Ischia Thermal Spas: Lacco Ameno

Ischia island's food is fresh and flavourful but the mushroom of Lacco Ameno is not ripe for eating. This mushroom, sprouting in Lacco Ameno's bay, is a volcanic rock formation that stands as if heralding the vitality of the island volcano's influence on the town. Once expressed through explosive activity, like the mushroom, this influence is now tame and beneficial, the source of relaxing thermal spas, great mudpacks and healthy steamy saunas.

The whole of Ischia island, a short ferry ride from the port of Naples, is endowed with the volcano's thermal gifts but Negombo Thermal Park, located in Lacco Ameno, is the garden eden of Ischia's spa resorts.

On the western side of Lacco Ameno, the park is set just behind San Montano beach, tucked into the hillside and hidden behind trimmed walls of lush vegetation. This 15-pool complex has tastefully landscaped exotic plants amongst tile mosaics, sculptures and artworks from local and international artists alike. Indeed, while the centre offers all the accoutrements of wellness treatments and beauty packages, Negombo is much more than simply a thermal spa centre.

The grounds themselves are an art gallery that includes Arnaldo Pomodoro's well-known sculpture, L'Arco in Cielo, the Arc in the Sky. During summer Negombo thermal park hosts activities and events, from water aerobics in the main pool to night-time concerts featuring Italian and international performers. The park holds a market display of rare plants in May and from October onward anyone interested in learning the skills of beauty and therapy treatments can enrol in training courses held on the grounds.

In the past, the area of Lacco Ameno and its thermal park was once the site of an early Greek colony, Pithecusa. The volcanic clay and mud was used in an ancient ceramic export business and the town museum houses the famous archaeological find of Nestor's Cup.

Today the historic hotels of Regina Isabella, Villa Svizzera and Reginella have built a reputation for elegance and style, amongst other luxury hotel options of Lacco Ameno. From these, the museums, shops and thermal park of this small but alluring Ischia island town are all within easy reach.