Hotels in Cilento & Maratea, Italien

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Cilento & Maratea

Both the Cilento and the area around Acquafredda di Maratea have kept a quiet profile overseas. Italians love this part of southern Italy; it’s calmer, the beaches are some of the cleanest in the Mediterranean and the lack of exposure means that prices are contained, our hotels in Cilento and Aquafredda may be unique but they still manage to combine an excellent price quality ratio.

Gastronomy
Just north of the Cilento and around the site of Paestum are many ranches that farm the buffale or water oxen whose milk is used in the production of the authentic mozzarella. (Mozzarella from cow’s milk should be called, in theory at least, Fiordilatte and cannot qualify for mozzarella status). The fresh and milky cheese is wonderful and not at all similar to its poorer, exported cousin. Tossed in a salad or eaten alone with just a pinch of salt and a “filo d’olio” it makes a wonderful starter. The cleanliness of the sea in this area is outstanding and rightly gives rise to some of the best quality and tastiest fish in Italy at prices that are far more reasonable than you would expect. You might be lucky enough to try the Secce ‘Mbuttunate a Cilento variation on the stuffed squid but what a stuffing with a mix of pecorino cheese, fresh tomatoes and shellfish.

History
This area was inhabited long before the Greeks ever decided to colonise the region though it was their knowledge, wealth and culture that left the most dominant marks. Paestum with its temples dating back to the late 6th century BC is a stunning site that shuns the crowds of Pompeii and is set amid fields full of wild flowers that bloom in the late spring. The temple of Poseidon shows clear influences of the Parthenon and is one of the largest and best preserved ancient Greek temples in the world. The Romans left the area to seed hence the retention of many Greek names for local towns such as Agropoli. After the Normans’ feudal system led to a collapse in the local economy, things took a turn for the better with investment from the 14th century onwards. Maratea, though just a small town, is also known as the “one with 44 churches” indicating the extent of both devotion and the capital for construction. Things never really took off again and in the nineteenth and early twentieth century many people from the Cilento and further south towards Aquafredda di Maratea emigrated to Australia. This had one positive effect, however, with the area’s previous underdevelopment being compensated with a landscape and coastline that is among the most beautiful and best preserved in Italy. Our hotels are well positioned to mix a combination of history and relaxation, the sites above are close enough to be enjoyed within 45 minutes or so from Aquafredda di Maratea and as little as 20 minutes from hotels in Cilento.

Culture
This is still a traditional area with economic activities focusing on agriculture, mozzarella production (just a little ways to the north) and small-scale tourism. The Cilento National Park extends for over 100,000 hectares between Sapri, up to Santa Maria di Castellabate and inland for up to fifty kilometres. The area can also lay claim to the first Marine Park in Italy, an indication of the quality of the waters here. The region is very much rooted in the past and outside of the villages life seems to be stuck in another century. On one of our last trips there we saw mules still pulling carts in the foothills of the nearby mountains and the cautious friendliness of the locals was matched by their interest in what we were doing. Acquafredda di Maratea has something of Amalfi’s attraction with steep cliffs dropping down to the crystal clear sea. One great advantage though is the slower pace of life here, perhaps more similar to Amalfi thirty of forty years ago then today’s slightly more hectic pace.

Activities
This is not the area for wild discoes and partying. The Cilento and south to Aquafredda di Maratea is known for the beauty of the land and that wonderful sea. Maratea holds the Blue award from Italy’s Legambiente (Environmental body) indicating the highest quality of the water as well as Cilento with its marine park. This is then a wonderful region to come in order to witness an Italy as it used to be, with fewer tourists, outstanding nature and a feel for being just a little in uncharted territory, away from the crowds of Florence, Rome or the Amalfi Coast. Diving, day hikes in the hills above the sea or simply relaxing on the beach are all ideal options in this paradisiacal corner of the Italian peninsular. We have put a good bit of effort into selecting hotels in Aquafredda di Maratea and Cilento that respect the nature around them whilst building on their uniqueness. As with the hotels elsewhere, we could have included far more but are only really 100% happy with the accommodations we show here and we trust you will be too. Welcome to Southern Italy.