Exploring the Isle of Capri with Insight Vacations
Exploring the Isle of Capri with Insight Vacations
Exploring the Isle of Capri with Insight Vacations
WJ Tested: Insight Vacations Italian Escapade Tour: Day 11 – From Sorrento to the island of Capri in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
A morning visit to Capri, an island in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the Sorrentine Peninsula, was included in the itinerary of our Insight Vacations Italian Escapade tour. This stunning, rocky island is located in Italy’s Campania region and lies in the Gulf of Naples, and on a clear day visitors can enjoy views of Vesuvius and the city of Naples.
A Hydrofoil Ferry Runs Between Sorrento and Capri
Although we had started to succumb to the relaxed vibe of Sorrento (blame it on the hot and sultry weather), we did not want to miss the boat with Tour Director Mark and what was bound to be a fabulous visit to Capri. So, we were up bright and early with the 6:30 am wake-up call, at breakfast by 7:00 am and joined our group in the lobby of the Hotel Regina at 7:50 am for the 15-minute stroll to the ferry.
Arriving at the ferry we met local guide Willy and waited with a couple hundred others to take the 40-minute ride across the Gulf of Naples and to the main town, Capri (the main town on the island shares the name of Capri).
View of Sorrento from the Ferry
The morning weather was perfect for sightseeing and enjoying the views of the area – we were able to get a completely different perspective of Sorrento from the water. Immediately upon leaving the ferry in the main town, those taking the one-hour small boat optional excursion joined Willy. Those that weren’t taking the optional boat ride remained in the main town and had time to explore the shops and small streets.
Boat Used for Optional Excursion – Cruise Around Isle of Capri
Even though the water was choppy and we were bounced around quite a bit in the small open boat, the sheer cliffs and crystal clear turquoise water made the optional island boat tour worthwhile. Then we rejoined Tour Director Mark back in the main port area of Capri to take the funicular up to the top of the island.
Funicular on Capri
View from the funicular on Capri
Mark had arranged a free lemon granita for each of us from the vendor located under the clock tower on the Piazzetta – a perfect way to quench our thirst and try one of the local specialties.
Enjoying a refeshing granita on Capri
A quick walk through the hilltop upper town of Capri with Mark and Willy ensued. Then we had about 90-minutes to spend on our own – sightseeing and shopping for souvenirs.
Exploring Capri’s main town
Exploring Capri’s hilltop main town
Capri
At 12:25 pm we met back up with our group and took a taxi ride down the hill and back to the dock at Marina Grande, where we caught the 1 pm hydrofoil ferry back to Sorrento.
Capri’s famous open-top cabs
The remainder of the afternoon was free to do as we wished. Those joining Mark for the Amalfi Coast Drive and Positano Visit optional excursion met again in the hotel lobby at 3:20 pm.
View of Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius from Hotel Regina Rooftop Restaurant
An included dinner at the Hotel Regina was scheduled for our group at 8 pm – and was definitely not to be missed! As we toasted another fabulous day in Italy with Insight Vacations, we sipped on an included glass of Spumante as we watched the sun start to set.
Sunset in Sorrento, Italy
Moving inside the rooftop restaurant we dined on gnocchi with pomodore, salad, thin slices of veal with potatoes, a yummy dessert of lemon sponge cake, followed by coffee or tea. We also ordered a very nice bottle of red wine (€16 – De Angelis Lacrimal Christi del Vesuvio Rosso) to accompany our meal.
Gnocchi with Pomodore Sauce
Thinly sliced veal with potatoes
Dessert – lemon sponge cake
Just when we thought we couldn’t top the previous highlights on the Italian Escapade tour, we yet again experienced another spectacular day in Italy with Insight Vacations!
Optional Excursion: Island Tour Around Isle of Capri
Optional Excursion: Amalfi Coast Drive & Positano
Next… Pompeii
Previous: Insight Vacations Italian Escapade Tour – Tour Overview | Meet and Greet in Rome! | Rome with Local Historian | Skip the Lines – Vatican Museums | Siena | Florence & Michelangelo’s David | Florence to Pisa | Exploring Baveno and Stresa on Lake Maggiore | Prosecco at Fratelli Berlucchi Vineyard | Visiting the Medieval City of Verona | Venice and Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal | Murano Glass and Venice Gondola Ride | Classe and Assisi | Assisi to Sorrento |
If You Go:
Note: WAVEJourney were guests of Insight Vacations for their April 30 – May 12, 2013 Italian Escapade tour. Read our full disclosure statement to see that this has no effect on our reviews.
