CAPRI

                      PURE ROMANCE

Since I was a chld,I was always dreaming of travelling to the most beautiful island of Italy,Capri!!

My dream came true when my daughter succeeded to Italian literature at the Univercity of Thessaloniki...
I had promised her a trip to Capri together and I kept my promise...
We had fun together...

We took a private boat tour around the island and the views of the coast line were outstanding!!

It's a unique natural beauty,which I had seen on photos but it was amazing to see it in real life!!

The boat took us through the iconic arch of Faraglione di Mezzo:(if you are with your sweetheart,be sure to exchange a kiss while passing through, for good luck,legend says...)

We also had a stop into the blue grotto which was on my bucket list and now I can cross it off!!

The trip was very beautiful,comfortable and relaxing.We felt like VIPS...

We had a lot of fun and the whole day exceeded our expectations!!

With the funicolare we arrived at piazza Umberto,Piazzetta,the famous square with the buzzing atmosphere which is full of life at any time of day and night..

It's the place where locals go on Sunday morning for breakfast after the nearby church of Santo Stefano..

We were walking along a quiet path drinking granita and eating delicious ice cream,when we finally arrived at the Gardens of Augustus..

A fabulous find,with one euro entrance fee,the views overlooking the island and the blue see from there were out of this world!!

Truly an incredible place!!!

Unfortunatelly Via Krupp,the historic footpath of the island was closed due to maintenance so we took lots of photos of the surrounding area (hard to believe that it was ever built) from the Krupp Gardends....

We left our hearts to

                               CAPRI!!
          Going again and again and again 
                    is on our bucket list...

                     EFI KONSTANTINIDOU
                    (Travel & lifestyle blogger)

PROCIDA

                    A WELL-KEPT SECRET

When in Napoli,I always wanted to take a day trip to Procida,the smallest island in the bay of Napoli.
I was amazed of its Italian authenticity!!

With less tourists than Capri and Ischia,I had the impression of a quiet fishing village.

The island had ferry services from Napoli,so it was very easy to arrive at the island in 40'minutes.
As soon as the ferry reached Porto, I admired the magnificent view!!

Although Procida is very populated,the narrow  roads were too small for the traffic..

A road run along the harbourside from the ferry jetty to the marina,passing the island's principal church,Santa Maria della Pieta.

Along the landward side of the street , there were shops,restaurants and bars..

The rest of the town was built up the slopes behind.
Above the port was the highest crag on the island,a monastery and until recently a prison.
Ascending through two stone gateways,we reached a picturesque settlement,the Terra Murata.

There were breathtaking views from the road leading up to the walls and from a panoramic terrace looking the bay of Napoli.

Marina Corricella:So atmospheric spot!!So colourful impression!!

Behind a long fishing harbour,houses painted in pink,yellow,blue and green were built on and into the rock !!

Poor slums here and there...

Lemon groves were squeezed into every available space.Oh...and that smell of the lemons!!....

We saw some bars and restaurants there,with tables along the waterfront, painted fishing-boats and harbour cats hiding among piled nets....and that was the authentic feel of Procida!!

An island where locals live and work,regardless of the whims of tourists!!

I was shocked of its beauty and I will certainly come back ..

EFI KONSTANTINIDOU

(Travel & lifestyle blogger)