Laura and Sebastian

Ischia, Italy

On a spontaneous adventure to Ischia – an island which, 48 hours before arriving, we didn’t actually know existed – my good friend Kat and I decided to hike up Mount Epomeo. Though perhaps not ideally equipped (kitted out in a maxi dress, Toms and a tote bag) we got some water, slapped on many layers of suncream and sought the summit. The volcanic horst, so it is thought, is the island’s highest point and promises incredible scenes, complimented by gloriously delicious food from La Grotto da Fiore, an authentic restaurant just below the summit, carved into tuffaceous rock. The path to the tip-top views and spaghetti, however, proved difficult not only climb, but to find!

When winding around empty trails, feeling like characters from Sacher’s Holes as the sun beat on our necks, we met Laura and Sebastian – another pair of lost spontaneous adventurers. Sebastian explained that they had intended to travel the island’s circumference on the bus. “We just got hungry and jumped off and then we saw that we were so close to this mountain. We actually planned to hike on here tomorrow, but had an altitude of 450m and so we just said okay, let’s do it today... and now we’re here.”

"Okay, let’s do it today... and now we’re here.”

Laura and Sebastian are from Dortmund, Germany. I asked them how it compares with Ischia – very differently, it would seem. “This is an island. Everywhere you see the water and the sea, and the food is different... everything. And especially Dortmund - it’s only industry, a big city. I feel like the city’s bigger than this island!”

"...the city’s bigger than this island!”"

Both responded with quick, affirmative yeses when I asked whether they enjoy being out in nature. Laura explained: “I like animals and the different plants. I like to see what is different to other countries.”

"I like animals and the different plants."

We parted ways after exchanging navigational advice and queries as to which routes we each had tried. It was like a real version of the maze puzzles you get in children’s magazines – track A, B, C, or D? If only we could find them.

Appreciating each viewpoint as though it was the highest one we would manage, we kept hedging our way further up steep paths which were becoming increasingly invaded by vegetation. But brambles or no brambles, Kat and I made it... and ten minutes later, Laura and Sebastian made it too! It was a happy reunion of a band of wanderers whose plans and paths had changed.

*All in all, I can report that the maxi dress, Toms and linen tote held up pretty well – an alternative sponsorship deal for Bear Grylls perhaps!