The day from start to finish was windy, wet and cold. Really, we never had a minute without rain!
Natural honeycomb with dripping honey at breakfast
In the morning, we would not be deterred so we rented a car to travel to the other side of the island. We first attempted to locate a vineyard that hosted wine tastings and lunch. It was not open. We tried to find a second winery. That one remained lost to us. After we gave up on that plan, in the pouring rain, we drove further around the island and south, to Sant’ Angelo d’ischia. Sant’ Angelo is a old fishing village now filled with upscale shops, beach clubs and some restaurants.
Caprese salad in the village of Sant’ Angelo
We had lunch at Casa Celestino, which overlooked the raging ocean and rain.
After lunch, we returned to the road, this time circumnavigating the entire island. On our way, we drove to the top of the mountain. One last attempt at a vineyard, but as we approached the last several kilometers, a dark cloud enveloped us and we were fogged in at the the top of Ischia. We found the vineyard, but it was closed.
Raging sea in Sant ‘Angelo
We returned to the hotel, walked into town for some so-so gelato, and then remained captive in the hotel due to a coastal squall that just won’t give up. We returned to O’ Sole Mio for dinner after a lull in the rain. It was a very local place and we enjoyed their hospitality and pasta (limoncello, too). With umbrellas overturning, and dodging puddles causing flooding sandals (ill prepared Mary for bad bad bad weather), we made it back to the hotel for our final raining stormy night. We have been amazed at the bad weather in very late May. It is at least 20 degrees below average, with locals in puffer coats, boots, scarves, and wondering what happened to spring!!! In fact, when we left dinner, it was 55 degrees (hence trouble with sandals weather)!
Tuesday, we take the morning ferry to Sorrento, where we pick up our rental car (and hopefully better weather) and begin our Amalfi Coast leg of the trip.
