Mediterranean Cilento

Introduction
Campania Italy

South of Amalfi and Pompeii and just past the Gulf of Salerno, the coast of Italy projects out into the sea in a series of dramatic headlands and broad sweeping bays.
This is the area of Cilento, most of which is protected as a National Park. Your base for the week is a delightful hilltop farm with views overlooking the verdant park. Each day you ride out to explore the surrounding parkland, with a rest day for all in the middle of the week. The routes have been carefully researched, with names that reflect the Greek, Roman and more recent heritage of the area; The Crest of the Gods, Between the Middle Age and Renaissance, the Salt Trail and the Route of the Monks.
On some days you will ride high up into the mountains with tremendous views of the surrounding countryside, on others you head to the shore for faster rides along the sandy beaches. Farm trails lead you through fruit orchards on the valley floor, into terraced olive groves and to beautiful wilderness areas of wild broom, rosemary and fennel. Other routes pass through ancient villages clinging to the steep valley sides where you may stop for a coffee in a local bar.
Accommodation is in beautifully restored cottages, simply decorated and furnished in keeping with the local style. The ensuite bedrooms have tiled floors and high ceilings with fans. It is possible to pay a little more to have your own private veranda. There is also a large swimming pool which is open from mid May to early October.
The food prepared will be an important part of your holiday. Meals are based around the seasons so vegetables and fruits are eaten when they are at their best. At lunch, the support crew meet the riders for a picnic, prepared freshly from the farm kitchen. There is time to stop, relax and find some shade before saddling up for the afternoon ride. At dinner enjoy Italian cooking at its best. Most of the food you eat has been grown and prepared on the farm, from the vegetables and meat to pasta, bread and cured hams. The farm even makes its own cheese and wine. This farm is part of the Slow Food movement which started in Italy, but is now an international organization that aims to counteract fast food and the fast way of life.
On the day of rest, you may choose to relax by the pool, walk into the nearby village or with prior notice we can arrange for you to visit Pompeii or to have a cookery lesson arranged and learn more about the Mediterranean cooking of the area (minimum three people).

For 2012 we will be offering a few weeks that travel from inn to inn, exploring the Cilento even further into the back country and nature. Overnight stays will be at lovely rural country inns.

Accomodation

The farm is located in one of the most beautiful spots of the Cilento National Park. The panorama along the road is lovely and spectacular changing from the green olive trees to the blue sea ; the scents of nature are everywhere. The farm is laid out on 40 acres of private land. In a valley of oak trees, olives and wine yards you’ll find the riding track and riding school, the sheep-fold and pigsty. The main part of the farm consists in old stables, now restored; there is a spacious and comfortable restaurant where you can try the best local food and regional wines, a little store room and shop for our products and also a small cheese factory where we produce our own special goat cheese.

To complete the farm there is a swimming pool (opens at the end of April) and two cottages with nicely furnished rooms or apartments and wide open spaces to offer you relaxing hours and freedom of movement.
Different kinds of accommodations will satisfy every need of the guests: rooms and apartments all well furnished, spacious and comfortable surrounded by a wonderful nature and beautiful view. 
The accommodations offer all comforts, terraces, gardens and are all nearby the wonderful swimming-pool and solarium in order to enjoy sunny days and a magical atmosphere.

Flavours of Cilento
Looking for the traditional ancient flavours is our unicity. Those flavours, often only a memory, are re-proposed by the family with an innovating taste. The wine cellar offers not only our excellent wine but also some of the best labels of the region Campania. A little shop inside the farm allows you to buy the self-made products such as the highly appreciated goat-cheese made in their own little cheese factory.

Typical farm products
The aim is to prepare only products with genuine and high quality ingredients; to transform traditional recipes in order to remain in the heart of those who will want to taste them. Everything is prepared by the family’s hands which have been working for years now with passion and knowledge. You can see it in the taste of the conserves, sweet and salty, sausages, salami, goat cheeses, extra virgine olive oil, wine, liquors and honey.



The Lodgings:

Casa Mortella
In the middle of the splendid nature right next to the pool stands Casa Mortella, made of local stone. On the inside there are three very comfortable double-rooms with mini-bar and private bathroom. Each room has a separate entrance and two have a big terrace with panoramic view while the third room has an open space in front of the entrance. There are tables and chairs on the outside of every room.



Il Corbezzolo
On the upper floor there is an apartment called “Il Corbezzolo” ideal for a family of maximum four people. It has a large bedroom with a splendid view on the hills, a bathroom with shower and a living-room with a sofa bed and kitchenette. The large terrace overlooking our olive-trees will make your stay pleasant and comfortable and invites you to relaxing evenings, drinking some good local wine while enjoying the overwhelming quiet and the scents of nature.
La Quercia
On the upper floor of Casa Cristallo there is a nice , comfortable country-style mansard.Right next to the pool it has three bedrooms ,a bathroom with shower ,a large living-room with sofa-bed and kitchenette. The apartment can host a family or a group of friends up to six-seven people. On the outside of the house there is a large open space equipped with table and chairs to enjoy some relax and the splendid view that surrounds our farm. The atmosphere is calm and familiar and assures you an unforgettable holiday.
Casa Cristallo
Right next to the swimming-pool among ancient olive-trees and Mediterranean scents an old farmer’s home has become Casa Cristallo. Although it has been rebuilt it still conserves a typical Cilento style. There are four comfortable double-rooms on the ground floor each with mini-bar and private bathroom. On the outside of the house there is a large open space equipped with table and chairs to enjoy some relax and the splendid view that surrounds our farm. The atmosphere is calm and familiar and assures you an unforgettable holiday. 
Casa Pendio 
This old stone house is located in the historical part of the town on a hill that offers a spectacular view on the surrounding nature and sea all the way to the ancient city of Velia.  Ideal accommodation for a couple or family with small children it has a large living room with a sofa bed and a comfortable kitchen.A stone arch separats the living area from the sleeping area whose double bed is on an attic.
During summer time you can use the small terrace in front of the house to enjoy the peacefulness and relax among the fragrances of wild flowers.

I Lavatoi
Independant apartment in the historical center of Casal Velino right in front of the ancient wash-basins which used to be a meeting-point for all women of the town.
Accurately finished off in a very rural style it can accommodate up to 5 people.On two levels it has every comfort. There is a living area with kitchen,a bedroom and a bathroom on the first level and on the second level there is another room with a sofa bed , a private bathroom and a wonderful terrace with view on the bay of Casal Velino.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

You will find a stable of sure footed and steady horses, the ideal mounts to explore the rugged countryside. The pace varies depending on the terrain but you should be confident at walk, trot and canter and on sometimes steep ascents and descents.

Itinerary

1. Stationary riding weeks
2. Inn to Inn riding weeks
   
3. Activities on rest days
   

Stationary riding weeks - sequence of days may change.

Day 1  Arrival after lunch. We will greet you and invite you to a welcome drink. Before dinner you will meet with your riding guide for the week to go over the week's itinerary.  If still time we will ride for an hour at the riding center to get used to the horses.
Day 2  The Crest of the Gods
We leave Casal Velino and ride along Velia’s coastal route for about 8 km to the archaeological site of Elea-Velia where the Eleatic School was founded by Parmenides and Zeno.
The Angevin Tower overlooks the ruins. We leave the horses outside and make a quick visit to the archaeological site accompanied by an expert guide. We continue our ride through an ancient olive-grove of the “Pisciotta” variety, to join the path of the Ridge of the Gods, close to the terraces sacred to Jupiter. The path runs alongside the walls of the ancient village and is immersed in a beautifully preserved landscape where you can breathe in the typical scents of the Mediterranean scrubland. We ride for about 10 km up to an altitude of 250 metres above sea-level where we can admire an exquisite landscape of the sea, the tower and the two gulfs of Ascea and Casal Velino.
We ride further inland into the National Park of Cilento, keeping ahead of us the Sacred Mount (1705 m above sea-level), destination of many pilgrimages. From the top of the ridge we can admire Lake Petrosa, surrounded by luxuriant vegetation. On our way down the ridge we will ride along the shores of the lake (94 m above sea-level) and enter a thick pine forest where we will stop to rest and let the horses drink. We return to the agritourism in the evening.  (18 miles)
Day 3  Between the Middle-Ages and the Renaissance
We start out along the road that skirts the hill to the right of the agriturismo and ride 3 km to the small Church of San Giovanni (Saint John). The Church, which dates back to the XIV century, is thought to have been built by Basilian monks.
Then on towards Celso (10 km from the departure point) which is completely immersed in the countryside, along tracks which allow you to fully admire the beauties of the Mediterranean scrub land (broom, bramble, heather, holm-oak, oak and sorb). We enter Celso through the arch of Mazziotti’s Palace (now a national monument) which belonged to a Baron and very illustrious scholar. Celso, an ancient medieval village dating back to 1050, was the scene of the events of the Risorgimento in Cilento which took place in 1828 and 1848.
We leave the village (418 m above sea-level) and ride on towards Pollica past a wood of young chestnut trees and then again through the Mediterranean scrubland that becomes the natural frame to the blue sea and spectacular coastline. We enter Pollica through a Franciscan Monastery founded in 1611 by Prince Capano. Along the streets of the town we can admire the typical stone portals and the 17th Century Palace Tower which dominates the village. We stop here for a picnic lunch.
After lunch, we leave Pollica and continue our journey along narrow paths, past gorges and streams until we reach Pioppi and the sea. We return to the agritourism in the evening.   (20 miles)
Day 4  Along the Crest of Mount Stella
After breakfast we will saddle the horses and start riding towards Mount Stella.Following the trails next to the river we ‘ll pass through woods of intense Mediterranean scrubs .After some km. the trails start rising up the hill to the Crest where cows pasture in complete freedom.The view from there is so beautiful that it does not seem true ,it rather seems a painting.The hills are covered by olive-trees that almost reach the sea.Once we reach Guarrazzano,a very small town along the mountain ,where we ‘ll stop for lunch. You’ll enjoy a barbecue and some good local wine in the shadow of ancient trees .After watering the horses it’s time to saddle the horses again and start riding until we reach the town of Stella Cilento.Accordingly to history the inhabitants of this town were famous for breeding pigs,infact until the early “900 the town had the name of “Porcili”Now it’s time to take the way home following trail that allows us the view on other small villages.  (20 miles)
Day 5  Free day to relax, go to the beach, sight-see Salerno or Pompeii, take part of a cooking class, or just relax at the pool.
Day 6 The Road of the Monks
We ride through a colorful landscape dotted with olive-trees to reach, after 2km, a stream which will lead us to a ford over the river Alento. From here, we ride towards the hills past vineyards and olive-groves, leaving behind us a beautiful view of the Gulf of Casal Velino and Velia Castle. We ride towards Castel Nuovo Cilento (272 m above sea-level) where we will stop to rest, eat and visit the medieval castle. This site of clear medieval origin was a very important bulwark at the time of the saracen invasions, Later it became the administrative center of the feud of Guido d’Alemagna. On the way back, after a downhill ride through olive-trees, we arrive at Pantana where we find the Franciscan monastery of Saint Clare (20 m above sea-level). In front of us stretches the plain of the river Alento, with its intense cultivation of vegetables.
We ride on towards Isca Longa to cross the river at its shallowest point. From here, past an area of reafforestation of pines and eucalyptus trees, we reach San Giorgio where, according to legend, there was a settlement of monks professing to the Greek rite, before the year 1000. After the war of Vespro (1282-1302) both the settlement and the village were destroyed. We return to the agritourism in the evening.
Day 7  The Road of the Otter
After breakfast we saddle the horses to reach the Alento river-bed.First we’ll follow the trail up to the hill “Torricelli”from where we can enjoy a wonderful view on the plain and on the gulf.
We set of along the river through a various and luxuriant vegetation until we reach an oxbow. Here we stop to water the horses and to have a delicious pic nic lunch cooked especially for us in the Moresani kitchen.The Alento river rises and flows into areas of the National Park of Cilento and is characterized by the typical Mediterranean greenery but you can also see the work of mankind such as the Alento dam or the semi-natural humid areas in the valley.If we are lucky we get to see some species of threatened wildlife such as the otter or a stone-curlew and maybe a nutcracker.The so called “SIC” area of the river Alento is part of the initiative “Rete Natura 2000. This has been introduced through “Habitat” by the European Comunity in 1992 with the aim to help preserving the biological diversity of this territory. Now the horses can rest while we sit down to a delicious picnic lunch served at the table,which has been especially prepared for us in the Moresani kitchen.Enjoy this typical Cilento food and you will never forget it.
After the lunch break it’s time to ride again.The trail follows the plain and allows us to alternate canter and trot always surrounded by the colorful nature until we reach the Alento dam where the horses will rest for the night while we will be driven back to the farm to enjoy a hot shower and a wonderful dinner. (20 miles)
Day 8  Departure after breakfast.

Stationary riding weeks    Inn to Inn riding weeks   Activities on rest days

Other Activities:
Guided tours to the archaeological site of Velia, interesting walking tours along the crest of the gods and the suggestive trails of Cilento passing through ancient towns; bowshot,swimming in the pool and the possibility to participate at the main rural works on the farm (picking olives,milking the goats,making cheese in our cheese-factory...) will make your stay interesting and pleasant.
The farm is the ideal place for those who love open air sports. Nature is the real protagonist here, you’ll want to go hiking through uncontaminated woods and the typical mediterranean vegetation or walk along beatiful trails and medieval towns of the National Park of Cilento. The possibility to do some bowshooting or to swin in our pool will give you the chance to reach a perfect state of mind and body.

Hiking: Alta Via del Monte Stella
Length: 3h30’, difficulty: medium
This route follows the crest of Mount Stella and is one of the principal mountain paths of the area.
The excursion can be started in the town of Montecorice,more precisely in the village of Cosentini or Ortodonico, or in the town of Perdifumo. Starting from Cosentini you will pass through an area called “ Montanari” reaching the country road.Starting from Perdifumo instead, you will follow the crest of Punta Carpinia until reaching the equipped area of Monte Corbara. The path will bring you from here through a wooden area along the crest and offers many panoramic views. You will be able to observe “ Mount Cervati”, the “ Alburni”, but also Cape Palinuro, the gulf of Salerno and the Amalfi coast.
This itinerary, which offers a landscape painting of rare beauty, also has e rich historical background.Along the way you will see the ruins of the “ Castelluccio” and the Chapel of the “ Madonna della Stella” whose cult dates back to the pre-Christian age.
Walking down from Mount Stella ,through a beautiful wood you’ll reach the so called “ Vivaio” an quipped area, ideal place for some relax.

Hiking: Casal Velino - Acciaroli
Da Casal Velino ad Acciaroli
Length:2-5h,difficulty:medium
This route is one of the best known in the area and follows the southern slope of Mount Stella. It starts in the panoramic town of Casal Velino following an easy path which offers you a splendid view on the country and takes you to the town of Celso. If you like you can take the ancient road through the green valley and along the stream Mortelle until you find a stony staircase that reaches Celso.
From Celso,another panoramic path takes you to the convent of San Francesco and then to Pollica which has a well-preserved historical center and a small castle. This route is all down hill, passing through the village of Cannicchio, unchanged in all this years, and through a wonderful Mediterranean scrub until reaching the coast.The walk ends on the sea and along the streets of Acciaroli, characteristic seafearing town. This route can be also started in the town of Celso, going towards the village of Galdo, or following the river as far as Pioppi where you can take a bath in its crystal clear water.

Stationary riding weeks    Inn to Inn riding weeks   Activities on rest days

Rates and Dates for Mediterranean Cilento

Dates Note:
A: Stationary Ride Weeks - min of 2 riders only

Other Info
Meeting: Casal Velino
Airport: Naples Capodichino
Transfer: Train from Naples (not included)

Climate: Rides run in Spring and Autumn. It's much too hot to ride in July and August.