Rome, Capri and Amalfi
April 2009
Day 3 Capri:
We ventured out by bus to Anacapri, the highest part of the island.
Our first stop (after browsing the many shops along the way) was the Villa San Michele where we discovered beautiful gardens and views. www.villasanmichele.eu/en The villa was the home of the Swedish physician, Axel Munthe. Built on the ruins of an ancient chapel dedicated to San Michele, the villa now belongs to the Axel Munthe Foundation and has been transformed into a museum.
After a long, leisurely lunch we stopped into the Churches of Santa Sofia and San Michele. I knew about the floor of majolica tiles at the Church of San Michele and was looking forward to seeing it. Completed in 1761, the entire floor is ornately tiled, featuring an angel driving Adam and Eve from paradise. The devil is wrapped around the trunk of a tree laden with apples. Photographers: note that they ask you not to use your flash. The photos here were taken from the second floor where you'll find the best views. Without access to a camera flash, a remote shutter release came in handy here and in many of the churches we entered where flash is not permitted.
The bus back to Capri. We were there off-season, yet the buses were crowded and people were not always polite... primarily tourists, by the way. The tip was to catch the bus where the bus turns around and not in the main square. We didn't follow that advice, but I highly recommend finding out where that is and follow it...or as we did, take a taxi. Driving on the island, as on the Amalfi Coast, can be compared with dancing. The drivers know their steps well and dance with precision and great skill. I captured one episode of "chicken" on the road from Ravello to Amalfi on video where the bus driver won.
Our evening ended with dinner at da Giorgio (Via Roma, 34). This is near where the buses arrive/leave. While I'm thinking of it, I found a laundry service up a long flight of stairs across the street from da Giogio. www.dagiorgiocapri.com/en/restaurant We enjoyed our dinner here so much that we made a reservation for the following night. I splurged on an entree of beef cooked in a red wine sauce that was outstanding.
It was a bit hazy; in fact, it was hazy/cloudy a good amount of the trip. All that white sky was bad for my landscape shots, but great for many others. After touring the Villa we headed to the chairlift. This was one of the main things I wanted to do on the island, so you can just imagine my disappointment to learn that it closed for repairs several days before we arrived and it didn't look like it would be operational any time soon. I can be consoled with food, so we headed to La Rondinella, Via G. Orlandi. I don't have the exact address, but it was quite a bit down the main road until you come to an area that appears more for locals than for tourists. It was okay, but I can't recommend a special trip for it.
Villa San Michele
Marian, Maritza and Mommie in Anacapri
Church of Santa Sofia, Anacapri
Church of San Michele, Anacapri
