|
|
If you are interested in Italy's people, history,
economy and geography, visit our section:
Italy Country Facts
|
|
-
Best
Places to Visit in
Campania
-
Campania, a region popular
with tourists, is known for its exotic seascapes and beautiful
coastal villages. The noteworthy attractions in Campania include the Isle
of Capri,
the towns of the Amalfi Coast ( Amalfi, Ravello, Positano and we include Sorrento),
and the archeological wonders of Pompeii and Paestum. Naples
is the area's largest town, but least attractive destination in many ways. Each of these location is
shown on our map of Italy's Best Places to Visit.
-
-
One of the great drives in
the world can be experienced by starting at Sorrento and touring along the Amalfi Coast through Positano, Amalfi and
uphill to Ravello. These are some of the most scenic coastal villages
in the world and we explore them further in our
Photo Guide. Most settlements are
terraced up steeps hills and utilize every inch of land
available. The winding roads provide enjoyable
views of the area's spectacular coastline.
-
-
The Isle of Capri is a great place to kick back and enjoy the high life - assuming you
can afford the high life! In addition to the pampering at classy
hotels, the island offers a number of interesting antiquities dating from
times when Roman Emperors had their summer palaces on the island.
Also, be sure
to see the Piazza Umberto (La Piazzetta) and spring for a boat ride for the
best view of the island's breathtaking coast. Take the hydrofoil
or ferry from Naples or Sorrento.
-
For a little change of pace,
you might consider a stay in Ischia, another delightful island, but on
the north end of the
Bay of Naples. See
Ischia Online
for more detailed information.
-
Be sure to see our
Capri Photo Guide
for more details on the beauty that awaits you on the Isle of Capri.
-
-
Pompeii is a world-famous attraction
for a reason and it should not be missed by any visitor to southern
Italy.
It can be visited as a long day trip from Rome, if your travel plans
do not include stops in Campania.
-
Frozen in time as a result of a cataclysmic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius
in 79 A.D., which buried it under ash and volcanic mud,
Pompeii's history has been unearthed by archaeologists over the last
two centuries. The time capsule-like nature of the remains of
Pompeii provide interesting and poignant views of life in the Roman Empire
-
Exploring Paestum
-
If you are going to venture
as far south as the Amalfi, you should consider adding another fifty miles to visit Paestum.
The three fabulous Greek Temples at Paestum are the best preserved
ancient Greek buildings in Italy and perhaps, the world. The temples date from the third and fourth century BC and were
part of a large Greek town known as Poseidonia that was later occupied by
the Romans. For many centuries, the temples at Paestum appear to
have "fallen" off the map, which accounts for their unusual state of
preservation.
-
Naples
-
Napoli (Naples), which is often featured in guide books as the gateway to the Amalfi Coast,
has lost much of its charm over the last few decades. While Naples is the
largest town in the province, it suffers from a high crime rate and a
deserved reputation as a place rough around the edges. Naples has grown
quite seedy, and graffiti, which is a national problem in Italy's big
cities, seems unrestrained in this southern metropolis. Naples is high on
our list of places to visit in Italy, but there are several reasons for
a quick visit.
-
If you are planning
on touring
the ruins at Pompeii, then you should know that many of the
best preserved treasures from both Pompeii (and Herculaneum) are on display at
the
Museo Archeologico Nazionale Napoli
in Naples (at the Piazza Museo, 19).
The Museum includes an outstanding collection of early Greek and Roman Sculptures.
-
Also, in Naples, the Museo di Capodimonte (Via Milano
2 in a gorgeous park area), housed in the former royal palace of the Bourbons, provides a
delightful collection of art (the Galleria Nazionale) by some of
the best known masters from the 13th to 18th centuries.
The heart of these holdings are the Farnese Collection, which
was owned by the Bourbon Charles III. In addition, the
decorative arts are well represented. Be sure to see the
interesting collection of porcelain and china from the
Capodimonte Porcelain Factory and especially take time to visit
Queen Amalia's Porcelain Parlor.
-
Finally, the hydrofoil from
Naples is one of the quickest ways to reach Capri.
If you need information about another travel destination, try Googling our site or the Web
|
Top of Page
|
this symbol is shown, click for a Photo Guide that provides several
photos and additional details on the attraction.
