A unique holiday in Cilento, to discover this land in Campania where culture, flavors and nature make this place a wonderful place, read in the post.
Il Cilento it is a land that enters your heart, your soul. A land made of simplicity, bonds, privacy, genuine food, traditions, blue sea. A land of a thousand surprises, with many smiles and enormous potential. A land of strong flavors, a reserved land and in part still virgin.
A beautiful land in all seasons, even more beautiful when it is not crowded with tourists in August. The summer tourist flow reaches extraordinary peaks, just think that in the period of August 4.000th Marina di Camerota passes from 70.000 to XNUMX inhabitants. So be careful to choose the best months to enjoy all the places, beaches and restaurants without the large crowds.
This area between Campania and Lucania, almost entirely in National Park of Cilento and Vallo di Diano, extends from the mountains (Monte Cervati reaches 1899 m asl higher than Campania) to the deep sea of Palinuro, hosts numerous small towns that often seem clinging to the rocks (some exceed 600 m of altitude), connected to each other by winding roads not always in good condition. But it is precisely the slowness that makes this territory unique. Here you can rediscover the pleasure of getting lost in narrow and little-traveled roads, of hitchhiking. It really feels like stepping back in time, a time of social relations and "good morning" and "good evening", of great food.
This portion of Campania, which sometimes seems forgotten by everyone, can be reached by train (there are numerous stops on the regional line that leads to Basilicata) from Salerno, by bus from major centers throughout Italy (the journey is long but cheap) and by car; this last alternative, not necessarily the cheapest and shortest, is indispensable for traveling between the different locations due to the lack of public transport.
However, Cilento is not only a coast. It is a magical place for lovers of nature and trekking, the sea and diving, good food and ancient traditions, relaxation and authenticity, history and art (the archaeological areas of Paestum and Velia are wonderful); from the abandoned countries of San Severino and Roscigno to the surprising Cala Infreschi and Cala Bianca, passing through the Certosa di Padula, the tourist resorts of Acciaroli and Marina di Camerota, the olive groves and chestnut groves of the hinterland, the caves of Perth and Auletta, it is difficult not to be fascinated by this generous borderland. The small inhabited centers of the hinterland dot the slopes and are interesting destinations far from the chaos of the equipped and crowded coast. The accommodation facilities (hotels, campsites, holiday homes, residences, etc.) and bathing establishments are in fact not lacking throughout the seafront but my suggestion is, if you have the possibility, to move inland to discover fascinating places and hidden, which often reserve cultural and eno-gastronomic surprises.
Moreover, throughout the year the 200 towns of Cilento offer festivals, festivals, private events of all kinds to discover a territory with multiple peculiarities and characterized by the coexistence of aspects as diverse as they are perfectly blended.
Cilento is, in the world, the most representative geographical area for the Mediterranean Diet and has won a UNESCO recognition in 2010. On a trip to these places you cannot fail to try the Maracucciata (a wheat and maracuoccio polenta, a very small legume jealously cultivated only in Lentiscosa, a fraction of Camerota), buttoned aubergines, lagane and chickpeas, white fig from Cilento, pizza and sfrappole (in winter). If you stop at the beautiful Camerota, the small town perched 5 km from the coast, the two compulsory culinary stops must be the Antica Osteria del Borgo and the Rianata A 'Vasulata, both small typical places, where you can enjoy excellent dishes at really affordable prices.
The pizza and panuozzi of the tavern are something splendid, as well as its large tables set in the narrow street in the center of the town; la Rianata is one of those places that reminds you of how beautiful Italy is. A huge wood-burning oven at the entrance of the restaurant and an expanse of gastronomic delights to drive anyone crazy. There is something for everyone, vegetarians and non-vegetarians, lovers of garlic, fried food, pasta ... Simple service as well as the environment. Eating and drinking well is the prerogative of this magical land, all accompanied by the sympathy and kindness of the Cilento people, people with a big heart and generous hospitality.
Let yourself be surprised, let yourself be told stories of countries and traditions, play cards at the bar, let yourself be taken to the immense olive groves, to discover the jazzi, unplug your cell phone and make room for emotions. I just have to wish you a good trip, between beauty and simplicity. "
