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Capri and Anacapri

A Piece of Heaven on Earth

By Elaine GallagherPublished 4 years ago 5 min read
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The bluest water.....

Capri is located in southeast Italy, slightly south of Naples. Sorrento, the isle of Capri and the Amalfi Coast combined is a spectacular region in Campania and on the Sorrentine Peninsula overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Breathless views and serene landscapes will take your breath away.

Capri

Capri, an island in Italy’s Bay of Naples, is famous for its rugged landscapes, upscale hotels, designer shopping, limoncello and handmade leather goods. One of its best-known natural sites is the Blue Grotto, a dark cavern where the sea glows a memorable electric blue as sunlight passes through an underwater cave. In summer, Capri's dramatic, cove-studded coastline is the home to many yachts. Many celebrities stay on their yachts during the day and enjoy the Capri nightlife when there are less tourists.

There are two towns on the island: Capri and Anacapri. Capri has the Piazzetta at its center, while Anacapri is at a higher elevation on the slopes of Mount Solaro. Both are a must visit on your trip to this region of Italy.

The only way to reach Capri is, obviously, by sea. Ferries depart from Naples and Sorrento.

Ferries run all day from Sorrento

Taking a water taxi or ferry ride is the best way to experience the water and surrounding cliffs and magnificent views of Capri. It’s a fabulous day trip. At the tip of one of the cliffs, barely visible from the water’s edge you will see a statue of a waving boy, which is a permanent welcome to all visiting Capri. Also among the most famous Capri landmarks is the Faraglioni which consists of three rock formations amazingly shaped by the waves. As written by Homer in the Odyssey, they would be the 3 rocks thrown by the cyclops Polyphemus, while for Virgil in the Aeneid, they are the rocks where the Sirens lived. There are many of these statues to see during your ferry ride – each more spectacular than the last. You will be left wondering how they were formed and how long did it take to look like it does now. The water on the ferry ride is a clear blue which changes as you wander through the various parts around Capri.

The Blue Grotto

While on your water tour of Capri, you will stop by the Blue Grotto. The Blue Grotto is a sea cave on the coast of Capri. Sunlight passing through the magnificent underwater cavity shines through the seawater creating a blue reflection that illuminates this amazing cavern. This is a wonder that words could not properly express. The Blue Grotto is a sea cave on the coast of the island of Capri made of limestone and the water within emanates an iridescent blue color similar in color to a sapphire blue topaz.

Amazing.....

The entry to the Blue Grotto is only two meters wide and about one meter high at low tide, making safe access possible only when tides are low and the sea is calm. It has been concluded that the boatmen had continued entering the cave when the sea conditions were inappropriate. Swimming in the grotto is forbidden. Even though we were not able to go inside because of the tide that day it’s one of most beautiful attractions I have ever witnessed. On my next trip we will hopefully be able to go inside.

Walking Around Capri

Once we arrived in Capri, we had the opportunity to walk around and pretend to be a famous person while salivating at the beautiful hotels, flower gardens and shops. The island of Capri is famous for many reasons. It has jaw-dropping natural beauty, delicious cuisine and world-class shopping. It's also a place to see and be seen – there's a reason why so many celebrities anchor their yachts in Marina Grande. Capri town is on the more cosmopolitan side of the island, with luxury boutiques, night clubs, and the famous Piazzetta, meeting place for islanders and visitors alike. Walking along the cobbled stone hills you will find rows of designer stores to appease any desires you may have. Prices were relatively the same as in designer stores in Rome and the United States, but just experiencing them in Capri is life altering.

Strolling along in designer world

Crowded tourist attractions

Anacapri

Anacapri has a more intimate and quiet atmosphere and is less crowded than Capri. Funicular, combined with the cable car, is the best way to see Anacapri. The funicular runs between the port in Marina Grande and the Piazzetta in Capri town above, taking just a few minutes to complete the trip. The Capri stop is behind the Piazzetta. Courses run every 15 minutes, though during the most crowded times the funicular runs non-stop. As soon as you arrive at the port, purchase your tickets at the ticket office to the right on the pier. The trip only lasts 4 minutes, though you can often find long lines of passengers waiting to board at Marina Grande, as only 70 passengers can ride at one time. If the line is long and you are travelling with a small group, it may be worth it to hire a taxi. When arriving at the top, my recommendation would be the cable car ride to show you “the above the trees” sights over Anacapri. The first few seconds are frightening as you feel thrown onto this “ski-life” type of ride but once started you will absorb the beauty of the water below and its surroundings. At some points, your feet may touch the treetops for an exhilarating experience beyond words. When you are done, you can walk around the top and do some more water viewing and just get a complete sense of the feelings and serenity that these islands bring.

An unexplainable feeling.....

Beyond words

So when planning your next trip to the Amalfi Coast area, be sure to add Capri and Anacapri to your list of must sees!!

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About the Creator

Elaine Gallagher

I am an elementary educator and freelance writer. I enjoy writing about education, health and fitness and every day life issues. You can find my writing at egallagher.contently.com and my blog, Just Me, https://egallagher713.wordpress.com

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