Touring Campania Italy

We choose Pompeii as our base to explore the Provance of Campania. The train station was just a five-minute walk away giving access to the Amalfi coast to the south and the Capital Naples to the north. All setup and ready for Touring Campania Italia.

Vico Equense.

Travelled from our base in Puglia across Italy to our next base just short of Naples ( in Campania) and anchored the van opposite the ancient city of Pompeii – or as it’s called here Pompeii Scavi. Our first outing was by train to Vico Equense just short of Sorrento. Hot and ready for a swim we headed down the hillside to the water, only to be told 20 euros each please (ouch). Most beaches in Italy are not free and because they’re often at the bottom of cliffs, need infrastructure which you are charged to use. Understand – but for us, it was back up the hill for (surprise, surprise) pizza and a beer to cool off instead. Touring Campania Italia.

Archaeological Park of Pompeii

We could hardly ignore Pompeii since we were camping at the gate and even though we’d visited before this is a working archaeological site and things probably changed… It had…and we did see some different things.

In 79 AD Pompeii, a large and prosperous city of 11,000 inhabitants, and the surrounding area was buried under 4 to 6 meters of volcanic ash and pumice when Mount Vesuvius erupted. Eerie and interesting and sort of sad too. They explain now that the toxic fumes and gases probably caught most people before they were encased in ash. So much of it is intact except for the roofs and second stories which fell in the quakes at the same time but there were some… not sure if they are replacements or not because they are doing restorations now too. Touring Campania Italia.

Camping Zeus

Camping Zeus was our base and so central to Naples to the north and Amalfi and Sorrento to the south. We used the train which was literally at the front gate to visit Naples, Vico Equense and Sorrento. You can then get a bus to other Amalfi coastal towns from Sorrento. And the train station is literally opposite Pompeii Scavi. Don’t try driving anywhere. Our only criticism of Camping Zeus was the toilet blocks need a good cleaning or refurbishment. So wear your flip-flops in the shower and byo toilet paper. 26 euros a night in May 2022 for the first 5 nights, dropping to 22 if staying longer. Otherwise hunky-dory.

The Path of the Gods

The Greek gods travelled the Path of the Gods to save Ulysses from the Sirens on the island of Li Galli. Something to do with girls turned into Sirens as punishment. Despite the extra three-hour hike back (YES we seemed to be the only people who thought that was a good idea – but the alternative was a knee-crunching 1500-2000 steps down to the bus) it was a fantastic experience and after the morning mist cleared amazing views. See what you think of them. Touring Campania Italia.

Sorrento

Sorrento, the sirens of bygone ages… it charms, amazes, and inspires you to return, and that we did. Our memories of some sixteen years ago floated back as we walked through the old town to the cliffs. Here we found the “Hotel de la Syrene” where we ordered two glasses of champs overlooking the Mediterranean, I think it was 2006. And Yes, we did find a free beach. We pretended we were local and had a refreshing dip. Then it was back up the hill for seafood lunch.

Drive Down the Amalfi Coast

If you want to stop at any of the villages along the Amalfi Coast, hire a scooter or take a bus (I personally don’t recommend a pushbike but others might.) and of course, chauffeur-driven is another option which A LOT of people seem to do – never seen so many Black Mercedes Vitos in one place. We took the car and loved the drive and the rather spectacular views. It helped that there were a number of lay-bys to pull into, but be aware they are pretty busy. The bonus is you will find fresh orange and lemon juice vendors. We did try to get a parking place in Amalfi itself but ABSOLUTELY no hope. Yes, we did meander – but only in the car… so four leisurely hrs of very slow driving out of Pompei Scavi along the coast towards Sorento and then back across before Salerno.

Naples – Home of the Pizza

Naples wasn’t on our must-visit list but we were curious so back on the train for a look-see. Train and the central station were so busy resurfacing at Piazza Garibaldi. The information guy headed us in the right direction for the old town with a map. Highlights would be some very narrow streets where you can shake hands with the neighbours from your window, curiosity shops, pizza of course and clothes. Castle was interesting.

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Touring Campania Italy