Capri Island - Two Towns, Many Things to do

Island of Capri is one of the most popular destinations in Mediterranean. It offers incomparable views, mild climate and rich history. Capri is only 17 nautical miles from the mainland; a ferry or hydrofoil departs regularly from Naples, and it takes about an hour to reach the island. Many tourists come for only a few hours, however Capri deserves more than a passing glance. If you are lucky enough to allow for a few days on this enchanted island, it will reward you with unforgettable memories. Do not be afraid to explore: Capri has multiple faces and is a joy to learn.

Augustus Gardens and via Krupp. There are two towns on Capri: Capri and Anacapri. Capri seems to be more popular among tourists; a busy little place with narrow cobblestone streets, crowded shops, and breathtaking views of the Faraglioni rocks. It is a good idea to take a taxi from the Marina to the hotel of your choice: it might be a challenging task to walk with your luggage uphill following winding streets. Our hotel Villa Krupp was a quiet family-run place with a large veranda where every morning we would have a simple breakfast of warm rolls, selection of fruit and jams, and freshly brewed coffee. Try to get a front room with a balcony: you will enjoy the best views of Capri! The villa is located on Viale Matteoli, and for 140 Euro we had a bargain. Take a five-minute walk from the hotel to Augustus gardens - creation of a German industrialist Krupp. He donated the gardens to the town of Capri. The road bearing his name meanders its way down among the cliffs to the rocky beach Marina Piccola. The road is now closed to the public; it requires maintenance, and is damaged in places by the falling rock. A daring visitor might venture along the forbidden road anyway to be rewarded by unparallel sea views, wild flowers growing among rocks, and clear waters of a small cove down below.

The Blue Grotto. The magic of the Blue Grotto reveals itself as soon as your boat enters its unassuming "doorway". Once inside, you will understand the significance of the name: the water beneath is the clearest blue one can imagine. Boats await tourists at the entrance, and circle their way around the cave, allowing passengers to admire excellent acoustics. The easiest way to get there is by motorboat from the Marina Grande.

Villa Jovis. Roman emperor Tiberius made Capri his residence, and ruins of one of his villas can still be seen today. Villa Jovis was strategically positioned on a high hill, allowing the emperor enjoy the panorama of the entire Gulf of Naples. The structure was discovered in the 1700s, but the latest excavations took place in 1930s. You can get to the Villa Jovis walking through town; a good map of the island with all major points of interest is available at the Tourist Office near La Piazetta (Capri town).

Monte Solaro, Anacapri. Monte Solaro is the highest peak of the island - about 1900 feet above the sea level. We decided to take an easy way and use a chairlift to reach the top of the mountain. On our way up we were rewarded by spectacular views of vineyards, gardens, picturesque houses, and glimpses of the sea. Chairlift brings you to the observation area with a gift shop and a snack bar. From here you might decide to explore the town of Anacapri. It is a quieter sister of Capri town, with narrow streets, small souvenir shops, and friendly trattorias. Do not expect a fast food quality: pizza on Capri is a work of art! All the ingredients are fresh, and tomatoes are usually grown in the garden of the owner. The best and friendliest trattoria in Anacapri is "Mamma Giovanna" Via Boffe 3/5, tel (081)8372075

La Piazetta and around. Our walks around this magic island would invariably bring us back to its heart - La Piazetta. Tired and satisfied we would sit at a small table sipping orange juice, or enjoying delicious gelato (it is much more than an ice-cream), watching busy tourists shopping, taking pictures, laughing, and passing by. It is getting late, we reluctantly leave La Piazetta and walk past another outdoor gelato stand, where waffle cones are baked in front of your eyes and dipped in chocolate before being filled with the gelato of your choice. How can we resist? After dessert it is time to think about dinner: today we patronize a grocery store and stock up on freshly baked bread, rich Pecorino cheese, a bottle of local red wine, and sweet black cherries. We sit on our veranda, and the setting sun paints hills and rooftops in gentlest pastel colors. We made a promise to return…