Capri, Italy 6/17/2025
As I sit here overlooking the ocean from our Airbnb, it is currently raining, and it allows us to take a break and breathe. I am grateful for this time to reflect on what an incredibly magical day we had.
It started in downtown Sorrento. The forecast said it was only going to be 77 degrees, well, it was already hot and humid, but it didn't stop us from enjoying our first cappuccino and this amazing Italian pastry filled with pistachio goodness.
Our tour guide for the day was Mama Marcella. She was a complete doll. She truly took care of us this whole day and made sure we had a great experience.
Right off the bat while we were waiting, a lady (she was from America) approached me and asked me about my purse. We began talking and I immediately knew we were going to be friends for life. (See, I told you this was the way it was going to be on this vacation!!-if you have no idea what I am talking about, check out my previous blogpost).
We set out on a boat ride to Capri. We did not know at the time if we were going to be able to see the Blue Grotto - only time would tell - Mama Marcella stated that we had to be quick, and patient, and hopefully we would be one of the lucky ones.
We got to Capri, and immediately our group got on a bus that would take us around the island and to the Blue Grotto. I have no idea how these bus drivers do it! The streets were so narrow and truly, it was even difficult for even a regular car to sometimes get through and these were two-way streets!! Marcella said the street that leads us to the Blue Grotto was called Mamma Mia! No, not because of the movie (that was in Greece) but because it was insane! Incredibly narrow and seriously, it appeared you could fall off the cliff at any moment - and these drivers were not going 5 mph, it was more like 20+ mph.! We were all holding our breath and would all exclaim loudly in unison, "Mamma Mia!"
We finally made it to the Blue Grotto and walked down these steps - packed like sardines waiting in line to hopefully have this chance of a lifetime. Marcella knew exactly what she was doing...this wasn't her first rodeo, and I am glad she was in our corner.
We waited in the hot sun for quite some time and then we finally got to where we were the next in line. The waters were getting extremely choppy, and the grotto could close because it was unsafe to get through the one-meter-wi opening. I looked at Marcella and told her, "Even if we don't get to go, I am just so grateful to be here." The last time I was here was when I was a kid (probably 12 years old) with my mom, grandpa, and uncle and (some more of my mom's side of the family). I remember it like it was yesterday, and prior to coming to Italy, found some of my pictures of when I experienced it back then.
I was getting emotional thinking about it as I was waiting in line for the Blue Grotto. Then, it happened. Enzo (our boat driver) got us in the rowboat, and we waited our turn to go in.
Enzo told us to lay down as far as we could, Lydia in the front of the boat and John and I in the back. Then, swoosh...we got in. Inside, it was a cathedral, quiet, majestic - felt like a sacred space. I don't even know if I can describe it in words - that feeling. John and I had tears in our eyes...it was so incredibly beautiful. So, what illuminates the blue water is the white sand on the bottom of the ocean in the grotto. The light from that little bitty hole makes the blue water illuminated. FYI - I tried posting our video; however, it didn't allow me to do it, or it may have been operator error. I am just so thankful to Enzo for getting us in. 😃
The Blue Grotto was exactly how I remembered it. I was mesmerized again by its beauty. Fun fact, it used to be the private swimming pool of Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus, as he lived the remaining 11 years of his life at Capri. In the grotto you can see what used to be the staircase of where he used to come down.
After the grotto experience, we headed back to the bus to Anacapri, which is the highest part of the island.
Afterwards, we took a boat ride around Capri. It was amazing. The views and the history. Then, during the boat ride, I am across a "beach club" nestled in the mountain. I immediately remembered this area. It was the place that my grandpa took us when I was little. I remember playing on the small beach and seeing my grandpa order a bottle of Chianti as we sat at the table in the corner of the restaurant, on the terrace. My eyes flooded with tears again. I felt like my mom was guiding us to see these places...my heart was overflowing with joy.
We were also able to see the Faraglioni (which means sea stacks in Italian). These amazing formations are breathtaking...you can't believe it that you are that close to it...just wow.
The beautiful family we met on this journey, the husband, was looking for the same area where his mom and dad had a picture taken on Capri (almost 76 years ago). Luckily, they found it, I was so happy for him.
After the boat ride, we headed home on the ferry back to Sorrento. We were all tired, sweaty, and just plain tired. So many emotions on this day. I allowed myself to feel all the feels - I truly didn't care that I was sobbing in front of my family or total strangers...I just wanted to feel all the feels.
Italy is the place for that. To feel all the feels. That is a part of their nature. Their passion. Their love of life. Their love of family. Famiglia. I don't believe that the Italians suppress their emotions - sometimes you just gotta wear that stuff on your sleeve and call it a day.
Once back, we grabbed a bite to eat and headed to our backyard - the ocean. Where the water was absolutely perfect (for me), and I was able to laugh with my daughter and enjoy the evening.
I will never forget what we did yesterday. I feel like the memories I remembered carried me through and I was so utterly grateful to give this experience to my family, as my mom did for me long ago.
As I write this, my precious husband did this...I think he has this Italian lifestyle down, don't you think?
XOXO,
Claudine
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