Itineraries, Podcast episodes

Episode #265: Exploring Calabria and Cilento – A Family Adventure in Southern Italy

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Listen to “265. Exploring Calabria and Cilento: A Family Adventure in Southern Italy” on Spreaker.

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True gems of Southern Italy – Calabria, Cilento Coast, Naples, and Salerno are bursting with history, culture, breathtaking landscapes, and, of course, incredible food. From Naples’ lively streets to Cilento’s tranquil shores and Calabria’s deep heritage, these destinations offer unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re planning a trip or simply dreaming of Italy, exploring beyond the usual spots may take a little more research and planning, but it is well worth it.

Summary

We head to the very South of Italy in this episode, and chat with our longtime listener Caroline Rausch about her family’s heritage-led journey through the lesser-known regions of Calabria and Cilento, diving into the rich history, breathtaking coastlines, and mouthwatering specialties like Tartufo and buffalo mozzarella. Discover the hidden gems of the Italian south and get inspired to venture beyond the typical tourist paths!

What you’ll learn in this episode

  • Traveling with a family of 6 as well as some mobility issues and food intolerances, added a few extra challenges for the trip, but despite a few bumps in the road (or on the train as it turns out), they had an incredible and rewarding trip
  • Exciting encounters in Naples included subterranean adventures, snorkelling amongst ruins and indulging in the city’s renowned culinary delights
  • Famed for its national parks and stunning coastlines, the Cilento region proved a fantastic place to stay for the family. From their authentic agriturismo, complete with pool and delicious local cuisine, to the incredible Paestum ruins and experiencing a buffalo mozzarella farm in action
  • Cilento coastal highlights included Pioppi, Palinuro, Pisciotta and grottos to rival Capri’s Blue Grotto
  • Heading further south still to Calabria, where the family could explore her mother-in-law’s Calabrian roots, they enjoyed the ease of driving around, eating delicious local food and stunning Pizzo and Tropea
  • Caroline’s heartfelt journey with her family included an emotional visit to their ancestral town of Marcellinara
  • Finishing off their trip to Southern Italy, they based themselves in Salerno. On the very edge of the Amalfi Coast – it is quieter, less touristy but has great access to nip up the coast to the more popular (and busy) destinations
  • Travel beyond the tourist path – this family trip underscores the value of venturing off the beaten path. By exploring regions like Cilento and Calabria, travelers can experience authentic Italian culture, enjoy less crowded destinations, and savor local culinary delights that aren’t catered to tourists

Timeline Overview

  • 03:03 There can be particular challenges when planning multi-generational family trips – and for Caroline, mobility issues as well as food intolerances added extra layers of complexity to her planning
  • 07:45 Snorkeling at Baiae’s submerged ruins near Naples, was a real highlight and great for cooling off in the summer heat
  • 14:28 Cilento, just below the Amalfi Coast is much less crowded and home to a gorgeous coastline, ancient ruins and buffalo mozzarella farms
  • 22:50 The family found Cilento and Calabria easy to drive around
  • 24:20 Calabria is a fantastic place to explore from Pizzo to Tropea and for Caroline’s family, the ancestral town of her mother-in-law, added fascinating and heartwarming experiences to the trip of history and heritage
  • 33:55 Salerno is where they spent their final time in the area and on the very edge of the Amalfi Coast, giving you great access (Caroline recommends getting the first ferry for visiting before the crowds hit) as well as being a more chilled out and interesting place in its own right
  • 41:06 Hitting the highlights alongside the less-visited, more laid back destinations, spreading out tourist traffic

About our guest – Caroline Rausch

Caroline Rausch, who lives in Seattle, in the US, is passionate about travel and exploring new cultures. By her nightstand there is always a travel guide alongside a fiction or historical fiction book, and she constantly has at least three trips in the works. She studied French in college and spent time abroad in Tours and Besançon, France.

Caroline began her career as a 4th-grade teacher before transitioning into product development. After the birth of her second child, she shifted her focus to education once again. Now, living in a Seattle suburb, she is pursuing a master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MTESOL) while teaching online English conversation groups and grading papers.

Ultimately, she and her husband dream of living abroad once their kids are grown and Italy is at the top of their list!

Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned

Places

  • Salerno – city at the bottom of the Amalfi Coast, connected to Naples by fast train and local ferries and trains along the coast
  • Baiae – a former ancient resort town known for hedonism. Half the town ended up submerged into the sea and is now the underwater archeological park Archeologico delle Terme di Baia
  • Cuma – village near the site of Cumae, the first ancient Greek colony of on the mainland of Italy settled in the 8th century BCE. Later becoming a rich Roman city
  • Pozzuoli – town on the mainland near Naples, known to have volcanic activity
  • Subaia – diving and snorkeling center in Baia, north of Naples
  • Archaeological Museum (MANN) –  museum in Naples, which has much of the things originally found in Pompeii
  • Napoli Sotterranea – underground Naples. There’s a vast network of tunnels under the city
  • Sansevero Chapel – chapel in Naples home to the veiled Christ
  • Naples Underground – the city’s metro system lauded for its design
  • Agropoli – major town on the Cilento Coast
  • Agropoli Rent Autonoleggio – car and moped rental in Cilento
  • Vibo Valentia – city in Calabria
  • Zio Cristoforo – agriturismo near Casel Velino, Campania
  • Paestum – town and site of some of the best preserved and important Ancient Greek ruins in the world
  • Pioppi, Palinuro, Pisciotta – coastal resorts in Cilento
  • Tenuto Vannulo – buffalo mozzarella farm to visit on the Cilento coast
  • Palinuro Boat Tour – boat tour along the Cilento coast
  • Lamezia Terme – town in inland Calabria
  • Marcellinara – Caroline’s mother-in-law’s ancestral home town in Calabria

Food / Drink

  • Pizzeria Vesi – great option in Naples for gluten free pizza
  • Graffe – a kind of fried doughnut in Napoli made with a flour and potato dough
  • buffalo mozzarella – a speciality of the Cilento coast
  • Pizzeria SPQR Pizzo – pizzeria in Pizzo, Calabria with gluten-free crusts and a helpful, friendly vibe
  • nduja – spicy sausage from Calabria
  • tartufo – a famous Pizzo desert of gelato with a molten chocolate center 
  • orange granita – orange flavor ice that tastes like fresh oranges
  • Ercole – gelateria in Pizzo with amazing Tartuffo and orange granita

Words / Concepts

  • Tommaso Misiano – the guide that helped research family history and took them to Marcellinara to research at the town hall

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