Solo Travelers can lose themselves on the tiny Italian island of Procida

Once upon a time…………..a girl and a boy went in search of a short day trip and happened upon un’isoletta d’sogni (“tiny island of dreams” – OK, so not all travel has to be solo!)

Off the coast of Naples and Italy’s Amalfi Coast sits a wee bit of paradise – the island of Procida.  It’s not as famous as its well-known neighbor Capri or the bigger island of Ischia but it’s a slice of Italian heaven. It’s one of the Phlegreian Islands, along with Ischia and Vivara.  It was created thousands of years ago from the eruption of four volcanoes, which are now submerged, and today is home to some 10,000 people.

So, how small is this isoletta?  Only about 1.5 square miles and perfect per un mezzo giorno, a half-day visit.    Your escape begins the second you leave the port of Beverello in Naples.  You leave the modern city behind and  journey back in time the closer you come to Procida.  Your port-o-call is Marina Grande and it romances you the moment you set foot on Procida.  White and pastel houses line the cliff before you.  An old-fashioned carousel sits beside a busy fishing port.  Hardly anyone speaks English.  This is old-world Italy.

Procida is not made for shopping and tour buses.  Procida is idyllic for dreaming the day away on a tiny inlet or the beach at the small fishing borgo of La Corricella.  Exploring at a leisurely pace, you can make your way on foot to the Marina di Chiaiolella and grab an espresso or appertivo along the way.  This is where you will find Il Ristorante Galeone for lunch.  Grab a pizza or a more elaborate entree and while away the afternoon watching the small boats come and go.

For a tiny island, Procida is full of churches from the tiny Chiesa di S.Rocco to the often-photographed Chiesa di Madonna.    Hollywood has even found its charm, as the backdrop for the Italian film “Il Postino” and the US-made “The Talented Mr. Ripley” (stay tuned here for a subsequent post on Hollywood’s path through Procida)

Procida offers an escape from civilization

Travel Tips – Take a ferry from Beverello in Naples and make sure you book the hydrofoil or the trip will take three times as long on the slow boat.

Dining – walk to the end of the island (and that’s not very far) and have lunch at Il Ristorante Galeone.  Excellent!

Transportation – since this is the smallest island, the ferry service is sporadic and if a captain doesn’t think it’s worth making the last boat ride of the day you might be stuck on the island for the evening.  So, catch the next to the last boat and at least you have a time cushion.

Local Transportation – there is a regular public bus which travels the length of the island and since it is so small you can be sure that the next bus is less than 1.5 miles away!  I found that after walking the hilly streets, up and down, and across, a ride on the bus was welcome relief toward the end of the day.

Hotels – Don’t expect to find the standard resort hotels here.  Remember, Procida is small.  There are many bed and breakfasts and you can find some online right here at Wanderlust Women Travel.