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Cilento, Campania’s nature reserve is famous for its National Wildlife Park, the fine quality of its produce and its beautiful unspoilt beaches.
It is the ideal destination for both country and beach holidays.
Cilento has many medieval villages worthy of a visit, such as Castellabate, some natural caves like Pertosa and Castelcivita as well as the magnificent Greek temples of Paestum and Velia.
The gorgeous beaches at Palinuro, Ogliastro and Camerota offer great relaxation. |
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A legend with some basis in historical fact states that Amalfi was founded by a group of Romans on their way to Constantinople.
Amalfi was the first of four maritime Italian republics that dominated trade in the Mediterranean, the others being Venice, Pisa and Genoa; a special regatta is staged every four years in Amalfi, with competing teams representing each of them.
Distinctive white painted houses and a magnificent Byzantine Duomo set Amalfi apart from its neighbours along the coast.
Amalfi was historically a centre for the manufacture of high quality paper. A museum in the town illustrates the development and production techniques of this industry, and a few paper-mills employing traditional methods survive locally today.
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Atrani is a small fishing village, largely free of the hurly-burly of tourism. Time here seems to have stood still. There are some excellent fish restaurants here serving superb quality seafood and fish freshly caught in the Gulf of Salerno.
The small ‘piazza’ is the perfect spot for anyone seeking serenity and local charm.
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After Vietri, the next settlement reached along the coastal road is Cetara.
Formerly part of Vietri, Cetara is now a municipality in its own right.
This picturesque fishing port lies at the foot of Mount Falerio, spilling out into a valley planted with vines and citrus groves, which itself fans out towards the sea.
The splendour of Cetara, both natural and man-made, has earned it the status of World Heritage Site.
Cetara’s major economic activity is fishing, especially for anchovy and tuna. Home-prepared dishes using these fish are much in evidence here, and restaurants serve many delightful local specialities which often include fresh tuna and anchovies.
Cetara is twinned with Sète in the south of France.
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Conca dei Marini is a tiny village clinging to the hillside 400 metres above the sea it overlooks.
Several folk festivals take place here in the summer. A spectacular view of the Gulf of Salerno can be enjoyed from the belvedere of St. Pancrazio.
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Minori has far more charm than its brash neighbour Maiori.
It has a pleasant pedestrian precinct with local craft shops specialising in the sale of limoncello (lemon liqueur) and ‘fruit of the forest’ liqueurs.
This village is also renowned for its confectionery, particularly the local speciality ‘delizie al limone’.
The coast road to Minori is very hilly. As a passenger, you can enjoy splendid views of the sea, terraced lemon groves and the Gulf of Salerno coastline.
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Known as the “Pearl of the Coast”, Positano is the most westerly town on the Amalfi Coast. Its name is probably derived from that of Posides Spado, a roman libertine who built a number of luxury villas here in Classical times.
Many celebrities have fallen in love with this charming town, among them the american writer John Steinbeck. He wrote: “Nearly always when you find a place as beautiful as Positano, your impulse is to conceal it. You think, "If I tell, it will be crowded with tourists and they will ruin it, turn it into a honky-tonk and then the local people will get touristy and there’s your lovely place gone to hell".
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Every morning fishermen land their catches on the beach at Praia, where they maintain the local tradition of offering fish to anyone who wishes to buy. Don’t miss the chance to visit one of the numerous trattorias to sample local specialities such as antipasto di mare, pasta with clams or grilled fish.
Place of Interest:
The ‘Africana’ nightclub was a must for party people in the ‘60s but is now only open to sightseers. Set into a rock and accessible only by boat, it is decorated with stalactites and African objects, creating a unique atmosphere.
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A short drive up the mountain brings you to two outlying villages of Vietri, Raito and Albori.
Raito is something of a natural balcony, with its superb panoramic view of the entire Gulf of Salerno.
Albori is a tiny village carved out of the eastern side of Mount Falerio and overlooking a descending valley. It is regarded as one of the five most beautiful villages in Italy.
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Ravello, ‘city of music’, looms over the Gulf of Salerno from its lofty perch.
Walking through the narrow streets of old Ravello one gets a sense of a place imbued with history and tradition – a refuge from the modern world. Simply beautiful in daylight, by night the town becomes a place of intrigue and mystery.
Down the centuries, Ravello has always attracted celebrities and artists – André Gide and Maurits Escher for example - in search of inspiration. It is here that Wagner completed his “Parsifal”.
Nowadays, Ravello is also the destination of choice for those who want to combine being by the sea with the enjoyment of outdoor cultural events.
Adopted city of the classical music world, Ravello organises its own International Festival every summer. There are several interesting churches, but any visit to Ravello should include Villa Rufolo and the gardens of Villa Cimbrone, where the ‘Infinity Terrace’ offers a breathtaking view of the whole coast. |
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Leaving Salerno, Vietri is the first Amalfi coastal settlement encountered. Despite being so close to Salerno, the town has its own history and traditions.
The town faces Mount Saint Liberatore and affords a view on the terraced fields sweeping down towards the marina di Vietri. The Church of St Giovanni Battista is easily spotted from the coast road, with its maiolica covered dome glinting in the sunshine. Relaxing on the Piazza, you will enjoy a magnificent view of the valley spreading down towards the sea, its steep sides clad in vines and lemon groves.
Vietri is also known as the “city of ceramics”. Pottery is a strong local tradition, adapting through time to the tastes of the day and developing a style of its own, often depicting local life and scenery. The mix of colours used by many Vietri artists mirrors the Amalfi coast, the blue of the sea, the green of the hillside vegetation, the yellow of lemons and so on. Needless to say, all pottery is hand-crafted.
You can walk down or take the local bus from the town centre to the coast at marina di Vietri. |
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The ‘Blue Island’ is situated a few miles off the coast of Sorrento. It has been celebrated for its beauty for thousands of years. Whitewashed villages, quiet coves bordered by crystal-clear waters, incredibly varied landscape, famous visitors and luxury designer shopping have given Capri worldwide renown. |
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Ischia is a volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples; here natural resources have been put to good use: it is one of the best-known hydro-thermo-climatic resorts in Italy and indeed the world.
Ischia will surprise you with the diversity of its landscapes, with pine forests on its eastern side, and charming towns like Ischia itself and Casamicciola. Its lively atmosphere in summertime and the mild climate in winter make this island a place worth visiting at any time of year.
Natural harbours, easily accessible beaches, diverse vegetation including countless colourful flowers and the pine forests already mentioned, make Ischia one of the nicest islands in what is probably the nicest country in the world! |
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The island of Procida lies in the Bay of Naples. Ferries from Naples land at the Marina Grande, a good place from which you can admire the beautifully coloured façades. Procida has preserved much of its charm and traditions. Many cultural and folk – based events are held here throughout the year.
Tourism is far less well-developed than in the neighbouring islands, but it is worth exploring for its rich cultural and historical heritage. |
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