Campania

Mild winters (10°C avg Jan), hot summers (29°C avg Jul). One of Italy's mildest year-round climates.

Operatic and intense. Naples is raw, passionate, deeply layered; the Amalfi Coast is glamorous and crowded in summer, magical off-season. Strong family culture, world-class street food.

Naples: $1,500–$2,500/mo. Amalfi Coast: $2,500–$4,500. Inland (Caserta, Benevento): $1,200–$1,800.

Federico II, Pascale (oncology), Cardarelli — major teaching hospitals. Public quality varies; private clinics widely used.

Greek Neapolis (Naples) founded 600 BC. Capital of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies until 1861. Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii in 79 AD.

• ◆Birthplace of pizza (1889, Naples).
• ◆Home to Pompeii and Herculaneum — preserved Roman cities.
• ◆Mount Vesuvius is Europe's only active mainland volcano.
• ◆Mozzarella di bufala campana DOP comes from here.