Ischia's Thermal Spas: Casamicciola

Behind Casamicciola Terme's ongoing attraction and its international pull, is undoubtedly its thermal springs. A town on the island of Ischia, located in the Bay of Naples and a short ferry trip from Naples port, Casamicciola Terme has the added advantage of direct ferry routes to the town's own harbour.

Casamicciola's unique appeal has been appreciated ever since early Greek settlement and includes more modern age visits by Italian war hero, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Ludovic I the prince of Bavaria and Henrik Ibsen, the Norwegian dramatist, to name just a few. But perhaps Casamicciola will be more recognised as home town to the creator of that famous Italian liquor, Sambuca.

The most noted Casamicciolan springs are the Gurgitello and Bagnitiello fonts, but there are many natural sources spread throughout the town. The name Casamicciola derives from the story of an old woman who bathed her feet in the natural mineral water and was cured of her pains and the town became so well known for its great water that in 1956 the word Terme, Italian for thermal springs, was added. Indeed, the classic, 5-star Manzi Hotel and Spa was purposely developed around the site of the town's natural Gurgitello thermal font.

On top of Casamicciola Terme's exclusive hotel spa options, the Castiglione thermal park is an obligatory point of call for visitors to this thermal island town. The Castiglione complex has eight thermal pools in all and two at natural temperatures, accompanied by trained beauty therapists and specialised medical staff to make the most of your thermal spa retreat.