Local Sights

Paestum

 

Twenty minutes away just north of Agropoli. A beautiful archeological park unblemished by modern times containing among the best preserved Greek temples in the world. Visit at just before sunset, if you can, to get that lovely yellow hue over the ruins. The park closes at 4pm. The museum is also worth a visit.

 

Amalfi Coast and Capri

 

The Amalfi coast is famous and photographed enough for us not to need to tell you much about it. If you do decide to go, count an entire day. If you choose to drive, be aware, it’s all narrow bendy roads all along the coast there needing accurate and confident driving skills. That’s not for everyone so fortunately there are also direct hydrofoils which take about an hour and a half from San Marco. Alternatively there are ferries from Salerno, Sorrento and Naples. That’s by far the more relaxed option unless you are there well out of the summer season when the drive can be stunning.

 

Pompeii and Herculaneum

 

For either of these, again take out the entire day. It’s still at least an hour and a half each way depending on traffic and if you are motivated to see such sites, you will spend quite a bit of time there.

 

Velia (Elea)

 

Velia in the opposite direction to the two sites above, is a lesser-known archeological site which was known as Elea in Greek times. If you like ruins it is worth a visit as it was a port back then and the excavations are very well presented. 

 

Padula

 

A stunning in-land monastery kept in good condition with its cloisters.Count just under two hours across beautiful countryside to get there.

 

Rocca Cilento

 

This is just slightly inland from Castellabate and the large castle here was recently renovated at vast expense. It is privately owned, quite imposing and houses a good restaurant. The drive there is also lovely and takes about 30-40 minutes via Perdifumo. 

 

Azienda Agricola San Giovanni

 

Situated on Punta Tresino (the jutland shaped like a dragon one can see from the house) there is an organic vineyard run by Mario (a former architect) and his wife Ida (a former lawyer). They gave it all up to make wines on her father’s land. They host tasting sessions accompanied with local cheeses, she tells their story in fluent English and far away from any other buildings, the setting is a gorgeous green oasis with views over the rippling water offering balmy sunsets sipping their various wines. https://www.agricolasangiovanni.it/ +39 334 115 3784

 

Further Afield

 

The family loves the South. Tropea and Maratea are both beautiful. Scario is another water-side village with charm. And Capo Palinuro is impressive.

 

Unknown to most people, there is a mountain called Monte Cervati rising to almost 1900 metres (and where Allard proposed to Caterine). And that is not even the highest peak in the Campania region.

 

The Parco Nazionale del Pollino offers stunning wild scenery.

 

Matera is also well worth a visit yet some of these destinations require an overnight stay to savour them in full without the stress of too much driving in one day.