Ischia Porto
Ischia Porto is the island of Ischia's main maritime port. It rests across the bay from Naples and shares the same salty waters as its sister-island, Capri, in the Neapolitan Gulf of the Mediterranean.
Perhaps it's the idea of journeying that makes ports interesting places. Or perhaps it's the activity that goes on, the constant coming and going, loading and unloading, the presence of people and things, the sense of purpose.
Amongst the bustling activity of Ischia Porto, one of the simpler pleasures Ischians enjoy is their leisurely evening stroll from the famous Bar Calise at Piazza degli Eroi, down to the docks and back. The bar, with its eclectic dragon scale lamp fixtures and lively summer music, offers it's array of sweet treats, garden tables and wonderful island décor. Enjoy a coffee, cake or gelato before moving on to Via Roma.
Via Roma, the central street or 'corso', like in almost every Italian town, is where you will find the locals socialising and taking their 'passeggiata', or leisurely walk down through the most well tramped part of town. Strolling, perhaps after dinner, at your own pace, you may observe and absorb the surroundings or do some shopping too. This street hosts everything from tourist kitsch to quality stitch. The big names of Italian fashion are all here, but so too are the local artisans, particularly strong in ceramics and anything using the island's fabulous lemons.
As Via Roma curves and opens out, to the right begins the 'Riva Destra', or simply translated, the 'right bank'. Here you will discover a strip of restaurants and bars on one side with their delicious outdoor seafood displays, presented as proof of fresh catch to tempt your senses and palate, while a step away a plethora of boats and vessels await for that exhilarating Mediterranean cruise.
And of course, if a seafood dinner overlooking port activities and the passing parade is too good to miss, do it all in reverse. Redirect your stroll in the opposite direction. After all, shops are open late, the crowd doesn't diminish and Calise's range of nightcaps beckons.
W: http://www.comuneischia.it/
