Mirame e Castelo, Ischia

Advantages: privacy
Disadvantages: bad service

...Ischia is considered the low-key, VIP island of the Bay of the Naples. Being myself half Neapolitan and knowing the area quite well, I can assure you that Ischia is usually mentioned as the non-tourist alternative to the Foreign Invansion which took over several islands of the Med. This island, which is located within an hour ferry ride from mainland Naples, is a beautiful hideway which captures the stereotypical Southern Italian spirit mixed with the luxury necessary to make it into a posh destination. As a good Neapolitan, I have usually booked at least a week Ischia every summer. The locals (Italians from surrounding towns in the Costa Sorrentina) usually opt for staying either in rented Villas or at houses of relatives and friends. I had never stayed in a hotel Ischia until the summer of 2006, when everyone was too busy...

mfdecarli1 14.10.2007 · Read review
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Review of Miramare e Castello Hotel, Ischia

Great view - substandard rooms

Advantages: Views
Disadvantages: poor bathroom standard, small size of rooms

...We wanted to stay for a week but changed our minds very quickly and left after 2 days - and that was too long. USD 180 per night may not be a fortune but considering this hotel's standard it is way too much! The views are truly great but basically only from the (public!) terrace and from 2 superior rooms that have a private balcony - they were not available when we were there. For us the other rooms were substandard. Liking or disliking it is subjective of course, but there are facts: 1) No swimming pool - and keep in mind that Ischia's beaches are small, cramped and loud 2) A standard room in this hotel measures 9 square meters plus 3 for bathroom, makes 12 in total (international standard is 18 square meters) -> the bed fills the room, there is no space left to even store a bigger piece of luggage except on the floor...

timeless65 21.07.2008 (20.07.2008) · Read review
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Review of Albergo Il Monastero, Ischia

Today it's a dream..tomrrow could be a reality.

Advantages: Pleasure,enjoyment seeing others aswell as myself happy!
Disadvantages: can't think of any.

...husband from Bi-polar manic depression. One of the unresolved mysteries of life.And a major break in my heart... 4)The patience and wisdom of Job...with my vacum cleaner that no longer works... 5) A newly decorated and re-furbished house-from top to bottom,including natural Wooden floors.. 6) An orphanage-with the staff to run it.(What a cop out eh?! lol.)And if that wouldn't be poss,then a larger home to adopt... 7) A pony for each member of my family... and to own a restaurant-itallian of course would be nice too!(I know that's cheating -extra one added there!) 8)A new body-with good health and a couple stones lighter!! 9) The will power to give up chocolate. 10) A decent well paid permanant job for jo,my husband. so we could afford The dream home in Capri/sorrento/Ischia (what my husband wants.) I can think of a lot...

christina44 11.03.2003 · Read review
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Review of 10 things I'd Like to Own

Fantastic holiday destination

Advantages: beautiful, romantic
Disadvantages: dishonest tour operators

...trusted and that you may be exploited. All that will happen is, you will be taken to a cafe where you pay up front for a soggy sandwich and warm soft drink - the tour operators were obviously getting comission from the cafes/restaurants. Worthwhile places to visit include Ischia - a volcanic island with thermal pools that you can swim in. The temperature of the pools varies from about 20 degrees to 80 degrees - a very relaxing experience! For an extra cost you can have a massage or a facial. Another trip out could be Capri - the island of beautiful people! This is the only area we found to be more expensive than England - it was a great experience visiting all the designer shops though!! Prada, Gucci and Armani - strictly window shopping though!! Make sure you also make time to go to Pompeii - this for me was the highlight...

holty 28.05.2001 · Read review
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Review of Sorrento (Italy)

Sorrento not just for the oaps

Advantages: A wonderful place, Ideal for site seeing
Disadvantages: none

...Ever heard the phrase "See Naples and die?" well who ever first said this must have just landed at Naples airport! The landing was scary! One minute I was looking over the bay of Naples pointing out Capri and Ischia to the old man the next I was practically eye balling a woman in a tower block hanging out her washing!! This was my introduction to Italy, I can truely say this was the only bad thing about the holiday! The old man and I visited Sorrento on an Airtours bargain -£199 half board at a 4 star hotel!! Sorrento is a magical place, forget the image of it being for pensioners and folk that stop off on their med cruises its actually quite a lively place BUT it has also kept alot of its old charm and hasnt succombed to mass to tourism. Sorrento has a great train link to Naples which stops at Pompeii and Hersulaum ( two...

jo1l 11.06.2001 · Read review
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Review of Sorrento (Italy)

Don't be a lemon - try some limoncello!

Advantages: Delicious, alcoholic, refreshing
Disadvantages: Too moreish

...Please note - I asked Ciao to add "Limoncello in general" and this is what I ended up with. As it happens the Limoncello di Capri was the brand I first brought home from Campania and while I know I enjoyed it very much it is not a brand I have continued to buy. The review that follows is of limoncello in general as I intended, suffice to say that Limoncello di Capri is a perfectly good brand. To me, nothing sums up the taste of summer better than a chilled glass of limoncello. This delicious drink, served usually as a digestivo, comes from the Campania region of Italy, with the main areas of production being around Sorrento, the Amalfi area and the islands in the Bay of Capri (Ischia, Procida and the isle of Capri itself). It is also made in Sicily, Sardinia and even the Maltese island of Gozo but it is best when made from Sorrento...

fizzytom 02.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of Limoncello di Capri

An Oasis in Napoli

Advantages: Comfortable, good food
Disadvantages: None

...Centre is 23:00, so it is an ideal way to get to and from the main part of the city. I was going to get a boat to one of the islands (Ischia) so I asked the receptionist, she promptly went on-line and printed out the boat timetables for me, she also suggested the best place to get the boat from, and which port on Ischia to head for. One thing worth mentioning is they do not sell stamps, so, if you buy postcards, you may well need to buy stamps from somewhere before you give them to reception to post. Just along the main road from the hotel is a post office, so you should be able to get stamps from here. *** My Room *** My room was on the 20th floor, so great views of Vesuvius, and the more industrial part of Naples every morning when I wake up The rooms are accessed by means of a credit card size plastic swipe card. Once...

lazza123 29.05.2008 · Read review
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Review of Holiday Inn, Naples

My favourite corner of Italy!

Advantages: Very friendly and great food!
Disadvantages: I don't go often enough!

...will happen when Vesuvious decides to erupt again. Look around the Volcano and you notice how ridiculously close to it towns and the city of Naples have formed. I think the imposing presence of Vesuvious, and the blazee attitude to it by the locals just adds to the appeal of the area generally. You can get right to the top of Vesuvious if you want to but by far the best view I have ever had of it has been out of an aeroplane window shortly after take off from Naples. The plane flew right over the crater and gave those of us on the right side of the plane a terrific view straight down! The Islands of Capri and Ischia can be reached by the ferries from Marina Piccolo in Sorrento. Both are worth visiting. Personally I think Capri is over hyped and Ischia makes for a much more pleasant day trip. If your on a package deal, you can visit both...

klofron 22.05.2007 (19.05.2007) · Read review
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Review of Sorrento (Italy)

Wonderful Sorrento! We'll be back

Advantages: Beautiful, picturesque, loads to see, hot hot hot
Disadvantages: not enough time to see everything

...and Ravello for a truly relaxed day with breathtaking views. Limoncello is the local lemon licquor and it packs quite a punch, it is said to aid digestion and many eateries serve you a complimentary slug after your meal. Try the pizza and pasta, believe me its far better than the stuff you'll have in the uk and sample Lacrima christi, a wine from the vesuvio region (does anyone know where I can get any in the UK????) Italy does have the reputation for being expensive but if you can afford it , its definetly worth it- if you can't save up!! I do! The only downside is that you can't possibly fit everything in- aside from the aforementioned there is Mount Vesuvius, Naples, Casserta palace, Solfatara volcano, the island of Ischia and on and on...... The weather is very hot during the summer so all you tan junkies will be fine. There are plenty...

liz2271 24.04.2004 · Read review
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Review of Sorrento (Italy)

Not quite 5-star

Advantages: restaurant, pools, garden
Disadvantages: house-keeping, expensive.

...I stayed in the Il Moresco Hotel for a week in September 2005. It's a 5 star hotel on the island of Ischia and is located about 5 minutes' walk from the coast. Check-in was fairly easy, they found our booking reference, gave us the keys and saw us to our room, showing the facilities on the way. Our room was not particularly large - two beds, two bedside tables, a table, satellite TV, a couple of chairs and a dressing room. The bathroom was fairly clean but we had a problem with the housekeeping - they failed to restock toilet paper twice in a week! What I also found weird is that the switch and sockets were in the bathroom itself which was potentially unsafe to use. Do Italians have different safety regulations? They also forgot to restock the mini-bar. Beds were changed daily and were quite comfortable. The room had air...

Yelena 25.09.2005 · Read review
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Review of Il Moresco Grand Hotel And Spa