Procida Perfectness

Today was a beach day and swimming was definitely on order! The kids have been troopers about dealing with the heat and not being able to swim (since city experiences and swimming don't seem to be a natural fit in Italy!) It was my main worry about under taking this trip when I know how much they all love the water and also how warm Italy would be...

However we do have some swimming opportunities in the itinerary and today's was on an island off Naples - Procida. I chose this over the more famous Capri and Ischia as we knew that they would be crowded and that was probably not the best experience for such a large family nor for my sanity. So the smaller and less popular island of Procida was where we headed and it was brilliant!

The hour long ferry journey there presented us with a spectacular view of the coastline of Naples with Mount Vesuvius towering above and in the distance the glistening outline of fabled Capri. However the view into the small port of Procida was equally as eye pleasing - with its pastel coloured houses tumbling into the sea and the fishing boats gently bobbing in the harbour.

We headed over to the beach we had been recommended, Chiaia in a taxi that went down streets that were impossibly narrow and streets that we couldn't tell if they were two-way (such was the weaving all over the road of the traffic) and finally we were in the sea - clear and warm and welcoming.

We spent about five hours swimming and relaxing (probably my first real down time since we arrived) and enjoying the view and the people watching - hard not to when everyone seems to stroll continuous past as part of the beach experience.

When the sun lowered behind the cliffs we walked down to the village of Corricella, a warren of pastel houses and narrow lanes linked by scalantinelli or staircase streets. Simply one of the most drop-dead gorgeous places your are ever likely to see. Parts of the films Il Postino and The Talented Mr Ripley were filmed here and just by chance we ended up dining at the restaurant where the filming took place. The owner delighted in showing us his photos from the time and explaining his involvement as an extra in the films - wonderful.

Then it was back to port and a ferry home - capturing the harbour with this image as we set sail.

Apart from our fair English skin feeling the effects of the sun...it was a pretty perfect Procida day! Even Sienna has now decided that Naples has some merits!!!