Immortalized in poetry and a favored resort destination since the Roman Republic, Capri continues to inspire travelers with its magnificent views, azure waters, lush gardens, and rich history. This Italian island jewel, located in the Gulf of Naples off the Sorrentine Peninsula, was so irresistible to Caesar Augustus that he traded the neighboring island of Ischia for it in 29 B.C.

From the Marina Piccola (Small Harbor) to Mount Solaro -- the island’s highest peak, accessible by chairlift from the charming hillside town of Anacapri – Capri has much to offer the visitor. Stroll the Belvedere of Tragara, a villa- lined promenade affording panoramic views. Hire a boat to explore the famed Grotta Azzurra (Bl ue Grotto) or the limestone formations called the Faraglioni that jut out of the sea off Capri’s shore.

Travel back to the time of Caesar Augustus with a visit to the ruins of the Imperial Roman villas. Or, delve into the island’s more recent past at the Villa San Michele, the former home of Swedish physician Axel Munthe. Built at the turn of the 20th century on the ruins of Emperor Tiberius’ villa, the Villa San Michele is known for its art-adorned gardens and its proximity to the Phoenician Steps, which lead from Anacapri down to the city of Capri.