Campania: the Cilento Coast (just south of Amalfi)
Guided Tour – 7 nights
Campania Region: the Cilento Coast (just south of Amalfi)
Itinerary
Day 1 – ERCOLANO and MT. VESUVIUS
Airport pickup; followed by ERCOLANO and MT. VESUVIUS.
Under control of the Romans, the city was a renowned seaside resort where some of the richest Roman citizens passed their summer vacations. After the 79 AD eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, the town was abandoned and remained largely uninhabited for about 1000 years. The town was partially buried under hot mud and remained so for those 1000 years. The medieval town of Resina was built on the lava stream left by the eruption of Vesuvius (79 AD) that destroyed the ancient city of Herculaneum, from which the present name is derived. Ercolano is a resort and the starting point for excursions to the excavations of Herculaneum and for the ascent of Vesuvius by bus. The town also manufactures leather goods, buttons, glass, and the wine known as Lacrima Christi (Tears of Christ).
Day 2 – CASTELLABATE
You will be staying at a lovely seaside Palace or ‘Palazzo’ (below) near Castellabate where the Belmonte royal family still resides during part of the year, to live like royalty just like you deserve to be treated… smiles.
The palace grounds are privately enclosed and are located in Santa Maria di Castellabate, a happening seaside town with plenty of restaurants and things to do.
Just above Santa Maria is Castellebate. The name Castrum Abbatis in Latin or Castello dell’Abate in Italian is linked to the construction of the castle, which began in 1123, in the hillside medieval village or ‘borgo’
Castellabate is noted as one of the most beautiful ‘borgo’ resting up high with a view of the sea. In addition to the hilltop borgo which boasts a spectacular view.
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Day 3 – PALINURO and VELIA
From Castellabate we will take a lovely coastal drive to PALINURO to see the grottos and enjoy the afternoon on the sea, lunching at a beachside restaurant. The name of the town is tied-up to Palinurus, the mythological helmsman of Aeneas, present in the 5th and 6th book of Aeneid. Palinurus, in Roman mythology is the helmsman of a ship of the adventurer Aeneas.
On the return from Palinuro, we will stop briefly at VELIA, an ancient Greek town (Elia) to discover how they lived in antiquity.
Its excavations are one of the treasures of National Park of Cilento and Vallo di Diano. The remains of this ancient town are in the territory of Ascea Marina, a very important tourist town, situated between Agropoli and Palinuro. The strategic geographic position of Velia (Elea), in the middle of the ancient commercial routes between Greece and Etruria, gave it strength and wealth.
Day 4 –PERTOSA and POLLA
(National Park of Cilento and of the Diano Valley)
Pertosa holds in its so called “Grotta dell’Angelo” (Caves of the Angle) some of the most ancient testimonies of human presence in all of the province of Salerno. The “Grotte dell’Angelo” winds its way for about 2,500 m through tunnels, shafts and caves. While Pertosa is great to visit anytime of year, some dates to remember are: Saint Benedict (21st March), Competition “Grotta di Pertosa Prize” (15th April), Saint Vittorio (14th May), Sagra of the white artichoke (15th May), Pertosa in flower competition (20th May).
Although Polla was inhabited in the prehistoric age by shepherds who left traces of their passage, the first houses (huts) arose in the 4thc BC built first by the Lucani and then by the Romans. In the Roman age the territory belonged to the Insteii family which included Insteia Polla who had a circular funeral monument built for her husband C.Ultianus Rufus. While Polla is lovely to visit anytime of year, some dates to remember are: “Saturday in the village” (beginning of July).
Day 5 – CAPRI
From the nearby port at Acciaroli we will take a large boat to Capri for a full day on the Island. I will get you there and get you back and you will be free islanders all day (with a map and suggestions of course). Naturally, anyone who wants to hang out with Marena on the island is more than welcome.
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Day 6 – ACCIAROLI
ACCIAROLI is another ‘borgo’, but is one with a port and a lovely long beach on the Tyrrhenian Sea!
The town symbol is the blue flag, because it receives a blue flag, the highest honor, for clean water and a clean beach every year. It is a tranquil beach town of mostly locals and was one of the places where Hemingway stayed to write. If the weather permits, you may pass the day relaxing on the lido and strolling through town.
Day 7 – day of ‘Arrivederci’, which literally means: to see each other again! Smiles.
The itinerary is subject to change to accommodate the weather, festivals, or special needs of the guests – you.
If you have a concern or a request, please ask. Aside from not having to travel around in a herd, accommodating requests is another bonus of a private tour.
Price: euro 2770 per person based on double occupancy; singles euro 300 supplement
Included:
• airport pick-up and drop-off in Naples in private mini-van with A/C, snacks and spirits!
• 6 nights accommodation at a palace
• daily guided tours explaining the art and history along the way
• all tickets and entrance fees
• the blue grotto in Palinuro
• boat ride to Capri
• 2 full-course meals (welcome and goodbye)
• ‘un bel divertamento’ (lots of fun!)
• special Marena treats!
• A True Italian Experience
Not included:
• airline ticket (but Marena will help you to find a good ticket)
• meals not mentioned above
• gratuities
• insurance (see website for insurance link)
