Capri, Italy
My Capri trip was all Vito’s doing—my friend from Naples who summers on the island. He told me to just book a flight and arrive. That was it, no planning, no fuss.
I had one window to travel—late August. Vito warned me it’d be crowded. He was totally right—Capri gets packed.
Capri was on my bucket list since childhood—my dad even had a restaurant called Villa Capri. Funny that neither of us had ever been. Reaching the island from New York is a journey, but every second becomes worth it when you step off the ferry.
Getting there: Direct overnight flight from NYC to Rome (8.5 hours), quick flight to Naples, and then a 30-minute cab to the ferry port. Warning: ferry tickets are paper-only—no mobile boarding passes. I got stuck in a massive line, and after over an hour, secured printed tickets for the 45-minute ride to Capri.
Pro tip: Always agree on cab fares in Naples and track your route via Google Maps—not everyone plays fair.
Eleven hours after leaving NYC, I arrived. Vito’s villa sat right by Piazza Umberto I. To get there, you take either the Funicular Railway (also paper ticket only) or a cab. I chose the cab—€20 and 10 wild minutes up narrow, twisty roads.
At the villa, I showered, then headed into the piazza for espresso and snacks. I was instantly in Capri mode. That afternoon, we lounged at a friend’s pool, sipping Prosecco. By sunset, we were on a boat, beers in hand, cruising by the Faraglioni and swimming near the Blue Grotto—magical doesn’t even cover it.
Dinner that night was at a cozy trattoria in the piazza—fresh house-made pasta, seafood, pizza, and unforgettable views.
The next day was classic Capri—breakfast in the piazza, shopping, lounging, and exploring the charming lanes. That evening, I dined at Le Monzù in Hotel Punta Tragara—a Michelin-starred restaurant perched on the cliffs. You must go at sunset—it’s pure romance. Service was top-tier, ambiance perfect, and pricing fair for the experience.
Signature dishes at Le Monzù: bread course, black truffle custard, octopus with apple, zucchini pasta with razor clams.
Though Vito wanted me to stay a week, we had just two days before heading to Mykonos. But he insisted on one night of Capri nightlife. We started at a cocktail bar, then danced at a lively discotheque—a live band upstairs, house music below. I ended up pulling a 4 am Irish exit, sleepily packed, and caught the ferry back to Naples for our flight.
Capri was exhausting, but unforgettable. Next time, I’ll stay at least five days and visit the Amalfi Coast.
Grazie per l’ospitalità, Vito. Ci vediamo presto!
