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Capri

Name: Amalfi Coast
Brand: Contiki
Price: 1665 NZD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.3

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Introduction To Capri

Sea, sun and seafood: life is so much better on the islands. Capri is one of the most famous hot-spots on the Amalfi Coast and it’s not hard to see why. Between its stunning mountain range, spectacular turquoise sea and the happy-go-lucky lifestyles of the locals, it’s no wonder hordes of celebrities from Audrey Hepburn to Taylor Swift have holidayed here.

But Capri offers so much more than natural beauty and beach clubs: it’s rich in culture and history, going way back to the Roman era. Learn more at Museo Ignazio Cerio, Carpri’s archaeological museum, which has a collection of fossils, minerals and as artefacts that tell the story of Capri’s Greek and Roman inhabitants.

Discover the medieval history story of the island at one of its Catholic Churches. Visit the Certosa di San Giacomo, a monastery founded in the 14th century, where you’ll marvel at its architectural and learn about the lives of the monks who once lived here. See how Italy’s love of the Baroque period absolutely exploded over the mosaic floor of Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo.

Stroll down the cobblestone streets of Anacapri, the centre of island life, where you’ll get a taste of the decadence of the 19th century, when Capri became a popular resort for European artists, writers and aristocrats. Explore the interiors of the quaint Museo Casa Rossa di Anacapri, the island’s famous red house. Next, drool over the amazing views from the Gardens of Augustus, or – if you’re a little more daring – jump onto the chairlift to scale to the top of Mount Solaro for one hell of a holiday snap.

Even with all these amazing things to do, let’s be real, most of us will want to spend 99% of the time in the water. With the likes of the Blue Grotto to be explored, who can blame us? Pack your bikini, throw on a pair of sunnies and order a cocktail as you lap up the sun and sea of fabulous Capri, Italy.

FAST FACTS

Language: Italian
Currency: Euro
Electricity: 220V
Visas: Click here to see if you need a visa to enter Italy.
Dialing Code: +39
Time Zone: (GMT +01:00 / CEST)

ABOUT CONTIKI
From quick breaks to epic journeys, Contiki exists to connect young travellers with the time of their lives.

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Things to do in Capri

Go on a boat tour around the Island

Catching boats instead of ubers? Welcome to the island life. Completely surrounded by water, undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Capri is to explore this beautiful island by boat. While ferries run all day long during peak season, we recommend grabbing a bunch of mates and getting your own personal Contiki Cruise for the day. Cruise around the Isle of Capri, stopping at places like the Grotta Azzurra (the Blue Grotto) and Da Gioia (which literally means, ‘of joy’), right around the other side of the Island. If you’re feeling fancy, pull up to La Fontelina, one of the best restaurants on Capri, which is only accessible by boat. Soak up the best of Capri with your own boat tour.

Have a cocktail in the Piazzetta

The secret to la dolce vita is slowing down and enjoying the simple things in life. For Italians, that’s catching up with friends for an aperol spritz or two. In Capri, the place to see and be seen is Piazza Umberto. What has always been the centre of life for the locals, the piazza was once the main marketplace and meeting ground of the city. Today, it’s packed with tables and umbrellas to service all-day happy hour. Taking the nickname La Piazzetta, this place is famous for its celebrity sightings. Take a cue from the beautiful people and happily watch the world go by, drink in hand.

Climb up Mount Solaro with the Chairlift

Mount Solaro, which stands 589 meters above sea level, is the highest point on the island of Capri. This is also our pick for hands-down the best view of the island. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see across the whole of the island, the surrounding Bay of Naples and even as far as the mountains of Calabria. Don’t worry about the distance getting there – the mountain’s single-seat chairlift is the quickest, easiest and most adventurous way to get there. Sit back and drink in the view as you glide above the town of Anacapri and towards the mountaintop.

Take in the view from the Gardens of Augustus

Did you even go to Capri if you didn’t get a photo of its coastline? Some of the best vistas of the island can be found at the Gardens of Augustus. Formerly named Krupp Gardens, after the German industrialist who commissioned the road that lead down the cliff face to Marina Piccola, these beautiful gardens are a series of flower-decked terraces. Close to the city centre, enjoy the view of the Faraglioni (the series of rock formations in the sea on the Isle of Capri) before walking down the 100-metre-high cliff face down to the marina.

Explore the Blue Grotto

Even if you’ve never been to Italy, you’ve probably seen this spot plastered all over Instagram. The Blue Grotto is one of the most famous spots on the Amalfi Coast and it just so happens to be a short boat ride away from Capri. This beautiful sea cave is famous for the blue appearance the cavern gets when the sunlight reflects the colour of the water onto its rocky walls. Pretty magical, huh? In ancient Roman times, the Blue Grotto was used as a marine temple to the gods – as well as Emperor Tiberius’ personal swimming hole. Take a boat and ride out to this watery cavern and enjoy swimming and exploring its incredible interior.

Top 5 Festivals in Capri

For those getting keen to hit up Capri in the summer time, not only will you get to soak up the sun and sea, but you’ll get to enjoy a tonne of awesome festivals. Spanning across food, wine, film and culture, here are five festivals you should definitely hit up in Capri.

Gelato Festival

Food

Italians are serious about gelato. Not only do they eat it year-round – even when it’s snowing – almost every city throws its own Gelato Festival. We don’t hate it. Usually occurring between May and June every year, this festival is a celebration of the evolution of Italy’s favourite dessert. You catch the festival during its stopover in Capri.

Ischia Film & Music Festival

Film

The Ischia Film Festival is put on every year by the Ischia Review, which was set up to celebrate the cultural life of the island of Ischia in the Gulf of Naples. Its film festival takes place in major cities surround the Gulf of Naples: Ischia, Naples, Amalfi, Sorrento, Positano and Capri. Catch a film or performance around the island during its week-long stint in July.

Festival della Tradizione

Culture

Known as the Festival of Tradition in English, this music and cultural festival celebrates traditional Italian music and dance. Watch the tarantella expertly performed, listen to the unique sounds of traditional Italian instruments and marvel at the beauty of traditional regional costumes. This festival is held every June in Praiano, a short boat trip from Capri back to the Amalfi Coast.

Pizza Jazz

Food

It really says it all in the name, doesn’t it? Pizza Jazz is an annual event that celebrates pizza, jazz and artisanal beer. Pizza vendors line the streets of the centro storico of Capri, the historic centre of the city. Chow down on a slice while you listen to the sound of jazz musicians playing in the piazza. Drink it all down with a glass of local brew.

Sagra del Mare Flegrea

Food & Culture

The Festival of the Phlegrean Sea is an annual celebration of regional food and culture held every August. The fishermen play a key role in these festivities, supplying the fresh seafood and serving them up in the traditional way. With food vendors, wine bars and musical stages set up along the marina, eat, drink and dance the night away in Monte di Prodica on the Amalfi Coast.

Top 5 Museums & Galleries in Capri

While in Capri, get a little culture in ya! Learn more about the history of this beautiful island, dating back to the Roman Empire. Visit spectacular churches and monasteries, check out some fossils in its archaeological museum and get a taste of the island life in some of its beautiful villas.

Villa San Michele

Get a taste of la dolce vita at Villa San Michele. Built in the 19th century by Swedish physician and author Axel Munthe, its picturesque halls and gardens are full of sculptures, paintings, murals and ceramic mosaics. Apart from the beauty of the architecture, you’ll also get a pretty sweet view of the island and the nearby Amalfi Coast.

Museo Ignazio Cerio

The history of Capri goes way back – over two thousand years. Being inhabited by early Romans and Greeks, there have been many archaeological discovers on the Island. These are housed in Museo Ignazio Cerio. Here you’ll find artefacts, fossils and significant mineral findings from Capri.

Museo Casa Rossa di Anacapri

Taking its name from the bright red colour of its building, you won’t be able to miss Museo Casa Rossa di Anacapri. This beautiful former home and art museum is an artwork in-and-of itself, full of intricate mosaics, stone benches and neoclassical statues. Browse some of the unique works of art it houses, but mainly gawk at how unique and photogenic this place is.

Certosa di San Giacomo

While it might look something like a castle, the Certosa di San Giacomo is a Catholic monastery named after St. James. This complex features three main buildings: the women’s church, the monk’s quarters and guest quarters, all arranged in a square surrounding a breath-taking garden. Tour the grounds and get some sweet selfies with sea views.

Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo

You can find churches dotted on almost every street corner in Italy, but we promise you, this one is pretty special. The Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo, or the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, was built in the 18th century in a baroque design. As soon as you walk in, look down – the intricate mosaic floor is the real highlight of this building.

Food in Capri

Fresh, local ingredients cooked in a simple way is the key to Italian cooking. With their abundance of fresh seafood, tomatoes, nuts and lemons, the food in Capri will have you licking your plates clean. Here are some of our favourite caprese foods that we think you should try.

Caprese salad

Juicy red tomatoes, fresh, creamy mozzarella cheese and a generous helping of sweet basil – what’s not to love about a caprese salad? Tuck into this delicious dish on the island that gives it its name at Michel’angelo restaurant.

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Michel'angelo, Via Sella Orta, 10, 80076

Scialatielli

Scialatielli is the pasta of the Amalfi Coast. A short, thick version of linguine, you best believe the islanders will serve up this dish with lots of fresh, delicious seafood. On Capri, one of the best – and most beautiful – places to get scialatielli is Da Paolino Restaurant. You’ll dig into this pasta dish seated in a courtyard full of lemon trees. Talk about ambience!

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Da Paolino Restaurant, Via Palazzo a Mare, 11, 80073

Impepata di cozze

If you’re on an island as beautiful as Capri, you’ve got to make the most of the fresh seafood. Impepata di cozza is a simple-but-delicious dish made of mussels. Cooked in olive oil and garlic and topped with fresh parsley, slurp up the juices of these beauties using some crusty bread. Enjoy impepata di cozze in the courtyard of Lo Sfizio restaurant.

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Lo Sfizio, Via Tiberio 7/e, 80073

Torta Caprese

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you have to try the torta caprese. This cake is a staple of the island, made using ground walnut meal instead of flour, giving it a rich, chewy texture. Mixed with lots of chocolate, this cake is simple but decadent. Enjoy it with cream or vanilla gelato at Da Paolino Restaurant.

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Da Paolino Restaurant, Via Palazzo a Mare, 11, 80073

Limoncello

When life gives you lemons, make limoncello. Lemons grow wild all over the Amalfi Coast and Capri is no exception. This sweet liquor is drunk at the end of a meal to help with digestion. If you want to take a bottle or two (or 10) home with you, you can find it at Limoncello di Capri.

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Limoncello Di Capri, Via Roma, 85, 80073

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