The Unplugged Collection - Ischia™

Join Executive Chef Gio for our Cooking Vacations Ischia tour experiencing hands-on cooking classes and a thermal spa week.  Learn the simplicity and technique from the Chef in small group cooking classes on Ischia where you will be preparing antipasto, fresh pasta, risotto, main courses and desserts.  Learn to prepare local fish, farm-to–table recipes and the Island’s signature wild rabbit recipe!

During your stay, you will also visit an award-winning winery and cantina for a wine tour and discussion with tastings. Ischia is a volcanic island noted for its natural springs, thermal spa visits and medicinal treatments. Visit the natural spa, Negombo where you may indulge in temperature-controlled swimming pools, saunas and mud baths.  The wonderful micro-climate of Ischia makes for the perfect recipe for cherry red tomatoes, basil, lush vegetables & fruits, fish and wine!

Ischia Cooking Classes

Experience the culinary delights of our Executive Chef and her team of sous chefs while learning how to prepare Michelin-starred recipes and traditional local cuisine.  Her philosophy is based on simplicity, local seasonal produce and high quality products.

Traditional recipes are prepared with farm-to-table island products and a modern interpretation by this young, dynamic Executive Chef team.  On the menu is coniglio all’ischitana, a wild Ischia rabbit recipe, the island’s most famous prepared with white wine, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and chilli pepper.  There’s sgombro, local and wild mackerel; calamari, squid, stuffed, flash-fried, grilled and in a salad and alici, small white bait fish, grilled on lemon leaves.

Our Executive Chef use aromatic herbs, basil, oregano, sage, parsley, rosemary, and chilli peppers, along with fresh fruits and vegetables grown in his garden.  He uses  lemons zested on fresh pasta, fish and meats and made into marmalade, baked in biscotti, and used in limoncello.  Local cuisine is always paired with Epomeo wine whose grapes grow in the rich volcanic soil.  There’s also Forastera and Biancolella, and the reds, Piedirosso and Guarnaccia.  Following each cooking class, everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in the class with a toast of local wine included.  Cooking classes Ischia blends hands-on cooking, Ischia food tour and relaxing!

Ischia

First impressions of Ischia generally fall somewhere between awe and wonderment. While Capri, just across the Bay of Naples, wows you with its charm, Ischia gently casts its spell over you. Ischia, volcanic in origin, has a hidden reservoir of seething molten matter from which come the famous thermal springs, said to cure all that ails. As early as 1580, Dr. Giulio Iasolino had discovered the mineral wells of Ischia and wrote a book about it to tell the world.

As you arrive by ferry, the island quickly comes into view offering its splendor of rolling green hills that line the craggy shore. As you sail closer to the port, see the bustling port filled with yachts large and small. Lush greenery dotted by ancient ruins gives Ischia its nickname, “Italy’s emerald isle.” Located just 17 miles off the coast of Naples, Ischia was first settled by the Greeks in the 8th century BC, and later became a favorite of the Emperor Augustus. Known for its natural luxuriant landscapes, it has remained largely untouched.

The island architecture has a strong Greek influence, rightfully so as it was first settled by the Greeks. Ancient villas in pearly whites dot the green landscape.  The locals, warm and welcoming, welcome travellers with open arms.

The island’s thermal spas attract travellers from around the world.  Each property offers luxurious swimming pools built on natural hot water springs with salt water and thermal pools, natural holistic baths and natural beauty treatments.  This Ischia island tour & thermal spa visit will have you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and healthy.  Our cooking program offers total immersion for an Ischia Island Tour – from cooking, visiting to thermal baths on Ischia.  From sprawling beaches outlining the coast to vineyards blanketing the lush volcanic slopes of Mount Epomeo, Ischia is the perfect vacation cooking get-away!!!

Ischia Accommodations

The 4 star luxury property is set in a private garden overlooking the sea and surrounded by green gardens and thermal water pools.  Luxury, elegance and beauty surround you with a swimming pool, thermal baths and professional spa, onsite restaurant and bistro along with professional staff at your every whim.

Each room is elegantly designed with Mediterranean Vietri tiles and ceramics with cool pastel colors overlooking the garden and sea.  Comfortable bedding, fine Italian linens and a private ensuite bath add the final touch to your stay.  There’s satellite TV, Wi-Fi internet access, air conditioning, complimentary daily newspapers, a minibar and safe.  The hotel offers a full spa staff for relaxing treatment and the natural thermal waters at the hotel are renowned since ancient times for its healing waters, the hotel also boasts a state of the art spa where guests can enjoy any number of treatments. Enjoy the views from the scenic terraces and the roof garden pool.  An extensive breakfast is served daily including cappuccino, espresso, fresh fruit juices and teas.

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Itinerary ~ 8 Days, 7 Nights

Saturday: Arrival & Welcome

• Arrival at Ischia Port.
• Transfer from Ischia Port to hotel and check in.
• Later in the evening, enjoy our Welcome Dinner featuring a full course Chef’s Tasting menu with local fare.  Wine is not included.

Sunday: Cooking Class 1

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, tie on your apron for hands-on Cooking Class 1.  Meet our Chef for your hands on cooking class which includes preparing a full course lunch featuring local fare under the guidance of our chef.  Following the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in class with a toast of local white or red wine.
• Later in the afternoon, enjoy the spa at the property. Services and pricing vary, see host onsite.
• Dinner is on your own with suggestions provided.

Monday: Ischia Wine Tour & Tasting

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, meet your driver for a private tour around the Island including a visit to a winery. During your excursion visit the vineyard, cantina, with a wine tasting to follow.
• After the wine tour, return to the property, relax by the pool, take a swim in the sea or enjoy a spa treatment.
• Dinner is on your own with suggestions provided.

Tuesday:  La Mortella Botanic Gardens

• Breakfast is served.
• Enjoy a morning visit to the beautiful La Mortella Botanic Gardens, created by Susana Walton, the wife of the British composer Sir William Walton.  This garden is known as the most beautiful private gardens in Italy.
• Afternoon is free to sit by the pool, enjoy the spa or shop.
• In the evening, dinner is on your own with suggestions provided.

Wednesday: Negombo Thermal Baths

• Breakfast is served.
• Take the morning to walk the beach or relax by the pool.
• Lunch is on  your own.
• Following lunch, our suggest is visit the excursion on your own to the exclusive Negombo Thermal Baths for an afternoon of hot springs, thermal baths and spa services.
• Return to the hotel in the early evening.
• Dinner is on your own with suggestions provided.

Thursday: Cooking Class 2

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, tie on your apron for hands-on Cooking Class 2. Meet our Chef for your hands on cooking class which includes preparing a full course lunch featuring local fare under the guidance of our chef. Following the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in class with a toast of local white or red wine.
• In the afternoon, relax, explore the island, sit by the pool, or enjoy artisan shopping in town.
• In the evening, dinner is served at the hotel.

Friday: Cooking Class 3

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, tie on your apron for hands-on Cooking Class 3. Meet our Chef for your hands on cooking class which includes preparing a full course lunch featuring local fare under the guidance of our chef. Following the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in class with a toast of local white or red wine
• Afternoon, experience the spa for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation.
• In the evening, dinner is served at the hotel.

Saturday: Departure

• Breakfast is served.
• Check out and departure transfer to Ischia Port. Arrivederci!

Note: This sample itinerary schedule may vary due to inclement weather, saints days; festivals. All activities, in the event of rescheduling, are always included during the week.