Lemonakis Antonis

Before 1980, Ikaria was self-sufficient, importing hardly anything and even milling its own wheat to make flour. Islanders made use of around 80 different kinds of wild greens and herbs in their diet, Buettner told Reader's Digest. Some have ten times the antioxidant levels of red wine, which are proven to reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure. The local diet also features a lot of beans and little meat or refined sugar.

The best way to appreciate Ponza's bizarre and beautiful geological formations is from the water. Rent a boat from the port (with or without a skipper) and do a circuit of the rugged coastline with its sheer cliffs and rock arches. Drop anchor in a sheltered bay and plunge into the sea for a swim or paddle to explore its ancient man-made grottoes. You can also take a boat trip to two other islands in the Pontine archipelago, Palmarola and Zannone.