If you haven’t caught on yet, my spirit country is Italy. Everything about it just makes me happy! John and I have a pipe dream of just moving there full time. Until that happens, we try to travel there every year and explore a different part of the country. Last year, we explored some places new to me, and some old faves.
I thought I would recap the full trip here, in case anyone is interested in doing something similar!
The locations we hit on this trip were: Lake Garda, Taormina, Aeolian Islands, Ischia, Milan. Read on for more!
TRAVEL DETAILS
We did this trip in the end of May. I find it less crowded and airfare less expensive.
We flew directly from NYC to Milan, and rented a car from there.
Overall, this trip was about a week.
LAKE GARDA
From the Milan airport, we drove to Lago Di Garda, stayed at LeFay
LeFay has a really nice spa and indoor/outdoor pool.
Lake Garda is more undiscovered than Como, which we loved, and a relaxing vibe. It’s such a beautiful alternative to a sometimes overpriced, overcrowded Lake Como.
In terms of food, it is divine! Le 3 Oche has interesting takes on classic italian dishes.
MILAN
Once we checked out of LeFay, we drove back to Milan. Driving in this region is so easy and renting a car at the Milan airport is seamless.
If you have time, explore Milan! I love it there. JJ’s love letter to the city, Mamma Milano, has all the scoop.
We then flew from Milan to Naples, where we took the ferry to Ischia.
ISCHIA
We stayed at the fabulous Mezzatorre- it is heaven. The island is amazing and has SO many incredible restaurants. Favorites below:
Da Peppina di Renato. Family owned.
La Vigna di Alberto. Family owned.
Napule Pizza omfg
Also check out Giardini la Mortella. Come for the gardens, stay for the bruschetta.
You cannot leave without doing the mud bath at the Mezzatorre
SICILY
I took a ferry back from Ischia to Naples. We then flew from Naples to Catania and checked into into Hotel Villa Carlotta in Taormina
This was for a super fun trip with La Double J, and I got to see the island like a local.
Taormina has blown up in recent years since The White Lotus- ha! There has definitely been a resurgence here for higher end travel and lots of new luxury stores.
AEOLIAN ISLANDS
The Aeolian Islands have always been on my list. An Italian told me years and years ago that it was the best place to go…and I listened.
We checked into Principe Di Salina. Such a beautiful hotel run by a husband and wife. The husband makes dinner every night with fresh bread! I’m actually going back shortly…
You must rent a scooter (at the hotel or the docks) and ride around to see the island.
Since the beaches are all rocks, take a ferry tour and go swimming!
From there I made my way back to Milan via ferry and car.
Hope this was helpful! I actually just got back to Italy and we are hitting some new and fave spots. I’ll be back on Substack on 7.25 and 8.8 for our Body Talk: The Course sessions, see you then!
xo
Katie
Katie, thanks for sharing this post. I’ve been feeling for several years that my spirit country is Italy as well. I will be traveling there for the first time in October. I decided to with a group tour. I already know that I will be returning again, so I’d love more information and recommendations so I can plan my next trip on my own. One of the places on my itinerary is Ischica..
I live in Naples and drove by the Mezzatore on a boat! I saw it from the water and was like - I have to stay there!!! It's out of my budget but I must find a way.