Capri, Italy - Honeymoon Pt. 1
Italy 101
What’s not to love about Italy? The people, the scenery, the smells, the art, and most importantly the food and wine… need I say more? If you haven’t been, please put it at the top of your list. Michael and I made the (tough) decision to venture back to Italy for our honeymoon and we fell more in love with the beautiful country this time than previous visits. Could be the rose-colored-glasses, could just be Italy.
After visiting, it’s easy to see why year-after-year Italy continues to draw in tourists from all over the world. Michael studied abroad in Siena, Italy during college and I had the chance to visit and immediately fell in love with everything it had to offer. We’ve also been to Rome, Tuscany, Venice and Florence over the years and there is something so special and unique about each city! Italy has something for everyone depending on the experience you’re looking for. When deciding on a honeymoon location, the Amalfi Coast was top of our list— not only because of our already-instilled love of Italy, but because of the magical and romantic vibe we had heard so much about.
Days 1-3: Capri
We started our trip on the dreamy island of Capri and stayed at Villa Marina. The hotel and island were nothing short of perfect. I always opt for hotels that have more of a boutique feel to them—unique designs typically custom to the region, a smaller amount of rooms and more personalized service. This was evident upon arrival, the staff took care of our luggage and whisked us away to enjoy the summertime view, handed us a glass of prosecco and offered us one of their signature hand massages to help us relax after a long day of travel (sigh).
We enjoyed the quiet pool and napped in the Italian sun the remainder of the day before heading out to explore town and enjoy dinner. Our first dinner was at Da Paolino— a short five minute walk from our hotel and tucked off the main island road. We enjoyed our meal underneath a beautiful lemon grove that cascades over the entire restaurant. It truly doesn’t get more Capri-like than that.
After a good night’s rest, we woke early and walked down to the port for a full-day private boat tour withGianni’s. Michael and I enjoy nothing more than a day on the water so to say we were excited would be an understatement. We boated around the island of Capri and over to Positano, saw the famous Blue Grotto, swam in the refreshing water, enjoyed lunch at a picturesque beach club, drank multiple Aperol Spritzes and basked in the Italian sun until sundown.
The island of Capri is split into two different regions: Capri and Ana Capri. We stayed within Capri, but decided to taxi to Ana Capri and explore. Many people suggested taking the chairlift up Mount Solaro so we knew we had to give it a try. Once we made it to the top we were overwhelmed with the breathtaking panoramic views that extended across the entire island of Capri. So worth the visit! After making our way back down the chairlift, we took a brisk walk to the Caesar Augustus Hotelto enjoy a beverage and more stunning views before leaving for Positano.
Where to stay:
Villa Marina Capri— An exceptional boutique hotel that’s perfectly located. The beach and port is easily accessible by foot and the hotel offers a complimentary car service to Capri’s Piazzetta, or main square.
What to do:
Gianni’s Boats — A boat tour company located within the main port of Capri. Tours range from a couple of hours to a full day excursion and are extremely customizable based on what you’re looking to experience. We’d highly recommend!
Visit the Piazetta, Capri’s main square where the island comes to life. We arrived in the evening and were able to enjoy live music and dancing. Outside of the square are various high-end shops, ceramic stores and restaurants. Something for everyone!
Explore Ana Capri and chairlift up Mount Solaro to experience exquisite views of the island and sea.
Eat & Drink:
Da Paolino- Delicious dinner spot underneath a lemon grove. A must-dine!
Caesar Augustus- A hotel located in Ana Capri with a gorgeous terrace overlooking the sea. Stop by for an aperitivo or relaxing lunch.
Conca del Sogno- Beach club only accessible by boat. Gianni’s took us here!
When to visit:
Michael and I traveled to Capri in early July, which is classified as their high-tourist season for good reason— beautiful beaches, perfect weather and long sunny days— something that everyone wants to take advantage of! The further out you can book your stay, the more luck you may have in reserving the hotels, excursions and restaurants of your choice. April through May and September through October are ideal times to visit, with warm weather and fewer crowds. Keep in mind that most of the island shuts down in the winter.
We stayed on Capri for two nights and felt that was just the right amount of time to see all that the island had to offer. If you’re not able to stay on Capri, it also makes for a great day trip!
