A Cilento Holiday and Lovely Bed & Breakfast

I feel so privileged to have discovered the Cilento region. This really is one of those secret places undiscovered by anyone much outside of Italy. Here you will find a little home from home that will capture your heart for ever.

Castellabate - click for more about this gorgeous town.

Coming here (see map at bottom of page to discover where "here" is) is to take a journey back in time, a time when life was lived at a slower pace and where strangers were welcomed like long-lost friends.

I can assure you that Cristina and family make you feel you have always belonged and you soon begin dreading the thought of ever leaving.

One of the many things that makes visiting Cristina such a special experience is her great hospitality. She absolutely loves to organize special dinners, which are a mouthwatering journey through the delights of the local cuisine. If you too would like to learn to cook like a local, then try Cristina's amazing cooking course.

Zizzania e il Mandarino (click for photos) is the name of Christina's B&B—located in the charming village of Roccagloriosa.

The original house dates back to the 8th century and this is a home that has seen a lot of history pass by. The bullet holes left by Napoleon's troops trying to enter the house bear stark testimony.

Buffet breakfasts, made with local produce, are legendary, and when, weather permitting, they are served in the garden, they are especially lovely.

The Cilento Coast

This famous coastline with some incredible and completely unspoiled beaches is one of the main attractions of any Cilento holiday.

The coast is only a twenty-minute drive away thanks to the excellent road joining places like the Gulf of Policastro, Capo Palinuro, and Marina di Camerota.

The journey itself is spectacular, with the road winding along in the shadow of Mount Bulgheria and next to the Mingrado River.

The great thing about a Cilento holiday at the Zizzania e il Mandarino is that you are near the sea, yet evenings are cooler and more comfortable than the humid evenings at the coast.

Here you get the best of both the Cilento coast and the chance to discover the incredible culture, history, and cuisine of the Cilento's inland areas.

Best Beach in Cilento

If you are looking for the best beach in Cilento, then visit Santa Maria di Castellabate, an enchanting little town every bit as lovely as those more famous ones on the Amalfi Coast. 

Another good town for beaches is Acciaroli. Not only does Acciaroli have a fine beach, with some of the cleanest and clearest waters in Italy, but the food is marvelous.Eat what the locals tell you and try to follow their advice when you get home too.

Why, you ask?

Well, it is because this town is the town where people live the longest on earth; nearly a third of people live past the grand old age of 100.

Travelling with young children? The best beach for them is Palinuro; here the sea is shallow, very warm and perfect for paddling around in.

The Hamlet of Roccagloriosa

Roccagloriosa is a very well-preserved medieval village, located in an enviable position right in the heart of the Cilento National Park—between the mountain of Monte Bulgheria, the turquoise sea, and a valley extending as far as the eye can see.

Many elegant medieval “palazzi” with magnificent doorways are to be seen as you wander the twisting cobblestone lanes. The village can boast a castle and a number of quite charming churches and in the Cilento there is a wealth of things to do. Can't decide on what to do? Don't worry, Cristina is always happy to help out with excellent advice on tours.

Getting Here

Map of the Cilento Area