What to do on the island of Ischia when it rains: rent a car
The island of Ischia is a marvelous paradise that can be not only visited in the summer, but also during autumn and winter months. A location where to have fun and where to discover the many beautiful sights including thermal resorts and renomated beaches. The best advice to consider on a rainy and cold day on the island, is to rent a car, so you can enjoy your day in the most comfortable way, regardless of wether you are staying at a hotel or private home. By car, you will be able to move around more easily throughout the territory, discovering marvelous locations and traditions. Therefore you will easily go from one municipality to the other and stop to see some natural locations, that could in turn, be an input for a later excursion as soon as the weather conditions get better.
A visit to the Archeological Museum of Pithecusae
By car you can reach some interesting locations present on the Island of Ischia. Especially for who loves history and Roman culture, the Archeological Museum of Pithecusae is a destination you should not miss. The museum is situated in Lacco Ameno: there you can see and appreciate objects that tell a story about the alternating populations that inhabited the island over the years. The museum is built in the interior of the marvelous architectural structure called Villa Arbusto. it was built in 1785 on the promontory of Monte Vico, thanks to the duke Don Carlo Acquaviva. For decades, a lot of famous artists of the time, and personalities who were of great influence to the history of the island and of all Italy, came to this museum inside the villa. Among them were Michael Bakunin and Angelo Rizzoli, a famous editor. At the end of the 70's, Angelo Rizzoli purchased the villa with the precise intention to make it into the museum it is today, having the support of the superintendency of archeology for the province of Naples and Caserta. Inside the museum you can find many important artifacts, like Nestor's cup,which is mentioned in Homer's poems. The museum is divided in various rooms, each referring to a different historical era, starting from the prehistoric age, all the way to the time the island of Ischia was a Greek colony, to the Hellenistic age , to the times of Roman domination. The museum is always open, during winter and summer season and the ticket has a moderate cost, taking in consideration age and number of visitors.
Stop at Bar Calise
The Island of Ischia, like most part of the province of Naples, offers a vast amount of gastronomic delicacies to its visitors. A good idea would be to take your rented car and go to Bar Calise. A comfortable structure, where you can appreciate any time traditional and delicious sweets and cakes, especially like the scones, for a rich breakfast, or at night right before going home. The choice of warm scones is really extraordinary and will surly satisfy the special requests and taste of clients: with dark chocolate, white chocolate, jam, cream with wild strawberries, coconut cream and Nutella. Furthermore the bar offers excellent drinks and snacks made with typical local ingredients, alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. To sum it all up, its a location where you can spend some time in good company, maybe having a hot chocolate while it is raining outside.
To relax at the spa
The island of Ischia is well known and appreciated all around the world for its vast variety of thermal resorts and spas present on the territory. Particularly it is advised to go to the Hotel Manzi, situated in the municipality of Casamicciola, to enjoy the well equipped health spa and have various types of thermal health treatments; a real pleasure for mind and body. In addition to the thermal treatments that are beneficial for the body, chromotherapy, thermal baths, hydromassage, Finnish sauna and Turkish baths can definitely guarantee for a good relaxing time. All this can be done undergoing a specific wellness program, which also includes the consumption of products that perfectly match this experience
Shopping in the narrow streets
The island of Ischia can also be extremely interesting on a rainy day during winter and fall. In particular, it's possible to enjoy the mondane life of the island by renting a car and driving to the most characteristic alleys and streets of the various municipalities, where shopping fans can get some interesting ideas. In the alleys of Casamicciola, or also in other municipalities, you could maybe shop in an antique store for a beautiful souvenir to take home at your return. There are also many solutions regarding clothing and fashion, which, as for the island of Capri, are distinctive for the way of life and for being from the Island of Ischia. Furthermore you can buy local gastronomic products, like various dairy products or ham and sausages made from selected meats. To do your shopping in the alleys and streets of the island is certainly satisfying because you can enjoy a unique urban and architectural beauty. Maybe, once in a while, you can take a break from your shopping and have a seat in one of the many bars and pubs, having an excellent coffee, some bakery products or any kind of drink.