Campania

Naples is also a city of extraordinary views: the view from the Lungomare Caracciolo and Margellina, with Vesuvius in the background, is a famous and timeless sight, reported on thousands of postcards (when they were still in use), as is the view from Posillipo or Castel Sant'Elmo. The Quartieri Spagnoli, on the other hand, embody the true soul of the city, which at times becomes authentic and menacing, while the Rione Sanità surprises you with its hidden treasures, such as the Catacombs of San Gennaro. And then there is underground Naples, a labyrinth of tunnels and ancient aqueducts that reveals an even more mysterious - but persuasive - face of the city. In short, Naples is a hodgepodge of different beauties, a bit chaotic, but with irresistible charm: a city you won't visit without it leaving a mark on you.

Caserta, in addition to buffalo mozzarella, is famous for its extraordinary Reggia, a Baroque masterpiece and one of the largest royal palaces in Europe. Commissioned by Charles of Bourbon, designed by architect Luigi Vanvitelli and built in the 18th century, the Royal Palace of Caserta is an immense enchantment, with sumptuous rooms, exquisite frescoes and majestic staircases.

The real spectacle, however, lies outside: the park, inspired by Versailles, stretches for miles among monumental fountains, manicured flowerbeds, Italianate gardens and scenic waterfalls, in a clever blend of art and nature.

A "must" experience for all hiking enthusiasts is certainly the Sentiero degli Dei, a 9.4-kilometer nature trail that runs from Bomerano, a hamlet of Agerola, to Nocelle, the upper part of Positano. The breathtaking views of the Monti Lattari, Capri and the rest of the Amalfi Coast and the surrounding Mediterranean scrubland make you believe you are far from civilization. The trail is well-marked and almost entirely unspoiled. There are actually two variations: the "high" path (more challenging) and the "low" path (easier).

The Monti Lattari mountain range forms the backbone of the Sorrento Peninsula and is therefore the perfect destination for hiking enthusiasts. Why not climb to the highest peaks, such as Monte Sant'Angelo a Tre Pizzi, Monte Cerreto and Monte Faito, to enjoy the breathtaking views? Alternatively, you can tackle the Traversata dei Monti Lattari by choosing from several possible routes, always arriving on the Amalfi Coast.

A not-to-be-missed stop-both on foot and by kayak-is the beautiful Bay of Ieranto, said to be the place where Ulysses met the Sirens during his journey described in the "Odyssey."

The Coast ends in Salerno, a city that is sometimes snubbed, but instead is worth a visit for its splendid historic center, with its cathedral with its sumptuous and ornate interior, the Roman-era complex of San Pietro a Corte, and the Romanesque Church of the Santissimo Crocifisso. The waterfront is perfect for taking a simple stroll with ice cream.

If the coast is the most famous face of Campania, the hinterland is its most authentic soul: a world of verdant hills and ancient villages linked to farming traditions.The historic region of Sannio, for example, with its expanses of vineyards and olive groves, is a bountiful land, where various towns rise, for example Benevento: here you can admire the majestic Trajan Arch and the Roman Theater, but also discover the Rocca dei Rettori and the Church of Santa Sofia. Excursions in this area can be made to the Taburno - Camposauro Regional Park, for example the one to the hermitage of San Michele in Camposcuro, but bike rides are also a must, particularly on the Sannio cycle routes, such as the Faicchio - Benevento and the Ciclovia di San Michele, a loop tour between Sannio and Irpinia full of spectacular landscapes and places of religious, historical and artistic interest.

Speaking of Irpinia: it, with its gentle, quiet landscapes, is a perfect area for those seeking slow, authentic tourism: villages like Monteverde, Nusco and Zungoli are little treasures that few people know about. For nature lovers, there is the Patenio Regional Park to explore as you wish.

The Matese National Park, with its mountainous massif on the border with Molise, offers many opportunities for hiking and biking and MTB tours, as well as skiing and snow sports, demonstrating how this region is a kind of natural gym open year-round.

Behind Salerno is another green area to explore: it is the Picentini Mountains Regional Park. Here you will also find peaks of some height, such as the Terminio, Raiamagra and Accellica mountains.

Returning toward the coast, then, we find the Cilento, Diano Valley and Alburni Park, an area of unspoiled nature, where wooded mountains slope gently down to the sea, thus creating spectacular scenery. This area, with its itineraries among reliefs, forests, cliffs and hidden archaeological sites, is perfect for hiking, for example in the Stella and Motola mountains or at the Mingardo Gorges, but also for other types of outdoor sports, such as cycling. For those looking for an adrenaline experience, we recommend the "Cilento in volo" zipline: a 120 km/h flight between two Cilento gorges, 300 meters above the ground. Guaranteed screams, but only of joy!

Also located within the park is the ancient village of Castellabate, made famous by the film "Welcome to the South," which, with its panoramic terraces overlooking the sea and its narrow medieval streets, is one of the region's jewels.

Those who want to take a multi-day excursion along the coast and hills of Cilento, also touching on Castellabate, and discover the history and food and wine traditions, can walk the Cammino delle Terre della Dieta Mediterranea, for a total of 9 daily stops.

South of Naples, not far from the coast, is Vesuvius (1,281 m), one of the most dangerous active volcanoes in the world but currently dormant. It is the symbol of the city and dominates its gulf with its imposing silhouette. Hiking enthusiasts can choose one of the eleven trails in Vesuvius National Park to explore the area in all its beauty and variety. Among the various itineraries are the ascent to the Gran Cono del Vesuvio (Great Cone of Vesuvius) and to the highest peak of Mount Somma, Punta Nasone (1,132 m).

Campania is one of the richest regions of Italy in terms of archaeological sites: a true open-air museum that tells the whole story of the greatness of antiquity. Pompeii and Herculaneum are the most famous sites: here, time stood still in 79 A.D., when the eruption of Vesuvius buried the cities entirely under a blanket of ash and lapilli. Walking through the streets of Pompeii is like stepping into daily life two thousand years ago: the frescoed domus, forum, baths and amphitheater tell of an extraordinary civilization, while the casts of the victims of the eruption evoke with poignant realism the tragedy that took place here.