Travel Tips & Useful Information

Sudoku Packing

Download your Sudoku Packing Guide Here

TRAVEL TIP #1 FERRIES TO ISCHIA

🚢 Book your Ferry: Napoli Beverello ➔ Ischia Porto

We highly recommend booking a fast ferry with Alilauro.

Please ensure your ferry arrival into Ischia Porto aligns with one of our shuttle departure times below:

📅 Arrival Shuttles (Ischia Porto ➔ Hotel Miralisa)

25th September: 1:30 PM

26th September: 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 3:30 PM

📅 Return Shuttles (Hotel ➔ Ischia Porto)

3rd October: 10:00 AM | 12:00 PM

4th October: 10:00 AM

⏱️ Note: The transfer time between the hotel and Ischia Porto is approximately one hour. Please keep this in mind when booking your return travel!

TRAVEL TIP #2 TRAVEL MONEY

Cash is King (Sometimes): Most places in Italy take card, but bring €100–€200 cash for small cafés, markets, taxis, tips, and ferries.

Avoid Fee: Use a travel card instead of your everyday Australian bank card to skip fees and exchange rates.

Our Recommendation: We use Wise. It’s super simple, cheap, and lets you load/spend Euros directly.

Get a free Wise card/transfer here:

👉 https://wise.com/invite/ilpc/anoukv114

TRAVEL TIP #3 PASSPORTS, VISAS ETC

Check Your Passport & Travel Documents:

Australian passport holders must ensure their passport has at least three months validity beyond their planned departure date from the Schengen Area.

Visa Requirements:

Australian passport holders can currently enter Italy and other Schengen countries visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Please note that travel requirements can change. It is your responsibility to ensure you meet all entry requirements for the countries you plan to visit.

New European Entry/Exit System (EES):

Please be aware that the European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now in operation for travellers from non-EU countries, including Australia. On your first entry into the Schengen Area, border officials will take your photograph and fingerprints, which will be securely stored as part of your travel record. This system replaces passport stamping and may result in longer processing times at both arrival and departure border controls. We recommend allowing extra time when entering and leaving Europe, particularly if you have connecting flights or onward travel plans.

For further information on Europe travel please visit the Smart Traveller website: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/italy

IMPORTANT TRAVEL NOTICE: European Airport Delays & New EES System

As you prepare for your journey to Italy, we wanted to share an important travel update regarding the new European Entry/Exit System (EES), which is now being introduced across European borders.

During this transition period, some airports may experience longer than usual processing times for both arrivals and departures. In some cases, travellers have experienced delays of several hours due to additional passport checks and registration procedures.

These delays may also impact connecting flights, trains, buses and ferry transfers, particularly if you have a short connection time between arrival into Europe and your onward journey to Ischia. We recommend allowing plenty of buffer time between connections and checking your travel arrangements carefully.

We recommend allowing extra time for all airport connections, particularly if you are:

Arriving in Rome on the first day of the retreat and connecting to trains, transfers or ferries to Ischia.

Departing Italy on the final day of the retreat and need to catch flights or onward connections.

When leaving Italy, we suggest arriving at the airport earlier than you normally would to allow plenty of time for check in, security and passport control.

While we hope your journey is smooth and delays are minimal, we encourage everyone to plan with some flexibility and avoid tight connections where possible.

If you have any questions about your travel arrangements, please feel free to reach out. We are looking forward to welcoming you to Ischia and sharing this special experience together.

TRAVEL TIP #4 HOTEL TAXES, TIPPING & GRATUITIES

✓ Hotel Taxes - Italy

Local hotel tax in Ischia is payable directly to your accommodation on arrival or departure and is not included in your retreat package.

This is a standard city tax across Italy and is charged per person, per night, and varies slightly depending on the hotel category. Budget around €14 for your stay. Be aware of this if you’re staying in other hotels in Italy.

✓ Tips & Gratuities

Tipping in Italy is customary and greatly appreciated, particularly in hospitality settings.

Recommended Retreat Tips:

Budget a minimum of €50 (cash) per person for the stay to cover tips for hotel staff, excursion guides and bus drivers.

Anouk, Daniele and Manu will coordinate the tips and collect based on the trips.

TRAVEL TIP #5 STAY CONNECTED, GET YOUR E-SIM

Want easy, low-cost data while we’re in Italy without dealing with physical SIM cards or expensive roaming fees? An eSIM lets you setup a digital data plan on your phone before you leave so you're connected the second we land

We recommend using Saily for reliable coverage across Italy and Ischia.

🎁 Get US$5 Off Your First Data Plan:

- Download the app here: https://saily.onelink.me/ymzx/referrals

- Use discount code DANIEL7797 at checkout!

Tip: Set it up on your home Wi-Fi before you head to the airport so it's ready to activate as soon as we arrive. ✈️🌿

TRAVEL TIP #6 THE PACKING PUZZLE

Have you ever heard of the Sudoku Packing Capsule? It's a simple way to pack lighter by choosing a small collection of clothing that all mixes and matches, giving you plenty of outfit combinations without overpacking.

Perfect for travel, it leaves more room in your suitcase for souvenirs and takes the stress out of deciding what to wear each day.

Check out the attached PDF for some great tips on how to pack light the Sudoku way.

We think you'll be surprised by how much you can do with just a few carefully chosen pieces.

Get your Packing Guide HERE

TRAVEL TIP #7 STAY SAFE IN EUROPE

Europe is generally a very safe place to travel, but busy tourist areas, train stations and airports are popular spots for pickpockets. A few simple habits can help you avoid any issues:

• Keep your phone, passport, wallet and cards in a secure cross body bag or money belt, preferably worn in front of you.

• Only carry the cash you need for the day and keep a spare card and some emergency cash separate from your main wallet.

• Never leave bags, phones or passports unattended, even for a moment, especially in cafés, restaurants or on trains.

• Be extra aware when boarding trains, using public transport or walking through crowded attractions, as these are common places for distraction thefts.

• Lock your suitcase whenever possible and keep valuables in your carry on luggage rather than checked baggage.

• Take photos or digital copies of your passport, travel insurance and important documents and store them securely online.

• If using your phone for maps, step to the side rather than standing in the middle of a busy footpath with your device on display.

• Keep your head up, avoid distractions like excessive phone use, and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

• Trust your instincts. If something feels unusual or someone is trying to distract you, simply move on.

A little awareness goes a long way. Stay alert, look after your belongings, and you can relax and enjoy everything Italy has to offer.

TRAVEL TIP #8 STAY CONNECTED

Download Whatsapp and join the Group Chat

Our WhatsApp group chat is the main way we communicate throughout the retreat. We’ll use it to share important updates, daily schedules, excursion meeting points and departure times, along with any last minute changes.

Please download WhatsApp before the retreat and join the group using the link provided. We recommend keeping notifications turned on so you don’t miss anything important.

If you aren't already in the Group chat you can use the link below to join.

Join the Group Chat HERE

How to get to Ischia from Italy mainland (Naples)

The best way is to take the fast ferry from Napoli Molo Beverello, located in Naples. Fast ferries leave only from Molo Beverello regularly and the journey takes around an hour. Your Ischia port stop is ISCHIA PORTO

Naples Airport to the Port of Naples (Napoli Beverello):

ALIBUS

Exit the Arrivals terminal and follow signs for Alibus. Take the Alibus towards Porto / Molo Beverello.
Tickets cost €5 per person and can be purchased from the ticket machines outside Arrivals or directly from the driver.
Stay on the bus past Piazza Garibaldi / Central Station.
Get off at the final stop Molo Angioino/Beverello (Stazione Marittima).
Allow approximately 35 minutes, but longer in heavy traffic. Buses run roughly every 10–15 minutes.
From the stop, follow signs to Molo Beverello (5 minute walk or take the shuttle)

TAXI

Exit Arrivals and go to the official taxi rank outside the terminal.
Tell the driver “Molo Beverello” and ask for the fixed fare (tariffa predeterminata) before starting the journey.
The current official fixed fare from the airport to Molo Beverello is €24, inclusive of the applicable supplements.
Allow around 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic.
The taxi can drop you directly at the port area, making this the easiest option with luggage.

Naples Central Station to the Port of Naples:

WALKING

Exit Napoli Centrale towards Piazza Garibaldi. Head along Corso Umberto I, the long, straight main road leading towards the historic centre.Turn left onto Via Agostino Depretis and continue downhill towards the port. Continue straight until you reach Piazza Municipio and see Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino).
Walk past Castel Nuovo towards the waterfront, following signs for Molo Beverello / Porto.
Around 30–35 minutes / 2.5 km.
Not recommended with heavy luggage.

ALIBUS

Take the Alibus from Piazza Garibaldi outside the station.
Get off at Beverello / Porto. Around 20–25 minutes, depending on traffic.

UNDERGROUND/METRO

Follow signs inside the station to Metro Line 1 – Garibaldi.
Take Line 1 towards Piscinola. Get off at Municipio.
Follow signs for Porto / Molo Beverello, about a 5-minute walk. Usually the quickest and easiest option.

TAXI

Use the official taxi rank outside Napoli Centrale.
Ask for “Molo Beverello” and request the fixed fare before departing.
Fixed fare is €15.50. Allow around 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic.

Departure port: Napoli Beverello

Destination port: Ischia Porto

Recommended Service: ALILAURO https://www.alilauro.it/en/

SHUTTLE TIMETABLE: Ischia Porto - Hotel Villa Mirialisa