A DAY OF EXPLORING ON
CAPRI
Lots of choices for
exploring from Sorrento for the day - Amalfi Coast -
Pompeii - Herculaneum - Ischia - Capri and of course
Sorrento. Since Azamara Quest is a small ship, we could
tender in from Sorrento instead of docking in Naples as
the larger ships do.
We wake up to a glorious
day - sunny, calm, 65 degree weather. We're on our way
to Capri. We tender in at 9AM. Already there are long
lines to purchase ferry tickets.....It's Sunday....We
had hoped to take the slow boat to Capri - 1 hour for
9.80 euros at 9:20AM. It's already sold out, so we
settle for the 20 minute hydrofoil for 14.50 Euros.
TIP...buy a round trip ticket - no discount - but you
don't have to wait in line again in Capri. The ferries
run almost every hour.
Hawkers are selling their
tours while we wait in line, on board the hydrofoil and
again as you arrive in Capri. We prefer to go on our
own, at our own pace. I read extensively and prepared
for excursions prior to cruising. As we arrive in Capri,
we notice hoards of day visitors on Capri - long lines
everywhere - our time is limited, so we succumb to a
tour offered by "Jerry" - 20 Euros per person. Basically
the same itinerary that we had planned and it is limited
to 20 people.
We loved Capri - the
appearance of the island as you approach masks it's
hidden charm - a charm that was enjoyed by Pontiffs and
Emperors centuries ago - the island is now a hideaway
for the wealthy. We board a minibus for a 10 minute ride
to Anacapri - the highest village on the island. The
narrow curvy road makes for an adventure. Buses scrape
their rear view mirrors, taxis careen on down and mopeds
squeeze in between it all .... Sit on the side opposite
the bus driver if you're not afraid of heights - the
views are spectacular and the precipitous drop-off is
"guarded" by a three foot high flimsy rail.
We're dropped off at the
piazzetta in Anacapri - A money exchange with no service
fee is right there - a few cafes, a small complex with
expensive shops and a chairlift to the top of the
island. Public toilets are accessed by walking through
the Armani store....Leave the center and walk along the
narrow uneven stone streets - lots more small shops
selling clothing, shoes, leather good, perfumes, candy
and their famous "Limoncello" a lemon infused vodka
liqueur. From these side streets, you can access
museums, small hotels and villas, and if you have the
energy, even climb to the top rather than taking the
chairlift. Plan on about 1 1/2 hours or so before
heading down to Capri.
We decided to take the
chairlift - 8 Euros - this was not included in the tour.
Being skiers, we're not too excited but are doing it
since we are in Capri for the first time......this is a
very old one-person chair, but it does have a safety
bar......It's a twelve minute ride to the top. We're
wonderfully surprised....the view is
spectacular.....we're suspended over homes, gardens,
terraced fields growing grapes, limes, kiwis and
pomegranate - even a few ruins. From afar we heard a
bell.....It's noon....soon many bells are pealing....in
a pleasant discord....with echoes....and they gradually
decline again to a single tone......Wish I could have
recorded it!!! And on the way down, we heard the 1/2
hour chime!!! We did notice some uneasy riders, very
serious, sitting straight hanging on to the pole for
dear life. Girls wearing flip flops rode barefoot lest a
shoe would fall off.
At the top - since we were
on a tour - we only had 20 minutes or so to spend....A
large stone plaza - tables set up on a terrace with
awesome views and others sheltered under a canopied
area. A small bar sold wine, beer, liquor, snacks and
ice cream. A few groups brought picnic lunches from
below and set themselves up to spend some time enjoying
the day. A few dirt trails lead to spots that offer
great Kodak moments, but make sure that you are wearing
sturdy footwear.
Time to continue
on...."Jerry" offers us the option for a "light lunch" -
14 Euros including tax and gratuities at a local
restaurant. It consisted of a tomato/mozzerella salad (Caprese),
a choice of pizza, pasta, pork or fried fish, house
dessert and a choice of beer, wine, water or soda....We
all accept. The restaurant was appealing, although it
was inside dining on such a nice day. The food was quite
good - better than expected and the dessert - a cream
puff filled with lemon flavored whipped cream -
limoncello no doubt - delicious. A fair price - we sat
as a group ,but the meal felt somewhat rushed.
We then re-board the
minibus for the short trip down to Capri. The village at
mid mountain that is mostly pedestrian. Here we are
given a ticket to the funicular for our trip down to the
port where we catch the ferry back to Sorrento. You can
spend as long as you wish on your own wandering around
Capri - but watch the clock, if you have to get back to
the cruise ship. Jerry is the tour guide, but he only
organizes the transfers - you are left on your own to
explore. Capri is the real charm of this island....A
piazzetta here again - outdoor cafes, many with water
views, shops of all sizes, lovely restaurants, luxury
hotels and charming narrow alleyways. I would love to
spend a few days here.
Would I do this tour
again?? More than likely not....the advantage on this
busy Sunday, was no waiting in line to purchase a bus or
funicular ticket and having a seat on the mini bus
instead of standing crowded on the public bus and Jerry
was a character. Very funny and he gave us a few good
hints - where to exchange money with no fee - when to
ride the funicular so as not to wait in line - where the
toilets were and the luncheon with wine was a good
deal....but...I would recommend him if you are hesitant
to venture out on your own.
We could have done the
same things on our own for 1/3 the price - we would have
chosen to have lunch in Capri instead of Anacapri for
more atmosphere. The tour sponsored by the ship was over
$100 per person - It was a fun day.....
