Hostel Sole is the result of careful and accurate renovation work, which has been able to maintain the original structure and design of the mansion, transforming it - at the same time - in a hostel equipped with all modern comforts. The hostel can provide 61 beds arranged in 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedded ensuite rooms and 10 ensuite family rooms.
Available for guests a restaurant - for breakfast, lunch and dinner - a fully equipped self catering kitchen with outdoor space for eating meals.
Solarium, TV room, safety box and luggage storage are just a few of the many services offered by the hostel. The hostel staff will be on hand to provide tourist information and help you to organize tourist and naturalistic itineraries. The reception is open 24 hours and provides web check-in service, if necessary.
The hostel is located right in front of the Convent beach (which takes its name from the hostel), consisting of fine sand and shallow water, which makes it particularly suitable for families with children. Part of the beach is free and another part is served by bathing facilities.
Hostel rates start from € 25 per night / person including breakfast in 4-bedded ensuite room. However, in order to promote its opening, you will get 10% discount for stays until 31st July and 20% discount for stays between 24 August and 31 October 2013.
The location
This Convent was the first religious house built by the Passionist Fathers on the
Isle of Ischia (in 1931). It was aimed to ensure a suitable and independent dwelling to the men of cloth who came to the island for healing baths in the many spas of the isle.
The Sun Hostel is keeping alive the tradition of hospitality started by Fathers even if it is now part of the
Italian YHA, a no-profit organization aimed to promote youth and sustainable tourism, a goal shared by the Mayor of ischia Giuseppe Ferrandino, believing that this hostel will represent 'a new and concrete point of reference for youth and low cost tourism '.
The Isle of Ischia and the Municipality of Casamicciola
Ischia is the largest island of the Gulf of Naples. It 's a volcanic island worldwide known for its thermal spas, as to be called the "Island of Health and eternal youth".
In the VIII century BC (while the island was under the domination of Greeks and was called with the name Pithecusa) its inhabitants fled the mainland perhaps because of a volcanic eruption and founded the city of Cuma. The island was taken then by Hieron, the tyrant of Syracuse, that included it in a terrific fortification system of the Gulf of Naples and finally (in 322 BC) it was conquered by the Romans, frequent visitors of Cavascura Baths.
In addition to the wonderful sea, Ischia offers to visitors a very green and picturesque landscape. In every corner you find something to discover and to appreciate: craters under the sea, rocky spikes, lava hills and a lot of greenery.
The village of Casamicciola
The
village of Casamicciola Terme (where the youth hostel is located) is nestled in the northern side of the Isle of Ischia. In addition to the amenity of the area, the tourist appeal of this village has always been due to the many thermal springs.
Casamicciola Terme has an area of 5.6 square kilometers, with a population of about 7000 inhabitants. It ranges from zero meters above sea level to 788 meters ASL, achieved near the Epomeo Mount. Ischia is also overlooked by volcano Rotaro, which is surrounded by a beautiful pine forest where (in 2002) beautiful trails for hiking and trekking were created and equipped with comfortable benches.
Do not forget to visit Castiglione spa gardens, the second Thermal Park on the Isle of Ischia, providing 10 thermal pools fed by Castiglione springs, a natural sauna and a private access to the sea. In 1956 Casamicciola village changed its name in Casamicciola Terme, because of the presence on its territory of many springs as Castiglione, La Rita and Piazza Bagni.
The heart of Casamicciola is Piazza Marina, a nice square close to the port (the second of the island) that provides frequent ferry and hydrofoil connections with the mainland. The long and extensive dock is ideal for walking (especially in summer) and lot of yachts and sailing boats make a stop here.
Curiosity
You surely remember the famous movie Cleopatra, whose protagonists were the beautiful Elisabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. In this epic movie Ischia offered its imposing Castle as a backdrop for the Battle of Anzio, although no text mentioned Ischia as the location of the film. While filming in Rome, the director Mankiewicz was fascinated by some picture of the Isle of Ischia and wanted to continue filming there.
How to get to Ischia
The island is well served by a network of bus / shuttle that allow you to reach all the places on the island. Both Capodichino airport and Naples Central Station are well connected to the Isle of Ischia by hydrofoil (from Beverello dock) or by ferry (from Massa deck).
