Campania

Introduction

Campania is a region in southern Italy with around 6 million people. It is the second most-populous region in Italy and the most densely populated one, with a surface of about 13,500 square kilometres.

Cities and Towns

Naples

Naples is the largest city in southern Italy and a popular travel destination. Known as the home of pizza, it sits cradled in the shadow of Europe's most famous volcano, Mount Vesuvius. With a sunny climate and the Bay of Naples - one of the world's best views - on its doorstep, it's no wonder that the city also contains some great beaches. Due to strict construction laws, Naples has also been able to avoid the seaside condo clustering that is so common in popular seaside locations. The historic centre of Naples has earned itself a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

• Salerno
• Sorrento
• Positano
• Amalfi

Sights and Activities

The Amalfi Coast

Atrani from near Amalfi

© NantesFC

Pompeii

Pompeii is a Roman city, near current day Naples, that was buried in ash by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The ash from this eruption blanketed the city and killing everyone that lived there. A nice side affect of the ash was that is preserved the city in perfect shape, like a snap shot taken in time. Although not the biggest or most important city in the Roman Empire it was large city and gives people a chance to see hoe regular and wealthy Romans lived their lives. This is a great sight and one of the best ruins in the world.

Mount Vesuvius

Mount Vesuvius is a volcano that earned its place in the history books in 79 AD, when an eruption covered the town of Pompeii under a layer of lava. It also caused huge destruction to the town of Hercalaneum. The stratovolcano, considered one of the most dangerous in its class, could do a lot of harm to the city of Naples. The last eruption of the mountain was in 1944. Today, the volcano and its slopes are a national park. There are a number of paths leading up the mountain, and there is even parking space at 200 metres below the summit. The rest of the climb has to be done by foot.

Capri

capri

© paperix72

Capri is a famous island in the Gulf of Napels, in the southern Campania region of Italy. It has bee a popular tourist spot litterally for ages! Roughly 130,000 people live on the island and the main town is called Capri as well.

Ischia

Ischia is a popular island in the Gulf of Naples, just about 30 kilometres from Naples and easily reached by ferry or hydrofoil from Naples and a few other towns. It is mountainous, with some nice beaches, a beautiful castle and popular thermal spas and hot springs.

Getting There

By Plane

Naples International Airport (NAP) is the main airport for the Naples area and has 2 terminals. Terminal 1 is the main terminal for travellers and is operated by a British Airport Company. Almost all major cities in Italy are served while many major European cities also have direct service from Naples Airport.

It is very easy to get to and from the airport:

• Bus - Buy a ticket for €1 at the magazine kiosk inside the airport. Go outside airport and find the bus stop for the 3S bus. Take the 3S bus into Naples' centre.The bus connects the airport to Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza Municipio. The airport is also connected to Avellino, Benevento, Caserta, Sorrento, Salerno and Serre.
• Airport bus - Take the tourist airport bus outside the airport.
• Taxi - Taxis can be dangerous to take, especially at night. If you want to take a taxi, ask the taxi driver what it will cost before you get in.
• Car - The airport is easily accessible from Naples by taking the exit of the so called "Tangenziale", an urban highway (A56) connecting the city of Naples to the larger metropolitan area and highways to Rome (A1), Salerno (A3) and Bari (A16).

By Boat

Sardinia

• DiMaio Lines between Napels and Cagliari, Palau and Olbia.
• Tirrenia Ferries between Napels and Cagliari.

Sicily

• SNAV Ferries between Napels and Palermo.
• TTT Lines between Napels and Catania.
• Tirrenia Ferries between Napels and Palermo.
• Grimaldi Lines between Salerno and Palermo.
• Caronte and Tourist between Salerno and Messina.

Other Islands

• Ustica Lines between Napels and Ustica Island.
• SNAV Ferries between Napels and Eolian Islands (Stromboli, Panarea, Lipari, Vulcano, Alicudi, Filicudi, Salina).
• Traghetti Siremar between Milazzo (Sicily) to Eolian Islands (Stromboli, Panarea, Lipari, Vulcano, Alicudi, Filicudi, Salina) and Naples.

Getting Around

By Boat

To/from Ischia

• From Naples Beverello to Forio by Alilauro Hidrofoil - 08:00 (to Alilauro) (weekdays) 09:35 (to Alilauro) (except Saturdays - via Ischia) 10:30 (to Alilauro) (via Ischia) 14:35 (to Alilauro) 17:00 (To Alilauro). Most boats arriving in Ischia stop first in Ischia Porto, and then make additional stops in Casamicciola and Forio.
• Pozzuoli Harbour - You can also reach Ischia by taking the ferry from the main harbour in Pozzuoli (and Procida).

External Links

• Official Governmental Website