Ischia makes for a terrific destination for just about anyone. If you are thinking about purchasing tickets to the island paradise, here are some things you should know beforehand:

To get to Ischia, you must first get to Naples. You can do that by traveling via plane, train, automobile or a combination of the three. During the spring and summer, United offers direct flights at affordable prices from New York's JFK Airport to Naples. Flights are available all year long with Air France, Lufthansa and of course Alitalia. These airlines will provide you with connecting flights from a major European city (Paris, Munich, Rome or Milan) to Naples.

Once you arrive in Naples, you will have to get to one of the ports (either in Naples or Pozzuoli) to board a boat that will take you to Ischia. Before booking your trip, make sure that the plane's departure times work with the departure times for the boat. If you're traveling from the United States, your connecting flight from Naples will probably leave early in the morning. That means you might have to spend the night before in Naples and leave Ischia a day earlier. Also, avoid returning home on a Sunday because there are far fewer boats leaving the island on Sundays (especially in the mornings).

My father always says the sun is stronger in the Naples region than it is in the United States, even in the height of summer. I never really thought that was true until I went to Capri in 2003 and turned as red as a tomato. Be sure to carry plenty of sun block, especially if you prefer using UV protection of 35 or higher. Italians tend to sell nothing stronger than 30, and many of the creams on the shelves have oil in them, which is less than ideal if you tend to break out often. Remember, if you visit Maronti, you'll need to be extra careful to reapply sun protection throughout the day.

Although more Ischitani are learning English than ever before, you might want to brush up on your Italian. And if you know German, then you should have no problem at all. Most of the tourists who visit Ischia are German, and therefore the natives tend to speak Italian and German fluently. In fact, many signs are written in both languages.

Be sure to change some dollars to euro before you arrive, so that you have some change for tipping, hailing a cab and paying for the boat.

Bring an extra sweatshirt and some scarves. Ischia is really humid. Sometimes even during the evenings in the summer, you might feel chilled to the bone. Having some heavier clothes to layer is a helpful way to keep from catching cold. When it is hot during the day, paper fans are useful because there are still some restaurants and hotels that do not have air conditioning.

Get to know the locals. Even if you speak different languages, you can find a way to communicate. They'll be willing. Ischitani, for the most part, are warm-hearted and curious people, who will want to learn as much about you as you do about them.

Buon viaggio!

Ischia Resources
Introduction	Best of Ischia	Communities
Day Trips	Events	Hotels
Map	Photos	Practical Info
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