Capri, the ultimate holiday - Italy pt.4 (Pescheria le botteghe)

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In summer, all the celebrities, those with a Wikipedia page go yachting and tanning on the beaches around the world. One of these infamous locations is the island of Capri. In Capri, things are heightened to a new level. The water of the ocean is bluer, the green trees on the peak of the island is greener, the seafood on the island is tastier, and the shops on the island are stocked with more luxury than any other shops in Italy.

How to get there

Before visiting Capri, we were weighing between Sorrento or Capri, as both these places require 1 full day to visit from Salerno. After much consideration we decided that Sorrento was all too familiar with Positano and Amalfi, which were cities we visited days prior, so we landed on Capri.

Capri is best traveled by ferry from Salerno. There are two ferries that takes you direct, with an estimated travel time for 1 hour and 20 mins. This is the shortest route, which doesn't require any stopovers are nearby cities, albeit being rather expensive.

Capri from far away looks similar to the other Amalfi Coast towns. Houses on cliffs, near the water, which has been gentrified to host tourism.

Things you must do at Capri

1) The Blue Grotto

Never have I ever been awestruck by mother nature as much as the blue grotto, or grotto azzurra as they call in Italian. Once you get off in Capri, there are lines of people on the docks, patiently waiting and taking pictures in line to get on the next boat. Each boat takes you on a different route so make SURE that you are on the correct one.

Because of the blue grotto's popularity, the route to and the waiting time is at least 1 hour and a half. Let me explain via images.

From the pier at Capri's center, the boat will travel 30 mins around the island and land at this small cave. The first thing you will notice is the immense line of boats, ALL WAITING to enter the cave. I waited an hour on my boat to enter the blue grotto.

Once your ferry's turn arrives, the driver heads towards the cave and anchors the boat as smaller paddle boats come towards the ferry taking a maximum of 2 passengers per boat to enter the grotto. Here another fee is paid to the rower, who then takes you in that small cave, of which you have to lie down on the boat to enter.

Up till this point, frustration and sea sickness has taken over most of your emotion, and you can't wait to see what all this rave was all about.

Then it swarms at you like bees, the exhilaration of seeing nature's magic lifts you.

You rub your eyes to make sure this isn't a dream. The blue water that lights up to a never before seen color. The crystal clear water and its magnificent color is unbelievable.

But this all ends in a matter of minutes. 5 to be exact. And we're back on the boat once again, leaving this magic behind, but taking a piece of this dream wanting to go back for more. If a fountain of youth existed, it would look somewhat like this.

2) Faraglioni Rocks

A must visit for visitors to Capri. As for us, we bought the blue grotto tickets which were inclusive of a tour around Capri, conveniently inclusive in one ticket. The faraglioni rocks are stacks of rocks which were once formations, now eroded by waves.

These rocks are famous for its towering height in the middle of the ocean, jutting out of the Mediterranean sea. The ritual is also a must for those visiting as well.

The ferry will travel through the hole in the right in the middle of the rock on the right. As the ferry passes through, you must kiss you loved ones throughout the whole pass to love each other indefinitely. A romantic scene as everyone of the ferry lip smacked their better halves.

3) Trails up Capri

The island of Capri can be largely split into two regions of Capri and Anacapri. Capri being the more modern half where designer shopping is the main agenda, Anacapri is the more quieter, and laid back atmosphere. For my list of things, I suggest Capri as my agenda was to conquer Capri in a day, and Anacapri was too far a travel.

Up the trails of Capri, more walking was required than expected.
These quiet neighborhoods continued on a slope as we headed towards higher grounds.

The walk itself was such a relaxing moment as we got to enjoy a bit of time to ourselves, away from people. The walk was 30-40 minutes, which should have been an easy walk if not for the sloped trail.

The view once you reach the peak. The sea wide open before your eyes.

4) Pescheria le botteghe, a seafood restaurant

Up the trails of Capri is an exercise leaving you quenched thirst and hunger. Most of the restaurants in the main area is way too pricey and crowded. Pescheria le botteghe is located off on one of the alleys in a small shop that is only available for 4-5 groups to be seated.

Most were locals dining when we arrived, my guess was they were shop clerks. By the interior of the place, it is unmissable that the place serves seafood.

First off, we need to rid ourselves of this thirst. Two glasses of champagne and two oysters will do.

Why one each? Capri's prices aren't cheap, and also we wanted to try other things on the menu too.

Tuna tartare with pine nuts and a fruit compote to complement. This simple menu so exquisitely plated, also melted in our mouths. The tuna was simply just fresh and soft to bite. Their live catches from the sea creates a new level of freshness.