The Varulella Lagoon and the cards played at Regina Isabella

The emerald lagoon of Varulella is protected, caressed by white cliffs of volcanic rock dotted with tall maritime pines. Swimming in it is like realising an exotic dream, a privileged, but not exclusive prerogative of Hotel Regina Isabella guests who, from their rooms at the top of the panoramic belvedere, can admire Bacoli, Vesuvius, Cape Miseno, the island of Procida opposite, while on the right, the iconic mushroom of Lacco Ameno emerges from the water. The hotel was built by Angelo Rizzoli (his house, Villa Arbusto, now houses a museum full of important archaeological artefacts) mainly from the proceeds of films starring Peppone and Don Camillo. Its thermal baths with their neoclassical entrance punctuated by columns are sprinkled with bioactive thermal waters - there are about a hundred throughout Ischia - endowed with regenerating and anti-inflammatory properties. Since the 1960s it has been frequented by actors and writers, won over by its red, blue and yellow ceramics, its majolica tiles depicting trump cards in the card room, its charming staff and its thermal baths. The lidos lie above the cliff walkways, and at the Michelin-starred restaurant Indaco, the sizzling chef Pasquale Palamaro cooks.