Salerno or Paestum?
Mar 1st, 2011, 07:29 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Salerno or Paestum?
We will be dropping off our rental car in the city of Salerno for a 10:30 AM train to Rome. We decided to travel from Matera the night before to eliminate traveling for 3 hours in the morning and panicking about getting there on time. We have thought about either going to Paestum for the afternoon and night to see the ruins or going ahead to Salerno to be close to the train and rental car drop off. If you had one night to spend within close driving distance to Salerno, where would you stay? We would like to stay somewhere with atmosphere and have a nice dinner close by. (as background, we will have spent 4 nights on the Amalfi Coast in Furore earlier on our trip) Thanks for any advice!
Mar 1st, 2011, 11:37 AM
#5
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have you considered spending the afternoon in Paestum and the rest of the time in Salerno? The temples and museum in Paestum are well worth seeing. Frequently overlooked Salerno has a beautiful lungomare and a cathedral with some magnificent features. Just keep the very long siesta in mind.
A few years ago, I enjoyed a meal in Salerno, near/in the medieval district: Ristorante Santa Lucia (Via Roma, 182) — I enjoyed a delicious pasta outdoors at this restaurant near Piazza Amendola. It was very fresh, included a nice combination of flavors and textures, and was hearty without being heavy.
A few years ago, I enjoyed a meal in Salerno, near/in the medieval district: Ristorante Santa Lucia (Via Roma, 182) — I enjoyed a delicious pasta outdoors at this restaurant near Piazza Amendola. It was very fresh, included a nice combination of flavors and textures, and was hearty without being heavy.
Mar 1st, 2011, 01:10 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Definitely make time for Paestum. The temples are stunning, and the pace of the area is fairly low key. It would be a relaxed evening before departure. You could also visit one of the mozzarella di bufala producers in the area. We stayed at the Hotel Villa Rita. Luigi, the proprietor, was very friendly and helpful recommending dining options, and the hotel was comfortable and spacious. The grounds were certainly pleasant and the temples were within walking distance. It was at the beginning of our trip, but it would have been a good place to organize at the end of a trip. I have driven through Salerno several times, and I suppose I am one of those folks who have overlooked it. It seems fairly congested...we prefer Vietri Sul Mare, just north of Salerno on the coast, but Paestum is much more pleasant.
Mar 1st, 2011, 01:32 PM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for that advice Midnight Sun. I looked at Villa Rita and it does seem like a good spot to be able to walk to ruins and see them at night as well. Can you remember if driving into Salerno was a hassle? We need to drop the rental car off on a Monday morning at the Hertz office near the train station. I don't know how much time to allow if driving from Paestum. Has anyone stayed at Agrituristica Seliano? That is the Buffalo farm famous for it's mozzerella and food. It gets mixed reviews on TA. It might be a great way to end the trip after viewing the Paestum ruins unless it is one of those places that need more than one night. We also will be making an early getaway in the morning. I don't know whether to splurge on staying there just for the meal or to stay near the ruins. There is something appealing about being able to to walk to a nice dinner and see the ruins at night. I am not sure about the farm stay on a limited time schedule. Any thoughts on this?
Mar 1st, 2011, 02:46 PM
#9
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I stayed in Salerno at the Plaza Hotel - nothing particularly special, but it was pleasant enough and was very conveniently located across the square from the train station, from which I had a very early morning departure.
Mar 1st, 2011, 10:47 PM
#12
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If at all you can, try to see them both.....
Paestum is just magnificent...
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/paestum
...and Salerno is a lot more appealing than probably you imagine - and might well merit a look from Furore, if it doesn't fit for this journey...
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/salerno33
We've not stayed there but, on their way to visit us, I think this must be where friends chose - in the heart of the oldest part of town...
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Campania.html
There are interesting places to eat in the streets of the well-restored historic centre, and a whole run at the city end of the Lungomare...
Peter
Paestum is just magnificent...
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/paestum
...and Salerno is a lot more appealing than probably you imagine - and might well merit a look from Furore, if it doesn't fit for this journey...
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/salerno33
We've not stayed there but, on their way to visit us, I think this must be where friends chose - in the heart of the oldest part of town...
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Campania.html
There are interesting places to eat in the streets of the well-restored historic centre, and a whole run at the city end of the Lungomare...
Peter
Mar 1st, 2011, 11:32 PM
#13
I'll echo the "Pasestum as must do", but I think I might seriously consider overnight in Salerno.
My reasons would be down to traffic and roads. I have driven Salerno to Castellabate fairly often over the last 5 years or so. The road from Paestum through to the A3 is horrible. It is 50km/h most of the way, full of heavy trucks , and nobody seems to be going anything under 100km/h. I normally end up going throuh Eboli rather than Battipaglia, but both are fairly unpleasant.
There is an alternate Coastal road which has beautiful views in part but can also get extremely busy.
Salerno itself can get quite congested, and is a giant one way system although relatively easy to navigate given a decent map.
My reasons would be down to traffic and roads. I have driven Salerno to Castellabate fairly often over the last 5 years or so. The road from Paestum through to the A3 is horrible. It is 50km/h most of the way, full of heavy trucks , and nobody seems to be going anything under 100km/h. I normally end up going throuh Eboli rather than Battipaglia, but both are fairly unpleasant.
There is an alternate Coastal road which has beautiful views in part but can also get extremely busy.
Salerno itself can get quite congested, and is a giant one way system although relatively easy to navigate given a decent map.
Mar 2nd, 2011, 04:54 PM
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the responses. I am now seriously considering an about face. I am thinking of picking up the car in Salerno, driving to see Paestum before heading to Canosa di Puglia. A total of 4 hours driving (hopefully!)as shown on Google directions. This would eliminate a one night stay, which I hate. This would allow us a 2 night stay on our back end if we take the train from Bari to Rome instead of Salerno to Rome. The train travel is only one hour more and it eliminates back tracking. Rental car price is the same even if dropping off at Bari or Salerno. The train from Bari is a bit more expensive, but we'd probably spend that in gas! Hopefully, Bari rental car drop off will not be confusing! Again, thanks for the input.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ekscrunchy
Europe
3
Aug 22nd, 2012 06:28 PM
