Grand Tour of Campania & the 5 Senses 2026-27

Procida and the Corricella: the colorful fishermen’s village
Procida, a jewel of the Gulf of Naples, was named Italy’s Capital of Culture in 2022—the first island ever to receive this prestigious title. The recognition was awarded not only for its thoughtful and poetic cultural vision, but also for its timeless charm.
The Corricella remains the island’s most iconic postcard: a cascade of pastel houses clustered together, their vivid colors glowing in the sun, watched over by the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie. In 2015, this picturesque setting was even featured by Apple and Microsoft to showcase the color quality of the iPhone 6S and the Surface Pro 4.
Wandering through its maze of narrow streets, you might meet Felice Pagano—known to everyone as Felice Mare. Like many locals, he spent years at sea (Procida is home to Europe’s oldest nautical institute, founded in 1875). Today, he runs a small boat-shaped kiosk where he serves what many claim is the best granita on the island.
Another familiar face is Maria Costagliola Lotorchisco, who has lived in Corricella her entire life. A fisherwoman for over 50 years, she recently opened a tiny open-air restaurant, Da Maria ‘a pescatrice, with just 20 seats and a kitchen barely big enough to turn around in. “I’ve been going out to sea since I was a child,” she says, “and my dream is to offer fishing tourism. I like taking people out on my boat—but only a few at a time, and only if they truly care. We leave at dawn to cast the nets and return at sunset to haul them in.”
Corricella can only be reached on foot or by sea, via scenic stairways like the Pennino or the Scura. For the most breathtaking view, head to the Callìa viewpoint, where the sea stretches out toward Capri and the promontory of Terra Murata.

Sant’Angelo d’Ischia: a peaceful Mediterranean gem
Sant’Angelo is one of the most enchanting villages on the island of Ischia. A car-free haven of peace and quiet, it perfectly captures the essence of Mediterranean architecture, with narrow lanes and tightly packed houses.
Once a humble fishing village, it has evolved into an elegant retreat favored by upscale travelers arriving on gleaming yachts at its marina. Nestled at the foot of Serrara Fontana, it is often considered the crown jewel of Ischia.
At its heart lies a charming piazzetta lined with boutique shops and inviting restaurants. Above the village stands the church dedicated to Archangel Michael, celebrated every September with a striking procession by sea. Beyond it, you’ll find Cava Petrelle and its traditional thermal “stoves.”
A narrow strip of land connects the village to a small islet dotted with fashionable venues and surrounded by dark volcanic-sand beaches. One of the most beautiful is Cava Grado, a peaceful cove along one of the island’s most scenic coastlines. Visitors can also relax in two renowned thermal parks, Tropical and Aphrodite—the latter, along with the village itself, being a favorite holiday destination of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Pozzuoli: layers of history by the sea
Pozzuoli is easy to explore on foot and steeped in history. Founded by the Greeks in 529 BC as part of Cuma, it later became the most important port of the Roman Empire in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Today, visitors can admire the remains of the Temple of Neptune and the Nymphaeum of Diana. The seafront and historic center are lively areas filled with restaurants, bars, and cafés, leading to the Rione Terra—the ancient heart of the city—where you can walk along an underground archaeological route following one of the original Roman streets.
The Church of San Gennaro, built in 1580, marks the site where Naples’ patron saint was martyred. Legend has it that his blood stained a stone still preserved inside the church. Each year on September 19th, when his blood liquefies in Naples Cathedral, it is seen as a miracle.
The Flavian Amphitheater, dating back to the 1st century AD, is Italy’s third-largest Roman amphitheater and is believed to have been designed by the same architects as the Colosseum. Its arena, seating area, and remarkably preserved underground passages—once used for stage machinery—are still visible today.

Piscina Mirabilis: the underground cathedral of water
The Piscina Mirabilis is the largest Roman cistern ever built, designed to supply fresh water to the imperial fleet stationed at Miseno. Carved partly into the tuff rock and partly constructed with intricate masonry, this vast structure measures 70 meters long, 25.5 meters wide, and 15 meters high.
Stepping inside feels like entering a subterranean cathedral: a vast, columned space divided into five aisles by 48 massive pillars. With a capacity of over 12,000 square meters, it stands on elevated ground to make use of natural water flow systems.
The cistern was regularly drained and cleaned, and water was lifted through openings in the ceiling using hydraulic machines before being distributed. Since the 18th century, it has fascinated travelers on the Grand Tour and continues to be one of the most striking and frequently visited monuments in the Phlegraean Fields—and a popular film location.

The historic center of Naples: a UNESCO treasure
Exploring Naples’ historic center means traveling through over twenty centuries of history. The city’s layout, its churches, squares, monuments, and palaces form an extraordinary cultural mosaic—the largest historic center in Europe.
From the Greek colony of Parthenope (8th century BC) to Roman Neapolis, from Norman-Swabian rule to the Angevin and Aragonese periods, through Spanish and Bourbon domination to the unification of Italy, Naples has absorbed countless influences.
Though little remains of the original Greek city, Roman traces are abundant, including catacombs, cemeteries, and archaeological sites such as San Lorenzo Maggiore. Later centuries saw the construction of magnificent churches, castles like Castel dell’Ovo, and landmarks such as Castel Nuovo and the Royal Palace.
In the 19th century, urban redevelopment reshaped Naples into the modern metropolis we see today—a city unlike any other, where ancient history and vibrant life blend seamlessly against the breathtaking backdrop of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.

San Leucio: a revolutionary social experiment
San Leucio represents a unique chapter in history—perhaps the only place where a form of proto-socialism was truly put into practice under a monarchy.
In 1789, King Ferdinand IV chose to withdraw from court life and settle near the small village of San Leucio, behind the Royal Palace of Caserta. What began as a hunting lodge soon grew into a community of workers and their families.
Inspired by progressive, almost utopian ideals, the king established a model colony—Ferdinandopoli—with economic autonomy based on silk production. He personally wrote its constitution, which introduced remarkably modern principles: education as the foundation of social harmony, good faith as a civic virtue, and merit as the only form of distinction.
Luxury was banned, equality strictly enforced, and all citizens dressed alike. Education was compulsory, and young people were trained in professions suited to their talents.
Healthcare, housing, and welfare were guaranteed by the state. Marriage was based on free choice, without dowries, and newlyweds were provided with a home and means of livelihood. Men and women had equal inheritance rights, and support systems were in place for the sick, elderly, and orphans.
The community was governed democratically by elected elders, and workers contributed to social funds supporting the vulnerable. Production was organized collectively, anticipating later ideas of self-managed labor.
Far from being a utopia, San Leucio functioned successfully for decades. Its decline came with political upheavals and, ultimately, in 1861, when the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies was annexed to Piedmont. The silk factory was privatized, and the visionary constitution was abandoned.