Sherman's Travel

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to spend more quality time with the person you love, then I suggest you enjoy that togetherness someplace amazing! And what’s better or more romantic than a stunning, sun-kissed island? There’s something innately sexy and bond-inspiring about the sea – floating together in gentle turquoise surf, walking hand-in-hand at sunset, enjoying the day’s fresh catch paired with a rum cocktail or a fine wine. So as the new year begins, here are my top 10 picks for the most amazing islands to escape to together in 2012. Read more

Ok, I said it – and yes, it sounds pretentious – rent a boat in Capri. The truth is that, appearances aside, it’s quite doable to rent an affordable luxury speed boat to tour the storied isle.

I did this recently through Capri Boats. For about 800 Euros (around $1,150) you can rent a motor boat with a driver-guide for up to eight hours and plan out a unique tour of this famous island off Italy’s Amalfi Coast. The cushy speed boat comfortably accommodates four people, with room for as many as eight passengers. With friends, it’s possible to split the cost and each pay as little as 100 euros (about $140) per day. Public wooden boats (you’ll see them in Capri’s marina) provide a less glamorous, more practical way to explore by water, but the private option is quite affordable and the most flexible.

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Punta Tragara sits high on the rocky cliffs of Capri across from the Faraglioni Sea Stacks, about a 10-minute walk from Capri Town. The splashy 44-room villa-cum-boutique hotel has hosted the likes of Frank Sinatra, Eisenhower, Churchill, and, more recently, Jonathan Adler and Trina Turk. I checked in a few weeks ago and am happy to report that our few nights here were a highlight of our Amalfi trip. Read more

The best time to enjoy any seasonal destination is just after high season ends, when the crowds have dispersed and room rates have been slashed by a third. So now is the time to book a sexy, sun-kissed October splurge on the incomparable island of Capri. Located in the Mediterranean, just off of Italy’s stunning Amalfi Coast, this beautiful botanical Eden (shown at right; courtesy of Capri Tourism) has been a vacation spot ever since Caesar Augustus built a villa here way back in 29 BC.

Two millennia later, must-see Capri draws a mix of wealthy Italians who flock here in high season to relax in private villas, and day-tripping tourists who converge on the island via ferries from Naples and Sorrento. When tourist numbers wane, and the island is yours to wander as you please, this magical spot is romantic beyond your wildest dreams. October temperatures remain in the low 70s and dip to the still-comfortable mid-50s post-sunset, making it a truly pleasant time to visit. If October is too last minute, look into a visit next April or early May.

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