From Chaos at the Dock to the Island of Capri
Day 4 kicked off with another delicious, relaxing breakfast at our hotel before we boarded a short bus ride down to the port to catch the ferry to Capri.
Arriving at the port was typical Italian chaos—where lines are treated more as a gentle suggestion than a strict requirement! Thankfully, Phil Micali from Phil~italy had everything completely under control. He navigated the crowds effortlessly, getting our entire group inline and safely on board with time to spare. The ferry ride took about 50 minutes, and while the sea was a bit choppy on the way over, everyone held up well and made it across in great spirits.
Ascending to Capri: High-End Glamour & Hidden Gems
Once we set foot on Capri, we were greeted by… you guessed it, another line! This time it was for the iconic funicular railway leading up to Capri town at the summit.
Stepping off at the top, the transformation was incredible. Compared to our last visit 30 years ago, the island has grown significantly busier, with a far greater concentration of ultra-upscale boutiques, designer shops, and bustling crowds.
Seeking a quieter escape, we drifted away from the main thoroughfares and wandered into some peaceful side streets in search of lunch. As luck would have it, we stumbled upon a fantastic hidden gem just off the main piazza: Ristorante – Pizzeria Longano. It turned out to be an amazing find—delightful food, very reasonable prices (a rarity on Capri!), and a warm, attentive waitstaff that made us feel right at home.
Afternoon Harbor Strolls & A Sumptuous Neapolitan Feast
After a leisurely lunch, we made our way back down to the port area for a little souvenir shopping before boarding the 4:00 PM ferry back to Naples.
Back on the mainland, we washed off the sea breeze and prepped for our evening group dinner at Umberto, a historic restaurant located just a stone’s throw from our hotel. We indulged in a sumptuous, multi-course traditional Neapolitan feast—the perfect culinary send-off for our time in Naples.
What’s Next?
What an extraordinary few days in this vibrant region! Tomorrow, our journey continues as we head south to Calabria!
Have you ever traveled somewhere to trace your family history? Let me know in the comments below!
What Really Happened in Naples During WWII?
Discover the untold stories of Naples during WWII. Learn about the impact of the war on the city and its people in this video. In this conversation, Bob Sorrentino interviews Paula Gambarota, an associate professor at Rutgers University, about her Italian roots, family history, and the impact of immigration on identity. They discuss the historical context of American Naples during WWII, and personal stories from that era. Paula shares her research on the occupation of
History of Naples Italy with Vintage Photos
I have seen a lot of people that whose ancestors are from Naples, or Italy in general wondering why they have a percentage of Greek, Spanish, Arabic or other non-Italian segments. DNA segments can potentially go back 10 generations. I’m not a DNA nerd, but I certainly welcome any comments that any one may have to give simple explanations. I have also seen people post that I know where I came from and I’m 100%
Photos of Italian Brides
I do hope that you enjoy these photos of Italian brides ( and grooms ). Some of these my mom had, some are from my first cousins, some however, are from a long lost cousin that I found through ancestry research. Amazing that she, through her grandmother, had photos of my aunts and uncles. Please share. Bridal crown designed and made by my grandfather. Click Here To Join Our Facebook Group My Mom and
The Journey Home – Day 3 – Naples
Click here to join out Facebook group Our first full day in Naples began with a walking tour of the streets of Naples where my Sorrentino, Princi, Piromallo and Caracciolo lived. Our guide Vincenzo D’Onofrio, was great and explained various landmarks along the way. The current Hotel Caracciolo, on via Carbonara was the home of my Caracciolo ancestors and quite an impressive building inside and out. I could just imagine the parties held there over
Naples Historic Center
We get some inside information from Naples resident Cristina Rizzo about the Historic Center and her rental flat. Cristina fills us in on some of the sights and what makes Naples unique from other large Italian cities. For more information on Spaccanapoli Home check out Sawdays. Visit Our Shop Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video
My Naples Experience
Click here to join out Facebook group During my two week vacation in Italy, a majority of the first week was spent in Naples where I stayed for 6 days. One of the things that surprised me was how Naples bore a similar resemblance to New York City except with less skyscrapers and older buildings. The district of Naples that I was staying in was the historical district of Naples and the churches in Naples
