Two Weeks on Capri

Day 1
Arrive and get settled. If you arrive in July and August, don’t freak out at the mobs crowding the dock area: Initially, you’ll wonder what in the name of God you’ve done! Once you get away from there, all will be OK.

Day 2
Capri village. Morning: shops and views. Lunch: Da Gemma. Afternoon: delightful walk to the Carthusian Monastery, the Gardens of Augustus, and down the scenic Via Krupp to Marina Piccola. If weather permits, take a swim. Taxi or minibus back up to town.

Day 3
Excursion by boat around the island. Dinner at Paolino. Dessert or after-dinner drinks in an open-air coffee bar in the world-famous piazzetta.

Day 4
Anacapri: Villa San Michele and the chairlift up to the top of Monte Solaro. Walk down. Lunch or dinner at La Rondinella.

Day 5
Excursion to Naples - the old city (Spaccanapoli), where everyone will tell you not to go, but it's fantastic. Great pizza. Three unmissable sights: the cloister of Santa Chiara; the statue of the Veiled Christ in the deconsecrated church of San Severo; the National Archaeological Museum.

Day 6
Day at the seaside: Faro or Marina Piccola. Rent a chair, order Campari, relax and ogle.

Day 7
Day at home. Dinner at Belsito in Capri or Il Cucciolo between Anacapri and the Blue Grotto.

Day 8
From Piazza Caprile at Anacapri, leisurely walk down to the Blue Grotto. Take the crazy excursion into the Grotto itself. Afternoon lounging at the Nettuno snack bar/beach club.

Day 9
By hydrofoil for the day’s outing to Sorrento or Positano.

Day 10
Long walk to the Villa Jovis, one of the Emperor Tiberius' many villas on Capri. After exploring the ruins, walk back and have lunch at La Savardina. Afternoon recovering at home.

Day 11
Hire a boat of your own for a half- or full-day private excursion around the island. Ask Vacanza Bella about this.

Day 12
Walk from Anacapri to the Belvedere Migliara, a famous viewpoint. Then walk partway back to Gelsomina for lunch. After lunch Gelsomina has a pool for a refreshing afternoon away from the more crowded seaside.

Day 13
Hydrofoil to Sorrento, train to Pompeii for the day.

Day 14
Strenuous but wonderful walk (be sure to do it clockwise!) to the Arco Naturale, the Grotta di Matermania, down past the Faraglioni and Punta Tragara back up to Capri village. Lunch at Le Grottelle. You'll need a drink in the piazzetta after this excursion!