Pino Makes My Panino
ITALIAN SANDWICH for The BEACH
CAPRI
CAPRI
POSITANO The AMALFI COAST
TRAVEL GUIDE / COOKBOOK
PIZZA PASTA SANDWICHES
RECIPES STORIES INFO
Sunday, May 29, 2022
Friday, May 27, 2022
Capri Daniel Bellino Zwicke
CAPRI
From The PIAZZETTA
photo Daniel Bellino Zwicke
The FARAGLIONI
CAPRI
CAPRI
From Summit of MONTE SOLARO
MY CAPRI
I first started gong to Capri in the Summer of 1986. I was a young man in my early 20s, and travel was so much different than it is now. First off, there was no internet back then, No Expedia, no Booking.com , to check out info on anything or anyplace, no Whatsapp to send text and talk on the phone for Free anywhere in the World. You couldn't look up and buy Airline Tickets by yourself, you had to go through a Travel Agent, or purchase a plane ticket directly from the airline. You only info came from your own personal research from books and magazine articles, past experiences, and advice and info from friends.
Back then in 1986 and before, most people if they were traveling to Italy, to Capri, or anywhere in the World would buy Travel Guide Books, like Baedekers, Fodors, Frommer Guides, and any number of Travel Guide Books available at the time. Rick Steves was just starting out back then, and I did buy his Europe Through The Back Door guide book, along with Europe on $40 a Day, which was my main source at the time. When it came to finding accommodations. Typically, for any place that you were traveling too : Rome, Paris, etc., there would be info on the main attractions to see, how to get around, restaurant suggestions, and a list of hotel accommodations in 3 price categories : of Budget Hotels, Moderate Priced, and Luxury Hotels.
With my Frommer's Guide in had, on this my second trip to Italy, I got my hotel in Rome from the Frommer's recommendation, and I looked up budget hotels in Capri. There was I think only 2 under the budget range as I recall. I picked the Villa Tosca at $40 a night. So they way I did it back then, I had my list of budget , I get into town, and either go to the property or give them a call from a cafe or on a payphone somewhere, when I got to my destination.
So the first time I went to Capri, I took the ferry boat, and when I arrived in Marina Grande, Capri, and got off the boat, and walked down the dock, and once I came across a payphone, I gave them a call at Villa Tosca. I asked if they had any rooms available? They did. They asked me where I was. I told them that I had juts gotten off the ferry boat and was down by the port. They told me to take the Funicular up to Capritown, and when I got off, just walk straithgt through the Piazza and then down toward the Hotel Quisisana The hotel was behind the Quisisana. Just walk the alleyway alongside the hotel and I would come across a sign that pointed to the Villa Tosca. And so I did.
When I got off of the Funicular, I spotted a cute little Lemonade Stand (Lemon Granita). It was hot out, and I couldn't resist. I got a Lemonade. Best Lemonade I've ever had. It was cold and refreshing, and I Loved it. The Lemonade Stand is still there in the Piazzetta. The only difference is that instead of less than a dollar for a Lemonade, the now (2022) cost a Whopping $5 ..
I walked down toward the Quisisana. It came into view. A beautiful Grand Old Hotel. I walked down the pathway, and right before the Via Augustus. I saw the sign and followed the pathway. I came to it, Villa Tosca, which back then was a simple pensione. Today it is no longer called Villa Tosca. It is owned by the same family, but a few years back, the son turned it into a nice little boutique hotel and changed the name to "La Tosca" (hotel). I gave them my Passport, then checked into my room. It was late afternoon. I left Rome in the morning, bound for Naples Central Station. I arrived about 3 hours later. I walked outside the train station, and found the bus that went to the Porto. I hopped on, and arrived about 15 minutes later. Got on the ferry and went to Capri, and now I'm at my little hotel. I took a shower, got dressed and went out. I had seen the Faraglioni from my balcony. I went out on the main terrazzo of the hotel and just starred at them. The Faraglioni were beckining my to them, and I just started walking toward them. The walk along the Via Tragara was gorgeous. I passed all the beautiful villas along the way. Villas owned by Valentino, Armani, Sophia Loren and others with the means to own them. I loved it. When I got down to the end of the Via Tragara, I saw another Lemonade Stand. I got one. This little old lemonade stand is still there. Same story, a Lemonade has gone from $1 to 5. I could see the Faraglioni. They were Gorgeous. I walked down the path, getting one beautiful view after the other. I was mesmerized. One of the most beautiful sights of my life. I walked all the way down, taking pictures along the way.
The first beach I ever swam at was Marina Piccolo, way back on that 1st trip in 1986. I met a couple girls from South Africa, and the 3 of us went to the beach there. It was great, and it started my Caari Ritual of going swimming on Capri (any beach) then catching a bus back to Capritown, getting off the bus, and heading straight to Bar Tiberio in the Piazza Umberto for some afternoon Aperitivo of Campari, Negroni s, Lemonade, or glass of local wine.
If I was at Da Luigi Beach Club, I'd take the boat from Da Luigi to Marina Piccolo, and pick up the bus to Capritown at the Little Chapel at Marina Piccolo. I Love Da Luigi, not only one of my favorite swim spots on Capri, but one of my favorite places in the entire World to go swimming. It's gorgeous. Right there smack-dab next to the famed Faraglioni Rocks of Capri. When I went there in 2015, I started a new ritual whereby I go to the Salumeria Capri (by the bus station Capritown) to get a nice Beach Lunch to bring with me to Da Luigi. I usually get a Arancini (Rice Ball) some Eggpant Parmigiana, a bottle of Mineral Water, and a small bottle of local Red Wine, usually Aglianico. I love it. They make really good food at Saluneria Capri, and I go there often for Arancini, Panini, water and Wine when I'm on Capri.
I'm not normally a beach person, nut when I'm on Capri, I Love to go swimming. It so refreshing, and I like it. When I go into the water, I usually stay in for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Same in Positano. I just swim out and float, and have a wonderful time. I love swimming out, and just lie floating on my back and look at the cliffs as the shoot out of the Sea, soaring to heights of 2,000 and 3,000 feet above the Sea. It's quite a dramatic sight on Capri, or if I'm swimming in Positano, the views as you float in the water, looking back to the island, is mesmerizing. "I Love it"
I was surprised when I decided one day to swim at the beach at Marina Grande one day, I think it was 2019. I had always thought that it would be too crowded and maybe the water over there. It wasn't. In fact it was quite clean, and I had a great time swimming there. I swam there, again on my most recent trip, in the Spring of 2022. It was the middle of May, and it was not hot out. It was a bit chilly, but I wanted to swim. "I'm not going to Capri, and not swim. Mo way." I decided to head over to the Beach at Marina Grande. When I got there, there were people at the beach, but not even 1 person was swimming, no one at all. I staked out my territory, and put my swim trunks that were in my backpack on. I just took off my pants. I had underwear on, so I wasn't indecent. I put on my trunks. There were 3 people together there hanging-out next to me. I asked them to watch my stuff. "OK," they said. I started walking into the water with my new swim shoes. They guy told me, "Ne careful. Be careful of the Rock." I knew what he meant, There are a lot of rocks there, and you have to be careful not to fall and hit yourself on the rock. You could really get hurt if you didn't pay attention. You could get hurt bad. Yes there was a bit of danger. I was careful. The water felt slightly cold, and I almost didn't go in, saying to myself, well, "It's good enough if you just wade in the water." But no, finally, I decided to go for it, and I jumped in fully. "It was wonderful." Once I got in, the water was fine. It wasn't cold at all. I loved it. I swam for a full 20 minutes before getting out. I knew it was 20 minutes, because I had my Sturghling Coca Cola GMT Dive Watch on. It worked. The watch was waterproof. I was willing to take a chance with that watch in the water, but not my much more expensive Bulova Dive Watch that I purchased recently, and is my new favorite watch since I got it. Love it. It's a really beautiful watch dive watch, a Bulova Oceanographer, with a Red & Black Bezel, similar to a Rolex GMT Master.
The next day, (May 16,2022) I swam again. This time at Marina Piccolo. A place I love to swim. I walked all the way down from my room at Casa Raiolo, I walked down to Due Golfi, and then down the pathway to Marina Piccolo. It took about 35 minutes, It was a nice walk, and I stopped and took another picture at the Capri Sign that's down there. I took a nice picture there in 2015, and wanted to get another one here on my Capri Trip 2022. I asked a passerby to take my picture. He was an American and he took his time taking the picture. "Thanks whoever you are." I staked my spot, asked some people to watch my stuff and went in. It was a bit chilly, but unlike yesterday, there were other people swimming in the water. I dove in. Damn, it was cold. Colder than yesterday. I thought maybe if I swam out to another spot further out, it might be warmer. I was right. I swam and floated around, had a great time, doing my usual thing. It was great. I swam for 20 minutes, with my Sturghling Diver Watch on, then got out. Another great time swimming off Capri. "I'm The American Champ on Capri." I don't think many more Americans have spent more time swimming around Capri than me. "Seriously, it's probably true." Anyway?
This was my 4th time staying on The Isle of Capri, not including the one time I went just for the day in 2019. I had a great time swimming and hanging around Capri that day, taking the ferry back and forth from Naples, a thing most people who say they've been to Capri say. But that's not seeing Capri. You have to stay a minimum of two days, and 3 would be better. You've not really seen Capri, if you haven't stayed there. Yes I know it's a bit expensive? But go anyway. Make it the splurge part of your trip. "I do."
Daniel Bellino Zwicke
to be Continued
POSITANO The AMALFI COAST
CAPRI SORRENTO NAPLES
CAPRI SORRENTO NAPLES
TRAVEL GUIDE / COOKBOOK
Best Selling Italian Cookbook Author
Daniel Bellino Zwicke
BAR TIBERIO
CAPRI
2022
FIND a ROOM in CAPRI
Me on CAPRI
Boat from Da Luigi Beach Club to Marina Piccolo
POSITANO
"The SNEAKERS"
TAKE a BOAT TOUR
CAPRI
CAPRI BOAT TOUR
From POSITANO (or SORRENTO) "FULL DAY BOAT TOUR"
- Swim and snorkel on the island of Capri
- Enjoy a full-day trip to Capri with an expert guide
- Tour the island by boat and on foot
See everything the island of Capri has to offer on a full-day excursion by boat with an expert guide. Enjoy a small-group experience along with the perfect combination of a guided tour and free time to explore.
Get picked up at the Parking Mandara in Positano and head to the port of Piano di Sorrento.
Set off on a comfortable and elegant boat along the Sorrento coast to Capri.
Along the way, you'll pass the ancient fishing village, Marina Grande, and the ruins of a Roman villa near Bagni della Regina Giovanna. You'll also get to admire lovely rock formations and waterfalls.
Upon arrival to Capri, tour the island first by boat, making stops at the Marvelous Grotto, the White Grotto, and the Green Grotto, admiring the Natural Arch, the Villa Curzio Malaparte, the Faraglioni rocks, and the Lighthouse of Punta Carena along the way.
Enjoy a couple of stops for swimming and snorkeling, and a relaxing break with snacks and drinks on board. Next, it's time to tour the island on foot, with 3 to 5 hours to do as you please.
Your departure from Capri will be bittersweet – literally because you're invited to a Limoncello tasting before you board the boat.
- Pickup and drop-off from meeting point
- Professional, English-speaking skipper - Dry snacks, Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, Snorkeling equipment - Visit to the Blue Grotto
CAPRI
CAPRI
From The PIAZZETTA
Casa Malaparte
aka "The RED HOUSE"
CAPRI
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Guide to POSITANO Vlog
POSITANO
ITALY
POSITANO
Vlog Guide
POSITANO The AMALFI COAST
TRAVEL GUIDE ? COOKBOOK
FIND a ROOM
POSITANO - CAPRI
The AMALFI COAST
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Sorrento to Capri Boat Tour
SORRENTO to CAPRI BOAT TOUR
SWIMMING / CRUSING
And MORE
YOUR CAPRI TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Sail around Capri to admire the dramatic coastal scenery of the island
- Go swimming and snorkeling at two different coves
- Opt to visit the Blue Grotto and admire the intense blue of this famous sea cave
- Explore the narrow winding streets of Capri at your own pace
- Enjoy a light lunch onboard, and sample the traditional liqueur Limoncello
In the morning you will either be picked up from your hotel in the Sorrento area, or will make your own way to the Marina Lobra port in Massa Lubrense. Board your comfortable boat that accommodates up to 12 people and start cruising along the Sorrento coastline.
Admire views of the Marciano Waterfall, before heading out to sea and towards the Island of Capri. If you select the early morning option including the Blue Grotto, you will arrive there right as it opens, avoiding the long queues.
Board a small rowboat to marvel at the intense blue color of this unique sea cave, formed over thousands of years by erosion. Next, circumnavigate Capri to admire the dramatic coastal scenery of the island.
See the White Grotto, the Green Grotto, the Faraglioni rocks, a natural arch, and the lighthouse of Punta Carena. Your guide will explain the wonders of Capri and its surroundings as you go.
The boat will make stops at 2 different coves to go snorkeling and admire the rich marine life of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Enjoy a light lunch consisting of a Caprese sandwich or salad and your choice of drinks.
The boat will then drop you off on Capri, where you will have 4 hours to discover this beautiful island at your own pace. You could do some shopping and have a drink in the charming town, or take the chairlift to the top of Mount Solaro and hike back down. Meet back at the boat and start the return journey back to the port. En route, enjoy a tasting of Limoncello, the traditional Neapolitan liqueur. Your trip will end either at the port in Massa Lubrense, or with a drop-off at your hotel, depending on the option selected.
POSITANO The AMALFI COAST
TRAVEL GUIDE
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Top 10 Things to Do on a Positano - Amalfi Coast Vacation
POSITANO
The AMALFI COAST
TOP 10 THINGS to DO on YOUR VACATION
#1 - The BEACH
# 2 - EATING !!!
DRINKING & DOING NOTHING
BUT HAVING a GREAT TIME
HANG OUT at RESTAURANTS
BARS - CAFFE 'S
EAT DRINK & BE MERRY
THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT
# 2
# 3 - PRIVATE BOAT POSITANO to CAPRI
And The AMALFI COAST
Full description
# 4 - SCOOTER TOUR
Of The AMALFI COAST
# 5 - VISIT POMPEII & MOUNT VESUVIUS
POMPEII
POMPEII - VESUVIUS BOAT TOUR
With WINERY TASTING LUNCH
# 6 - POMPEII - VESUVIUS - WINE LUNCH
Start your day of adventure by meeting your driver/guide at your hotel. After a short meet and greet, take a brief, scenic drive to the port of Piano di Sorrento. From here you will depart by boat to the port of Castellammare di Stabia where the fun begins.
From your docking point at Castellammare di Stabia you will take a scenic transfer via bus to Pompeii and enjoy a 2.5-hour visit. Take a walk through the living ruins of this ancient city with your experienced, authorized guide who will teach you everything you need to know about this famous place.
From Mount Vesuvius, you will take a transfer back to Castellammare di Stabia before departing by boat to Sorrento. You will take a scenic sailing trip along the coast and have the chance to take a dip in the crystal clear waters. After your sailing trip return to the port of Piano di Sorrento and be transferred back to your hotel.
POSITANO The AMALFI COAST
TRAVEL GUIDE / COOKBOOK
"DON'T GO to POSITANO WITHOUT IT" !
PATH of The GODS
# 7 - HIKE The PATH of The GODS
POSITANO The AMALFI COAST
ITALY
# 8 - NAPLES PIZZA TASTING STREET FOOD TOUR
NAPLES PIZZA
STREET FOOD TOUR
NAPLES PIZZA STREET FOOD
And SIGHTSEEING TOUR
TOUR DESCRIPTION
Get a true taste of one of Italy's culinary capitals on a food and sightseeing tour of Naples. Spend some time exploring the city, stopping at the city's main squares and basilicas, as well as at hidden eateries to sample traditional dishes. Learn the history of Naples as you make your way from one mini-feast to the next, dining on everything from zucchini flowers to Ragù, Baccalà , and pizza. Come hungry: the tasting tour is a meal in itself. Food and sightseeing tour of downtown Naples Enjoy a morning or evening tour in one of Italy's culinary capitals Sample some of the area's best regional cuisine, such as ragù, Sfogliatelle, Spaghetti, and Pizza Explore Naples' cultural attractions between tastings Includes vegetarian options.
# 9 - LEARN HOW to MAKE PIZZA
NAPLES PIZZA MAKING / TASTING DAY
# 10 - PRIVATE TOUR of The AMALFI COAST
PRIVATE CAR
TOUR POSITANO The AMALFI COAST
RAVELLO POSITANO AMALFI
See the stunning Amalfi Coast at your own speed on this private, full-day trip from Naples. After creating your own itinerary, sit back and enjoy as a private driver takes you along the coast, making stops in the most beautiful villages in southern Italy: Positano, Sorrento, Ravello and Amalfi. Get a true taste of the region’s rich history, architecture, cuisine and more before concluding with drop-off back in Naples. Private full-day tour of the Amalfi Coast from Naples Choose your own itinerary The four pearls of the Amalfi Coast: Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Ravello Option to have an English-speaking guide Private chauffeur-driven car Hotel pick-up and drop-off.
AMALFI
POSITANO SORRENTO The AMALFI COAST
HOTELS on The AMALFI COAST
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