James Andrew, La Mortella Gardens - photo Scott McBee
With only two days in Ischia there was not much time to explore many of its incredible sites and attractions. However, after a recommendation from our our super chic friend Antonio Sersale, a visit to La Mortella Gardens was clearly a must. Designed by the legendary Russel Page (my favorite landscape architect of all time) in consort with Lady Walton, wife of composer William Walton, this miraculous garden has developed and matured over fifty years and is now comprised of thousands of exotic plantings.
La Mortella Gardens
I’ve always felt that a garden is best enjoyed at the end of the day, and La Mortella provided us with the most perfectly cool and fantastical place to contemplate our heavenly day of luxury at the Mezzatorre.
La Mortella Gardens
Had we more time we would have loved to visit many more of Ischia’s sights, including the town of Saint Angelo and the Aragonese Castle, Lacco Ameno, one of the earliest Greek colonies in the west; The Archaeological Museum of Pithecusa and the Museum of Saint Restituta too; The thermal water parks and beaches: Poseidon Garden, Negombo, Parco Termale Castiglione, Tropical, Aphrodite and O’ Vagnitiello and the Carribean-like Maronti beach will all have to wait for our return as well. The list goes on and on….Needless to say we’re already planning our next visit to Ischia. The marvelous Hotel Mezzatorre, of course will continue to be our favored base of operations!
La Mortella Gardens
I’m pictured dressed in white, enjoying a late afternoon visit to La Mortella gardens. I’m sporting a white cotton voile safari style shirt by Gucci, slim white cotton cargo pant by Uniglo, braided white leather flip flops by Schettino di Capri, white rope belt by Orlebar Brown, Tom Ford “Miguel” sunglasses in white and straw hat with black grosgrain ribbon trim from India Hicks’ Sugar Mill, vintage Rolex watch, my fragrance is Tom Ford Neroli Portofino.