Discover Campania

"When you come to Campania, you cry two times: when you arrive and when you leave." This popular Italian saying sums up what to expect from the southern region: a mix of noise and warm hospitality, confusion and genius, and a gorgeous contradiction like no other.

The Happy Land

In Roman times, Campania was the dream place for emperors and wealthy people. They called it Campania Felix (the Happy Land) and dotted its landscape with outstanding summer villas. Situated at the doors of southern Italy, it stayed one of the richest areas in the country until the unification of Italy took away its glory.

Those centuries of prosperity left one of the most appreciated artistic heritages in Italy. Five of the 20 most visited tourist attractions in Italy are in Campania, and the region counts seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Today it is one of the most sought-after places to visit in Italy, thanks to three elements: immense artistic heritage surrounded by an enchanting landscape, the best food in the world, and the good humor and welcome of its inhabitants.

What to see

There is a lot to see in such a multifaceted land. Four places stand out.

Amalfi Coast

Loved by artists and the international jet-set, the Amalfi Coast is by far the most beloved destination among tourists. Fishing villages such as Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento are treasures of nature and architecture, surrounded by crystal-clear seas.

Napoli

The capital is the beating heart of Campania. Its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a feast for the eyes and the ears. Narrow lanes full of local color and hospitality harbor over 2,400 years of artworks and masterpieces that rival those of any other European capital.

Capri

Rugged cliffs, white sand beaches, lemon trees and flowers define Capri. Its rocky coastline hides a surprising number of caves and secret grottos. It is an island of romance in Italy.

Pompei

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, the excavations of Pompei are well-preserved evidence of life in Roman times. The town was buried under lava in the eruption of Mt. Vesuvio over two millennia ago, and it offers an unparalleled glimpse into the daily life of the Roman empire.

What to eat (and drink)

Campania boasts one of the richest and most varied cuisines in Italy. Its climate and geography alternate between seaside, mountain and even volcanic rock (Mt. Vesuvio), and over the centuries they built a great culture of food and wine. Add the genius of the Campanians and you get a large variety of delicacies, some of them beloved all over the world.

The most famous is pizza. Every pizzeria in the world promises the best one, but for authentic pizza, you come to Campania.

Aglianico, the "Barolo of the south"

Pair that pizza with Aglianico, the most important red grape in Campania. It has intense structure and high acidity, and it picks up a lot of character from the terroir. Warmer climates, volcanic soil and high elevation bring out riper fruit, smokier earth and refreshing acidity.

Fiano, for white wine

Prefer white? Try Fiano, a grape that features in some of the region's finest white wines. Its origins are ancient: the Romans called the original grape "Vitis Apiana" for the allure of its juice to bees. Fiano thrives in the sandy and volcanic soils of Campania's warm, coastal Mediterranean climate. It reaches the apex of varietal expression in the hills of Avellino, where it produces elegant wines with extreme aromatics of pineapple and long, creamy finishes of nuts and earth.

To finish

End a Campanian meal with freshly made gelato, second only to the world-famous Sicilian one. Then try a small glass of Limoncello, another truly Campanian invention. Its secret ingredient is the zest of Femminello Santa Teresa lemons, grown near Sorrento.

Buon viaggio. This is a guest post by Pietro Marco Fraccalvieri of Select Italy, an agency specializing in Italian travel.