The View from the Summit

On Friday we discovered the most awe-inspiring feature of Capri thus far and perhaps one of the most incredible views I've ever seen -- the panorama from the summit of Monte Solaro (Mount Solaro). Monte Solaro soars 589 meters above sea level and is the highest and most panoramic point on the island. Here the view extends across the whole of the island of Capri, the surrounding Bay of Naples, the Amalfi Coast and as far as the distant mountains of Calabria. It is truly incredible because from the top you see very little land below you, just water all the way around, so you get the sensation that there is nothing below you and you are just floating above the water. It's truly breathtaking and we have both never taken in a view quite like it. Since the view is 360 degrees, it is impossible to capture the expanse of it with a camera. You could keep taking pictures there all your life and never really capture the true view from the top.

Also, as it turns out, the ill-fated nature hike that we set out on during our first day here leads to this summit, so the sheer rock face that is right out our back door is part of this mountain. There is also another path that can be taken from Anacapri and takes about an hour to an hour and a half to hike up. There's also a chairlift. We had all intention of hiking up the trail that starts in Anacapri, just for exercise and then taking the chair lift down, but once again, and this time thanks to the Italian's who often fail  to put signs along the path to show what road to take we made it about 10 minutes up then had no idea where to go so we walked back down and let the chair lift do the work. We're still not sure where the trail up and down the mountain was located as we saw no one summiting from out of the brush.

Enjoy the view!

Monte Solaro is on the Anacapri side of the island.
Nestled in the distance is Capri, the more populated side of the island, where we're staying.

The mountain is on the furthest end opposite Capri, there's nothing to my left but cliffs and water, so
you can see how small Capri really is.

Some of the rock faces are much steeper than this but either
way they're all pretty dramatic.

It's completely amazing how clear the water is. It's completely different than the Caribbean and as
clear as a swimming pool.

There was a nice tiny railing, about waste high,
to keep visitors from falling off. 

Floating above the water!