Activities

For tourists Cilento offers a whole variety of activities in one of Europe´s most beautiful countrysides: ancient sites in the UNESCO World Heritage, the second largest national park in Italy; a delicious regional cuisine; the sea and sandy beaches; splendid panoramic views; and endless possiblities for sporting and hiking.

Beaches

Visitors who are especially interested in the active beach life should preferably visit VerdeRosso in July or August for their vacation. The closest beach is Casal Velino Marina which is about 10 km away from VerdeRosso, with the hilly Ascea or Marina di Ascea about 18 km from VerdeRosso. The rocky part of the end of the beach of Ascea with the "Scogliera", the ruins of a Saracen tower built in the 12th century, is a recommended swimming area if you wish a more peaceful part of the beach. Ascea Marina offers a seafront and a lively centre with numerous shops and restaurants. Within a 30 km distance from VerdeRosso are countless sandy beaches and wonderful coastal drives. The route from Acciaroli to Pioppi is a picturesque and undeveloped stretch of coast that is well-worth a drive, as is the road from Case Del Conte to Rosaine. The drive from Agropoli to S. Maria di Castellabate is also lovely.

Hiking and Biking

The area of Monte Stella is an interesting cycling area. Local public transport can take you and your bike to the top of the mountain (1130 m high) for the circuit the Ring of Monte Stella which starts at the top of the mountain and winds down passed all the characteristic villages of the mountain, including Stella Cilento. The ring is 28 km long and fresh water can be found along the road in most villages. The nature and landscape of Monte Stella in refreshingly untouched.

For cyclists who prefer non-paved roads, recommended routes are Punta Tresino, Punta Licosa (opposite the island of Isola di Licosa and single track cycling), the route between Celso and Casalvelino, and the valleys of Frignano, Ogliastro, Rutino, Lustra, and Sessa Cilento. The small town of Metoio has panoramic views and is also a good starting point for hiking or cycling. Punta Licosa is also a good walking area with high trees and beautiful views of over the sea to the island.

The areas of Torchiara, Rutino, Lustra and Laureana Cilento are lovely for walking, not only for the views of the Gulf of Salerno but also for the historical centres and sites in the area such as the Greek streets of Piano del Sele in the valley of Alento and the old road from Naples to Calabrian. In Rocca Cilento there is a beautiful castle and the monastery of Saint Francesco which has recently been renovated. The Comunita Montana Alento Monte Stello has re-established a number of old paths, which together create the Circuit dei Borgh, conventi e castelli: the circut of the villages, monastery and castle. The route to Valle dei Mulini, the valley of the water mill, can be started at Rocca Cilento or Lustra and takes you to Valle Cilento.

San Mauro la Bruca is a typical mountain village in Cilento and is lovely for hiking trips in the mountains of Cilento. San Nazario is ideal for both hikes and cycling trips. This picturesque mountain village lies below San Mauro la Bruco in a quiet valley with small creeks. Ascea, 20 km from VerdeRosso is good for hiking, especially in low season when the coast is quiet and the weather cooler.

National Park

VerdeRosso lies inside the national park of Cilento which is located along one third of the Campanian coast that hugs the Tyrrenic Sea. The landscape varies from rugged cliffs to glorious sandy beaches and bays, some of which can only be reached from the sea. Cilento sports a variety of characteristic villages that are a pleasure to explore. See Area page for more details on the park and surrounding villages.

Archaeology, museums and caves

At the end of the street of VerdeRosso, just past the newly restored church is an old clositer which lies on the edge of town and looks over the valley and coast of Cilento. 20 Kilometres further is the tower of Velia, a 500 BC city built by navigators and merchants of Greek origin from present day Turkey. The old city can be visited daily from 9.00 am to one hour before sunset.

Elea covets a trove of cultural interest with excavation sites at this antique town. Ideal for lazing on the beach and cultural trips. The historical town Paestum is 35 km from VerdeRosso and has numerous well-kept temples that attest to the art of Greek buildings and have the oldest, best-preserved and most beautiful Doric temple in existence today. And if it's really the authentic Italy you're after, just head inland to the provinces of Avellino and Benevento, abandoned a century ago by so many who left for the United States of America. Park your car in any village at all and you will receive a warm welcome. Near the charming village of Pioppi is the Living Sea Museum located in the Vinciprova Palace which was built in the second half of the 16th century.

The caves of Castelcivita, about 30 minutes from VerdeRosso are wonderful and should not be missed. Continue along this way to S. Angel a Fasanella, where you can visit the medieval antique village , as well as admire the cave of Angelo (an ex convent built this cave in the X1 century). Then travel to Corleto Monforte where you can visit a bird museum. If you then continue onto Rosccigno you will encounter "a village museum" that was abandoned by its inhabitants after a natural disaster but with a perfectly perserved 18 century town plan. In this area is also the Art museum of the civil farmers. Also in the vicinity are the Caves of Perosa: the only caves in Italy which are crossed by an underground river, and at its end you can admire a small waterfall. The caves are 2 km long.

From Paestum you can visit Capri, Amalfi and Pompeii. Pompeii is a ruined Roman city near Naples about 100 km from VerdeRosso. It was destroyed during a catastrophic eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The volcano buried the city under many feet of ash and it was lost for 1,600 years before its accidental rediscovery. Since then, its excavation has provided an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of a city at the height of the Roman Empire. Today, it is one of Italy's leading tourist attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Vesuvius is a short drive from Naples and affords a beautiful view of the city and bay when ascending the mountain. Surrounded by volcanic rock, there is a view point from above into the crater that still releases the occasional snort of smoke. Below Vesuvius lies Ercolana, built on a volcanic plateau on a sheer cliff over the sea at the foot of the volcano. It is better preserved than Pompeii and, built around the 4th century BC, 4.5 hectares of the original 20 have been excavated and are open to the public. The flow of pyroclastic rock that solidified to an average height of approximately 16 metres, has led to optimal preservation of this site. Still visible are structural parts of wooden buildings, ropes, glass mozaics, murials, and even a boat that was recovered as late as 1982.

Horseback riding

18 Kilometres from VerdeRosso is a riding stable: Centro Ippico Battagliese that offers short outrides as well as treks of a few days with stayovers at local Agriculturas. Alfonso Battagliese, the owner, also specialises in working with mentally handicapped and disturbed children. Prices range from Euro 13 for 45 minutes to Euro 80 for a day ride. As a guest at VerdeRosso he will give you a 10% discount on your ride. Contact Alfonso on 0974.971727 / 0974.971742 or on his mobile 333 670 9586 or link to his site for more info. Alternatively chat to Eleanora at the Caffe de Parco for information.

Sailing, Diving and Fishing

If it is sailing or cultural history that interests you, then a visit to the beautiful town of Acciaroli with its central harbour is strongly recommended. Here boat, fishing and mountain excursions are organised. Call 0974.832145 for more information. Santa Maria di Castellabate has unique underwater fauna and flora conservation which make it especially beautiful for diving.

In Marina di Casal Velino and Casal Velino lie a yacht and fishing harbour, as well as a range of cultural and religious sights. In summer there are regular boat excursions from various coastal villages surrounding Stella. See www.cilentoexplorer.libero.it or call 0974.900050 or 0974.907849. They organise excursions to Palinuro which includes visits to the caves, the Bay of Good Sleeping (Baia del Buon Dormire), the Isle of the Rabbit, the Rock of the Monk, and the Natural Arch. Excursion 2 is a visit to the Isle of Camerota, the White Cove, the Mount Moon, and the Cave of Fresh Waters. This excursion also stops on beaches accessible only by sea. Departure is every day and costs between Euro 25 and Euro 35 for adults.

Cilento Explorer also arrange diving and fishing excursions Call them on 0974.907849. Underwater excursions, Water Taxis and Fishing excursions can also be booked on 2.35 metre boats that take 12 passengers. Call 0338.9380108 or 0339.4182284 for further information.
For rental of boats and booking of cruises see www.pelagus-online.it in Naples and www.caprisub.com in Capri.

Go Carting

Just 8 km from VerdeRosso is Kartodromo Nazionale, a large go-cart arena. Located on the road to Marina di Casal Velino at the bottom of Monte Stella. For more information phone them on 0974.906369.

Surrounding villages and scenic drives

For more information on the surrounding area please see the page AREA on this website.

Arts and Crafts

The small fishing village of Capo Palinuro has a range of arts and crafts stores. Note that stores are usually closed between 13.00 and 16.30 or 17.00 though in summer they do sometimes stay open.

Festivities

Various communities arrange celebrations during August during which time children can see the “Pulcinella” (the hand-puppet theater), enjoy merry-go-rounds, and watch fireworks. During summer there is theatre and music in many temples, such as that of Paestrum and the rebuilt amphitheater south of Agropoli. The annual feast of Stella Cilento itself is every year on the second Sunday in August. For an overview of all the festivities in the area of Monte Stella from July to September, see www.alento-montestella.sa.it

Night life

Casal Velino Marina has a vibrant night life in summer with Copa Cabana as one of the most popular pubs, especially with foreigners. The boulevard of Casal Velino Marina offers a further array of pubs, cafes and wine bars. The New Carroba disco in Agropoli is also a firm favourite for locals. Closer to home, the Cerry Pub (pronounced Cherry), approximately 5 km from VerdeRosso has occasional pole dancing evenings in winter.

For online ticket booking to museums and art galleries see http://www.tickitaly.com/
For more tourist information contact www.napolijamm.it