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LOCATION AND TERRITORY

Campania is a southern region of Italy celebrated for its climate, the fertility of the lands and the astonishingly beautiful landscapes.
The territory is mostly gentle hills, apart from the Matese mountains bordering Molise and the rugged Irpinia area.

The Vesuvius on the Gulf of Naples is one of the very few still active volcanoes in Europe.
The two beautiful gulfs of Naples and Salerno with the Amalfi coast, separated by the Sorrento peninsula, are world famous for the high cliffs, sandy bays, grottoes and islands (Ischia, Procida, Capri), each view an enchanting postcard picture, and such a great experience for the senses, the feel of the air, the odors of the pine trees, lemons and oranges, that the ancients rightly called this region 'Felix ager', a happy land.
There are also many national and regional parks.

ACTIVITIES

Underground excursions, cross-country skiing, hiking and mountain scenery of unrivalled beauty are only a few of the opportunities on offer to tourists at the mountainous area.
The sea offers many opportunities for activities like, boat tours or canoe and kayak.

WHAT TO VISIT

Naples
Naples, the jewel of southern Italy, stretches along the bay of the same name: one of the most famous in the world, with the unmistakable silhouette of Vesuvius to the East. 

The history of the capital of Campania is visible in every corner of its historic centre, which is the largest in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this city of over two thousand of years of history, the beauty of its countless monuments is legendary, but there is also modern art on offer.

You can visit: Castel Nuovo, known as the Maschio Angioino, the Royal Palace, Capodimonte Royal Palace, the Church of Saint Clare, San Domenico Maggiore, San Lorenzo Maggiore, Santa Maria Donnaregina, Sant'Anna dei Lombardi, the Duomo, the Church of Gesù Nuovo (New Jesus) and the Sanctuary of Gesù Vecchio (Old).
These works have given Naples a frontline position in international art, which is also visible in the masterpieces presented in the city's great museums, such as the Archaeological Museum, Capodimonte Museum and San Martino Museum.

Pompeii and Herculaneum
These towns were destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Pompeii is an excavation site and outdoor museum of the ancient Roman settlement.
This site is considered to be one of the few sites where an ancient city has been preserved in detail - everything from jars and tables to paintings and people were frozen in time, yielding an unprecedented opportunity to see how the people lived two thousand years ago.
The ruins at Herculaneum are much smaller than those at Pompeii, so it is very possible to walk through the entire excavation and see all the highlights in part of an afternoon.

Sorrento
Sorrento is a popular destination 47 km from Naples on the peninsula dividing the Neapolitan and Amalfi Gulf, rising on a tufa cliff in a domineering position.
The breathtaking landscape of the coastline and the mildness of the climate have attracted famous personalities since Roman times, among them Lord Byron, Keats, Goethe, Ibsen, Walter Scott; it was also the birthplace of poet Torquato Tasso, who gives name to Sorrento's central square.
In addition to its natural beauty, there are many sites, works of art and monuments to see such as the Church and Monastery of San Francesco, with its characteristic cloister (used, today, for classical music concerts), the magnificent Cathedral of Santi Filippo e Giacomo.

Caserta
The city of Caserta developed around the famous Bourbon castle.
The Royal Palace and the ancient district, as well as Belvedere di San Leucio, are compulsory visits to discover the treasures of the city. The Royal Palace was designed, on the order of Charles of Bourbon, by the architect Luigi Vanvitelli to celebrate the European importance of the Kingdom of Naples.
The palace cover a surface area of over 45,000 meters squared, divided among four courtyards, 1,200 rooms on 5 floors, 34 stairs and a garden with a fountain supplied by a purpose built aqueduct.
The Royal Palace is a real work of architectural and decorative art: moving inside, you will be amazed by the continuous works of art, the stucco, bas-reliefs, frescoes, sculptures and floor inlay.

Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is a stunning beauty with its steep sloped lemon tree gardens and colored terrace houses and stunning views and azure sea.
It is south east of Naples starting from Positano stretching almost to Salerno. Along the coast line you will find places like Amalfi, Ravello etc., each of them stunning beauties with their own flair.
The Amalfi Coast is a well-known secret to German and American tourists and prices are high compared to nearby Naples.

For more information see Amalfi Coast guide.

Salerno and Cilento
Salerno, which lies on the bay of the same name, is a perfect blend of Mediterranean beauty. 
Salerno province is the largest in Campania and offers every type of tourist attraction.
Lovers of the seaside will not be able to resist diving into the wonderfully clear and clean waters of the Cilento Coast, which have won many Blue Flag awards over the years and the top rating of Italy's Legambiente environmental agency.
You will also find many world-famous archaeological sites: the Greek temples at Paestum, one of Italy’s brightest archaeological jewels, and further on is Velia, with the magnificent ‘Pink Gate’ in its ancient city walls.

Capri
Capri is the main centre on the Island of the same name, located off the Sorrentine Peninsula, on the southern side of the Gulf of Naples, and has two adjoining harbors, Marina Piccola and Marina Grande (the main port of the island).
It has been a celebrated resort since the time of the Roman Republic with famous spots as the Belvedere of Tragara, which is a high panoramic promenade lined with villas, the limestone masses that stand out of the sea (the 'Faraglioni'), the ruins of the Imperial Roman villas.
The central 'Piazzetta' of Capri is lined with luxury boutiques, restaurants, and paparazzi chasing celebrities. During the summer, the island is a destination for thousands of tourists coming every day from Naples, Sorrento and other harbours.

Ischia
The main center on the volcanic island of Ischia in the Tyrrhenian Sea, the biggest island in the bay of Naples belonging to the Flegree Group at the northern end of the Gulf, considered being the most beautiful, though Capri is considerably more famous.
Italians like the island for its volcanically-driven thermal spas and as well as its beaches and food. The island can be reached by ferry, about 17.5 miles from Naples.

FOOD SPECIALTIES

Mozzarella di Bufala (with DOP awarded by the European Union).
Due to vast market demand and the scarce number of water buffalo, it is also however a product at risk of a ”bufala“ (also Italian for scam).
To avoid this, each wrapper carries the symbol of the protection consortium to guarantee its authenticity and geographic origin.
The true characteristic of this fresh cheese with a delicate taste is its consistency, which should be firm, slightly elastic and chewy.

Pizza. This palate’s delight was born in Naples, in honour of Queen Margaret. From simple baked product it became a fanciful, rich, surprising and always appreciated food.

Insalata Caprese. Take some ripe red tomatoes and slice them thinly. Slice the same amount of mozzarella, if possible about the same circumference as the tomatoes.
Arrange them on a plate, alternating the tomato with the mozarella, and decorate with at least one leaf of basil per couple. Season with olive oil, salt, freshly-ground pepper and with a spoonful of lemon juice or vinegar.

Babà. The Babà is symbolic of the art of Neapolitan patisseries. Prepared with egg, yeast, flour and soaked with a rum based mixture, it can also be served with a topping of fresh cream, patisserie cream and a few cherries or wild cherries.

CLIMATE AND TRAVEL SEASON

The climate in the coastal band, in the lowlands and in the islands is incredibly mild.
The summer is the best season to spend time in the coast.
To visit the towns, spring and autumn are perfect.
In the mountain zones despite the abundant winter snowfalls, the climate is rather sweet.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Maggio dei monumenti (April/May/June). 
Every springtime since 1994, Naples has become the stage for a series of shows and traveling cultural events.
During this period, private collections and monuments that are normally closed to the public are made accessible for everyone.
Each spring, the Maggio dei Monumenti event has a different main theme and depending on this theme, special itineraries shows and other artistic events are organized in the old city center and in the areas around Naples.

Pasta Show (October). An international event entirely dedicated to pasta, one of the symbols of Made in Italy throughout the world.
This event has recently been held in the Stazione Marittima of the Port of Naples in Piazza del Municipio opposite the spectacular Maschio Angioino. 10,000 square meters of exhibition space containing historical and educational itineraries about pasta and its production processes, exhibitions, debates, shows and, of course, a chance to taste the products.

International Folklore Festival (August).
During the 1st week of August, Anacapri plays host to a range of events in its squares, featuring musical bands and folk dance companies.

Settembrata Anacaprese (September). 
A large rustic festival for celebrating the grape harvest: 10 days of celebration dedicated to the island’s typical produce, including shows, competitions and games.

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