25 Dec Italian Spa Escape on the Island of Ischia

The holidays can be a stressful time for many Fresno residents. Between gift shopping, office parties and family obligations, wouldn’t it nice to give yourself the gift of an Italian spa escape?

For thousands of years, volcanic Ischia’s mineral-rich springs and smoking plumes of air have turned caves into curative saunas. Much of this goodness is channeled into 300-plus spa hotels and thermal parks, making Ischia the largest thermal-water destination in Europe.

Italians, Germans, and Brits have long loved the island’s waters and mud treatments, as well as the port villages, sandy beaches, and grottos lining its 23-mile coastline, yet Ischia remains largely unknown to Americans. Less crowded than its neighbor Capri, it’s perfect for a taste of what the Italians call il dolce far niente—“the sweetness of doing nothing”—and taking part in the ancient spa tradition is key to experiencing its essence.

Two Options for Your Italian Spa Escape

Set on a secluded promontory on the outskirts of the village of Lacco Ameno, 57-room Mezzatorre Resort & Spa is a stylish, creamy-white affair scented of jasmine, where a willowy spa director, Signora Rosy, customizes programs for guests.

In contrast to Mezzatore’s isolated perch, Terme Manzi Hotel & Spa sits tucked into the green hills of the village of Casamicciola Terme. Along with treatments such as an Ischian-herb scrub, Terme Manzi’s modern spa is known for its mosaic-tiled pools fed by the Gurgitiello thermal springs, which have been praised since Roman times for their antiaging properties.

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Giardini La Mortella is also an Ischia must-see. This lush, terraced green paradise with a lovely tea garden (perfect at sunset) was the dream project of Susan Walton and her husband, British composer William Walton.

When you book your Italian spa escape with Elite Global Journey, you get access to exclusive amenities because of our status as the only Virtuoso travel agency in Central California. For instance, you can enjoy a daily breakfast buffet and one complimentary 4-course dinner for two at the Chandelier Restaurant when you book a stay at the Mezzatorre Resort & Spa.

If you prefer to stay at the Terme Manzi Hotel & Spa, we also offer these exclusive amenities: a daily breakfast buffet and your choice of a complimentary 50-minute massage for up to two people OR a complimentary dinner for two at the Restaurant Gil Ulivi.

Want to learn more about this Italian spa escape? Contact Elite Global Journeys today at (559) 431-7440, and we’ll be happy to make your travel arrangements.