This area sounds lovely...andybody spent any time here? Saw this in The Guardian.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/trav...stellabate-acciaroli

Yep, ellens and I, and my brother and sister-in-law, were lucky enough to spend a week in the Cilento in 2006. (I had won an ST prize of a week's stay at a villa in Perdifumo.)

We were in most of those places down as far as Palinuro, and ate in the wonderful Taverna del Pescatore in Santa Maria del Castellabate. Also Acciaroli, etc. It's all GORGEOUS!

Yes - vacationed in Santa Maria two of these last three summers. It's gorgeous - our daughters think we should foresake all other summer vacations to go there every year. (If only...)

Thanks for the link lesfaye. We are headed there next summer.

I am in that stage of planning where I am reading everything I can find on the area - including Marian's trip report!

Here's some literary information on Palinurus, for anyone who might be interested:


Palinurus, in Roman mythology, is the helmsman of a ship of the Trojan hero Aeneas, whose descendants would one day found the city of Rome. As the price for the safe passage of Aeneas and his people from Sicily to Italy, Palinurus loses his life, one on behalf of many ('unum pro multis dabitur caput' according to Vergil's "Neptune" (Aeneid 5.815). Somnus causes Palinurus to fall asleep and fall overboard. (Palinurus' own version at Aeneid 6.349 does not blame the god.) He is then stranded on the coast of Lucania, in southern Italy, where he is killed by a native tribe, the Lucani. When Aeneas and the Sibyl meet Palinurus in the Underworld, the Sybil promises that the local people will be moved by signs to provide the helmsman's body with a proper burial, at what is now Cape Palinuro.


Here's how to reach Acciaroli and Palinuro by public transportation (bus connection to nearest Trenitalia station):

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/...000003f16f90aRCRD#20

Oddly, just last night I was telling Marian that I've been drooling over this villa in Santa Maria di Castellabate ever since we stayed in Perdifumo. I need to find a bunch of friends who want to go there, however, as it has seven bedrooms all with en-suite baths.

Ellen that is the villa we have booked for next year!

We booked it last year ready for an extended family trip in 2010. It seemed very early to book, but it fills so quickly.

I did read Marian's report of your trip, but is there anything you would add? Highlights for you?

Well, color me green Sheena.

Highlights for me ... incredible mountain drives and coastal scenery ... finally finding the mozzarella place after a few drive bys ... an incredible lunch at the base of the big mountain in the Cilento (I can't remember the name at the moment) ... Paestum ... touring the winery ... hanging on the terrace of Villa Trotta ... and, of course, great company. A really lovely week.

quote:

an incredible lunch at the base of the big mountain in the Cilento (I can't remember the name at the moment)

I've finally found the name of the restaurant: It's the Chioccia d'Oro in Novi Velia. There were some local business people, and a few others there, and the proprietor recited the lunch menu which we, being vegetarians, couldn't eat. So, he thought for a minute and then came up with (1) the most gorgeous roast vegetable platter I've ever seen and (2) some wonderful pasta in a chopped vegetable -- (sauce?). I took a photo but somehow screwed it up.

(And after that lunch, we [ellen behind the wheel] started to drive up the mountain in a fog that became worse and worse, so that we couldn't see. And we couldn't turn around before the top. We are assuming that that's where we acquired the tire damage that led to the flat tire.)

Sheena, that is wonderful, such a gorgeous place.

The question is: now, that it's in the newspaper, will it remain for long the delightful "... coast Italians keep for themselves..."?

We love the Costa del Cilento, exactly because it is "the coast the Italians kept for themselves"! Less known, less hectic, clean sea and beaches, great food and lots of history and legends all around. We vacationed there twice and spent three months in Santa Maria di Castellabate this winter. It is definitely a special corner of Italy.

Ellen - Villa Virginia is drool-worthy! It's a very comfortable villa with stupendous (seriously!) views. Loads of outdoor space, a pizza oven and wood-burning grill, and a large kitchen. It is perfect for a group since everyone gets their own bedroom *and* their own bathroom! The road to get there is very steep, so be warned!

Sheena - I have lots of highlights for you! I still need to get those notes written up. (I put it aside and forgot about it.)

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Originally posted by valerie:
Sheena - I have lots of highlights for you! I still need to get those notes written up. (I put it aside and forgot about it.)

I planned to remind you closer to the time.

Right now I figured you are still busy setttling in and catching up with friends and family - and dreaming about being back in Italy.