Corinna B May 21, 2015

What To do In Capri ~ 8 Of the Best Things To Do In Capri

Just a half hour ride from Naples and about 40 minutes from Positano by hydrofoil, Capri is synonymous with impossible glamour, style, and celebrity.

Capri by night

The island is exquisite, with so much to see and do, but most tourists barely make it out of the central Piazzetta.
If you are heading to Capri this summer, or ever, here are some things you do not want to miss.

8 Things To do In Capri

1. Buy World Famous Capri Sandals.

buy sandals in Capri at Schettino Calzature

From the Piazzetta turn right and walk along via Roma to the Schettino sandal shop and visit my dear friend Aldo. He made sandals for Jackie Onassis, he makes sandals for me, and he has made sandals for readers of this blog from all around the world, so he might as well make sandals for you too!

My lovely friends Aldo and Lydia Schettino at their sandal shop in Capri

(When you go in there make sure you tell them you read this blog – they love meeting my readers!)
Once you’ve bought your sandals it’s time to go explore the island.

2. Go For A Walk

walking in Capri

My favorite thing to do in Capri is to walk. Even if you are here on a cruise and only have a few hours, go buy some sandals, then point yourself in any direction and walk. As soon as you are a couple of blocks from Central Piazzetta you will discover a whole different Capri, devoid of tourists and crowds. Discover the walkways, the homes, the Roman villas. Take in the staggering views and breathe in the heady scent of honeysuckle and lemons.

3. Visit Villa San Michele, Anacapri

The view from Villa San Michele, Anacapri, Capri

“My home shall be open in order to let in the sun, and the wind, and the voices of the ocean, like a Greek temple, and there shall be light, light everywhere!”

stroll along the walkways at Villa San Michele

Axel Munthe’s home with it’s unbelievable panoramic view from the north eastern side of Anacapri is now a museum housing Roman and Egyptian artifacts. The museum is wonderful as are the gardens and the chapel, and the view of the Bay of Naples.

Allianz Global Assistance Travel Insurance. Get a free quote.

4. Take a ride in a convertible taxi

taxis in Capri

The taxis in Capri are like no other. They are all unusual looking convertibles, the Italian name for which translates to “decapitated”!

It’s fun to take a spin around the island in one of their taxis. From the Central Piazzetta take a taxi to Anacapri or to the Blue Grotto.

5. Go To The Blue Grotto.

inside Capri’s Blue Grotto

You have to go to the Blue Grotto when you are in Capri.
Take a taxi from the central piazza – the ride is lovely. You only actually spend about 2 minutes inside the grotto, but its a magical! If at all possible this should be on your must do list!

6. Take A Boat Trip.

The most lovely way to see Capri is by boat. Take an excursion and see the island from the ocean. stop off at little beaches, have a swim, float around and be completely wowed.

Gianni’s Boat Excursions, Capri

Gianni’s Boat Excursions Capri

7.Take The Chairlift To Monte Solaro

This is the highest point on the island and the views from up here are spectacular.

chair lift to Monte Solaro, Capri

8. Hit The Beach

Da Luigi, Capri

Make like a super star and get yourself some beach time, far from the madding crowd. From the Punta Tragara viewing point there is a little track that takes you to the rocks at the foot of the Faraglioni (the 3 giant rocks always associated with Capri). There are 2 private beach clubs, each with a wonderful restaurant, my personal favorite is Da Luigi.

The great thing is you don’t have to scale the mountain back up at the end of the day – both private beach clubs will boat shuttle you back to Marina Piccola.

Fontellina Beach Club Capri — Fontellina beach Club, Capri

Capri Sandals Are The Loveliest Sandals In The World

Are you heading to Capri this year?

I am hoping to lead another private tour of the Amalfi Coast and Sicily, and if this happens I will be back in Capri, buying more of the most gorgeous sandals in the world at Schettino.

turquoise sandals at Schettino in Capri

When style icon Jackie Onassis would go to the beautiful island of Capri she would have Aldo Schettino make her sandals.

every time I see pictures of Jackie Onassis in Capri I wonder if she is wearing sandals from Schettino

Jackie Onassis with Giani Agneli in Capri

Because I am so enamored of Jackie O and her Onassis years I had to have Aldo make me some too. Now it has become a part of my Capri ritual, making my way up the Via Roma to the little shoe boutique to visit Aldo and Lydia and get myself some fabulous new footwear.

I wrote before about Buying Sandals In Capri (read the post here)
and as it turns out literally thousands of people round the world read my story. Many of them then went to Schettino while in Capri and bought sandals. I didn’t know anything about this until I walked into the store again last September, and sweet little Lydia looked like she had just seen a ghost. The night before her son had been showing her my blogpost because another Corinna B’s World reader had just ordered more sandals! And then in I walked.

here I am last year with Aldo and Lydia at Shettino in Capri

It was so much fun seeing Aldo and Lydia again and meeting their lovely daughter.
This time I bought another pair of sandals as well as a pair of the softest moccasins you have ever seen. They look exactly like the Tods moccasins, but are less than half the price, and in my opinion are even softer and more luxurious.

what to wear in Capri

The shopping streets of Capri are lined with lovely boutiques selling fabulous local fashions, all in cottons and linens. White linen pants go perfectly with Capri sandals.

looking out at Sorrento from Villa Jovis, Capri

Capri is one of those places that you have to experience.
It is beautiful.
If you go to Capri, go say hello to Aldo and Lydia, and tell them you read about them in this blog. They get a big kick out of it, and it is fun for me to go back and see them and hear all about all the blog readers who have been in to see them!
And then get out of the main shopping area and go explore. There is a whole different and exquisite Capri a mere 2 blocks from the shopping center, that is essentially tourist free and is absolutely magnificent. Not to be missed!

Corinna B November 5, 2014

The Glamorous Life Of Jackie O

I’ve always found Jackie Onassis fascinating.

I don’t think she was staggeringly beautiful.
But I do think she was staggeringly fabulous.
And she had such a great sense of style, was so effortlessly chic, that she always seemed to be one of the most beautiful and intriguing of them all.

A couple of months ago I was in Capri, and my friend Aldo was showing me photos of himself with the former Mrs Kennedy when she would visit the island. Aldo made sandals for her, so I always get him to make me sandals too. I love thinking that she and I share a shoemaker.

I actually wrote about Aldo Lella and his shoe store, Schettino Di Capri two summers ago – you can read it here. Buying Sandals In Capri.

Anyway, I love looking at pictures of Jackie Onassis on the island of Capri. I always wonder if the sandals she has on were made for her by Aldo.
I love her white pants and black T shirt. I love her huge glasses.
I love her style.
I love the lifestyle she represents.
So much more interesting than Camelot, don’t you think?