Enjoy the charming Cilento Coastline during Holidays in Italy

As attractive as the Amalfi coastline but without the crowds (except in August) and a lot less expensive – the Cilento region runs south of Solerno is very much under-rated with its own worthy attractions.

These include Paestum which is a former Greek city and then built over by the Romans - although they allowed the original Greek temples to remain undisturbed which still stand today and still awe inspiring to remember that these massive temples was built some 500 years before the coming of Christ and like Pompei it was partially destroyed by ash descending onto the cities from Mount Vesuvius.

The site is still being excavated. The original name of Paestrum was Poseidon - being the name of a God, which was dedicated to one of the still standing temples. Entrance fee is just four euros and the same amount if you wish to visit the museum both well worth the money.

This is also a resort with a large fine sandy beach that runs for several miles in each direction.

The Cilento National Park: This is a mountain wilderness, which hides away medieval villages clinging to mountaintops such as the ghost towns of Teggiano and San Severino, which saw the last inhabitants, depart in the 1960.

There are the caves of Castelvivita and the Grotto Pertosa with access via boat across the lake.

The Cilento Coastline: This is a wilder coastline than the Amalfi coastline. In its own way just as dramatic – but a little softer. However the coastal road still offers dramatic vistas of the bays and beaches as the road continues southwards from Paestum.

Unless you like busy noisy resorts, we suggest missing out on Agropoli which is aimed at the younger set.

But there are plenty of attractive fishing villages with traditional harbours such as San Marco and the long sandy beaches of golden sand that stretch down past Acciaroli to Marinas Casel Vilino and Ascia.

The coastline is three times the length of the Amalfi coast and includes not also Paestrum but the remains of the Greek city of Velia although not quite so well preserved.

Punta Licosa: if you like bird life then the wild life maritime national park of the same name is worthy of a visit.

Eating out: Each resort has its share of family run establishments at prices that are reasonable and a three-course meal can be had for around £15 per person including a fine quality wine from the region.

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HOTEL ACCOMMODATION ON THE CILENTO COASTLINE

 

Hotel Savoy Beach L
Paestum

A superb luxury hotel which stands in gardens and grounds of mature palms and orange trees and has fine views of the Cilento National park. The Greek city remains of Paestum are just located within 2km.

We stayed here for just one night but managed to take a very pleasant meal in the restaurant and a bottle of high quality local white wine.

But do not take our word for it – go to www.tripadvisor.com and see the recommendations from previous clients!

The owners of the hotel own several large farms in the area and offer much of their own produce in the kitchens. In fact you can request a visit to see Mozzarella cheese being produced in their own dairy from Buffalo milk.

The hotel has only 42 bedrooms and this property has more then its fair share of space and style, impressive from the moment you enter the reception with its marbled floors, tall Doric columns reaching to the first floor and crowned by a massive chandelier.

 

The rooms share this opulence having marbled bathrooms, complete with bath and shower, and each bedroom contains 32 sq metres of floor space leading to large balconies overlooking the gardens and the swimming pool. The rooms that we offer are the deluxe and privilege rooms, which are the highest quality and offer SAT-TV, mini bar, direct ISDN line connections and hair dryers. Of course, all are fully air-conditioned.

The facilities include an indoor swimming pool and a gym. Outside is a huge amphi-theatre styled swimming pool were the depth starts at about two inches and slowly descends to a depth of six feet into the centre.

Then there is the covered terrace, which in summer offers outdoor dining and cocktails. In addition there is an air condition dining room. Ther is a separate piano bar.

Room rates include a full buffet style breakfast

The four-course dinner menu is 25 euros and a bottle of high quality wine starts at around 14 euros per bottle. An” a la cart” menu is also available.

There is a beach club with a private area and a beach bar. Outside July / August there is no charge.

From 01/07 - 3 /08 for those who wish to use this facility, there is a daily surcharge of five euros per person per day.

Click HERE to view some more pictures from around this hotel

 

Prices in £ sterling per person per night including Bed & Breakfast DIRECT	2008
	01/01 - 30/05 20/09 - 31/12	31/05 - 30/06 23/08 - 19/09	01/07 - 01/08	02/08 - 22/08
Hotel Savoy Beach (Deluxe / Privilege Rooms )

 

Hotel Esplanade
Paestum

This lovely property is next door to the Savoy Hotel and under the same management and has a most attractive garden setting with mature palm trees and shrubs that surround the large swimming pool.

The rooms that we normally offer include an “up grade” to deluxe quality which are much larger and offer a bigger terrace. In the event this is not possible we shall of course inform clients.

Totally renovated in 2008, it has just 24 rooms with views of the gardens and pool and each one has a balcony. Each bedroom has SAT-TV, mini-bar and the en-suite bathrooms are with bath and shower WC and equipped with hairdryers.

The public rooms include an air-conditioned restaurant, bar and reception area.

All guests have use of the private beach area free of charge, which is just 200 metres walk away. We felt this hotel offered a tranquil setting and very good value for money.

The tranquil gardens at the rear of the hotel offer a large swimming pool and plenty of sun beds, table and chairs etc. to relax beneath the palms.

Meals are a modest 22 euros for a four-course menu and the wine list is far from expensive for this grade of hotel.

Our room rates include breakfast which is full buffet style.

 

Click HERE to view some more pictures from around this hotel

Prices in £ sterling per person per night including Bed & Breakfast DIRECT	2008
	01/01 - 30/05 20/09 - 21/12	31/05 - 01/08 23/08 - 19/09 22/12 - 05/01/09	02/08 - 22/08
Hotel Esplanade (Deluxe Room )