Il Giardino del Nonno

The agriturismo Il hotel Giardino del Nonno
(Grandfather’s Garden) is a magical place built
around a villa above the sea with large-flowered terraces. Enriched by two hot thermal pools filled with the famous thermal waters from an aquifer 150 meters below the island. Relax on the panoramic sun decks with breath-taking views, hydromassage and natural saunas and steam bath dug in ancient tuff caves.
Meet Anna and Pietro, Il Giardino del Nonno owners. This was their Grandfathers home and garden. They grew up here in the midst of their grandfather’s hospitality.
Il Giardino del Nonno is a charming family-run agritourism hotel set in enchanting scenery offering stunning views of the sea. Here, hospitality has been handed down for three generations. An oasis of peace and relaxation for nature lovers, the property is located just 10 minutes coastal path from a beautiful (swimmable) 3 km long beach on the island, the Maronti. It is only a 20 minute walk from the square of the picturesque, pastel coloured village of Sant’Angelo reachable following a panoramic path.
An electric cart (golf cart) service is available for transportation of passengers and baggage for a nominal charge. Only service cars and vehicles are allowed in this area.

The restaurant and the rooms are immersed in the garden surrounding the hotel amidst plants, flowers, fruit trees and olive trees, with an unparalleled view of the amazing Maronti Bay and in the distance the Isle of  Capri.
Peace, silence, and views of mountains and sea
are a constant.

Rooms

Immersed in nature and its quiet, scents and colours, the rooms take their names from the fruit trees surrounding them. Each room has a separate entrance and either a terrace or a balcony. The recently renovated rooms are bright and spacious, they are simply and tastefully furnished with attention to detail.
The rooms all have an independent entrance and a private terrace with panoramic views, air conditioning, TV and a private bathroom equipped with a hairdryer.

Meals

Enjoy tasting the real traditional Ischian recipes passed down in a family tradition to Anna and Pietro and their children in the restaurant of Il Giardino del Nonno. Some of the ingredients coming from their own gardens and some from local gardeners. Enjoy vegetarian or pescatarian (or chicken) cuisine. All served on the large terrace overlooking the sea and the nearby village of Sant’ Angelo.
Breakfast includes a rich continental buffet breakfast, with fresh fruit from the garden (also used to make many delicious homemade jams and homemade desserts), cold cuts, eggs, yoghurt, bread, cereals and juices.
At dinner, our 3 – 4 course meal will be plated for us, including a variety of vegetables, seafood, pasta, chicken with vegetarian options.

Yoga

The indoor yoga room is a large studio (about 90 square meters) with tile floor and natural light. It has a
beautiful view of the ocean.
The outdoor yoga space is about the same size and also boasts a tremendous ocean view.

The yoga sessions will be a balanced combination of sustained poses as well as poses flowing in a mindful progression from one to another (Hatha Flow). Mindfulness and focus on breath are an integral part of the class. Attention is always given to basic alignment & therapeutic principals.
Deepen your yoga practice, whether you are new on the yoga path or an experienced yogi.
This rejuvenating retreat will feed your body, mind and soul.
Begin each morning with meditation and pranayama followed by an energetically balanced physical Hatha Flow practise energizing the mind and body for the day ahead.
Each afternoon the practise will explore the asanas more deeply; working to calm, restore and heal body, mind & spirit.
Restorative and Yin style classes, as well as Yoga Nidra, will also be offered.

• Modifications are offered to help individuals understand and work with their own unique limitations.
• Classes are balanced with energy, to give you a good physical work-out and calm to keep you balanced.
• Classes are suited for all levels of practice

Pranayama & Meditation

Methodically work through pranayama (breathwork) techniques designed to purify the body and prepare the mind for meditation. Explore a number of meditation styles to find which one/s work best for you.  Pranayama and meditation will be taught on a beginner level.

Optional Excursions & Activities

Day trips will greatly enhance our trip to Ischia! There are many beautiful options for our day trips away from the hotel. The cost of the day trips is not included in the price of the retreat.
There are many choices for optional day-trips activities. Below are some suggested ones that we could do as a group. These can be added at a very reasonable price. Some are free. All listed outings mentioned below (including the around island boat ride) can be done for less than $400 CAD. It is your choice to participate in any or all.

• Hike to Antiche Terme Romane di Cavascura and Fango (Mud) Treatments – walking distance from the hotel to this ancient (2000 yr old) Roman bath
• Ride boat to Baia di Sorgeto (open thermal beach and hot springs)
• Visit the Castello Aragonese (Medieval Castle)
• A visit to the ancient village of Ischia Ponte.
• Sunrise Hike to Madonnella Serrara, on the slopes of Mount Epomeo, for a beautiful view
• Parco Castiglione Thermal Spa Park with 10 pools, best massages, healing treatments
• Boatride around Ischia Island – grottos & beaches (depart from Sant’ Angelo).
• Visit (and shop) the villages of Casamicciola & La Camina of Forio

Getting to the Island of Ischia

You will fly into Capodochino Airport (NAP – Naples). Alternatively you could fly into Leonardo da
Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO – Rome) or Amerigo Vespucci Airport (Florence – FLR) and take the train to Naples. Departing for Ischia from the Port of Naples.
Once on Ischia, you would then take a taxi to the hotel.
There is an option for a return pick up from the airport or train station with delivery to the ferry or private taxi boat and then including the taxi to the hotel. Please ask for more information about this.

Suggested Itinerary

Island of Ischia Yoga Retreat: Typical Schedule 

Day 1 – Saturday
Afternoon: Arrivals to Ischia and Il Giardino del Nonno (our hotel and retreat centre)
5:30pm – Welcome Circle & Yoga Practice
7:30pm – Dinner – Il Giardino del Nonno

Day 2 –
7:30 – 9:00am – Yoga
9:15am- Breakfast – Il Giardino del Nonno
10:30am – Hike to Antiche Terme Romane di Cavascura and Fango (Mud) Treatments – walking distance from the hotel to this ancient (2000 yr old) Roman bath
2-ishpm Lunch at a restaurant on beach on the way back to the hotel.
5:30 – 7:00pm – Yoga
7:30pm – Dinner – Il Giardino del Nonno
8:45 – Meditation

Day 3 –
7:30 – 9:00 am – Yoga
9:15am- Breakfast – Il Giardino del Nonno
10:30am – Ride boat to Baia di Sorgeto (open thermal beach and hot springs)
2:30pm – Lunch in Sant’ Angelo (walking distance)
5:30 – 7:00pm – Yoga
7:30pm – Dinner – Il Giardino del Nonno
8:45pm – Meditation

Day 4 –
7:30 – 9:00am – Yoga
9:15am- Breakfast – Il Giardino del Nonno
12:00pm – Lunch – Il Giardino del Nonno
1:30pm – Depart to Ischia Porto: Visit the Castello Aragonese (Medieval Castle)
6:15 – 7:15pm – Yoga
7:30pm – Dinner – Il Giardino del Nonno
8:45pm – Meditation

Day 5 –
6:30am – Sunrise Hike to Madonnella Serrara, on the slopes of Mount Epomeo, for a beautiful view
8:30 – 9:00am – Breakfast – Il Giardino del Nonno (or stop at a restaurant on the way back from the hike)
10:30 – 12:00am – Yoga
12:30pm – Lunch – Il Giardino del Nonno
1:30pm-6:00pm – Depart for Parco Castiglione Thermal Spa Park with 10 pools, best massages, healing treatments
6:30 – 7:15pm – Yoga
7:30pm Dinner – Il Giardino del Nonno
8:45pm – Meditation

Day 6 –
7:30 – 8:15am – Yoga
9:00am- Breakfast – Il Giardino del Nonno
10:00am – 5pm – Boatride around Ischia Island – grottos & beaches (depart from Sant’ Angelo). Yoga on beach
1:00-2:00pm – Lunch at one of the beaches
7:30pm – Dinner – in Sant’ Angelo (walking distance)

Day 7 –
7:30 – 9:00am – Yoga
9:30am- Breakfast – Il Giardino del Nonno
11:00am-4:00pm – Visit (and shop) the villages of Casamicciola & La Camina of Forio
1:00-2:00pm – Lunch – en-route
4:30pm – Yoga and closing circle
7:30pm – Dinner Il Giardino del Nonno

Day 8 –
8:00am – Breakfast- Il Giardino del Nonno
9:00 – 10:00am – Departures – Ischia to Naples