Don't confuse it with the Car! (Capri)

Member Name: HS28

Product:	Capri
Date:	15/04/09 (226 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It is Fabulous, Luxurious, Stunning, Divine,...........

Disadvantages: Everyone and their dog goes, avoid it in high season

**A review of Capri and visiting Capri Town**

I have reviewed this from a day trippers point of view as I have visited Capri twice now in May 2003 and August 2008. Capri is a small Island and I have only visited the Marina and Capri Town and not some of the other fantastic sites on the island. This is because unfortunately one day on the island is not enough to see and do everything that Capri offers. Although I have been twice it was with different people (my mum then my friend) so the 2nd time I revisited the areas in the first trip and as I love shops Capri Town was the destination for me both times.


**Where is Capri? **

Capri is an Italian Island off the coast of the Neapolitan Riviera. The Neapolitan Riviera is known for it beauty and views and includes towns like Sorrento and Amalifi which have breath taking views. Capri is the better known of one of a few islands off this coast. Ischica is a nearby Island which I am yet to visit but is also known for its natural beauty.

Capri is a stunning island lavishing in beauty and you can't help but be captivated by its charms. It has an amazing variety of colours and the sea is that indigo blue colour and when you arrive in the fishing port you see all the colour washed houses and shops that are postcard perfect.

Unfortunately because of its beauty it is a place for the super rich and famous making it a very expensive place to stay or visit. Therefore the average Joe like you and me end up going on a day trip to the island to take in the sights and beauty. But naturally we aren't alone as thousands upon thousands of tourists migrate there yearly on day trips hoping to catch a glimpse of someone rich and to see what is so lavish about the place.


**Getting there**

As I stayed in Sorrento I got the ferry from there. In Sorrento you go down to the port to get a ferry where there are several ferry options and firms to use. A ferry to Capri can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on whether you get a slow or fast ferry. As I have been twice I first took the slow ferry for the views and latterly took one of the faster ferries as it was cheaper and quicker and has air con inside! If you stay in other resorts in the Neapolitan Rivera you can get ferries from there too. Often people who do cruises round the Med stop at Naples and ferries go to Capri from there. Strangely I am sure Naples is further away form Capri than Sorrento yet the Ferry prices are cheaper. The ferries from Sorrento range from £5-£15 each way but that was when the euro was somewhat more favourable.


**Arriving there and the Marina**

The ferries arrive in the Marina Grande and from there you make your choices of what to see and do. When you first arrive you know you are in for a treat as the colours of the water are captivating and you see some of those rich yachts near by. Like I said the houses and shops are all different colours too which look super against the water and sunshine. In the Marina there are some lovely little shops to visit and the usual tourist shops too. The prices here are quite reasonable compared to Capri town is a lovely little street of shops to wander through. There are also Restaurants but we didn't eat here as we were eager to get up to the main town.

Once in Marina Grande you must make a choice of what to see and do and the Marina is actually a pleasant little place to look around. From here you can look around the lovely little shops, have a bit to eat in one of the many restaurants. Or go off on an Island tour to see the Grotto Azzura and a more detailed all round view of the island. You can go to the nearby small beach and sunbathe. If you want to venture off around the island you can visit the town and main shops at Capri (which is where we went both times - as I am a shopaholic).

If you want views, culture and more places off the beaten track then avoid Capri Town and visit the Augustus Gardens or Villa Joviz. You can also visit the other town of Ana Capri you can get a chair lift ride form Capri to Ana Capri or take an orange bus.


**What we did - Getting out of the Marina to Capri Town**

Capri is a very small island and the streets and roads are very narrow so I think it is best to stick to public transport. To get to Capri Town you have to use one of the many transportation options. Public transportation includes the tiny little orange buses, taxi, and funicular railway. I have used all forms of transportation and they are a little hair raising to say the least. It all depends on the time of year you go on what to chose. I first went in may and we went on the funicular railway as the queues for this were minimal but in the August they were so long just to buy the tickets let alone to queue for the thing that we opted for a taxi. The taxi you see was 20 euros and we shared with two other people in the queue therefore costing 5 euro each. We did wait a long time in the taxi queue though but with it being August every form of transport was at its capacity. Big tip though don't sit in the seat near the middle of the road and if you are a nervous passenger shut your eyes as it's a bendy road up to Capri and scary too! We got the orange bus down after our day and that is scary too as they squash as many people on them as possible like sardines! Also avoid this when you know a big ferry to Naples is due out as this is when the rush hour crush occurs!

The first time we went there we used the funicular which I said is fine in lower season but to be avoided in the height of August. The red funicular railway train takes 5minutes to get to Capri and goes up through a panoramic route over the lemon trees and vegetable gardens. The trains are every 15minutes and you but your tickets at the Funicular railway ticket office in the Marina or Capri town.


**In Capri Town**

From Capri town there are some fantastic views to take in and you can see across the island and also look across to the mainland. A good point to look from is just across from the funicular train station. Once you are out of the Funicular train station you end up in square which has viewpoints across the island and is also the start of the shopping experience. The bus station is not far from here if you decide to venture further to Ana Capri.

Capri Town isn't big and it is best to take a left from here into the tiny streets. There are endless numbers of shops and eateries. Although both are expensive and a simple drink and snack for two in a restaurant can be up to 30 euros. A proper meal would seriously be expensive so if you want to eat out here you need a healthy wallet. We actually bought a snack in one of the lovely island bakeries which are better on the wallet.

The streets are so small that tiny that at peak season you can feel a little squashed. There are some 4 or 5 star hotels hidden in the middle of Capri Town where the Rich and Famous stay and they have pools and spas for luxury. Capri must be famous for having the smallest street jam packed with designer shops which include Gucci, Versace, Prada etc etc. I always get put off by the snooty people that work in these but you have to have a look. However there are some reasonable priced shops too and you will find plenty of gorgeous souvenirs to chose from should you want one.

If you take a route down some of the smaller side streets you can end up going past some of the Capri local houses which are lovely and very affluent. There are also some nice views to be had of the island and little gardens to see too. My mum is sure she saw Ben Affleck down one of these streets which i missed! (it could have been though as it fitted in with when he was over in Italy)


**Final Word**

I would definitely recommend Capri as a place to visit as it is an amazing little island. It is shopper's paradise and a sun seekers heaven. I do want to go back and see the history and culture next time as I do not feel I did Capri justice by being selfish and just visiting the Town and shops!

If one day trip isn't enough you could book in for night here or even the full week and you can opt to stay here and there are 5 stars, 4 stars to simple B&BS. The prices though will be more than staying in comparative hotels in Sorrento or Amalfi. You can get package deals to the Neapolitan Riviera or you can get budget flights into Naples to DIY your holiday options in this region. I have stayed in Sorrento with Thomson and also Thomas Cook (see my review on them!) and in August a week in a 4star half board hotel cost around £600 but in lower seasons you can pay around £300-£400 for a week half board.

Almost forgot it is also best to get a map of Capri for what to see and do and you dont have to pay if you go to the tourist offices. (There is one in capri Town). Or visit websites on Capri and they will have maps you can download too. They will also give advice on where to go and the hidden gems to see!

Summary: A Stunning Island to suit all sunseekers, shopaholics, sightseers ...