> Which country lays claim to the island of Capri?And the answer: Italy.Photo courtesy: public domain.Known for the famous Blue Grotto, the island ofCapri is located off the Sorrento peninsula in southern Italy. It's beeninhabited for millennia, and was once a colony of Greece and then a resort forRoman emperors.The dramatic natural landscapes, decadent historical structures and generallypicturesque nothing-but-ocean view has all the makings for a perfect, secludedvacation destination. And destination it is indeed, as rich folk ranging fromthe Roman Emperors to the Kennedy family have enjoyed the splendor of the islandof Capri. For over 2,000 years, writers, intellectuals, musicians, and otherseekers of worldly pleasure have taken to Capri's distinctly magical shores. After the fall of the Roman empire, Capri entered a dark period. Its riches wereoften raided, and few tourists filtered through its walls. It wasn't untilaround 1750, when excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the Roman towns buriedby an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79, made Naples a key stop on the grandtour. Then, the Blue Grotto was rediscovered in the early 19th century,cementing the popularity of the city forever. Described anywhere from a magical blue pool to an "unfathomable blue sky," theBlue Grotto is a hidden cave lit by an underwater cavity, filtering sunlightthrough the water to create a mysterious blue color. To get to the Grotto, anexperienced tour guide waits for a lull in the tides before slipping his or herrow boat underneath a low opening in the rock. While intimidating, what liesbeyond is certainly worth the journey. Interestingly, the island of Capri is riddled with caves and grottos, and theBlue Grotto was not a mystery to locals. Known locally as Gradola, it had beenavoided as it was said to be inhabited by monsters or evil spirits. There are infact said to be many spiritual hotspots in and around Capri – a conscious choicemade by the Romans who once inhabited it. Check out the breathtaking views of the island below.