I am trying to figure out an itinerary for about 10 or 11 days in the Cilento region of Italy - in late June – and I just keep going around in circles. Hopefully some of you Cilento experts can get my head screwed on straight! It's my first time going there and I want to have a combination of relaxing beach time, great restaurants and day trips to interesting towns, historical sites, the national park, etc.

I have one option for a house exchange in Pollica (near Acciaroli). It's lovely...no pool, but quite nice. That could be for the whole time, but more likely we'd stay for just part of the time so we can experience different areas. https://www.homeexchange.com/en/listing/546082

I could add to that either:

- Hotel Mariluvo in Pisciotta, to the south: http://www.marulivohotel.it/eng/index.htm ($90/night)

- Giacaranda in Castellabate, to the North: http://www.giacaranda.com/en/ ($110/night)

OR I could forget the house exchange and just stay in the other two places - which from the standpoint of taking day trips, is more ideal, I think. And the prices are quite affordable.

And would I be crazy not to extend the trip a couple days for a side trip to Amalfi or Capri?

Thanks!

Hi there cathyeats, maybe you've read these already but here's two great trip reports from rose travels and a planning thread that might be of some help to you:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...o-silent-o.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ptoct-2012.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...basilicata.cfm

Hope this helps.

Thanks, those are interesting and I had not read all of them.

Now someone also recommended Terre di Bosco in San Giovanni a Piro, which is even further south. Too many great choices!

Your first link looks really nice, but it is quite high up in the hills along a somewhat winding road (you can drive it "virtually" on google street view - it isn't too bad - in fact, by the standards of the region it looks OK).

I say this, because you will need to drive to get to any restaurants etc.

I've stayed in San Marco several times, and the San MArco Hotel, although I don't know it, is is a lovely location (we often joked that if we ever became millionaires, we would buy the ruined castle and convert it) - walking distance to the main beach and close to shops and some restaurants - and by car only a couple of minutes from Santa Maria where there are a lot of restaurants.

Here is my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ith-naples.cfm
I agree, being able to walk to restaurants versus having to drive on windy roads is an important factor.
If you can extend your trip, why not?!?

Wow, that's a great trip report. Thank you!

Yorkshire, nice report! I'm sure I've read it during my research but missed posting it above.

We made a stop in Cetara and thought it was a very charming small town. With a car it might be a more attractive base...

Absolutely, in low season anyway. It was not until our first trip to Puglia two years ago that we got over the car aversion. Since we increasingly focus on small towns, it's necessary, though I am still a strong proponent of avoiding a car when it is not necessary!

OK I will look at Cetara, too!

One more slightly related question for you guys: Is the ocean generally warm enough to swim in in mid-June? Or is the end of June/beginning of July a safer bet? I'm probably talking about areas like Acciaroli and Palinuro. Thanks!

We were through there in mid-May, still very sleepy, and cool. It was just starting to wake up ie the beach clubs were just in the beginning phase of opening up for the season. Sorry, haven't been in the later part of the spring/summer.