Back to Italy

note:  merchandise may be found by clicking the "Pages" just above



goodness, seems EVERYONE is talking about ITALY

on their blogs, even Vicki Archer today.

but, you guys KNOW I LOVE ITALY more than anyone else

& I'm going to post about it as long as I live,

I've made the photos as large as possible so just move the screen left to right & vice versa to see the entire view.

the world famous "faraglione" (sea stack) viewed from Capri

you see, Capri is a world unto itself...

the jeunesse doree' decorating the cafe tables and dressing the narrow lanes of Capri.

the young & the restless, the rich & the almost famous, Americans, Italians, Europeans

and the ubiquitous Asians.

those who tender in from their mega-yachts or those who ferry in from Sorrento 
(which is what we did, of course).  

the summer tableau of Italy's sublime island pulsates in a kaleidoscope of high fashion, high
style and astronomical wealth.

the scene at Il Riccio Ristorante
where the noonday lunch could easily reach $300 a person

below a Methuselah of Rose' for 10 people




the main thing I see is that EVERYTHING, and I mean everything is
ITALIAN.
there are no French designer shops anywhere in sight,
everyone wears or carries ONLY ITALIAN.



where else, in such a diminutive hamlet, are $45,000 handbags sold alongside
$40,000 whimsical rhino sculptures, and the fine jewelry can easily reach into the 6 & 7 figures?

where else does the town square, the Piazza Umberto, become the social vortex ?
the cognoscenti understand that reservations are a must, especially at the terribly chic
Gran Caffe'

handmade shoe shops are a favorite stop for those who can wait for luxury,
and for those who cannot, directly across the way is the Gucci shop,
carrying all the men's & women's designs they make.
I bought my son a pair of shoes there, as he's very small, like an Italian, and I knew he would
love them. He, of course, was out climbing around on some rock to get the best view for his next photo image.  


what I've discovered is that people who come to Capri LOVE the crowded
spaces, they love the see and be seen vibe, which I long ago outgrew






martinis being made table-side at the amazing
Punta Tragara
ummmmmm
lemon drop, lemon drop, lemon drop


poolside at the 5-Star Punta Tragara




all of this action is mid-way up the island, you can go up the funicular or be driven from the dock.

the relaxation of AnaCapri, the next level up the island is totally different, much more casual,
much less crowded, more what I would like.

however, scattered among all the craziness are beautiful homes, behind tall hedges, and it's
delightful to try to seek them out from the little lanes throughout the island.



and the hotel of particular importance is the
Hotel Quisisana



where hanging out by the front door is super smart.

other than the proper clothes, the only thing you must have is a
GREAT TAN

& these shoes



not at all Italian, but OMG SO CUTE
here