Travel Attractions
Guest post by Laura Thayer
Arriving by boat into the harbor of Marina Grande on Capri is one of the highlights of traveling to southern Italy’s Campania region. Most people arrive for the day on one of the many ferries or high-speed jets from the nearby ports of Naples and Sorrento or cities along the Amalfi Coast. But once you’ve stepped foot on this idyllic Mediterranean island, how should you spend your time? Here are the top 5 travel attractions you won’t want to miss on Capri.
1. The Blue Grotto – Capri’s Grotta Azzurra, or Blue Grotto, is famous around the world for its ethereal shades of blue. While crowds flock to this popular tourist sight, the grotto is nonetheless a dazzling experience. Combine your visit to the Blue Grotto with a boat tour around the island to see the beauty of Capri from the sea.
2. Giardini di Augusto, Capri – A pleasant stroll from Capri’s busy Piazzetta, these beautiful gardens were founded by the Roman Emperor Augustus. Stop here for panoramic views overlooking the three Faraglioni rocks. Watch for boats that go zipping through the arch of the Faraglioni!
3. Villa Jovis, Capri – For those who enjoy walking and getting away from the crowds, follow the walkways to the ruins of Emperor Tiberius’ Villa Jovis. Views overlooking the sea are impressive. Nearby follow signs to the beautiful Arco Naturale, a natural rock arch with gorgeous views to the sea.
4. Monte Solaro, Anacapri – In Capri’s higher town, Anacapri, hop on the chairlift to the top of Monte Solaro. From the top are breathtaking views of the island, the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast. It’s hard to convince yourself to leave this peaceful and awe inspiring spot!
5. Church of San Michele, Anacapri – While Capri is primarily known for its natural beauty and world class shopping boutiques, there is one religious sight you won’t want to miss. In Anacapri, follow the pretty streets to the Church of San Michele, a Baroque church famous for its 18th century majolica tile floor depicting Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Laura Thayer is an art historian and freelance writer living on the Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy. She writes about travel for MNUI travel insurance and blogs about life on the Amalfi Coast at her own site Ciao Amalfi.
* All photos in this post are copyright, Laura Thayer, Ciao Amalfi!
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I’ve finally seen it! I’ve finally seen the original painting of Mosa Lisa! A portraiture masterpiece by Leonardo Da Vinci, Mona Lisa is one of the reasons why I was going back to Paris and Louvre Museum. I wanted to capture it with my Nikon D60 this round on my Europe travel and I satisfactorily did.
I shot it with my Nikkor 18-55mm mid zoom hand held and this is what I have captured. The original colour vibrancy of the painting to some extends faded away eventhough several preservation and restoration works had been carried out. I decided to restore it with the latest digital technology of PhotoShop Elements8 to get back the vibrant colours of the Portrait of Mona Lisa and this is how she looks… 
Ever wonder why Mona Lisa is so fascinating to talk about, eventhough it was created way back in the 16th Century during the Renaissance? Being one of the most famous painting in the world, Mona Lisa (or Lisa Gherardini) is actually not popular for her beauty. Neither is the painting. What people discuss most on the portraiture is her smile, her gesture, her eyes and off course, the painter behind, Leonardo Da Vinci. Being one of the greatest artist, sculptor, engineer, inventor, scientist, mathematician and writer in the Renaissance, portrait of Mona Lisa was one of Leanardo final arts before he died in 1519.
According to the records, Portraiture of Mona Lisa was done in the Tuscany region of Italy and eventually brought to Paris in 1516. While some believed her husband Francesco del Giocondo invited Leonardo over to have a portraiture to his wife before their marriage, others reckoned the painting was started after the delivery of their second baby.
The best discussion on Mona Lisa is her eyes which would keep looking at you at any viewing angle (though I believe all portraiture are the same ). Her smile is also arguably the best of all where the famous ‘Mona Lisa’s smile‘ is coming from.
Whatever is it, with all the stories behind the painting, Mona Lisa becomes so popular among travelers and artists from all over the world who desperately hoping to see her in person. Where is the original painting located now? She is currently being hung on the wall inside the Louvre Museum, the famous travel destination of Paris!
Don’t get so excited though. She is highly protected by security and climatic glass screen and being rail guarded with securities that visitors could only see the 77cm x 53cm painting from 20 feet far away!
But don’t get upset as well. For Europe Travel Tips of the day: Taking photos of Mona Lisa is thankfully allowed in Louvre Museum of Paris. Just remember to bring along your long zoom fast lens and you can still capture it up-close!
Follow up next would be all my even more exciting travel experience and travel stories happened on my Europe travel. If you wish to get all my story updates, don’t forget to subscribe to my blog feed via RSS Reader or email, it’s free!
I just can’t wait to show more of my photos taken during the trip! See Ya! – Travel Feeder, your ultimate travel photo blog.
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Guest post by Andrea Perullo To further heat up the 2010 FIFA World Cup fever at the moment, our guest travel addict, Andrea Perullo is here to recommend 5 travel attractions of South Africa to those who are visiting South Africa: Several years ago I spent 3 weeks in the rainbow nation of South Africa. [...]
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