Redazione | Following the Mediterranean northwards, there’s another secluded gem in the azure sea: the island of Procida. Just off the coast of Naples, it has all the simplicity of a fishermen’s village, perfect to escape from the jet-set atmosphere of Capri and the teeming crowds on Ischia.
You can stroll through orange and lemon groves in the village of Chiaiolella or the hamlet of Marina della Corricella, a magnificent example of 17th-century popular architecture, where the houses form an amphitheatre around the bay and picturesque arches, flower-decked balconies and terraced gardens lead down to the sea. Stop in at the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo, a late-medieval Benedictine convent housing a curious collection of seafaring photography which acts as a tribute to the traditions, superstitions and religious beliefs that are still very strong among the local people.
Explore the narrow village streets to find interesting designer shops and boutiques, such as the one run by Creje – with its jewellery, fashion and homeware – converted from an old fishermen’s grotto, or the boutique of the artisan designer Dina Tramontano, who makes original earrings using fine yarn and cotton. Narrow footpaths lead down to secluded beaches such as Pozzo Vecchio or Baia degli Innamorati.
There are holiday rental homes and some hotels on the island: a particularly good combination of the two is La Suite, a hotel with shady verandas, soft, white curtains, a cooling swimming pool and a large Mediterranean garden (081 810 1564; lasuiteresort.com). You can also take in the sea breeze by securing a table at La Conchiglia restaurant, on Chiaia beach (081 896 7602; laconchigliaristorante.com).
As the sun sets, it is worth making the effort to climb up to Terra Murata, the old village marking the highest point of the island, to admire the view of the Gulf of Naples and the neighbouring islands, lit up by the last rays of sun that turn the water a blazing red.
…la dolce vita procidana oggi offende le poche persone perbene, mentre chi per hobby anzi nonostante un degno lavoro, una vita agiata, a causa della crisi per arrotondare vende la morte… compra il cappotto di “legno”, ma soprattutto compra la galera!!! Per questa gente non esiste pudore e vergogna, mah solo potere… Intanto compra il cappotto, compra la galera, mah la morte di sicuro non la compra nessuno… Di prestigioso c’è tanto e quindi dove guardiamo?