Last February when my better half & I made a trip to Naples for about a week we also went to Capri.
In the morning we climbed on a ferry to Capri and about 1 hour later we arrived in the harbour. When leaving the ferry we thought about what to do next … and there was an answer straight ahead. A small tourist boat waited offering a tour around Capri. So we started our Capri adventure on the sea around Capri.
Most of the coastline are rocks emerging from the water, precipitous cliffs along which the tourist boat skilfully navigated. Every now and then there were glimpses of white villas on top of the rocks or somewhere in between.
I missed beaches … Often there were some ladders where audacious swimmers might climb down and up for a swim … Some hotels, more small ones, are located in small bays – sometimes with a tiny sandy beach.
The Blue Grotto was closed due to the high sea level. (We learnt that the round trip around Capri includes a stay at the Blue Grotto where you change into small boats to enter the cave.) So we cruised along …
What I also learnt: the Blue Grotto was once private swimming pool of the Roman emperor Tiberius who decorated the cave with marble statues.
Nevertheless we had a brilliant cruise around Capri at clear blue sky and in dark blue water. Back in the harbor we started walking to Piazetta di Capri. There is a famous cable car … well, in winter it’s out of order. So we climbed a winding road turning soon in a small footpath with lots of stairs … (I admire the locals who almost run up and down …) It’s rather steep … but then we arrived and had some espresso and water overlooking Capri.
Latest now we were happy that it was winter because there was no problem getting a table on the Piazetta. Of course we were not alone, but the number of sightseer was rather small. (I can only compare our experience with photos of crowds filling the Piazetta and all the small alleys.)
For the next hours we strolled along the alleys and relaxed.
There are shops of all the well-known fashion designers and jewelers … most of them were closed (winter!). There were also art galleries – and lots of restaurants, bars, cafés. Sometimes we found ourselves suddenly on a small footpath separating homes to the left and to the right. After a sharp turn we were back on a shopping street.
To get back to the harbour we decided to take a minibus. The array of shiny scooters was tempting, but down to sea level means steep, narrow and winding roads.
After having some last glass of wine at the harbour we climbed onto the ferry and said good-bye.
