Capri Emperor Tiberius retired here, Maxim Gorky while exiled here invited Lenin to stay, Gracie Fields and Graham Greene lived here, and Jackie Onassis had her sandals made here; Capri's beguiling beauty and hedonism have charmed an eclectic collection of glitterati and intelligentsia over the years.
Capri rises up to a thousand feet out of the Bay of Naples, and its fabled charms take hold as soon as you climb from the dock. Should you wish to tap into a bit of Hollywood nostalgia, don your Sophia Loren sunglasses and, from the ferry, take a vintage open-top limousine to Capri town, enjoying the warm wind in your hair and the dramatic glimpses of the plunging landscape between flora, limestone and the deep blue sea. In town, boutiques and cafés cluster around the pretty domed church of Santo Stefano in the Piazza Umberto I, but it’s easy to escape to the peace and quiet of the shady, 14th century cloisters of Certose di San Giacomo. The island’s other town of note, Anacapri,
CAPRI
s ple Na
t
o
Blue Grotto
ANACAPRI
MARINA GRANDE Capri Town
Marina Piccola
dominates the western side of the island and, with its white villas, boutiques, bars and flowering bougainvillea, it is the most exclusive and unspoilt part of the island and, from its dominant position, offers breathtaking views over the Bay of Naples.
The sights Emperor Tiberius’ main Capri residence, Villa Jovis, now in ruins, was a sumptuous pleasure palace which pandered to his exotic tastes. And, if you have a good head for heights, take the stairway to Tiberius’ Leap; in days past, those out of favour did not return, but you can celebrate life with lunch at Le Grotelle. The colourful Giardini di Augusto gardens rise in a series of terraces to a lookout point with stunning views of Isole Faraglioni, three limestone stacks that rise out of the sea. Capri’s most celebrated attraction is Grotta Azzurra, an ancient sea cave illuminated by an eerie blue light. Take a rowing boat from Marina Grande and view the cave at midday. To reach Capri’s highest peak, the Seggiovia del Monte Solaro chairlift whisks you to the top in a beautiful, tranquil ride of just twelve minutes.
Cuisine Restaurant Da Tonino is welcoming, unpretentious and located in the countryside just beyond Capri town. The seasonal menu boasts fish and seafood dishes, rabbit, fresh pasta and risottos and there’s an extensive wine cellar. If you’d prefer to sit amongst lemon trees to dine, there is the delicious fish, seafood and fresh salads of Da Paolino Lemon Trees. La Capannina has a fascinating collection of photos of celebrities who have lunched there since the 1930’s.
When to visit As a holiday on its own, or a two centre trip with Sorrento, Naples or the Amalfi Coast, Capri is at its most welcoming between May and September; August is particularly hot and can be busy.
CLASSIC CONCIERGE For further details of excursions and sightseeing possibilities, and to book prior to travel, please call our dedicated team on 0800 294 9322.
56
www.classic-collection.co.uk I freephone 0800 294 9322
any airport I any airline I any day & duration