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Ischia Review is a complete guide to the islands of Ischia and Procida in Italy written exclusively in English.
Aside from the information contained on the site we also offer services such as Private Transfers from Naples or Rome to Ischia, a door to door service where we'll get you to your destination safely and quickly. Our other major offering is boat rentals and private boat tours around the island with our friendly English-speaking skippers showing you the highlights. We also offer taxi tours of the island and are generally here to help English-speaking visitors make the most of their visit to Ischia. |
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You can also use the site for travel information and a guide to accommodation with hotels, villas & apartments. Our Ischia Weather and Photo Blog gives an insight into life on the island and we also provide ideas and inspiration for things to see and do on the island. You'll find a a restaurant guide, cultural articles, information about thermal water, spas, excursions, and a gallery of original photos of Ischia.
QUICK LINKS TO OUR SERVICES
Private Transfers to Ischia
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Skippered Boat Tours
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Self-drive Boat Rentals
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Guided Tours of Ischia
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HERE'S JUST SOME OF WHAT YOU CAN SEE ON ISCHIA REVIEW!
Spring 2021Friends, Romans and just about anyone who cares to listen, lend me your ears (or eyes if that's easier).
Spring is upon us and a lot has been happening in the world since my last update in January. I think there was an expectation that this year would be a lot more straightforward than the chaos of last year but it hasn't quite worked out that way, at least not yet. Things could be about to change though, so what about if I write the words ISCHIA COVID FREE in block capitals for extra effect? |
San Francesco Beach, Forio
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At the time of writing, the pandemic is still with us but there are signs that it's weakening in Italy and that's certainly the case in a number of other countries such as the UK and the USA. Like most countries in Europe, Italy is still struggling with vaccine supply but things are gradually improving there and the authorities are looking at initiatives to get the country up and running again.
One such initiative directly affects Ischia along with the neighbouring islands of Procida and Capri; you saw my ISCHIA COVID FREE headline which I'm happy to repeat, but what does it mean? Well, the region of Campania that Ischia belongs to, has pledged to vaccinate everyone on the island without preference for age or occupation. Official sources are saying it could take up to two months to vaccinate the 50,000 or so people that live on the island but the feeling among the islanders themselves is that this can happen a lot faster and perhaps by the middle of May.
It was earlier this week mooted by the Italian Tourism Minister that Italy could be open to international tourism again by 2nd June; an important date in the calendar as it's also the national holiday of La Festa della Repubblica. If everyone on the island is vaccinated by the middle of May, the population would have strong levels of immunity by the time of La Festa. It should be stressed, that this is a plan that's quite unique in Italy with just a handful of other places being given this treatment, the Aeolian Islands in Sicily being one of the few others.
So this is a big step in the right direction as far as Ischia is concerned but we do have a few major hurdles to overcome before tourism can properly return. As it stands right now, UK citizens entering Italy will have to produce a negative test up to 48 hours before boarding their flight and then on arrival in Italy, stay in a nominated place of quarantine for five days. With the low prevalence of the virus in the UK at the moment, it is hoped that by the beginning of June, at least that quarantine element of the process will be removed.
As UK citizens know only too well at the moment, foreign holidays are not permitted and will not be until May 17th at the earliest, and that on the condition that case numbers are sufficiently low. The UK will soon be publishing details of a traffic light system with different countries falling into different categories depending on the pandemic situation in that country. The countries with the least risk will be put on the green list, the more restrictive band being amber and the red list will have the tightest restrictions. At this point, those lists of countries haven't yet been produced; it is hoped that Italy will be on the green list but even if it isn't, it would be a matter of time before it is. For that to happen, the new case numbers will have to reach a certain level; with the vaccination rollout now speeding up and the other initiatives mentioned above, that should hasten our arrival at that point.
Taking a step back to look at the bigger picture to understand where we really are, I would say that there's a heightened level of optimism that we can have a great summer of tourism in Ischia. Obviously April has been lost and May will follow, but June could see some tentative steps towards normality followed by a much healthier-looking rest of the season up until the middle of October.
As far as Ischia Review is concerned, we're very much here and just waiting for the green light from the authorities before things can get going again. My honest advice at the moment is for people to remain patient for a little while longer until there's some certainty in the air before making any firm holiday bookings. It probably doesn't matter too much if you go and book a hotel with someone like Booking.com as long as you have free cancellation and at least that way you won't miss out on the best accommodation. You may find greater flexibility with flights at this time as well, but absolutely make sure anything you book has the necessary get out clauses as we've seen things can change quite quickly.
I will make the slightly strange statement of saying just hold fire before booking anything with ourselves just yet. We do offer free cancellations and refunds on everything, but let's just wait a few more weeks to see where we are. It's been a struggle for everybody in the tourism industry over the last twelve months and whilst yes of course we're desperate to get moving again, we want to be sure that when things open up again, they stay open for good. The health and wellbeing of our customers, our colleagues and anyone who visits Italy is uppermost in our thinking and we want you all to have a stress-free time as and when you do get here. So just a little more patience and we'll be welcoming you all with open arms once again very soon.
I'll be back with another update as and when there are some significant developments on the situation but in the meantime, feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions on the subject.
Dion Protani: founder of Ischia Review - info@ischiareview.com
One such initiative directly affects Ischia along with the neighbouring islands of Procida and Capri; you saw my ISCHIA COVID FREE headline which I'm happy to repeat, but what does it mean? Well, the region of Campania that Ischia belongs to, has pledged to vaccinate everyone on the island without preference for age or occupation. Official sources are saying it could take up to two months to vaccinate the 50,000 or so people that live on the island but the feeling among the islanders themselves is that this can happen a lot faster and perhaps by the middle of May.
It was earlier this week mooted by the Italian Tourism Minister that Italy could be open to international tourism again by 2nd June; an important date in the calendar as it's also the national holiday of La Festa della Repubblica. If everyone on the island is vaccinated by the middle of May, the population would have strong levels of immunity by the time of La Festa. It should be stressed, that this is a plan that's quite unique in Italy with just a handful of other places being given this treatment, the Aeolian Islands in Sicily being one of the few others.
So this is a big step in the right direction as far as Ischia is concerned but we do have a few major hurdles to overcome before tourism can properly return. As it stands right now, UK citizens entering Italy will have to produce a negative test up to 48 hours before boarding their flight and then on arrival in Italy, stay in a nominated place of quarantine for five days. With the low prevalence of the virus in the UK at the moment, it is hoped that by the beginning of June, at least that quarantine element of the process will be removed.
As UK citizens know only too well at the moment, foreign holidays are not permitted and will not be until May 17th at the earliest, and that on the condition that case numbers are sufficiently low. The UK will soon be publishing details of a traffic light system with different countries falling into different categories depending on the pandemic situation in that country. The countries with the least risk will be put on the green list, the more restrictive band being amber and the red list will have the tightest restrictions. At this point, those lists of countries haven't yet been produced; it is hoped that Italy will be on the green list but even if it isn't, it would be a matter of time before it is. For that to happen, the new case numbers will have to reach a certain level; with the vaccination rollout now speeding up and the other initiatives mentioned above, that should hasten our arrival at that point.
Taking a step back to look at the bigger picture to understand where we really are, I would say that there's a heightened level of optimism that we can have a great summer of tourism in Ischia. Obviously April has been lost and May will follow, but June could see some tentative steps towards normality followed by a much healthier-looking rest of the season up until the middle of October.
As far as Ischia Review is concerned, we're very much here and just waiting for the green light from the authorities before things can get going again. My honest advice at the moment is for people to remain patient for a little while longer until there's some certainty in the air before making any firm holiday bookings. It probably doesn't matter too much if you go and book a hotel with someone like Booking.com as long as you have free cancellation and at least that way you won't miss out on the best accommodation. You may find greater flexibility with flights at this time as well, but absolutely make sure anything you book has the necessary get out clauses as we've seen things can change quite quickly.
I will make the slightly strange statement of saying just hold fire before booking anything with ourselves just yet. We do offer free cancellations and refunds on everything, but let's just wait a few more weeks to see where we are. It's been a struggle for everybody in the tourism industry over the last twelve months and whilst yes of course we're desperate to get moving again, we want to be sure that when things open up again, they stay open for good. The health and wellbeing of our customers, our colleagues and anyone who visits Italy is uppermost in our thinking and we want you all to have a stress-free time as and when you do get here. So just a little more patience and we'll be welcoming you all with open arms once again very soon.
I'll be back with another update as and when there are some significant developments on the situation but in the meantime, feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions on the subject.
Dion Protani: founder of Ischia Review - info@ischiareview.com
Friendly and professional taxi transfers from Naples and Rome to Ischia
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PRIVATE TRANSFERSWe offer a highly professional and reliable door to door transfer service that gets you from either the airport or the train station in Naples to your accommodation in Ischia by private taxi. We also offer a private yacht transfer service and transfers from Rome. We'll greet you at the agreed location, drive you to the port and provide you with the ferry or hydrofoil tickets before taking you on to your hotel, villa or apartment in Ischia. Drop us a line at info@ischiareview.com for more details, options and prices and we'll get straight back to you.
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ISCHIA HOTELSAre you planning to stay in Ischia but not sure where to stay? This is something we can really help with. Not only do we have every hotel in Ischia listed on the site with live prices, but we are also here to answer any questions or to give our opinion on any of the hotels in Ischia based on our knowledge and feedback from our clients. We provide advice about all types of accommodation in Ischia including apartments, villas, Bed and Breakfasts and everything else. For detailed, personalised (and free!) help, write to us at info@ischiareview.com and we'll get straight back to you.
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EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR HOLIDAY IN ISCHIA
HOW TO GET TO ISCHIAOur ferry & hydrofoil timetable & guide helps you plan your trip to Ischia and we also have guides on buses, train connections, taxis and crossings to and from Sorrento, Capri and the Italian mainland.
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WHERE TO STAY IN ISCHIAOur guide to accommodation in Ischia is the most comprehensive anywhere on-line with hundreds of hotels, villas, apartments, bed and breakfasts, agriturismos, hostels and campsites listed.
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WHAT TO SEE IN ISCHIAFrom Castello Aragonese to La Mortella Gardens, we have all of Ischia's must-see attractions listed with opening-times, prices and lots of other useful information and photos.
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WHAT TO DO IN ISCHIAThere are lots of different ways to enjoy yourself while in Ischia and here we give you lots of options from thermal parks to guided tours, wine tours, horse riding, cookery lessons and much more.
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WHERE TO EAT IN ISCHIAOur restaurant guide shows the very best places to eat out in Ischia with a price guide, photos and directions to each restaurant as well as hundreds of up to date photos and contact details.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT ISCHIAOur culture section includes the weekly blog "Ischia on Sunday" as well as a detailed events calendar, articles, Ischia's history, recipes, shop-opening times, emergency numbers and more besides.
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ISCHIA BOAT RENTAL
Hiring a boat is one of the most popular activities for visitors to Ischia and we have a large number of boats from small dinghies right up to luxury yachts and sailboats for rentals or excursions.
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