Born in the legends of Homer, the known history of Campania begins early in the 9th century bc with Greeks, Etruscans, Samnites and later Romans all competing for the same piece of heaven on earth. With the fall of Rome came the Goths, the Byzantines, the Normans, the Spanish, French, Austrians and anyone else with enough power to pretend to claim paradise. In the past century, Campania has overwhelmingly favored American travelers. The kinship shared by these two diverse cultures began with bittersweet memories of returning U.S. servicemen and blossomed as a result of Jackie Kennedy's fascination with the Amalfi Coast. The love affair between Campania and America continues to be fueled by the popularity of recent films such as "Il Postino" and "The Talented Mr. Ripley".

Campania is not undeserving in the least of these attentions; the list of her natural, historical and cultural assets is endless. A 300-mile coastline stretches along some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Lush mountains descend into a sea of a thousand shades. The region is blessed by the islands of Capri and its famed Blue Grotto, Ischia and Procida, one more enchanting than the next. On the mainland, Mount Vesuvius still guards over the Bay of Naples and the ruins of Pompeii and Ercolano, cities frozen in testimony of their volcanic past.

Naples, the capital of Italian art and culture, once the most important city in Europe, boasts over forty percent of Italy's masterpieces, far more than even Florence. No longer neglected, Naples and its astounding art collections have finally sprung back to life and are a joy to explore.

The deeply romantic towns of Sorrento, Sant'Agata, Positano, Ravello, Amalfi and the ancient cities of Velia and Paestum majestically adorn the magnificent shores of the Amalfi and Cilento coasts. The soft Mediterranean climate of Campania is enjoyable year round. Easily reached, Naples, the main air/sea entry point into Campania, is within a three hour drive of Rome. Homer is gone and Ulysses may have never sailed, yet the sweet lures of the sirens do live on. Listen!