A BEAUTIFUL island called Ischia is found off the coast of Naples – and it is actually home to an underwater city.
The island can be reached by ferry from the Italian mainland in under two hours.
Ischia has a pretty harbour and lots of hot springs[/caption]
Underneath the waves are ruins of an underwater city[/caption]
The beautiful Italian Isle is known for having bustling coastal bars and pretty swimming spots, but it also has a secret.
On the seabed surrounding the island is where the underwater ruins of Aenaria lie.
Back between 130 and 150 AD, the ancient Roman city was completely submerged by the Mediterranean Sea.
Still sitting on the seabed are remains of the Roman harbour, docks, cisterns, houses, and workshops.
It’s a diver’s dream and explorers can go snorkelling or scuba diving to see the underwater city; there are even underwater diving tours.
Or you can board a glass-bottom boat to see the ruins without getting into the water.
Any artefacts that have been recovered can be found in the Archaeological Museum of Pithecusae.
Also dotted around the island of Ischia are lots of natural hot springs, which are formed from the volcanic geology of the island.
You don’t even have to pay to have a dip in most of them, and the most famous are along the Bay of Sorgeto on the island’s southern coast near the Bay of Sant’Angelo
The small pools are vents of hot spring water that come up through the sea floor – they mix with the cooler salt water to form warm pools.
There are lots of hot springs and even a thermal wellness retreat[/caption]
Another big attraction is the castle that you can access via the causeway[/caption]
The largest pools are at the Giardini Poseidon Terme which is the island’s very own wellness park.
It has 20 thermal pools which are naturally heated between 25 and 28C.
Ischia’s thermal waters are believed to be beneficial for a number of physical conditions, including arthritis, skin disorders, and respiratory problems.
Other facilities include seawater pools, a spa, gardens for relaxation as well as cafes and restaurants.
To spend a day at the Giardini Poseidon Terme costs €45 (£38.84).
One of the biggest attractions is on a separate island just off of Ischia, but you can access it by walking across the causeway.
This is the Castello Aragonese which is a huge castle built on a small tidal island.
There are plenty of ruins to explore with pretty gardens and incredible views of Ischia and even across to Naples.
An adult ticket to the castle costs €12 (£10.32), children between 10-18 are €6 (£5.16) and those under nine go in for free.
One visitor described it as a “fairytale location” with “spectacular views” that are worth the steep stair climb.
The island gets summer highs of 30C and average lows of 24C – which is still very warm.
You can get to Ischia from ferries that operate from Naples and Pozzuoli year-round.
The ferry from Naples to Ischia takes one hour and 45 minutes.
Crossing to the island from Pozzuoli takes one hour.
One travel writer visited an Italian paradise with British Airways flights – and found pretty towns away from the crowds.
Another headed to an Italian city which is full of surprises with magnificent views and great bars for aperitivo o’clock.
The island of Ischia is off the coast of Naples[/caption]