I’m told Capri is quite the holiday destination for the rich and famous.  The place to be.  Spectacular.  Breath-taking.  The stylish and inspirational leisure location for the stars.

Personally, I have to say, I don’t really see it.  We went for the Blue Grotto – basically, we ferried out for two days (one night) so we could go swim in a cave.  It’s certainly a nice cave.  Quite impressive to see the rich blue light refracted back up through a submarine entrance to disperse through the water, bathing the seaside hidey-hole in a glowing azure hue.  But I don’t think most tourists – and certainly not most celebrities – turn up to go doggie-paddling through a hole in the cliff.  (You can go in on a rowboat, too.  But then you’d have to put up with the guides on the rowboat.  And that just sounded tedious.)

Swimming in the Blue Grotto

I don’t think they turn up to go climbing up to the top of Monte Solarno, either.  That’s where you get the best views over the island.  (You can cable car up there, alternatively.  But then you’d have to put up with the knowledge that you’re fat and lazy.  And that just sounds irritating.)  Nor, from Monte Solarno, are they likely to be wandering across the top of Monte Cappello, to get the best view down into Marina Piccola and across to the Faraglioni (aka the Sea Stacks).  And they certainly are nice views.

Marina Piccola and the Faraglioni (aka the Sea Stacks) as seen from the top of Monte Cappello

So, to be honest, I’m not really sure why they go.  Marina Piccola seemed a bit of a disappointment, as beaches go – tiny, crowded, pebbled, and missing the better vistas of the island.  The towns of Capri and Anacapri seemed OK, but nothing to write home about (see Mum, that’s why I never emailed!).  And the whole lot seemed overpriced and overcrowded.

How to ruin an otherwise perfectly reasonable beach spot – built up crud at Marina Piccola

All up, I ended up feeling a little sorry for the rich and famous.  I wasn’t sorry I went, don’t get me wrong.  But it seems a bit like they could be missing out on more interesting holiday destinations elsewhere.

Capri