Ischia may be one of Italy’s best-kept secrets (as far as international travelers are concerned), an 18-square mile volcanic island hiding in plain view—yes, that’s the hazy outcropping you see in the distance as you sail to its sparkly neighbor Capri in the Gulf of Naples.

But there are many compelling reasons to visit. If you’ve done the sceney spots in the Amalfi area, and are looking for similar natural attractions offered in a lower-key, gorgeous setting with the bonus of amazing thermal spas, Ischia should be more than an “I’ll-get-there-some-day” destination, but rather one that’s high on your travel bucket list, according to frequent visitor, Domenic Petrino, who is director of business development for Select Italy, a boutique travel company specializing in custom itineraries.