While our small Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) group spent the morning on a walking tour of Naples and visiting the National Archaeological Museum, Bruce and I opted to book a full-day boat tour to the island of Capri for a cruise around the island and free time exploring the island itself.  Fingers were crossed for calm seas and good weather, and we got both when it mattered the most!

Capri, a popular resort destination, is located on the south side of the Gulf of Naples.  As we approached the island by boat, we noticed the steep and rugged limestone cliffs and numerous grottos.  Beautiful! We were in for a treat!  The water was a gorgeous shade of deep blue, and as we got closer, it turned to shades of turquoise, reminding me of the many tropical paradises I had the great fortune to SCUBA dive in many years ago. 

When we arrived at the harbor, we transferred from the ferry to a smaller boat that could maneuver close to the grottos as we circled the island.  Our tour didn’t include visiting the famous Blue Grotto, which we opted against, due to the amount of time it would require to see it.  Boats line up for their turn to off load their passengers to grotto tour boats, and the waiting time can be very long.  It was organized chaos when we cruised by, and I was happy we didn’t spend our time bobbing in place waiting!

(For all photos, click on the image for a full screen view.)

The history of Capri is long.  Archaeological evidence indicates human presence dating back to the Neolithic and Bronze Age.  Fast forward to the late 19^th century, the island became an increasingly popular resort for European artists, writers, and expatriates.  It gained a reputation as a tolerant haven, attracting wealthy gay men and lesbians seeking a more open life than elsewhere in Europe.

Following our cruise, we opted to hike three quarters of a mile up to the town (elevation 492 feet) rather than take the funicular, a decision I thoroughly enjoyed.  For Bruce, not so much.  It was very steep, there were a lot of stairs, and it was a hell of a workout.  We earned the gelato we enjoyed for lunch!

The views throughout the hike were stunning, and I enjoyed seeing the charming homes and gardens along the way.

After arriving at the top, the mix of people we saw in town ranged from day trippers like us to very fashionable (and I presume quite wealthy) Europeans who had arrived by private yacht and were transported from the marina to town by these funny-looking, open top taxis:

This was the place to people-watch!  While enjoying the spectacular views and checking out the interesting tile map of Capri on a lower-level patio from where we sat savoring our gelato, the crowds passed by providing plenty of entertainment. This place was hopping!

Scenes around town:

Scenes around the waterfront and marina:

We were so glad we opted to spend the day seeing Capri! The boat ride back to the mainland was a wet, but fun one. We were greeted with a lovely, serene view upon our return.

Coming up next: SICILY & AMALFI COAST #26: WRAPPING IT UP IN NAPLES