We were impressed with how many "last minute" plans we were able to make while were in the Amalfi Coast. We spent the past 10 months planning a wedding...who has time to plan a honeymoon? Therefore, we didn't have any expectations when we arrived. As you can see, though, it is possible to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience no matter what you plan (or don't plan) to do.
Yesterday morning (before we left for Ravello) we decided to reserve 2 spots for a semi-private boat tour around Capri. Our hotel called ahead and told us where to meet on the (Positano) beach around 8:30 the next morning. We arrived at the beach and, lo and behold, we see my wife's co-worker and husband waiting to go on the same tour! We had no idea they were traveling in the same neck of the woods, small world! There were 5 couples on this tour (including us) and an experienced tour guide/boat driver.
Plenty of room to stretch your legs! If you sit too close to the edge, you'll be sprayed with some chilly salt water.
Our first view of Capri, only accessible by boat.
Our tour guide took us around the entire island before we docked. Beautiful, natural caverns and grottos surround the perimeter of this island. Another secret you'll miss if you take one of the larger commercial boats to Capri.
Approaching the infamous Faraglioni; "the Three Rocks of Capri"
Faraglioni; these oceanic rock formations have been eroded away by the ocean waves. It is said to bring good luck if you kiss your love under the arch in the center rock. Good thing our tour guide was experienced, the waves were somewhat choppy and the arch was small!
We landed in Marina Piccola (not to be confused with Marina Grande) and took the local bus up to the main heart of Capri.
Plenty of high-end boutiques and shops along this road in Capri.
We took another bus up to Anacapri, which is a beautiful city at a higher elevation with (more) breathtaking views overlooking Capri...
The Scala Fenicia (Phoenician steps); aka 800 steps to Capri
View from Via San Michele, which is a classic Italian garden with a panoramic view of Capri
Capri is known for it's lemons and limoncello, many hand-painted bottles with the liquor of your choice
A little shopping and a pizza roll for a snack.
You can see why it is called Marina Piccola. The waters make up for what it lacks in size, a true emerald coast
After we boarded our boat, we took a tour around the remaining half of the island.
Can you spot the cliff divers? This was a small island in itself, a steep hike for a few seconds of spirited recklessness.
We took a poll and our entire group decided that it was worth the wait (a little over an hour) for our 3 minutes inside the Blue Grotto. The tour guides have some sort of system as to know who's next in line. The stairs (for tourists coming by land) lead down to the Blue Grotto entrance, which is so small you can't even see it behind the oarsman standing on the row boat.
You can see that the row boats are only large enough for 2-4 people. Everyone in the boat has to be able to lie down...
The oarsman uses a metal chain to pull everyone inside the cave.
Don't pop your head up at this point, there's no room for error! If the currents are high, the Blue Grotto is inaccessible.
Although the entrance is small, the grotto is about 490 feet deep, which allows for the sunlight to reflect through the seawater and illuminate the cave.
We made it out alive! Stunning views made Capri well worth the day trip.
We have one more week left on this honeymoon, but a lifetime of bucket-list adventures to look forward to. Cheers!