Ischia packs a lot into its tiny confines. Its rugged landscapes, manicured gardens and pretty towns make for a storied day of exploration. We'll help you unlock some of the island's secrets on this small group guided tour. Star attractions include Villa Arbusto, a winery and the Aragonese Castle. Carlotta, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Villa Arbusto has had many guises. In the 19th century, it was a summer playground for English aristocrats. In the early 20th century, it was turned into a hotel and hosted celebs such as Charlie Chaplin and Greta Garbo.'
First up, we'll step into the island's past at Villa Arbusto. Built in the 18th century by the Duke of Altri, today the villa is home to an archaeological museum packed with classical Greek artefacts. Your guide will show you around, then you can explore the botanical gardens. Next, there's a short trip to Forio for a guided visit of Soccorso church. As well as its fabulous seaside location, it's known for the intricate tiled dome that adorns the ceiling of the nave.
Then it's time for a homemade lunch and wine tasting at the family-owned Pietratorcia vineyards, where many of the ingredients are home-grown. After lunch, we'll visit the fishing village of Sant'Angelo, one of the best-preserved on the island. To round off the day, you'll visit the medieval Aragonese Castle for a guided tour. Occupying a craggy islet off the east coast, it's reached via a causeway – which adds to the drama of the setting.
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