White Spark’s Nicole Esposito recently brought her massive squad to Capri to celebrate a special birthday (we would never ask a lady her age) and writes in with some tips and memories from the trip.
Capri, the fabled island in the Bay of Naples just off Sorrento in Southern Italy, has been a favored holiday spot since Roman times. The limestone island, only 3.9 miles long, is filled with fragrant flowers, emerald waters, and delicious pasta. This Mediterranean haven was home to the Emperor Tiberius, a frequent sailing destination of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and where Pablo Neruda spent a year in exile, which would become the inspiration for the classic film Il Postino. It’s mix of history, nature, and worldliness make Capri a magical place. Where better to celebrate your birthday, drink Aperol spritz, and dance by the sea?
For my recent birthday, I was lucky enough to celebrate with family and friends including…Alina Cho; Garine Zerounian, VP communications, Armani; Nevena Borissova, owner of Curve; Selita Ebanks and Ryan Press; Beth Buccini, owner Kirna Zabete; stylist Edward O’Sullivan; Sarah Raimo; Heather Lilleston, Yoga for Bad People; Tommy Zung, Studio Zung; Howard Collinge, creative director, Code and Theory; and Blaine Zuckerman, People.com. Our first night on the island, I hosted a welcome dinner at our home for the week, Villa Vedetta. Chef Franco cooked a five-course Italian dinner under the stars.
For the birthday fiesta, we dined and danced at the popular beach club and restaurant Da Luigi, which is nestled next to the magical Faraglioni rocks. Guests arrived by boat to the hamlet, private for the evening, and were greeted with the traditional Aperol spritz before heading up to the restaurant for another wonderful meal. We danced until dawn! Other trip highlights: espressos and people-watching at La Piazetta, swimming at one of the famed beach clubs—Da Luigi, Lido del Faro, or La Fontelina—dinner under the lemon trees at Da Paolino, cocktails at the Quisisana, and dancing on tables at Anema e Core.
GUIDE
LUNCH + SWIM Ristorante La Fontelina—via Faraglioni Da Luigi—via faraglioni, 5 Lido del Faro-punta Carena in AnaCapri
RESTAURANTS
Aurora via Fuorlovado, 18
Ristorante Mamma Isola di Capri via Serafina Madre, 6
Il Riccio Capri Palace Hotel, via Gradola, 4 Anacapri
Da Tonino via Dentecale, 15
La Conca del Sogno (arrive by boat) via Amerigo Vespucci, 25
Da Giorgio via Roma, 34 Da Paolino- Dinner under the lemon trees via Palazzo a Mare
Villa Verde via Sella Orta, 6
STAY
SINGING AND DANCING
Anema e Core via Sella Orta nr. 1
CONCIERGE
Simona Chiusano can help you find and manage your villa, book reservations at the best restaurants and organize boat trips: Simonachiusanocapri@gmail.com
SHOP In addition to Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Versace…
Delfina Capri – Swimwear via Fuorlovado 1/A
Eco Capri – win some stitchery Piazzetta Cerio, 11
Il Laboratio – Custom-made pants via Ignazio Cerio, 6
Sud Capri – Bikinis and baubles via Camerelle, 61
Da Costanzo -Handcrafted Sandals via Roma, 49
Farella – Best Knitwear via fuorlovado
Blue Boutique via le Botteghe, 57
Eureka Ceramiche d’Autore – Colorful handpainted ceramics
Nicole Esposito is a strategic marketing and brand development consultant at White Spark with clients including Dylan’s Candy Bar, Rolls-Royce, and provencal beauty and fragrance brand Cote Bastide recently acquired by Frédéric Fekkai.
