Campania

Even if you have never heard of this Italian region, we'll bet you've dreamed of visiting it at least once! With Naples as its capital, it is home to the world-renowned Amalfi Coast, the ancient tragic city of Pompeii, and the romantic Isle of Capri. World famous to be the Birthplace of Pizza, Spaghetti, and Buffalo Mozzarella, Campania is for sure one of the most representative regions of Italy.

Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, no self-respecting Northern European aristocrat would dream of leaving Italy without spending a month or so in Naples. But then, after the Unification in 1870, the city fell into ill repute and, all during the 20th century, it was considered dangerous and depressing. This wonderful harbor, once the third largest city on the continent, still has some less-than-picturesque neighbourhoods, but the entire historic center was extensively restored in the '90s, and today we think it is one of the most interesting locations Italy has to offer at all.

After all, what we foreigners usually remember best about our Italian vacations, is the people, the lifestyle, the local color and the food - and nowhere on the peninsula are these ingredients present in such undiluted quantities as in Naples. From dawn to midnight, the cobblestone streets are alive with the vibrant, larger-than-life type of characters we all first encountered in the films of a local girl called Sophia Loren. The city offers ornate Baroque churches, a world-class Royal Palace, four massive fortresses and a pair of superb museums - all of which we highly recommend you see - but truly, the number one travellers attraction in Naples is its streets, its shops, its little restaurants, its breath taking bay, and the wonderful people who call them home.

When you have finished your own Grand Tour of the city, set out along the coast to discover Europe's scariest road, which will take you to Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Ravello and Vietri (the ceramic lover's mecca). Or you can take the easy way out and travel there by ferry or hydrofoil, from the same docks that take you to Capri, the spa island of Ischia, and Procida, where the locals go for their holidays.

Just east of Naples, surrounded by the huge ranches that produce unparalleled mozzarella, is the Royal Palace of Caserta. If you like old-time regal domiciles, most of the experts think this 1200-room treasure trove equals or betters Versailles. Few foreigners make it south of Salerno, but those who do can treat themselves to a classic Italian beach vacation: along the cape called Palinuro the water is cleaner and the beaches far nicer than anything on the Amalfi Coast. You can even take in some world-class culture by visiting Paestum to see the oldest, best-preserved and most beautiful Doric temple in existence today.

And if it's really the authentic Italy you're after, just head inland to the provinces of Avellino and Benevento, abandoned a century ago by so many who would go on to become Americans. Park your car in any village at all and you will receive a warm welcome. No matter what kind of blood runs in your veins, you are likely to be invited in for a sip of homemade wine and a look at the family album…