Montano Bay. One of the most beautiful bays on the island, with pale sand and shallow, crystal-clear water that is also ideal for children; the Negombo park lies right behind it.

The Fungo and Villa Arbusto. On the Lacco Ameno seafront stands the “Fungo”, a mushroom-shaped tuff rock and the symbol of the village; just above, the Pithecusae museum at Villa Arbusto holds Nestor's Cup, bearing one of the oldest known Greek inscriptions (8th century BC).

Aragonese Castle. A fortress on a rocky islet, linked to the mainland by the bridge built by Alfonso of Aragon in 1441; the first fortifications date back to 474 BC. Inside are walkways, churches and 360-degree views. The poet Vittoria Colonna lived here.

Ischia Ponte and the Fishermen's Beach. The old fishermen's quarter, with colourful houses, narrow lanes and a beach lined with boats, right opposite the castle.

Cartaromana Beach. A small bay looking out on the castle and the Rocks of Sant'Anna; its seabed hides the remains of Aenaria, the sunken Roman settlement.

Sant'Angelo. A car-free fishing village with terraced houses and a sandy isthmus leading to the tower on the sea: one of the most photographed corners of Ischia.

Fumarole Beach and Cava Grado. Next to Sant'Angelo: at the Fumarole the sand is heated by volcanic steam, so hot that by tradition eggs and corn cobs are cooked in it; Cava Grado is a small beach sheltered among the rocks.

Sorgeto Bay. Reached on foot down a long flight of steps or by boat: here hot springs flow straight into the sea, so you can bathe in warm water even in May.

Mount Epomeo. The green-tuff mountain at the heart of the island, 789 metres high: from the villages of Fontana and Serrara a trail climbs to the Hermitage of San Nicola, carved into the rock, with views over the whole Gulf of Naples.

Serrara Fontana and its viewpoint. The highest village on the island, with terraced vineyards and the Serrara viewpoint looking down on Sant'Angelo.

Punta Imperatore. On the way back, the Punta Imperatore lighthouse, high above the sea over Citara: another wonderful place to watch the sunset.

Maronti Beach. The longest beach on the island, about three kilometres of sand at Barano, with fumaroles and sand warmed by steam; it can also be reached by water taxi from Sant'Angelo.

Cavascura hot springs. In a gorge behind the Maronti, natural hot springs used since Roman times, with pools carved into the rock.

Ischia Porto and the Spiaggia degli Inglesi. The harbour was once a volcanic lake, opened to the sea in 1854 by Ferdinand II of Bourbon. From here you can stroll along the Riva Destra and Via Roma, or walk to the Spiaggia degli Inglesi or the San Pietro beach.