Campania

Campania is one of Italy's most beautiful regions. Both mountainous and green, the area's history of volcanic activity has played a large part in shaping the environment. The climate is warm, and one of the most familiar images is of oranges and lemons growing in green groves above the deep blue sea.

The regional capital is Naples, very famous are the city of Pompei and Ercolano.

Campania's coastline, particularly the Sorrento Peninsula, is dramatic and attractive. Out at sea lie even greater beauties, the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida.

The Costiera Amalfitana, south of Naples, is stunning. Some of its beautiful cities are Positano, Amalfi, Agropoli and Ravello.

NAPLES is the third most-populated city in Italy and the biggest city in Southern Italy. Naples is a lively and vibrant city, full of wonderful historical and artistic treasures and narrow, winding streets with small shops. It sits on the coast on the northern edge of the Bay of Naples, one of the most beautiful bays in Italy. Its harbor is the most important port in Southern Italy. The name comes from the Greek Neapolis meaning new city.

Naples is the Birthplace of Pizza, Spaghetti.

POMPEI stopped in its tracks by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79, offers the best look anywhere at what life in Rome must have been like 2,000 years ago. An entire city of well-preserved ruins is yours to explore. Once a thriving commercial port, Pompeii grew from Greek and Etruscan roots to become an important Roman city. Then Pompeii was buried under 30 feet of hot mud and volcanic ash. For archaeologists this was a shake 'n' bake windfall, teaching them volumes about daily Roman life.

ERCOLANO , smaller, less ruined, and less crowded than its famous sister, Pompeii — offers a closer look at ancient Roman life. Caked and baked by the same eruption in A.D. 79, Herculaneum is a small community of intact buildings with plenty of surviving detail.

CAPRI is twenty miles from Naples, rise abruptly out of the azure gulf. It seems to exercise a peculiar fascination on all visitors to Naples. The special characteristic of the Capri climate is the softness and mildness of the atmosphere.  It is also very equable, and there is no unwholesome chill at sunset, as in the former place, or even at Naples, only twenty miles off. Capri's natural and manmade attractions are indisputable. The island abounds in hills, cliffs, olive groves, vineyards, and garden terraces overlooking the blue water of the Mediterranean. Naples and Vesuvius loom in the distance. The enclosures of Marina piccola, the blue cave, and the terraces of Anacapri, the Faraglioni, and the natural arch are just a few of the beauties of the island.

ISCHIA is the biggest island in the Bay of Naples and, with its beach resorts, thermal springs and therapeutic mud bath; it is nearly as popular as its neighbor, Capri. In this charming place, travelers will be pleased with the climate and the fantastic landscape, the hospitality and the strong perfumes you can smell all round the island. Ferries dock at Ischia Porto, the harbor and modern part of the main town, Ischia.

PROCIDA is a picturesque island only 2 miles long, is less visited by tourists and very tranquil. The swimming is good at Chiaiolella and, as at Ischia; there are inexpensive places to stay. The main town is also called Procida. The main ferry port is Marina grande.

SORRENTO is a small town wonderfully located over white steep cliffs and offers a fantastic view over the Bay of Naples.  Sorrento lies on a Tufa terrace and is enclosed by impressive rocks of the Limestone Mountains. Sorrento and the Amalfi coast are well known for its splendid big lemons.  A typical product which is produced with "Limoni" would be the Limoncello, a very tasty lemon liqueur.

COSTIERA AMALFITANA (The Amalfi coast) is an area of great physical beauty and natural diversity. It has been intensively settled by human communities since the early middle Ages. There are a number of towns such as Positano, Amalfi and Ravello with architectural and artistic works of great significance. The rural areas show the versatility of the inhabitants in adapting their use of the land to the diverse nature of the terrain, which ranges from terraced vineyards and orchards on the lower slopes to wide upland pastures.

POSITANO has pink, cream and white houses neatly stacked up the steep cliffs that drop down to a black sand bay. The small coastal town became fashionable after the war. Positano is a dream that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.

AMALFI is the principal jewel of the famous Amalfi Coast .The largest and most popular resort on this mountainous stretch of coastline; Amalfi is a popular holiday base for tourists wanting to explore the area. The Republic of Amalfi was once a major seafaring power, and the town's traditions and historical buildings bear witness to Amalfi's glorious past. Amalfi is now a peaceful resort town with great views. It has a small beach, which gets very busy on summer weekends.

AGROPOLI is a mountainous little sea side resort south of Salerno.

RAVELLO is one of the most attractive destinations on the Amalfi Coast. It perched high on the cliffs above Amalfi, is famous for its views and its gardens. The town was once part of the Republic of Amalfi; now it is a peaceful historic village popular with tourists and honeymooners.

GETTING AROUND Northern Campania is easily accessible from Naples on the A1. The A16 heads east towards Puglia. Salerno and the Cilento can be reached on the A3. Branching off the A3, the S18 heads deep into the Cilento.  To reach its coast, take the S267.  The villages of the Costiera Amalfitana lie along the scenic S163, accessed via the S145.  The islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida are accessible by boat from Mergellina and Molo Beverello in Naples, Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Salerno. Campania’s main towns and sights are linked by railway. The bus service is comprehensive but infrequent in the interior of the Cileno.