| You have probably heard of Capri, and even Elba, | | | | Further south off of the coast of Naples, and part of |
| which are both Italian islands. However have you | | | | the Naples Bay Islands, is the island of Ischia. This is a |
| ever heard of Giglio, Giannutri, or Ischia? These are | | | | large island in comparison to the rest of the Italian |
| just a few of Italy's secret gems, waiting to be | | | | islands along this coastline. Unlike neighboring islands, |
| discovered by private crewed charter. You might be | | | | Ischia is volcanic in nature and still has active bubbling |
| surprised at the actual number of Italian islands off of | | | | volcanic activity with many hot thermal mineral |
| the west coast of Italy, stringing along the coast | | | | springs and the resulting volcanic mud. Long regarded |
| from the top of the boot to the toe about which we | | | | as an island with healing waters, Ischia has been |
| never hear. Let's take a look at the islands of Giglio, | | | | visited by many over the centuries hoping for the |
| Giannutri and Ischia, all relatively unknown delightful | | | | stated healing qualities of the thermal springs. Now |
| inclusions in a crewed yacht charter itinerary. | | | | the island survives on tourism oriented around the |
| Off of the tip of the Argentario Peninsula and part of | | | | many health and beauty thermal spas and pools. |
| the Tuscan Islands, is the island of Giglio. Giglio has | | | | The Aragonese Castle is a landmark on the island built |
| appeared in history for centuries, first mentioned by | | | | on a nearby islet, connected by a stone bridge, built |
| Julius Caesar in his "De Bella Gallico". However the | | | | in 1438. While a fortification has stood on this volcanic |
| crowning glory of Giglio is the medieval walled village, | | | | rock since 474 BC, the main castle seen today was |
| Giglio Castello, which is perched at the very top of | | | | largely built by Alfonso of Aragon in the 15th century. |
| the island. | | | | After the volcanic eruption on the island of Ischia in |
| Giglio Castello, still an operating village, is surrounded | | | | the early 1300's, many of the inhabitants fled to live |
| by medieval stone walls complete with 10 towers. | | | | on this islet, which was home to over 1000 families |
| Take a trip up to the top of this island to wander | | | | for several centuries. While the Castle is now |
| the little winding streets of Giglio Castello, a village | | | | privately owned, certain parts of the fortifications, |
| stopped in time. Have lunch in one of the restaurants | | | | and the enclosed village built by the villagers over |
| offering simple local food, and sample the local amber | | | | several centuries are open to visitors, including a small |
| colored wine called Asonaco. A town bus that toils up | | | | museum featuring instruments of torture. During this |
| and down the switchback roads from the harbor to | | | | period of inhabitation, an active convent was located |
| Giglio Castello throughout the day is available to all for | | | | inside the castle walls from the 1500's through to the |
| a small fee. Any local can direct you to the bus stops | | | | 1800's. Still standing within, is the Nun's cemetery, |
| at both the bottom and the top of the island. | | | | where bodies of deceased nuns were perched on |
| Surrounding the main harbor, at sea level, is Giglio | | | | chairs that surrounded the living nuns as they said |
| Porto, a charming fishing village with multicolored | | | | their prayers while meditating on mortality, a clearly |
| buildings. Giglio is known for crystal clear waters as is | | | | evident lesson. |
| evident in the harbor, where the harbor bottom is | | | | Through the centuries, the inhabitants of Ischia from |
| easily seen. If there is room in the harbor for visiting | | | | the early Greek to modern times have also been |
| yachts, your Captain can tie up stern to, otherwise, | | | | active in viticulture, as the mineral rich volcanic soil is |
| the Captain can anchor your yacht off of Giglio and | | | | excellent for wine grape growing. Now a number of |
| you can take the ship's tender into the main harbor. | | | | boutique wineries are operating on Ischia. Besides |
| Giglio is an excellent overnight stop on a private | | | | producing some award winning vines, several of |
| crewed yacht charter itinerary. Near Giglio is the island | | | | these wineries welcome visitors. Winery Pietratorcia |
| of Giannutri, just south of the Argentario Peninsula, | | | | has a restaurant serving dinners with reservations |
| and the most southerly island of the Tuscan Island | | | | only, where typical country style foods are served in |
| Archipelago. Giannutri and Giglio are joined together | | | | compliment alongside their estate produced wines. |
| not only by proximity, but also by government for | | | | These boutique wines are gaining recognition as |
| the two islands are part of the same Italian "frazione" | | | | Ischian wines have been long recognized over the |
| or government territory. | | | | centuries as a superior wine. Other island products |
| This island, which is barely 5 kilometers in length, has | | | | include lemons, oregano and capers, all basics for |
| now been declared a national park, and there are | | | | southern Mediterranean cuisine. |
| specific areas with mooring balls available for visiting | | | | A new marina has been built in Ischia, however there |
| yachts. The shoreline is full of caves and grottos | | | | is also dockage in the main port, which is very busy, |
| worn into the cliff sides. Due to the remote unspoiled | | | | and anchorages around the island. Visit the |
| nature of the island, the surrounding waters are still | | | | Aragonese Castle, make a reservation for a healing |
| home to whales, dolphins and sea turtles. Inside the | | | | spa or pool treatment, and enjoy fresh seafood in a |
| caves and along the shoreline are urchins, sponges, | | | | local shoreside restaurant. Ischia also has the unique |
| starfish, and other underwater life. This is great spot | | | | attraction of thermal parks. Within these parks, are a |
| for snorkeling, however fishing in this designated | | | | variety of pools with mineral waters from cold, |
| national park area, other than by island residents, is | | | | warm, hot to very hot. Spend time inside a park |
| not allowed. During the Roman Period, the island | | | | rotating between the pools or relax in a natural sauna. |
| belonged to the powerful Enobardi family who built a | | | | If you have a strong interest in the suggested |
| magnificent villa sheathed in marble. This villa was | | | | healing qualities of the various thermal mineral springs, |
| rumored to have had a pool filled with Moray Eels, | | | | all of island natural springs have all been examined and |
| kept as a visual reminder of family power. The | | | | documented for the mineral contents of the waters. |
| outlines of this villa and pool are still to be seen today | | | | The minerals and proportions of minerals do vary |
| on the island. Take a picnic ashore and wander | | | | from spring to spring, so check for the best spring |
| through the ruins of this Roman villa. Stop in Giannutri | | | | for your particular interests. Spending at least a day |
| for a morning or afternoon, and enjoy an island that | | | | and night in Ischia is a must and spending even two |
| few have visited, and about which even fewer are | | | | days during your crewed yacht charter is very easy |
| aware. | | | | to do. |