Campania

See Naples and die?

The city of Naples, with its fabulous views over the bay of Naples and to the volcano Vesuvius, the lovely climate, museums, churches, palaces and historical city quarters has always been described in superlatives (by the German author Goethe for example) and nothing even in the new Millennium.

Naples successfully combines renewal and tradition, with an international reputation for promoting tourism. The region of Campania has been influenced by these new ideas and is striving to acquaint tourists with its beauty, historical sights and attractions. And there is a lot to see and admire.

Buffaloes and silent witnesses

One of the most beautiful coastal areas of Campania (and some say, of Europe) is the Amalfi coast in the province of Salerno. There is a 180.000 hectare nature park, (the Cilento) where you can enjoy nature at its purest, far from city-noises but close enough to city-life. The coastal area around Amalfi has many spectacular caves, rocks and bays, and inland you find an area where some of the last remaining wild wolves of Italy, terraces with age-old olive trees and gastronomic traditions wait to be explored. The real “buffalo milk mozzarella” cheese is produced by inhabitants of the small island of Procida, close to Naples. We have to say in all honesty that the taste of this cheese is infinitely better than that sold in the supermarkets

There are impressive silent witnesses of the past: the archaeological sites of Peastum and Velia and of course the world-famous Pompei and Herculaneum. Need one say more?

Campania has so much to offer that the distance should not be an obstacle. There are now direct flights to Naples and you can rent a car upon arrival. You can enjoy your holiday from the start. The journey to your accommodation can be an adventurous and exciting part of your holiday!

The colour blue

The most important islands belonging to Campania are Capri, Ischia and Procida. The Roman emperors were quick to appreciate the loveliness of these islands and many had their holiday villas built there. In our modern times, the “rich and famous” copied the emperors and bought their own pied-a-terres. The islands are surrounded by water in so many different shades of blue. Imposing cliffs, pastel-coloured houses, quiet bays, rocks, caves, absolutely beautiful little village squares, Roman villas, the taste of limoncello (a lemon liquor which you should drink ice-cold), and the scent of delicious fish dinners: The essence of the Campania islands.

If you visit Capri in May you will see much more of the colour blue: Everywhere, on terraces, in gardens, on pergolas you will see blue wisterias. The islands (and also the mainland of Campania) burst into flower in Spring, the shrubs, trees and flowers show an exuberance of colour that has to be seen to be believed.

Big, bigger, biggest

In the North of the region lies Caserta, with the royal (Bourbon) palace, the most important tourist attraction of the region. Caserta has many beautiful 17th century buildings, a town centre dating from the Middle Ages, the 11th century church of Sant’ Angelo in Fornis, and the amphitheatre of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, second in size and beauty to the Colosseum in Rome.

The Barolo of the South, and ancient trades

Driving inland you reach the province of Avellino with lots of small towns and villages, with ancient reminders of the Longobard times. The wines of this region invite many tastings. Try the Greco di Tufo, the Fiano di Avellino and the Taurasi! The last one is the best, and many a wine-lover compare the Taurasi to the Barolo of the North, ending in an ex-eqcuo. Campania has, at least until now, kept a good balance between local character, traditions and modern times. For example, you can find the most elegant contemporary art objects in Capodimonte (porcelain), Vietri (ceramics), Amalfi (hand-made stationary) and San Leucio (silk).