The region of Campania, with a population of nearly six million, is located in southern Italy and is centered around the city of Naples. It's divided into five provinces: Napoli, Avellino, Benevento, Caserta, and Salerno, and 551 municipalities. This charming and joyful region faces the Tyrrhenian Sea and rambles with different landscapes. One third of the surface area is covered with mountain ranges, another one-half with hills, and 15% with fertile plains. Campania has one of the highest concentrations of volcanoes in Europe and the region's coastal strip includes several seaside resorts.

In the ancient world, Campania and its prime booty, Naples, were among the incredible sought after prizes of foreign invaders, most prominently the Normans, Saracens, French, and Spanish. Naples, or Napoli, is the regional capital of Campania, and sits on the edge of the Bay of Naples, arguably the most beautiful bay in Italy. With a rich history, warm and sunny climate, beautiful blue waters, wonderful cuisine, and many historic and artistic sites, it is a "must-see" for all of Italy's visitors.

The noisy and colorful city of Naples is where the action is. With over one million inhabitants, it is the third most populated city in Italy. It's jammed with palaces, churches, convents, and monasteries. The heart of the city is rich in 14th and 15th century churches. Benedictine nuns still preside over San Gregorio Armeno and some of the most medieval tombs are housed in San Lorenzo Maggiore, most notably that of Catherine of Austria. The Museo Archeologico Nazionale is one of the world's most important museums. It is a former military barracks that was remodeled to receive the treasures of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The museum houses the magnificent Farnese collection, including the Farnese Bull and Farnese Hercules and many priceless artifacts found in the ruins of Pompeii. Southeast Naples contains the overcrowded Spanish Quarter, the famed Castle Nuovo with its triumphal arch entrance, the Catacombs of San Gennaro, and the magnificent glass-roofed Galleria Umberto I (built in 1887 and rebuilt after World War II) which now stands as a 117 year old shopping center. It faces Italy's largest opera house, the Teatro San Carlo.

The Bay of Naples offers the beautiful isles of Capri, Ischia, and Procida, while the most enchanting and most visited route in the Campania region is the Costiera Amalfitana (the Amalfi Coast). The coast is located in the sunny province of Salerno. The largest town on the coast is Amalfi, with its famous 10th century duomo covered with a 13th century colored façade. The town of Ravello has the best views on the coast and Positano is a magnificent vacation resort that winds down to the sea.

The Partenio and the Terminio Mountains flank the province of Avellino, located in the center of Campania. Avellino is most famous for its abundance of delicious walnuts and chestnuts. The chestnuts of Avellino have an official seal of approval, much like Neapolitan pizza. Its countryside is full of gardens and vineyards and is surrounded by beautiful lush hills. The town of Avellino, which is the capital of the province, and belonged to Roman predecessor, Abellinum, is the seat of a diocese and contains ancient ruins that can be seen in the village of Atripalda.

The hilly terrains of the province of Benevento are located about thirty miles northeast of Naples. It is home to one of southern Italy's most interesting ancient Roman monuments, the Arch of Trajan, which was built by the Senate and people of Rome in 114 AD. The remains of antiquity evidence its importance in classical times. Sights to see in Benevento include a well-preserved ancient theatre and a 197-foot long cryptoporticus, known as the ruins of Santi Quaranta. Benevento and its neighbor, Avellino, were abandoned by their people (who moved to America) a century ago. The capital of the province (Benevento) is situated atop a hill 400 feet above sea level at the Calore and Sabbato Rivers' meeting point.

One cannot visit Campania without stopping of in the province of Caserta, located near Naples. It is home to the largest palace and probably the largest 18th century building built in Europe, La Reggia di Caserta (Palazzo Reale). This Italian Palace of Versailles was built for Charles II of Bourbon. It has 1,200 rooms; 1,790 windows; 34 flights of stairs; four courtyards; an art gallery; a court theater; and an 18th century Nativity scene with over 1,200 characters. The palace is decorated with marble, stucco, cut glass, porcelain, silks, and brocade.

Campania is home to several volcanoes, the biggest being Mount Vesuvius. The others are Solfatara in Pozzuoli and Campi Flegrei. Other major attractions in the mountainous region include the Lete, Castelcivita, Pertosa, and San Michele caves.

Then there are the lost cities. Ancient Pompeii is at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, and was buried in ash in 79 AD. Excavation began in 1748, revealing a community frozen in time. Paved streets, graffiti painted walls, and haunting buildings were all that remained. Via dell 'Abbondanza was a route lined with numerous inns and was one of the original and most important roads in Pompeii. To the west, Herculaneum vanished under a sea of mud, but again a large number of buildings survived with roofs intact. One of Pompeii's finest villas is The House of Vettii. The Vettii family members were not aristocrats, but former slaves who made a fortune through trade.

A breathtaking coastline, centuries of history, archaeological sites, and churches make Campania a region of incredible culture, richness, and beauty.