Cilento and the Vallo di Diano, in the Southern part of Campania, is probably Italy’s best kept secret. As crowds flock to the more famous parts of the region, day to day life here goes on as it has for centuries. Aged-old olive trees stand proudly along the stiff hills and perfectly blend in with the mediterranean landscape that contrasts with the deep blue sea.

From the Greek ruins of Paestum to the Certosa di Padula, from the Centenarians of Mediterrenian diet to the farmers proudly working their land and the old nonnas keeping, culinary traditions alive you will taste the genuine recipies that have stood the test of time.

 It is an area where Hemingway wrote, where Spartacus fought and where brigands roamed the mountains. 

There is something special in the air here. Something that whisks you away to another time, a time of culture, a time of passion and a time of belonging.

Take the chance to see Cilento and Vallo di Diano before everyone finds out about it. 

Day one

Your journey begins as we warmly welcome you at the Naples airport or at your hotel. From there, we will whisk you away to the captivating ancient city of Paestum, where Greek temples dating back to 600 BC stand as enduring testaments to the region's rich history. Explore the archaeological site, unlock the mysteries of these majestic structures and let yourself be enchanted before the stunning painted tombs, preserved in the small archaeological museum.  

Following this, we will have a delightful lunch at a renowned buffalo mozzarella farm, immersing ourselves in the flavours of the region. Witness the traditional techniques of mozzarella-making and learn about its cultural significance. Enjoy a lunch of freshly made mozzarella as we share captivating tales of buffaloes in Southern Italy. 

Transfer to your hotel in Paestum. 

Your evening will be free.

Day two

After breakfast we will take a short trip to see the production of the famous white fig from Cilento (the fico dottato). We will learn about the process of this special product which is sought after from around the world. We will have a small tasting before we move on to our next stop in a beautiful winery set on the hills overlooking the sea. 

The winery, cut off from the local towns, has a magical atmosphere and listening to the producers speak about their wines, as we enjoy a tasting, is the perfect way to spend the afternoon.

 Later we will move to our next accommodation in the beautiful sea village of Santa Maria di Castellabate where you will enjoy a free evening.

Day Three

Weather permitting, you can enjoy a relaxing morning at the beach or a nice easy walk along the sea before we move on to the Museo del mare in Pioppi, the home of the Mediterranean diet where we will delve into the life of Ancel Keys, the American scientist who lived and studied the diet and the lifestyle of the people in this area who lived much longer than elsewhere.

 We will lunch in the restaurant of the woman who cooked for Ancel and taste some of the dishes that made the diet special.

 Our adventure continues in the afternoon as we go through the heart of Cilento, reaching our picturesque accommodation in Pisciotta, perched majestically overlooking the sea. Here, amidst the tranquillity of the olive trees, we'll indulge in our evening meal, sampling local dishes paired with exquisite wines.

Day Four

After breakfast, we'll set off to explore the intriguing abandoned village of San Severino di Centola, retracing the footsteps of its former inhabitants. (This walk is of medium level difficulty on uneven grounds and uphill, but it can be substituted with the guided tour of a small museum preserving stunning jewels and artefacts belonging to a Lucanian princess, living in the area in the fourth century BC).

Afterwards, we will move onto a family-owned winery and farm, nestled in the mountains, where we will be taken in a 4X4 around the vineyards and the olive groves. We will learn about the winemaking and extra virgin olive oil traditions of the area and then indulge in a delightful wine tasting, where you will have the chance to sample some of the finest local wines made from autochthonous varieties which are paired with some appetizers sprinkled with their extra virgin olive oil.

We will then head back to our accommodation for a short rest or walk around the town before our evening meal.

Day Five

 We will leave our accommodation and travel inland to the Vallo di Diano, where we will visit the Certosa di Padula (or San Lorenzo), Europe’s largest monastery built in the XIV century and of great historical importance through time. We will wind our way through the ancient corridors and gardens, learning about life in the Certosa and the part it played in the local area and beyond. 

After our visit we will take the short drive to a local cheese making farm  where were we will have lunch with every dish made with their own produce, from the tomatoes to the pasta.

In the afternoon we can take you back to your final destination or arrange another night for you in the area of vallo di diano.

This tour can be adjusted to your own needs and can be made longer at your request. Please notice that some of the venues could change according to the availability.