I am traveling to Southern Italy for a wedding (Avellino - near Naples) in mid-July. We've been to the Amalfi coast so we're wondering if there is anything worth seeing or doing south of Salerno or slightly north of the Amalfi coast? We have an additional 2 days in that area. We both love to hike and we love museums/history. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Paestum, south of Salerno is well worth seeing. A complex of Greek temples and an excellent museum.

The Cilento National park is beautiful for walking. http://www.parks.it/parco.nazionale.cilento/Eindex.html

>> slightly north of the Amalfi coast? <<

What about Pompeii?
And Mt Vesuvius?

Hi, Promethia -

I second the suggestons offered by willit and TuckH. You might also consider Naples itself (it has some great museums), Ercolano, Caserta, and other things in that area.

Enjoy!

You may want to consider travelling east a little you could take in Alberobello the Trulli district and Martina Franca. Do a little bit of research into the Puglia region there are many cool places to visit.

Our vacation home is in the Avellino Province - I do frequent day-trips from the area and have some ideas on my blog, http://southernitaly.wordpress.com/southern-italy-blog/

As others have said - Paestum , Pompeii, Ercolano, Caserta, Naples, Amalfi, etc. are all tops if you have not been before and easy day-trips from Avellino.

If you will be able to stay somewhere else a night, you may want to think about the Sassi Caves at Matera (a bit too far for a day trip if you are staying in the town of Avellino)...a little more off-the-beaten path...

Mt.Vulture and the Lakes of Monticchio are very pretty and nice for hiking and picnics...

The Norman Castels in the area: Castel del Monte, Lagopesole, Melfi, Venosa...

The Certosa di San Lorenzo Monastery at Padula if you are in the Cliento area.

Happy to answer any specifics!
Nicole

There's always Capri. You can actually hike there. Or Ischia.

Palace of Caserta - just north of Avellino

The Palace itself is a museum with beautiful gardens and grounds - no hiking but filled with history