16 July 2014

The 'Glamourous' Capri Island

The view of the iconic 3 rocks of Faraglioni from Capri Island

Capri Island, the little island on the coast of Italy or known to the world as the playground of the rich and famous. The island made popular by the likes of Jackie O, Sophia Loren and Clark Gable has made its way to the list of the must visit place in the world by many. Was I intrigued? Not really but as Captain always say, "Once in a lifetime, why not?"

There are a few ways to get to Capri but they all involved boats.  You can either chose to ride the ferry/hydrofoil with all the 'mortals' or hire a private little boat with your own skipper and travel at your own pace. We were attracted to the idea of travelling at our own pace but at almost 400 Euro, we decided to go with the crowd on the hydrofoil. It was kind of fun basking in the sun on the deck with the sea breeze grazing our faces the whole 20 minutes of the journey from Sorrento and I was thinking what difference could the 400 Euro have given us? 

 Arriving at the main port of Capri, Marina Grande

Since we were spending only a day in Capri, we decided to take a guide with private transport with us. Our guide, Salvatore, was one funny guy and he made sure we get to see all the 'must see' in our short time in Capri. If you don't want a guide, it is also easy to explore Capri by public transport or the other way called 'on foot' if you are up to climbing the 400+ steps up the hill and down again to the other side of Capri. Had the day not been so hot (the hottest days of June in years according to the locals) I would have taken on that challenge!

The highlight of our day was the trip into the famous Grotta Azzura or Blue Grotto, the sea cave with a small 'crack' as the entrance. The sun reflectes on the surface of the super blue water creating a blue reflection that illuminates the whole cave. The entrance was so tiny that it could only allow one small boat that fits 4 at a time of which upon entering all four must lie low to avoid knocking the roof of the entrance. Sounds like an adventure, right? Bear in mind that the grotto might be close on certain days depending on the condition of the sea.

At the entrance of Grotta Azzurra.  Notice the little row boats? 

 The view of the entrance from inside the cave. Stunning!

Piazza Umberto.  Best visited after sunset if you want to brush shoulders with the celebrities and the locals


We took a break for lunch and boy, wasn't lunch an event in Capri. The restaurants in Piazza Umberto served elegant lunch by waiters that dressed in white jackets with price starting from nothing below 20 Euro for starter and wine list that could put some hotels to shame. You could also try some of the set lunch served at some restaurants outside of Piazza Umberto at a smaller price. For me the highlight of my F&B in Capri would be the granita or the ice-blended lemonade made from the lemons from this area of Italy. The lemons were so sweet, added sugar barely needed. The lemons, according to Captain can be eaten just like that, like you would an apple!

It was nice strolling by these little walks with boutiques on the left and right..

Scents of Capri.. make great gift or souvenir

The succulent lemons, famous in the Gulf of Naples. They were huge! As big as the young coconut some were! They made fabulous granitas or ice blended lemonades.

The cold, refreshing granita or ice blended lemonade

After a day of going around Capri and seeing a lot from the beautiful houses of the famous, the gorgeously dressed immaculate girls to the hilarious chatter among the boat-men of Grotta Azzura, I could see the charm that Capri possess. I could also understand the lack of privacy the locals must be feeling with tourists, thousands of them flocking their backyards throughout the year, to the point that life starts after the sun down to them as that's when the tourist would go away with the last ferry out. Honestly I can say that there are better, more beautiful and less crowded or expensive islands in Italy and thanks to the stars, songs and films, Capri has turned to be yet another 'Disney World' for the tourists, leaving the glamour a thing of the past.




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34 comments:

  1. What a beautiful place. I'd love to go at least once in my life. Ive never heard of sweet lemons, I bet the lemonade is yummy. Hope all is well with you :)

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    1. The lemonade was yummy and fresh. The lemon itself I didn't try but I take Captain's word on it :) He was stationed in Napoli/Naples for a few years in his early 20s :)

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  2. Thank you for sharing this beautiful spot with us!

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  3. I haven't been to Capri Island but I've seen it from afar when I was in Napoli. Don't think I'd head there just to spend a day on the island but it does remind me of Enrique Iglesias song - "from the coast of ipanema to the island of capri all the way to kuala lumpur", haha!

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  4. Capri looks stunning. It makes me think of Fornasetti and his longing to visit this place. I can certainly see why now!

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  5. Oh one more thing - I had this place on my list of possible places to visit this summer and I am so glad that I read your blog for some refreshing (like those lemons) honesty!

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    1. Drink a lot of granita, Yasumi and let me know what you think of it :)

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  6. Oh, it looks like such fun! I'm adding this to my "next time in Italy" list...

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  7. The cave photo made me gasp a bit as I'm not fond of enclosed spaces, but it is a beautiful photo. The spouse and I didn't get to Capri when we were in Italy - Oh, well .. it's just another reason to go back :-)

    Monica, www.pear-shaped-gal.com

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    1. Haha! I like that.. reason to go back ;) And yes, the grotto could be intimidating and claustrophobic. I think the blue reflection kind of help me feel less bothered

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  8. Wow your photos are stunning, would love to visit one day. The Grotta looks amazing, what a fun adventure.

    XO Chelsea http://www.shesaidhesaidfashion.com/

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  9. Oh my, it looks amazing there! Sooo jealous :)
    http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

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  10. Wow you got some fantastic photos. I've always wanted to visit, but like you, just quickly for the day I think would be enough. That cave really looked amazing.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. I feel that a day trip was sufficient. I'd rather spend extra time somewhere quieter like Massa Lubrense in the mountain overlooking the coast

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  11. I've never heard about this island. So beautiful. Especially the one inside the cave!

    xx
    http://felishmichelle.blogspot.com

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  12. It does look lovely, but I know what you mean about a place becoming a 'Disney Land' type place.. that's the problem with beautiful, popular destinations, eventually they lose their charm

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  13. Wow...such beauty! Looks like another fabulous vacation. Your photos are amazing. Thanks for sharing :)

    www.sylvialovespink.com

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  14. Oh wow the Isle of Capri.....so breathtaking! Thanks for sharing with us Mrs. C....you're incredible!

    Rebecca
    www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

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  15. Beautiful pictures!! The inside of cave is simply amazing!!
    xo, Jane
    http://www.fitfabfunmom.com

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  16. Gorgeous, never really thought of traveling there......you mentioned you'd been to the Harry Potter park...this one is brand new, just opened last week...so you must have been to the other park..there are two now......

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    1. Hi, Gracey! We went to the one in Hollywood and it was a couple of years ago.

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  17. I did love the Amalfi coast, but we stayed away from the main touristy spots. That blue grotto seems to be a must for me the next time I ever get to visit again.

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    1. Blue Grotto is a must! We also did Positano on the Amalfi Coast during the trip

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  18. wow its amazing , i guess the best place to trip in summer!! kisses

    Un Rincòn Para Mis Botas
    http://fiorellaechegaray.blogspot.com.es

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  19. Love Capri. But I totally agree that there are other islands that are way better to explore. I love your lemon shots! My daughter (1) loves to eat lemons, it's the strangest thing ever, but my husband always likes to remind me that she's Sicilian.

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  20. How gorgeous! What a fabulous experience - I'm so jealous :)
    <3
    katsfashionfix.blogspot.com

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  21. The blue of the water is unreal!! Looks lovely, and you got beautiful photos!

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  22. Paradise! Oh, lucky you kids! So glad you got to go and shared the photos with us all. I instantly think of 50's film and Sophia Loren, for some reason. Dan has always wanted to go there because he loves his goats, and Capri might be named after them. Or perhaps wild boars. But Dan goes for anything goatish, any time.
    Hope you are having a lovely, lovely time. In my next life, I'm going to eat my way around Europe.

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  23. Wow! That grotto is absolutely stunning!
    Debbie
    www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com

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  24. Beautiful place. Beautiful grotto. And indeed it is a shame that wehn something is desirable, everybody wants it and therefore spoil it.
    Greetje

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