Campania

Between the fashionable and picturesque

If Campania was a woman, she would be beautiful and glamorous and at the same time would have “both feet on the ground”. Or perhaps this region could be illustrated with multiple personalities: temperamental as the Vesuvius, smart as the streets in Naples, well-dressed as Capri and romantic as Amalfi.

In the heart of Naples, which is one of Italy's most densely populated areas, the Vesuvius slumbers. The villages climb high on the volcano sides despite the awareness that an outbreak is likely to be expected sooner or later. History taught us how, in 79 B.C., the beautiful cities of Pompeii and Ercolano were buried under the lava. Today Pompeii represents an invaluable and fascinating witness of that moment and of the ancient Roman times.
The capital of Campania is Naples, Napoli in Italian, and it radiates the best and worst of the whole the region, together, as in an interesting crucible. The bustling city leaves no one indifferent.

Going South, the Sorrento Peninsula, which separates the Gulf of Napoli from Salerno. Here we have the high dramatic scenario of the Amalfi Coast. Cities such as Amalfi, Positano and Ravello are the most astonishing, beautiful climbers on the cliffs above the turquoise bays. The view from here is probably one of the most beautiful in the world.

We leave the mainland, by ferry from Napoli, opening up the Campania insularity and the glitters of Capri, the uncrowned queen, or at least the princess, of the Italian islands. The bright towering rocky coast is hollowed by the waves of the caves and formed reflects the azure waters and the creamy white of the limestone.

Capri is one of the most glamorous destinations in Italy, with a large selection of fine hotels, shops and restaurants.

Ischia, the neighbour, is instead Italy's own greenhouse. The fertile lava soil creates an explosion of greenery and flowers. Citrus fruits love the warm and humid climate and it is from here that the famous lemon liqueur Limoncello comes from. Ischia is also famous for its hot springs that helped growing numerous spas.

In the south of Campania there is a well kept secret, the Cilento peninsula. This is an intensely undiscovered countryside with dense vegetation and olive groves. The wild coast is beautiful and offers breath-taking natural scenarios and picturesque villages. Cilento is a little bit out of the usual touristic routes, but are you looking for the original Campania, there is enough here worth it to be discovered.