A TOUCH-AND-GO WEEKEND IN CAPRI
At least once a year I have promised myself to visit one of the most beautiful pearls of the Mediterranean: the island of Capri. Where everything is hectic but at the same time relaxing, where you can feel inebriated without touching wine and where merriment and madness meet.
The island is so full of beauty that you remain mesmerized without having done much during the day. Its overwhelmingness makes it unique.
The streets just beyond the port have amazing vibes, color, and charm. Lots of people there moving about, or sitting at a cafe enjoying a meal and the sun, tons of boats available for hire, and a great energy despite the relatively small size of the place.
This time I had the opportunity to visit Capri in all its splendour with the best people I could wish for. Firenze Made in Tuscany (and in particular my friend Alex Lana) were kind enough to invite me to an event in collaboration with Ferragamo on the beautiful terrace of the Hotel Punta Tragara in Capri, where right in front of them the famous Faraglioni emerge from the blue sea like ancient giants, ready to climb the blue sky.
The event was held on Saturday evening and in addition to the view offered by the location, which was simply breathtaking, another pleasant discovery was tasting the exceptional Gin of the evening, Il Portofino. As a good gin lover, yours truly was in seventh heaven.
Punta Tragara is a historic hotel in Capri, located in an enchanted corner of the island, where the buzz of Capri's shopping street and the Piazzetta gives way to nature and silence.
During the Second World War, Villa Vismara (named after its engineer from Lombardy) became the detached headquarters of the American command and hosted personalities such as General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Sir Winston Churchill. In 1968, Count Goffredo Manfredi chose it as his Capri residence and during the Dolce Vita years, amid luxury and joie de vivre, the mansion fascinated the international jet set. Count Manfredi was so struck by its beauty that he decided to open it up to a few lucky guests. In 1973, he transformed the villa into the Punta Tragara Hotel, which soon distinguished itself as a brand of excellence in the art of hospitality and hospitality.
Needless to say, it was an incredible experience, where I had the opportunity to meet and dance with delightful people.
On Friday evening we also went to the famous tavern Anima e Core, where 'music has the power to unite everyone, regardless of origin, to the sound of tambourines and big hits. Guido Lembo and his son Gianluigi have made this possible'. A place where the musical heritage of Italy is pure contamination. A mix of simplicity, light-heartedness, irony and Neapolitan-ness to pay true homage to the Italian way of life. Definitely an experience to be had if you want a taste of the real Italian Dolce Vita.
Of course we didn't miss the beautiful sea surrounding us! We had the pleasure of going to the Gioia Beach Bar at the magnificent Hotel La Palma, where we spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon full of sun, sea and good food in this little corner of paradise nestled among the rocks
On Sunday, I went to one of the most famous beach clubs on the island, La Fontalina, characterised by its blue and white umbrellas recognisable from the breathtaking route you have to take to get there. Yes, because one of the characteristics of Capri are its paths on various levels, definitely a cure-all for body and soul!
Since many parts of the island are not accessible by car, some beaches can only be reached on foot. It’s a nice trek but I assure you that the fatigue is compensated by the magnificent natural beauties that you will encounter as you walk along the island's long paths: from the Faraglioni to the purple bougainvillea of the houses (another characteristic of Capri), from the surreal silence of some panoramic viewpoints to the beautiful Gardens of Augustus.
I regretted not being able to see the Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto) again, an absolutely unforgettable place that I had the pleasure of experiencing a few years ago. Entering that cave is like stepping through a gateway to another dimension: everything is blue, the echoes of the boatmen's songs bring to life the stone that surrounds you, and under that crystal blue illuminated by the sun's rays that shine through the only chink of light in the entrance, memories of the beautiful statues from the time of Tiberius that were found on the bottom of the cave resurface in my mind. Believe me, the combination of all these emotions could not lead to a higher state of beauty.
Lemons are amazing in Capri and they are everywhere, so on Sunday evening, after watching the beautiful sunset from the main piazzetta, we decided to end our beautiful weekend with a dinner at Da Paolino, the restaurant with its distinctive lemon tree that has become a symbol of Capri and has succeeded in representing the island, its hospitality, its splendid sea and its cuisine, throughout the world.
Always a lovely, colorful and romantic place to enjoy a glass of white wine with the best pasta dish.
Overall, although the weekend passed too quickly (good things you know don't last), I can’t recommend Capri enough, especially if you are looking for a romantic trip – anniversary, birthday or just a typical italian relaxing vacation.
In these refined places, pervaded by an archaic and original calm, you will feel as if you have always known this unique island that, since ancient times, has conquered visitors from all over the world with that Grande Bellezza that only Italy can offer.
A Handful of Capri Tips:
You will want to have some cash in hand for taxis, but most other places we visited (restaurants, cafes, etc) took a credit card.
Make reservations when possible for dinner & have the hotel do this for you. There are only so many restaurants on the island and if you’re there during busy season they will definitely be busy.
If you’re someone that gets carsick (or sick on a boat) make sure to bring something to take if need be. I got used to the taxis pretty fast, but I could see how this might be challenging for someone who gets sick easily.
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