Capri, Italy

Okay, I am returning to blogging about our trip.

I only have three more cities to share with you,

the first being CAPRI!

This Italian island was AH-MAZING!

We only spent a day there but I could have spent many, many more.

Capri has been a resort since the time of the Roman Republic.

That makes it one established resort island!

It was by far the most beautiful city we traveled.

The water surrounding the island was the most beautiful blue.

You couldn't help but smile!!

After taking a water taxi to the city,

we immediately got on a small boat for a private island cruise just for our group.

Alex on the island cruise

We stayed in the back of the boat to protect our cameras from getting splashed.
Some of our students got drenched in the front. They loved it!

Indescribable beauty

Cave known as Tiberius' Leap
Tiberius would get his enemies drunk and have them look out at the beautiful sea.
The he would push them to their death right off that edge there.

We drove right through Lovers Arch.
Tradition has it that if you kiss under the arch,
your love will be eternal.
Probably the cheesiest thing Alex and I did on the trip ;)
but anything to be sealed to my man forever! 

Capri is also home to the infamous Blue Grotto

but unfortunately it was closed while we were there.

However, we did get to go in the Red Grotto.

Obviously, not our boat but ours looked very similar going into the Red Grotto.

Named the Red Grotto for the coral reef seen just under the water's surface

Once we returned to the harbor, 

we had time to explore the island of Capri.

Add caption

The first stop once on the island?

Augustus' Gardens.

There, us teachers had something up our sleeves.

You see, it was one of our students' 16th birthdays.

We knew we were heading to the gardens on his birthday

so we worked out an elaborate plan to "knight" him 

into manhood in the center of the gardens.

Just so happened, this kid's name is Max 

which obviously we changed to Maximus for the day!

Jonathan stealing the Whisper microphone again
but this time to "knight" Maximus.
Jonathan is fluent in Italian so it was extra special.
He said everything in Italian first and then translated it into English.

I made him the crown of "laurel" leaves by weaving tree branches together
and our talented EF tour consultant, Katelyn, made the sword out of aluminum foil.

Did I mention that right before we got off the island cruise
his father, George, gave him a birthday card with a CAR KEY in it!?!

Can we just say,

BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!?!

That should seriously go on MTV's Sweet Sixteen.

Our group entering the gardens

At the top of the gardens

Then we had plenty of free time on the island.

Many of the students went swimming in the sea

but us teachers decided to get some real Italian food.

My margherita pizza

Alex got a pineapple & ham pizza

Katelyn, our EF tour consultant, got gnocci

Best gelato of my life
Combo: Hazelnut & Coffee

Later we got iced coffees
Alex got his black

I got a cappuccino -- it tasted like the best chocolate milk.

I was definitely sad to leave Capri.

If we ever go back to Italy, 

I would LOVE to go back to Capri.

The boys matching in Capri

Not wanting to say good-bye to Capri

Also, Capri had the largest lemons I have ever seen in my life.
I guess they are the largest Jonathan has ever seen too!

Coming up next... POMPEII 

{my favorite of all -- 

it really is an art history nerd's dream come true!

Plus, our tour guide didn't hurt, you'll see what I mean in the next post. ;)}