----- Capri, Italy ---------------

Capri is an enchanting island, probably the most beautiful place that I have ever visited. As most of Italy is dirty, Capri is the direct opposite, very clean and well maintained. Beautiful light colored cliffs with verdant green vegetation adorn all points on the island. Adding to the beauty are whitewashed houses scattered along narrow meandering streets stacked along the cliffs.

Capri holds many other sensory wonders. Many beautiful architectural sites and ruins invite exploration such as Villa Jovis and Grotto di Matermania among others. While on Capri, Gabe and I rented a moped and explored the island at our own pace. I really hate being in tour groups and being limited by their schedules and rules. I knew visiting Capri would not be complete without visiting the Grotto Azzurra (Blue Grotto). The Grotto Azzurra is a marvel. It is a small cavern open to the sea with access by boat or swimming. When inside the fascination begins. As you look to the entrance you see the tiny white light entering the cavern, but more amazing is the way the light refracts off the ocean floor illuminating the waters with a spectacular bright blue color.

While on Capri we tried to explore as much as possible (even missing our boat that evening and taking the late ferry back). What I really enjoyed was taking a chair lift to the highest point on Capri to Mount Solaro. The views of the whole island with Sorrento in the background were breathtaking. Capri is such a small island, but with such amazing raw natural beauty. I loved being at the summit of Capri seeing the Faraglioni, steep drops and blue waters of the Thyrannian Sea. The only reason we left was they were shutting down the lift. As night approached we walked to the eastern most part of the island to the Natural Arch. The walk through the narrow streets and then through the forest at dusk had such an eerie feeling. The arch is preferred for a couple as at the end of the path a small cutout in the rock made for two people awaits to take in the romantic peaceful tranquility and awe of its beauty. Even though Gabe was with me I didn't feel like snuggling up to him in the cutout. :-)

Truly, to visit Italy would be incomplete without a visit to this magical island.

Capri in the morning	Maria Grande where we docked	Maria Grande from a distance
View of Capri on way to Anacapri	Nice distance view of Capri
Inside the Beautiful Grotto Azzurra	From the boat in the Grotto Azzurra	Having lunch above the Grotto Azzurra
Faro Beach on the tip of Capri	Gabe at the Lighthouse	King of the world? Don't think so
Faro Point with cactus in front	Along the backside of Anacapri	Looking towards Anacapri
My favorite pic of the Faraglioni	Faraglioni zoomed in up close	Us @ Mt Solaro w/ Faraglioni behind
Amalfi Coast from Mt Solaro	It's a long way down...try 2000'+	Statue inviting one to view the beauty
Capri through the trees	Beautiful houses stacked up the cliffs	From the Piazetta at sunset
A gorgeous sunset on Capri	End to a beautiful day	Lush foliage covers Capri
Eerie view of Sorrento at night	Natural Arch at night	Top of the Natural Arch
Homes line the narrow streets	More houses hugging the cliffs	Tranquil cliffs along the Mare Tirreno