Capri
The enchanting island of
Capri, in the bay of Naples, is one of Italy's loveliest resorts. This
small island rises sharply from the sea and is a beautiful jumble of
tumbling purple, pink and white bougainvillea, lemon trees, narrow,
winding lanes, and pastel houses.
Capri was the playground of emperors. Augustus, who loved to party here,
supposedly founded the world's first paleontological museum in the Villa
Augustus, to display the Stone-Age artefacts found by his builders.
Tiberius retired here in 27 AD, and built various villas. Nowadays Capri
town and Anacapri, the island's second town, are full of holiday makers,
but the countryside between and around them is hilly, beautiful and much
more peaceful.
Visit the gardens of Caesar Augustus and admire the astonishing views
across the sea to Faraglioni Rocks. Walk along the Via Tiberio to the
Villa Jovis, the best and largest of the Roman villas, where both
Tiberius and Caligula were reported to indulge in orgies and torture,
although this rumour may have been anti-imperial propaganda. At Anacapri
you can explore the Villa San Michele, and its superb
gardens, built by Axel Munthe, a Swedish doctor, on the ruins of another
Roman villa.
Whatever you
do, do not forget to
visit the world famous Blue Grotto,
one of several sea caves along the rocky coast. The sunlight reflecting
off the white sandy floor turns the water an
astonishing,
iridescent blue. There are not too many places to swim from these craggy
cliffs, but Capri is a splendid place for water sports and diving or
just sitting back with a Limoncello to
enjoy the view.
Do do not miss the Mondastery of San Giacomo, Mount Solaro, the islands
of Ischia and Procida. Also ensure you visit the gardens of Augustus,
take the chairlift up to Monte Salaro. To reach Capri, take a ferry or
hydrofoil from Naples, Sorrento, Salerno, Positano or Amalfi.
