Angela Zurlo joined her family brokerage house, Levante Mare at the age of 24. She began concentrating primarily on Italy and the Mediterranean. Here she offers her expert opinion on the must-sees in the area when on a megayacht charter.
Due to the Naples Gulf’s wonderful panoramas, this destination is by far one of my favourites. The crystal waters, the excellent food and wines, and the historic sites make it such a charming area for those who are not only interested in the sea, but those who enjoy the finer things in life too like the simply irresistible food and wine.
DROP ANCHOR:
There are two main anchorage spots in the area
THE FARAGLIONI BAY (Capri)
A place one must visit at least once in a lifetime. Its beauty and history (last remnants of what once was a unique and immense grotto) are ideal for an unforgettable swim if the season is right, followed by a lunch in one of the restaurants behind Tragara Point.
LI GALLI BAY (in front of Positano)
The panorama is breathtaking and the snorkeling among the rocks is an amazing experience. The area and the coast between Positano and Capri boasts plenty of grottos where one can swim to a backdrop of cliffs overlooking the sea.
TOP RESTAURANT:
RISTORANTE DA PAOLINO, CAPRI
The only way to reach this restaurant is by taxi – it is very remote and a great favourite with the locals. You find too many tourists here. In the typical Italian-style courtyard, where all guests eat, the dominating feature is the huge lemon tree that covers the entire terrace. Very romantic. Meals are a leisurely affair, during which the owner accompanies guests to the anti-pasti buffet, which offers seasonal delicacies prepared according to the great island traditions of sweet, sun-ripened cherry tomatoes, peppery rocket, succulent egg plant and zucchini, cold cuts, sea food, fresh mozzarella, salads, and pasta parcels. Only the very finest of local products are used to create the dishes featured on the à la Carte menu, be it the freshest of fish or highly prized meats. The same attention has been given to the selection of wines and to da Paolino’s famous circular dessert table, which is dominated by a magnificent display of wild berries, seasonal fruit and copious quantities of whipped cream. www.paolinocapri.com
DON ALFONSO, SANT’AGATA SUI DUE GOLFI (the mainland in front of Capri)
The best way to arrive is by berthing your yacht in Sorrento and taking a taxi to the restaurant. Sant’Agata sui due Golfi (means: Holy Agata on the two Gulfs) is a small town in the strip that divides Naples’ Gulf from Salerno’s Gulf.
Don Alfonso is probably the most famous and most expensive restaurant in the area. Apart the excellent food and wine, fresh fish, mozzarella, excellent Italian oils, the biggest draw to this place are the cooking classes that the owner organises to teach his guests the secrets of Mediterranean cuisine. Foreign guests really enjoy this; they learn how to make homemade pasta, pizza, etc. www.donalfonso.com
RISTORANTE DA CICCIOTTO, NAPLES, MARECHIARO.
This restaurant is located in Naples, overlooking the stretch of sea between Mergellina and the small Island of Nisida. The breathtaking view from the terrace incorporates the Vesuvio Vulcan (Mount Versuvius) along with the rest of the Naples’ Gulf.
Guests can arrive by anchoring their yacht right in front of the restaurant (then call the restaurant, and they will be all too happy to pick you up with a dinghy) or mooring the yacht at the Molo Luise and then taking a taxi (10 minutes by car). The restaurant’s specialty is raw fish and a further famous personal recipe is the “Gamberoni incatenati”, literally “chained prawns”, fried skewers of rolled spaghetti covering a big prawn.
Just two minutes walk from Cicciotto, guests can see the romantic “Fenestrella di Mare Chiaro” a simple window which is part of the Neapolitan tradition; Neapolitans say that the lovers kissing under that window, will remain together forever. www.trattoriadacicciotto.it
TOP BAR:
ANEMA E CORE IN CAPRI, Capri center
This quirky bar is a must-see place, which opens around midnight every evening. Anema e Core is always buzzing with famous people and international stars in the summer.
One of the great pulls of this restaurant is the friendly owner, who plays his guitar together with the band. His quick-wit often leaves superstars on the spot with his customised funny songs, which he makes up and then sings to the VIPs attending the evening. The audience always joins in and often the VIPs sing into the microphone with him and his band. www.anemaecore.com
WHAT TO DO ON LAND:
For those interested in history, a visit to Pompei and Ercolano is a must. These cities, buried by the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius, have remarkable antique preserves. The observation of amphitheatres, triumphal arches, villas, bridges and tombs of the Roman Imperial Age are all possible during a fascinating day on shore.
Less known but equally enchanting is “Napoli sotterranea” (Naples underground). Forty meters below the characteristic and lively streets of the historic centre of Naples, you find a different world, unexplored, isolated by time, but deeply connected with the world above. It’s the heart of Naples, and the place from which the city was born. To visit it is to travel to the past, a world 2400 years old. Every historic epic, from the foundation of Neopolis, to the bombs of WWII, has left its mark on the walls of Naples.
TOP TIP FOR THE AREA:
Many local singers and musicians are available to come onboard your yacht (for a hefty fee and with the right connections) to entertain you with their typical Neapolitan and Italian songs. Guests can ask their captain to find one of these singers or bands for an evening of spaghetti, pizza and mandolin.