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A Quick Tour Of Italy - Campania West Of Naples
Levi Reiss
http://www.theworldwidewine.com
If you are planning a European tour, why don't you consider the area west of Naples in the Campania region of southwestern Italy on the Tyrrhenian Sea? You will find several small towns and two islands. While the area is hardly undiscovered it tends to be less "touristy" than many other parts of Italy including Campagnia on the other side of Naples, namely Sorrento and the Isle of Capri described in companion articles in this series. If you're in the neighborhood, be sure to visit Naples, described in another companion article in this series.
Solfatara is a semiextinct volcano that last erupted in 1198. Its name comes from the Latin sulpha terra for land of sulphur so you know what to expect. Solfatara is not very pretty, unless you like to look at boiling mud.
Pozzuoli is a fishing town that has become a suburb of Naples. It was once the home of wealthy Romans; famous residents include St. Paul and Sophia Loren. Pozzuoli was damaged by volcanic eruptions that occurred first during the Middle Ages and once again in the 1970s. You'll want to see the Anfiteatro Flavio (Flavius Amphitheater), Italy's third largest, that once held 40,000 spectators.
Baia was perhaps the greatest Ancient Roman resort of them all. All the Roman big wigs including Caesar, Nero, and Tiberius had a home away from home in Baia. Cleopatra was there on a visit when Julius Caesar met his untimely end.
Cumae may have been the first Greek colony on the Italian mainland, founded in the Eighth Century B. C. You'll want to see Sibyl's Cave which is considered the most romantic classical site in all Italy. This cave, almost five hundred feet (one hundred thirty one meters) long, was carved out of solid rock.
The island of Ischia has probably been inhabited for thousands of years. The Aragonese Castle is Ischia's most heavily visited tourist site. Actually it was built on a rock near the so-called mainland about 2500 years ago. In 1441 the castle was linked to the island by a stone bridge. The nearby beach is fine and its waters may even heal your ailments.
There is something about volcanic soil that makes food tasty and plentiful and gives wine a special zest. Be sure to taste the mozzarella cheese made from the milk of water buffalo. Ischia wine comes from the whole island of Ischia. It is made from a variety of local grapes in a variety of styles.
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Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten computer and Internet books, but between you and me, he prefers fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods and good company. He knows what dieting is, and is glad that for the time being he can eat and drink what he wants, in moderation. He loves teaching computer classes at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his Italian travel, wine, and food website www.travelitalytravel.com and his global wine website www.theworldwidewine.com.
Article submitted Monday, September 22, 2008
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