Capri

The stunning island of Capri has been the playground and home to politicians, artists, writers, and celebrities for more than two  millennium.

The ancient Greeks discovered the island and colonized it in the 7th century BC.  They named it Caprea, meaning "island of the goats"; clearly they weren't too impressed.  Much later, in 29 BC, Emperor Augustus traded the island of Ischia, now known for its natural spas, to the Greek colony of Neapolis (Naples) in exchange for Capri.

Augustus called the island Apragopoli, the city of "dolce far niente", or "sweet doing nothing".  His successor, Tiberius, ruled the Roman Empire from Capri for ten years, between 27 - 37 AD and built twelve villas on the island.

Nearly two thousand years later, Capri became an important stop on the Grand Tour.  For a time, Norman Douglas (author of South Wind), Thomas Mann, Pablo Neruda, and Graham Greene all called Capri home.  Sophia Loren, Frank Sinatra and Maria Callas frequented Capri during the 50's and 60's; today's celebrities are often photographed wandering the streets and sitting at the cafes.