The Charms of Southern Italy
by Monique Owen, Luxury Travel Advisor
Italy consistently ranks among the top travel lists of globetrotters and it’s not hard to see why. The endless pursuit of “La Dolce Vita”…perfectly sun-ripened sweet tomatoes, soft white mozzarella cheese, and lazy, wine soaked lunches. The country that resembles a boot has an abundance of culture, charm, and history making it not just a “one and done” travel proposition, but a country that beckons for many a return visit.
My family and I arrived to Capri in late June ready for some fun in the sun after a whirlwind tour around Italy (Positano, Pisa, Lucca, Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Cortona, and Rome). We had a private driver transfer us from Rome to the iconic Amalfi Coast. I highly recommend private ground services in this region. Not only are the Amalfi Coast roads not for the faint of heart, but our wonderful ground services team took us from Rome (after a leisurely breakfast), to Pompeii (where we enjoyed a privately guided tour and a quick pit stop for pizza,) and, finally, on to Sorrento, where we boarded a hydrofoil…and found ourselves poolside at our hotel by 4:30pm. This was my second visit to Pompeii and a real highlight for our children; ages 4, 6, and 8.
Boats arrive to Capri at “Marina Grande”, which in the peak of summer is a bustling hive of tourists and activity. Our on-site team was waiting for us as we stepped off the hydrofoil and we swiftly embarked one of Capri’s soft top taxis. The heart of Capri is a ‘pedestrian only’ oasis of cobblestone pathways with charming boutiques and restaurants. After hopping out of our taxi, the last part of the journey to our hotel was only 5 minutes on foot and a wonderful immersion into the allure of Capri. The island’s Tiberio Palace would be our home for the next 4 nights.
We spent our first day on a private boat touring the local regions of the Amalfi Coast. Soaking up the sun, stopping for a swim and, ultimately, a delicious lunch at La Conca del Sogno were true highlights. Afterward, it was back on the boat to tour the green and blue grottoes of Capri. I recommend arriving to the Blue Grotto late enough in the day to avoid all the tourist boats and to swim freely in the electric blue waters.
Perhaps our favorite day was spent at La Fontelina beach club. We’ve all seen the classic Slim Aarons photographs of the beach club dotted with blue and white umbrellas…and the reality does not disappoint. A short walk down a beautiful, winding path with views of the blue sea below (dotted with megayachts!) brought us to a wonderful oasis. A friendly attendant settled us into our comfy sunbeds and we spent the day laying in the sun and swimming in the sea with the famous Il Faraglioni islands as our backdrop.
It’s not hard to see how Capri has been dazzling for decades…and I am certain this wasn’t a “one and done” visit for mia familia!