Friday, August 29th, 2025
We booked an 8:00 AM excursion to Capri and the Blue Grotto. It was rainy and overcast when we left the hotel. Capri was an island in the Bay of Naples. It’s known for its craggy coastline and sea caves. The island was divided into three areas: Marina Grande- where the marina and the port were located, Capri- where the piazzetta, the vibrant square, was in the center, and Anacapri- the highest village on the island.
We met our guide Luigi near the pier for our ferry ride to Capri from Sorrento. The forecast called for rain and storms all day. When we got off the ferry in Marina Grande, Capri, it was cloudy but no rain or storms!
When we left Sorrento, Luigi said visiting the Blue Grotto was iffy. He talked to the supervisor when we got off the ferry and found out it was opened! So we boarded a little bus for our group of 18 to get quickly up to Anacapri. Our bus followed the “Mamma Mia road”! It was a winding scenic road that connected Marina Grande to Anacapri.
The Blue Grotto was a natural site. It was a cavern where the water glowed an electric blue from the sunlight passing through. The four of us were under the impression from the pictures on the internet site that all of our group would be in one boat together. Boy were we wrong. You are on a row boat with barely enough room for the four of us and the “captain” with the oar! Three of us were at the back of the rowboat and one in front. To get through the opening we had to lay down on each other, including the “captain”!
Once we were inside the grotto our “captain” gave us some information about the Blue Grotto and he sang. The water was absolutely gorgeous! We weren’t in the cave very long. The “captain” had to use a chain to pull us out and of course we had to lay down again to get through the opening!
When we finished at the Blue Grotto we had free time in Anacapri. We wandered around the streets and stopped for lunch off of one of the piazzas.
The Phoenician Steps consisted of 921 stone steps. Until 1874 these steps were the only connection between Maria Grande and Anacapri. Originally there wasn’t any fresh water in Anacapri, so they walked down all of those steps to get fresh water and then had to carry all of it up all of those steps!
When the clouds cleared, you could get some great views of the Bay of Naples.
After exploring Anacapri we met our guide Luigi and took the bus back down the winding “Mamma Mia road” to Marina Grande. We went to the marina where we boarded a boat just for our group. It was a great way to see the island and its ragged shoreline from the water.
The Faraglioni sea stacks were formed by centuries of natural erosion from wind and waves.
It was said that the rock formations brought good luck to anyone who kisses their sweetheart while passing through the natural stone archway!
This natural arch dated from the Paleolithic age. It was the remains of a collapsed grotto.
We really enjoyed seeing Capri’s coastline from the boat. The grottos, rock formations, and the clear waters were amazing.
On a large boulder called Lo Capo sat a bronze statue called Gennarino Scugnizzo or Statue of Welcome. The boy waves at passing tourists and islanders on boats. You are supposed to wave at him to avoid bad luck and have good luck as you visit Capri.
After our day in Capri we went back to our hotel, the Michelangelo, to freshen up before dinner.
We asked the hotel desk for a recommendation for an excellent restaurant with a view. The hotel desk clerk made a reservation for us at “The Foreigner’s Club”. Our table looked out over the Bay and our food was delicious.
It was a great way to end our day!
