Ischia's Thermal Spas: Forio d'Ischia

The blue green canvas of the open sea at the Ischian town of Forio inspires the imagination. The suggestive architecture of the unusual Soccorso Church and the incredible sunsets unwrap the romantic. On this thermal island in the Bay of Naples, Forio d'Ischia is a place to dream.

Truman Capote and Luchino Visconti dreamed here, the former riding into town on a horse-drawn cart to write a part of his diaries in the ambience of the local bar. Visconti on the other hand, set up summer residence at the Colombaia Villa and now Forio awards the Luchino Visconti International Prize as the conclusion of the town's annual film festival.

Today a great spot to dream is in the Seat of the Gods, two rock carved chairs overflowing with the island's mineral rich thermal water. Reposing in these rock caverns, found in the Poseidon Gardens spa centre, and enjoying the warmth of their soothing water streams, you feel like a siren dreamily watching the passersby.

The Poseidon Gardens, in Forio's beach zone of Citara, is a sprawling range of pools and services. Built on an old tomato patch, this spa centre has 22 thermal, Kneipp and ocean water pools, including an Olympic-sized one. The pools are heated to varying degrees according to programs for naturopathic treatments and wellbeing and the centre's different levels and landscaped gardens allow you to find your own lounging nook in between soaks.

The Parco Maria and Sorriso Terme, two of Forio's key thermal spa hotels, can be found behind the gardens on the Cuotto hill, and a host of other hotels that also feature their own in-house thermal pools are scattered nearby. The Gattopardo, Mediterraneo and Galidon to name a few.

Apart from the Poseidon Gardens at Citara, around the district the La Mortella botanical gardens were created by Susana and Sir William Walton, the famous British composer, and a walk through Forio d'Ischia's town centre also reveals the wealth of its religious tradition. Five of the area's 18 churches are within a stone's throw. The creativity of the town's residents is also evident, from the modern design of the piazza fountain to the traditional shops of island handicrafts.