Straight from My Travel Journal: Ischia with Kids

Ischia: Italy's laid-back island, waiting to be discovered.Off the coast of Naples, there's an island with over a hundred natural hot springs, a castle that lights up the night sky, and a pace of life that makes you forget where you left your phone.Ischia is the lesser-known island in the Bay of Naples: lush, volcanic, and wonderfully unfussy. The people pull you in like you're one of their own, and the kids on the beach will have yours playing ball with them before lunch hits the table.In this solo episode, Jordan cracks open her travel journal from five days on Ischia with her husband, two kids, and her in-laws, the slow, sunny ending to a faster-paced trip through Italy. The first half gives you a feel for the island: the spa day, the castle, the food, the little fishing village. The second half covers the nuts and bolts: where to stay, how to get around, and what she'd do differently next time. IN THIS EPISODEWhere Ischia sits in the Bay of Naples, and why it's a natural fit for families who want to settle inA full day at Negombo: 14 thermal pools carved into rock and caves, a cove full of yachts, and a lunch "kiosk" that turned out to be something much betterHow a grilled chicken leg and an orange Italian Fanta made a little boy proud as a peacockGiardini Ravino, a garden built from a sea captain's 40-year plant collection, with peacocks roaming the grounds (plus a heads-up for toddlers and cacti)Sant'Angelo, the car-free fishing village where kids can roam and playCastello Aragonese, first built in 474 BC: pirate stories, dungeons, and how to tour itConiglio all'ischitana, the slow-braised rabbit dish + the island history behind itThree fave restaurants Rooftop aperitivo with a castle viewGetting around: walkable streets, a stroller-friendly town, cash-only taxis, and a very memorable rental carWhat's on the list for next time -- yay for learnings!DESTINATIONS COVERED — ISCHIA, ITALYIschia Porto (Via Roma, Corso Vittoria Colonna)Ischia Ponte and Castello AragoneseForio and Giardini RavinoSant'AngeloNegombo thermal park WHERE WE STAYED + ATEVilla DurrueliDortasAurasPorcavacca Steakhouse RESOURCESComing soon: our episode on navigating Italy's ferries with kidsInstagram: @untethered_childhoodEmail: hello@untetheredchildhoodpod.comSome places ask you to keep everything running. Some just let you be there. Keep raising explorers. Memories don't burn.