Capri - Italy's Mediterranean Island Paradise

Mediterranean islands don't come much more idyllic than Capri. Nestled in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Italy's Sorrentine Peninsula and in the southern portion of the Gulf of Naples, Capri has earned a reputation of being a haunt of the rich and famous but it's becoming increasingly open to a wider market.

The island is easily accessible from the Italian mainland, with regular ferries running from Naples and Sorrento. I arrived from Naples, where the traffic can be very hectic and congested, so be sure to allow yourself plenty of time.

A return ferry ticket from the port of Naples to Capri cost me a mere €34 and after a 45-minute journey, I arrived at the picturesque isle, which is the very definition of a luxurious island getaway, with its azure waters and sloping hillsides dotted with whitewashed villas and set against a clear blue sky.

All ferries dock at the port of Marina Grande (pictured), which is where the hordes of tourists and day-trippers tend to congregate as they decide where to start their day. As you walk along the harbour, restaurant staff can be quite enthusiastic with their sales pitches but once you yield, the service is attentive. At any rate, the port is an ideal place to relax with a meal and soak up the breathtaking views and breezy atmosphere.

Grotta Azzurra

Boat trips around the island can be booked from Marina Grande, with the most popular being the boat tour of the Grotta Azzurra (pictured). The Blue Grotto, as it is known in English, is a sea cave that becomes illuminated when sunlight passes through an underwater cavity and past the seawater, creating a mystical blue reflection that lights up the whole grotto. The Grotta Azzurra tour is extremely popular so places are usually snapped up very quickly. In order to avoid disappointment, make sure you secure a place on a motorboat as soon as you disembark on the island.

Exploring Capri

Regular buses and cable cars transport tourists from the port to Capri town, the main centre of the island, where small craft shops and exclusive designer boutiques such as D&G and Versace line the narrow rustic alleyways.

Alternatively, a trek up the island on foot affords an up-close-and-personal view of the islanders' quaint homes. Beware, however, because the island is very steep. Capri's highest point, Monte Solaro, is a staggering 1,932ft above sea level, so navigating some parts of the island by foot can be very strenuous, especially considering the very hot climate.

Despite the flocks of tourists and the presence of internationally-renowned designer brands, there is still a distinct serene feeling of being miles away from the chaos of urban civilisation. Nowhere did I experience this feeling more than on the relatively deserted part of the island facing Capri's iconic sea stacks, the Faraglioni (pictured). The best way to really savour the unique quiet beauty of the island is to venture away from the tourist hotspots and explore the more isolated parts of the island and its beaches, which are largely filled with shingle.

Capri's stunningly beautiful environment is an ideal destination to escape the rat race and pressures of modern city living. Whether for a day trip, a weekend or a more extended stay, the island is an isolated idyll perfect for a rejuvenating and indulgent stress-free vacation.

For more information visit Capri Tourism at http://www.capritourism.com/en/home