An hour’s ferry ride from the port of Naples conveniently accessible from B&B La Corte, Capri has always been the refuge of the international elite. This legendary island has captivated Roman emperors, writers, artists and Hollywood stars with its wild beauty and timeless Mediterranean charm.
Emperor Tiberius chose Capri as his residence in the last years of his life, building twelve villas on the island. Villa Jovis, the grandest, stands on the highest point of the island offering spectacular views ranging from the Amalfi Coast to Vesuvius. From the imperial terraces, Tiberius ruled the Roman Empire while enjoying views that still take your breath away.
The world-famous Blue Grotto is the undisputed symbol of Capri. This sea cavern, already known to the Romans who had built statues of sea gods there, owes its name to the cobalt blue light that filters through an underwater cavity. The entrance, possible only by small boats and when the sea is calm, gives a mystical experience in this natural temple where the water seems to fluoresce.
Capri’s Piazzetta, dubbed the “drawing room of the world,” is the beating heart of the island where celebrities and travelers from around the world have been meeting for decades. The tables of the Gran Caffè and Piccolo Bar are privileged stages for people watching, while the Clock Tower marks the time of an island that lives rhythms different from the rest of the world.
The Faraglioni, three limestone cliffs emerging from the crystal clear sea, are Capri’s most photographed icon. The middle one is crossed by a 60-meter-wide natural arch, navigable by boat for an unforgettable experience. According to legend, those who cross the arch by boat will experience eternal love. The Faraglioni blue lizard, an endemic species that lives only on these rocks, has become a symbol of Capri’s biodiversity.
Anacapri, reached by the characteristic funicular railway or the scenic Via Krupp, retains the island’s most authentic soul. Villa San Michele, home of Swedish writer Axel Munthe, houses archaeological collections and enchanting gardens. The Monte Solaro chairlift leads to the island’s highest peak (589 meters), giving 360-degree views that on clear days reach as far as Corsica.
Via Krupp, the most photographed road in Italy, snakes in spectacular hairpin bends from the Charterhouse of San Giacomo to the Faraglioni rocks. This engineering feat, commissioned by German industrialist Friedrich Alfred Krupp, is a ribbon of asphalt carved into the rock that offers dizzying glimpses of the sea.
Capri fashion was born in the 1960s when the island became a refuge for artists and intellectuals. Capri sandals, handmade by local master shoemakers, and linen dresses from the boutiques on Via Camerelle are still symbols of Mediterranean elegance. Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly and Brigitte Bardot made the island’s fashion famous throughout the world.
Capri cuisine celebrates the simple flavors of the Mediterranean: from caprese with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil to fresh fish caught in the crystal clear waters. Capri’s limoncello, made from the fragrant lemons that grow in terraced gardens, is the perfect liqueur to end a sea-view dinner.
Marina Piccola and Marina Grande offer two different faces of the island: the former collected and protected among the rocks, the latter a lively gateway with restaurants and bathing establishments. The Tiberio and La Fontelina baths are iconic places where the international jet set relaxes between dips and sunset aperitifs.
Returning to B&B La Corte after a day in Capri, you will take with you the magic of an island that has managed to keep its legendary charm intact, where every corner tells stories of beauty, love and sweet Mediterranean life.
