I’ve missed you!
I promised you a seascape upon my return to the land of Smidgen.. the island you see above is the Isle of Capri located just off the coast of Sorrento in Italy.We took a ferry across after spending days wandering through Sorrento, drinking in the sites, the wine and devouring plates of the sweetest heirloom tomatoes, copious lashings of olive oil supplied with generous baskets of crusty bread.
{ Yes, I am in full food and wine withdrawal mode right now. }
This is the view of Sorrento from the sea, it’s a charming little town in Campania, Southern Italy, built high above the Bay of Naples. Elevators or a strong set of legs are requisite for a trip to the beach.
More on Sorrento later.
It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for the short ride to Capri, waiting for the ferry took longer than the ride itself.
I expected a quaint little village.. much like you see here in the port.
We opted out of the street car and taxis cued to take tourists to the top,instead choosing to wander up.. and up these narrows stone walled passages. We made the wise decision not to rent vehicles during our stay, thinking the exercise might just help with the daily indulgence in wine and food.
{ We will have to return one day to explore the rest of the island which requires bus rides up sheer cliff walls to reach the grotto, the Marina Piccolo and other sites on the island. }
I loved to stop along the way and catch my breath admire the many artistically personalized gates.
Note to future self: This was not a leisurely stroll for the less athletic or elderly, it has a deceptively steep incline.
I expected local artisan shops at the top, not having done much research on this wee island. I did understand it to be a haven for artists and writers. I was shocked to arrive at the town’s center and find row upon row of shops like this one.
Yes.. the Isle of Capri is also a “Rodeo Drive” mecca for those looking to do a little high end shopping. It was all very pretty but a surprise nonetheless.We wandered through a 5 Star hotel with the freshest contemporary interior design.
And now I’m longing for a studio floor tiled with these mosaic waves.
I fell in love with this artist..
and the gelato.. oh my, that gelato!
{ thankfully I have no photos of said gelato, it would set off instant cravings.. }
♥
I created a little seascape for my table at home before we left.. and upon our return I reflected how it echoes the cerulean blue and turquoise colors of the sea.. and the bright whites of the Capri buildings.
{ I’ve been playing around with Adobe Photoshop.. so the colors in some photos have filters, others do not. }
The thick white Tuscan-like bowls, white scalloped mugs and platters and the turquoise water glasses were all found at Home Sense and came home after working diligently at a home I had listed for work.
Seashells, sand dollar, and aqua hour glass were collected over time. The 3 tiered galvanized steel serving piece and glass votives are from Pottery Barn.
Vintage jam jars were collected from various antique shops in the city.
Titanium white, Naples Yellow, and Cerulean and Turquoise are some my favorite colors for interior design, tablescapes and paintings.
They sooth the eye and calm one’s heart because they fill you with memories of the rhymic sound of waves from the sea.. and of time spent with feet in warm sand under the heat of the sun.
{ Now if I could just get my hands on a little bowl of gelato today, it would complete this Tablescape perfectly, don’t you think?}
I’ve been up since 4 am yesterday, 5 am today.. tomorrow I’m gunning for 6:00 am 😀
I think it’s time for a nap?
Welcome home Smidge! I was beginning to wonder where you’d disappeared to. What a wonderful holiday – can’t wait to hear more!
Welcome back, and thank you for sharing your wonderful adventure!
I fell in love with Sorrento and Capri when I visited in 1999! Thank you for writing this post and the lovely photos. It makes me so nostalgic!!
Heaven! What a lovely story in pictures. As always Smidge, absolutely beautiful. I love your artistic eye. dreamy 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous blog! I can’t wait to visit Capri after seeing your photos!
Welcome home Smidge! What a magical trip, thank you for sharing it with us. I was transported to Capri and what exquisite keep sakes you brought home with you.
Have a beautiful day.
🙂 Mandy xo
It sounds like you had a wonderful holiday 🙂
It sounds like the ideal holiday. I hope you enjoyed yourself. R x
Welcome home Smidge, and ooooo a lovely holiday! I like the idea of wine and sun and food and meandering. In fact I like that idea lots and could quite happily do it for a living 🙂 I’m sure I’d make a great job out of it!
It looks like your scape was a lovely welcome home
It sounds like you had a wonderful time in Italy. Might a gelato recipe be coming to Just a Smidgen soon? I hope the jet lag is beginning to fade.xo
Looking forward to reading the rest of your journey and living vicariously through them.
Welcome back! I saw some of your photos on facebook and was wondering when you would pop up back on your spot to say hello… or “ciao” 😉
beautiful shots, including the incredibly beautiful first one
enjoy your home, and relax… we’ll be here waiting for your next post
Oh you lucky traveler you!
Whoops, I am not anonymous I just hit the wrong button. WB Smidgey
Oh Smidge, what a gorgeous post!! I have to ask – was the floor actually bumpy and wavy, or was it flat and the waviness was an optical illusion?
I was also at Capri a couple of Springs ago… and so disappointed. Maybe I just want to go everywhere I visit, back in time, as well – about 50 years? We took a boat and did the grotto… nothing like I expected. Everything was so commercial. No big men in white suits with white fedoras and large cigars. Where did they go? The romantic place is gone. The commercialism is left. But, I had to go. Would I recommend it? No. Only if you live there.
🙂
Valerie
Barbara, please consider joining The Canadian Food Experience Project. It is on my site. I will include the link, though usually don’t do that in comments. http://www.acanadianfoodie.com/2013/05/06/announcing-the-canadian-food-experience-project/
Welcome home my friend and thank you for sharing your trip! All I see is beauty everywhere it is so exciting 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Welcome home Smidge! What a wonderful vacation. I have always wanted to go to the coasts of Italy. I’ve been to Rome, Florence and Venice, but this area is certainly on my list. It looks just wonderful! And it sounds like you had a great time. I love the photos. Thank you for sharing. Oh and it’s been nearly 15 years since I’ve been and I still crave the gelato! 🙂
Bonjourno Smidge! Welcome back. I am sure you never wanted to leave Italy. Your photos are gorgeous but I know it is difficult to capture the easy pace and slower relaxed style of visiting Italy. The leisurely lunches with food and wine and then more wine. The beautiful walks on the cobblestone streets. I love all of your photos and really like your seascape ideas in your home. Your home looks like a cozy place to be and now you brought al little inspiration from Italy with you too. I can’t wait to read more of your upcoming posts. Take Care, BAM
Welcome back! What a fantastic holiday destination. I can just imagine how much there would be to see, taste and buy! I bet your luggage was bursting on your return. Love your table setting xx
Looks like a great trip!
Welcome back!
Barb,
What a great article about your travels to Italy. I love, love, love the mosaic wave tiles!!
Thanks or sharing,
Sally
Welcome back Smidge! It’s been awhile.
I’m so jealous of you. Capri looks beautiful, just as I have imagined. Hope to be able to see some Italian coastal towns soon.
looking forward to more photos and updates from you..hope you are coping well with the jetlag!take care!
Great memories. We used to go on holiday to Positano quite often. The irony is that in this poorest part of Italy is home to some of the wealthiest tourists in the world. The prices on the Amalfi coast are are as spectacular as the scenery:)
What a wonderful place Barb! And your deco is fantastic 🙂
Liz and I are jealous jealous jealous. 🙂
Welcome home .. didn’t even know you were gone – wonderful gallery of photos – I have been at Capri … stunning place and it gives you great legs with all the up hill walking.
I don’t agree at all with the tiles .. I get seasick when I look at them – and I been more or less at sea for 35 years .. only seasick twice. Looking forward to see and read more about your journey.
It’s really good to hear from you, Smidge! You were missed! Your travels to the Isle of Capri is a wonderful boon to well-being! I love the photos and can only imagine how refreshing it must have been. I think you’ll be enjoying the memories of this trip long into the future. That’s the kind of travel I most appreciate. ox
My dearest, I am delighted that had this spectacular trip! Wish I could send you some gelato to ease the return, but I trust you’ll find some such medication in an un-melted state soon. Welcome home! xoxo, Kathryn
What a divine trip. I love your taste.
Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful pictures with us. So gorgeous. I absolutely adore the waves tile floors too. So unique and pretty. 🙂
Welcome home, Barb! So glad to have you back safe and sound. Having been to both the Amalfi Coast and Capri, I cannot wait to hear all about your experiences there. As it is, I’m grinning ear to ear. 🙂
ahh, welcome back traveler. so happy to see you! your sea-inspired tablescape and the colors you choose and the reasons…these sing to me too. just truly lovely to see you home, refreshed, renewed. i hope you’ll gentle your way back into the life you left. (and such pretty images, Barb!)
Barb, your vacation sounds wonderful. It certainly was beautiful, judging from your photos. As for that hotel floor, it’s definitely artistic, but I’m not sure I could walk on the wavy design (I felt a little seasick just looking at it
What beautiful photos…and I’m sure equally beautiful memories….Diane
Thanks for sharing pictures of your trip! They are lovely. What a beautiful trip and I do love the pictures taken from the ferry. The vintage shops look like fun. 🙂 Welcome home and thanks for sharing your trip.
[…] The Isle of Capri (justasmidgen.com) […]
Reading you – and viewing your photos – is like food for the soul. Thank you, Smidge!
Hi Barb! I’m a little behind but loved your posting on your travels! Beautiful photos and I especially loved the tile floors with the wave pattern – stunning! All the best! Danny
We stayed in Sorrento about 15 years ago and I really liked it as a base. The ferries and transport system were great for Herculaneum and Pompeii, Naples, Amalfi, Ischia and of course, Capri. Even then, it was no cheap destination- very stylish (and steep!) Loved that mosaic floor too, Smidge, but it’s far too upmarket a destination for me. But beautiful! 🙂
You made me fall in love with the Isle of Capri. So romantic!
These photos are just gorgeous.
[…] or this post where we traveled to the Isle of Capri and I showed you how to make a Coastal Tablescape for your home.. […]
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