Aside from great cycling, Cilento also offers numerous other attractions. We generally schedule in one rest day during the 7-day stays, which gives the riders a chance to explore the surrounding area. Below, we have compiled a list of the top local attractions.
We can also help out in organizing transport to and from the local attractions if required. Alternatively, those who prefer to ride, and treat it as a normal ‘riding’ day are welcome to do so as we provide guides and the necessary support for each of the 7 days.
Taste Organic Italian wine at the San Salvatore Vineyard
Cilento National Park is an area untouched by intensive farming, and San Salvatore is a new vineyard with a stellar reputation for preserving the old tradition. Specializing in creating organic wine with minimal sulphites, extra special care is taken to avoid synthetic products or genetically modified organisms entering the ecosystem. They nuture the land with healthy organic fertilizer with manure from their herd of buffalo and the end product speaks for itself. With organized wine tasting events, tours of the facilities and a well stocked shop, visit the vineyard and taste the difference for yourself!
Southern Italy's Buffalo Mozzarella
The most famous delicacy in our county of Campagna is buffalo mozzarella. Italians themselves travel down from further north just to try it. Buffalo thrive on the flat lands just north of Agropoli, and as mozzarella doesn’t travel well, and only lasts a few days, it can only be eaten in this area. Several local dairies exist in the area where you can sample the mozzarella and see buffalo roam the surrounding land. They can be easily visited on a rest day.
Italian pastries are so good that they should be indulged as an off-the-bike activity by themselves. Terribly calorific, but wonderfully delicious. They should only be consumed on days when you've clocked over 100km! But once you've reached that magic number you can gorge yourself on them without fear of intestinal reprisals! Some of the recipes date back four centuries and each region has its own specialties. A local favourite here is sfogliatelle, a shell-shaped layered pastry that resembles stacked leaves. Fillings include orange-flavoured ricotta, almond paste and candied citron peel.
Explore the Cilento Landscape
With 100km of coastline traversing through picturesque villages, boat-filled harbours and sandy beaches, the Cilento coast is stunningly beautiful. On a relaxing ride down the coast, you are never far from a cafe perched atop a rock overlooking the lapping waves of the turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea.
Further east the mountains quickly rise in what is Italy's second largest national park. It tops out at 1,899m where Mount Cervati rises into the clouds. For the more energetic type, numerous treks are available in the area, while for those feeling worse for wear after clocking up the kilometres around the undulating Cilento roads, it still makes for a scenic drive on a rest day.
Built by Greek colonists around 500BC, the temples at Paestum make for a nice day trip or indeed a stop off on route. Located under 10km from Agropoli they are some of the best preserved ancient Greek temples in the world. The city within which the temples lie covers a large area, however only the 25 hectares where the three main temples lie have been excavated. Defensive walls 4,750m in length, 15 metres hight and 5-7 metres thick surround the city and still stand to this day.
Sample the Pace of Life in Southern Italy
Away from the hustle and bustle of Italy's main tourist attractions, the pace of life is very different here. Our hotel is located on the seafront near the centre of Agropoli, a short walk from the central Piazza. What better way to experience the pace of life in southern Italy than to spend a few lazy hours mingling with the friendly, curious locals or bar hopping your way down through the Piazza sampling the cafe or the almost sinful selection of home made ice-cream on offer in many establishments.
Explore the Cilento Coast from a Boat
With friendly locals more than willing to take you on a tour of the Cilento coast for a reasonable rate, what better way to spend a free afternoon than by taking a boat ride from one of the fishing villages that line the coast. Photogenic cliffs rise out of the torquoise waters towering up to 160m. Explore the secluded beaches, unusual rock formations and sea caves inaccessible from the land that line the Cilento coast.
Pompeii and the City of Naples
Naples, a city synonymous with pizza, where it originated, is Italy's 3rd largest city and lies a 90 minute drive north from Agropoli. Towering above Naples is the ominous Mount Vesuvius, considered to be one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world due to it being the most densely populated volcanic region in the world. Vesuvius can be climbed by those feeling energetic via a series of maintained paths leading up to the crater. Also in the shadow of Vesuvius are the ancient Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum which were destroyed by an eruption in 79AD. Parts of both towns have been excavated, and they make a fascinating day trip destination.
