Ischia town was originally situated where the waters of port are now. The eruption of 302 BC, however, swallowed it up and created a large lake and eventually the port proper in 1854.

Connected to the town is the Aragonese Castle which sits on its own tiny island. For centuries it was the only means of defence against pirates who were a constant menace.

A large part of the main island is still devoted to agriculture and, especially the cultivation of the vineyards. Look out for the DOC, one of the first to get this 'stamp of origin' in Italy.

The tourist office have also told us that the wine 'goes well with the island's excellent revered local dish, rabbit.

In fact, authentic Ischians still revere this particular cuisine preference based on the semi wild rabbit called 'coniglio da fossa'.

Nevertheless, for the purists the few wild rabbits that have survived are now off limits and it just isn't the same.

www.comuneischia.it