Departure from Milan Centrale on Frecciarossa at 07:00, arrival in Salerno at 12:19. Meeting with guide Dr Paola Valitutti and the coach. Lunch on your own. Transfer to Padula in the heart of the Vallo di Diano. Day dedicated to visiting Padula Charterhouse. The Charterhouse of San Lorenzo, below the hill where Padula stands, is one of the largest monasteries in the world and among the most remarkable in Europe for architectural magnificence and wealth of artistic treasures. La Certosa di San Lorenzo fu progettata secondo the typical layout of charterhouses, reflecting the religious and practical life of the order. The layout divided an upper area, where the Carthusian fathers lived a secluded religious life; e una parte bassa, the lower areas suited to everyday activities. Lay brothers lived here, responsible for relations with surrounding communities, managing the order’s assets and overseeing farming and crafts. Although profoundly transformed over the centuries, the Charterhouse has kept its original layout. Dinner at Agriturismo Antica Fonte in the Padula area. Transfer to Hotel Villa Cosilinum. Dinner and overnight stay.
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Breakfast at the hotel, meeting guide Dr Paola Valitutti and departure by coach. Arrival at Paestum with the stunning Valle dei Templi. Greek Poseidonia, later under Lucanian rule and then Roman Paestum, encloses an archaeological area considered among the most remarkable in the world.
Its temples are among the best preserved in the classical world.
The surrounding landscape, largely unchanged since rediscovery, helps evoke the splendours of this ancient frontier city.
The walk runs among the sacred areas of the three Greek temples known as the Basilica, Neptune and Ceres, the forum space with public buildings, some Greek remains, Roman houses and the amphitheatre (or part of it). The National Archaeological Museum of Paestum was founded in 1952 within the ancient city. It began as a single hall with external architecture in the Piacentini style, built to the dimensions of the structure reproducing the first treasury of the sanctuary of Hera. This original core was later enlarged and new rooms were added around an inner garden with windows opening outward. Among the priceless works in the museum are the painted slabs of the Tomb of the Diver, the only surviving Greek painting from Magna Graecia. It is a slab-built tomb with frescoes on the inner walls; on the cover slab a diver symbolises the passage from life to death. A second refreshment is included at the refined Domus Clelia con affaccio esclusivo sui templi. In the afternoon, transfer to the farm estate Tenuta Porta di Ferro. La Tenuta Porta di Ferro, che which gives its name to the homonymous district, was once owned by the Doria d’Angri family. The ancient farmhouse was built according to rural architecture separating the manor house from working areas, usually arranged around a large courtyard. The buildings, excellently preserved, retain the atmosphere of the early farmsteads of the Sele Plain. The estate is now owned by descendants of the Pastore family, who acquired it in the early 20th century. The visit will be led by agronomist Dr Luigi Vicinanza, who manages the estate directly. Return to Padula, dinner and overnight at the hotel.
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Breakfast at the hotel and meeting with Paola Valitutti and her husband Dr Luciano Mauro, landscape architect, who will guide us through the wonderful landscape of Parco Nazionale del Cilento. The excursion follows a selected trail in the park near Laurino. In autumn the park’s more than 1,800 native plant species stand out as the trees take on red and orange tones. I sentieri si riempiono di foglie formando dei veri e propri tappeti di grande suggestione. Walking ancient routes to the park’s most evocative spots, tra panlandscapes spanning sea, hill and mountain, the unspoilt nature of this protected area captivates visitors. Free time for an included second breakfast at a typical inn in Laurino. In the early afternoon, departure for Benevento and evening arrival. Hotel accommodation, dinner and overnight stay.
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The day is dedicated to a splendid tour of villages in the heart of Molise. Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Cusano Mutri, the pearl of the Matese. Cusano Mutri overlooks an enchanting valley surrounded by mountains like a majestic green bowl. Completely surrounded by mountains in the Matese massif, anyone arriving in Cusano is struck by the “majesty” of the landscapes that unfold before them. The historic centre of Cusano Mutri, typically medieval, still retains its original charm with narrow lanes, porticoes and houses with carved stone portals and windows. The middle gate, a simple stone lintel, stands on the steps of Via Vicinato Lungo and once divided the medieval village from the 15th-century expansion.lla scalinata di via vicinato lungo ed un tempo divideva il paese medievale dalla parte dell’abitato di espansione quattrocentesca. Light lunch with typical local products in the area.
Alternatively we will transfer to the village of Sant’Agata de’Goti. Morning dedicated to a guided visit through the lanes and sights of this wonderful Baroque village: the Church of St Menna, built dal conte Roberto il Normanno between 1102 and 1107, the Cathedral of the Assumption, the Church of San Francesco, which hosts the archaeological exhibition “On the Trail of Saticula” and the Castello Ducale eretto dai Longobardi. Light lunch with typical local products. In the afternoon return to Benevento. Visit to the Santa Sofia Monumental Complex with the Cloister (UNESCO World Heritage), the Hortus Conclusus – a splendid garden hosting a permanent installation by Mimmo Paladino, one of the leading exponents of Transavantgarde worldwide, and the famous Arch of Trajan. Dinner in a typical restaurant in Benevento historic centre. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
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Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure for Molise with luggage.
Little visited by mass tourism, Molise holds archaeological and natural gems of particular interest, alongside a substantial food and wine tradition. A visit to Sepino Altilia is a must: a perfect blend of history and nature where you breathe the air of an ancient Roman city. The site is a partially inhabited archaeological park where medieval houses still in use can also be seen. In autumn the colours and atmosphere are especially evocative.
Known as Altilia, Saepinum stands at the crossing of the Pescasseroli-Candela cattle track, crossed by transhumant flocks on their seasonal movements, and of another small cattle track descending from the Matese range towards the coastal strip. Already in Samnite times the place was a meeting point for exchanging agricultural and pastoral products during seasonal livestock migrations; even today, walking the site, you may come across cattle and sheep grazing nearby, sometimes crossing the archaeological area.
At the end of the visit, transfer to Bojano for a cheese tasting at an artisan dairy. Bojano mozzarella is considered a leading Molise gastronomic excellence.
At the end, coach transfer to Naples railway station for the Frecciarossa departing at 16:40 and arriving in Milan at 20:55
