Capri

The island of Capri has been a popular resort since Roman times, and continues to attract intellectuals, artists and celebrities.

The island of Capri is divided into Marina Piccola - the small harbour - and Marina Grande - the main port of the island. The Town of Anacapri is located on the hill.
The origin of the name Capri is connected to early Greek influences. It means "wild boar".

Features of this beautiful Mediterranean island are la Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto), which is a beautiful cave with amazing turquoise sea water and a small entrance for one rowboat at the time; I Faraglioni di Capri, the Faraglioni Rocks (see the picture), also are something interesting to see, a sort of symbol of the island. The Faraglioni are 3 blocks of rock that have survived coastal landslides and all manner of atmospheric corrosion. The rocks have each been given a name: the first one is Stella, the second one is Faraglione di Mezzo and the third is Faraglioni di Fuori or Scopolo.

Another place to visit is the Piazza Umberto I also known as la Piazzetta, which from the white columned terrace opens to a fabulous view of Monte Solaro. La Piazzetta is the centre of the island of Capri for tourists and locals, where people meet for lunch, or to have a drink at the bar or simply to chat. It is the focal point of island social life.

Among the interesting museums and galleries on the island is the famous La Casa Rossa, which is all painted in Pompeian red and resembles a fortress. The house belonged to the American colonel John Clay H. MacKowen who arrived here after the civil war and resided here until 1899. He collected archeological artifacts he found on the island of Capri and displayed them in his house.

The house is now a museum and contains an amazing art collection. This collection offers visitors an image of the customs and traditions of everyday 18th and 19th century Capri. There are 32 canvases that bear the signatures of Italian and International masters such as Barret, De Montalant, Carabain, Hay, Casciaro, Vianelli, Carelli, Giordano, Federico, Brancaccio, Corrodi, Lovatti, and Bentos.

Sorrento

"Do you know the land where the lemons are in flower?

In the green leaves golden oranges shine

A quiet wind blows from the blue sky

Quiet is the myrtle, serene the laurel

Do you know it well?

There, there

I would like with you, my love, to go!"

J.W.Goethe

The beauty of Sorrento has inspired many artists. Goethe was charmed by the scenes and scents of this special place. The famous song Come Back to Sorrento, sings the praises of the views of the sea and the scent of the orange groves which “goes straight to your heart”.

Sorrento overlooks the bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius and the island of Capri and is located on the peninsula of Sorrento which divides the gulf of Salerno from the gulf of Naples.

Sorrento is not only a lovely resort town, but it is also filled with historical attractions. According to a legend, the town was founded by Liparos, son of Ausone, who was the king of Ausoni, son of Ulysses and the witch Circe.

Sorrento’s early history shows a Greek influence, but until the 19^th century when it was annexed by the Italian Kingdom, Sorrento changed hands many times giving it an eclectic mix of cultures.

Sorrento`s economy has basically been based on tourism and over the years it has been a favourite destination of luminaries of European culture such as Lord Byron, Keats, Dickens, Wagner, and Goethe, who immortalized the town in poetry.

Sorrento is well known for its production of limoncello, walnuts, oranges and tomatoes. This area is particularly known for its citrus production. The cultivation of oranges and lemons has ancient traditions and it used to represent the main economic resource for the territory. A popular dish is the well-known Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, made with typical products of the Campania region.

Among the places to visit we find the Cathedral of Sorrento, the Correale di Terranova Museum - which contains examples of regional decorative art of the 15th and 16th century, including furniture, porcelains and paintings - and the Baroque Church of San Francesco known for its 14^th century cloisters, which are now used by an art school.

Shopping is another thing to do in Sorrento, since it has the best prices and the widest variety of any shopping district along the Amalfi Coast. Whether you choose to spend your days shopping or lying on the beach or hiking, you have to make a stop at Don Alfonso which is a special restaurant offering fine wines and typical creative Neapolitan dishes.