LOWER CILENTO BIKE TOUR


General description

Our bicycle tour of the Lower Cilento will take us on a 6 day discovery trip of the Cilento's splendid nature and culture. Daily distances are limited to between 40 and 50 km for a total of 270 km, leaving plenty of time to explore the many interesting places we pass through. The presence of a back up van always offers a way out - or rather up - any steep climbs at the end of the day. The quiet and well cared for secondary roads travelled present very little traffic, and take us to tipical little hidden villages surrounded by uncontaminated nature. From our starting point at Palinuro we cycle towards the Gulf of Policastro before turning inland towards the Diano Valley. With the Cervati Mountains as our guide we then follow the valleys of the Calore and Alento rivers before returning to Palinuro.

The tour passes through all of the Lower Cilento, sampling the Bussento valley, the Diano Valley, Mount Cervati, the hilly country between the Calore and the Alento rivers and the beautifull coast between Ascea and Policastro. During our trip we will visit many places of both natural and cultural interest such as the archaeological site of Velia, the Certosa (abbey) of San Lorenzo at Padula and the museum city of Teggiano, the limestone caves and gorges of the Bussento, Sammaro and Calore rivers, the ghost village of Roscigno Vecchia and many tipical cilentan medieval hamlets and castles. The last day of the tour may be spent enjoying the dolce far niente on the Palinuro beach or may see you visiting the provinces' capital Salerno for a shopping spree.

During the tour you will be accompagnied by a certified cycling guide as well as a back up van that also transports your luggage from one hotel to the next. Breakfast and dinner are served in the hotel, lunch generally consists of outdoor picnics.



NOTE

The tour can also be cycled on an individual basis (self-guided) without guide or back up van. For self-guided tours you will receive all documentation necessary to find your way and learn about the Cilento's history, geology, fauna and flora. As we cannot offer a back up van and luggage transport for self-guided tours, your bicycles will be equipped with travel bags. During self-guided tours we operate a 24 hour phone assistance.



Tour schedule (click for larger image)





Day 1 :
After arriving at Palinuro you are given the time to settle in and prepare for dinner with your cycling buddies. After dinner you will attend a short briefing.

Day 2 : Palinuro - Scario (49 km)
The first day of our tour takes us along the coast from Palinuro to Marina di Camerota. From Marina we climb to the beautifull medieval village of Camerota. After passing through Licusati we speed down towards the valley of the Mingardo river. Here we cycle through the spectacular Devils' Gorge dominated by the abandonned Longobard castle and medieval hamlet of San Severino. After visiting the tiny village we continue along the slopes of Mount Bulgheria. At the end of the day we arrive at the fishermans' village of Scario. After settling in at our hotel we can take a short walk towards the port.

Day 3 : Scario - Sanza (45 km)
From Scario we start for Policastro Bussentino. After passing through the old town, the steep ascent towards Santa Marina offers breathtaking views of the Gulf of Policastro including the mountains of the Basilicata and Calabria regions. From Santa Marina it goes to Morigerati where we visit the spot where the Bussento river re-emerges after having flowed underground for 6 kilometers. After cycling through Caselle in Pittari, we arrive at Sanza where we stop for the night.

Day 4 : Sanza - San Rufo (50 km)
This morning we head for Buonabitacolo, our gate to the Diano Valley. We stop at Padula to visit the famous abbey of San Lorenzo, one of the largest monuments of southern Italy. After our visit we cycle to the museum city of Teggiano, situated at the foot of Mount Cervati. Shortly after Teggiano we arrive at San Rufo, our next stop for the night.

Day 5 : San Rufo - Laurino (45 km)
Today a healthy breakfast will help us climbing the Serra Nuda pass. Descending from the pass we visit the ghost village of Roscigno Vecchia and the sculpted limestone gorges on the Sammaro river. From Sacco we cycle through the nature reserve of Mount Cervati to Piaggine and to Laurino.

Day 6 : Laurino - Casalvelino (48 km)
Our fifth day on the road first takes us from Laurino to Campora, passed the deep gorges on the Calore river. From Campora we head for Moio della Civitella and Vallo della Lucania where we visit the little abbey founded by greek monks. After stopping briefly in the medieval hamlet of Ceraso, we continue to Casalvelino.

Day 7 : Ceraso - Palinuro (40 km)
Today we take it easy, visiting the ruins of the greek city of Elea at Castellamare di Velia. This ancient town once was known in all of the greek world as the seat of the eleatic philosophical and medical school. Elea is also the hometown of the famous greek philosphers Parmenide and Zenon. From Castellamare di Velia we follow the coast to Pisciotta, renowed for its olive oil. Shortly afterwards we arrive at Palinuro.

Day 8 : Palinuro
To end our holiday in total relax, we can either enjoy the dolce far niente on the Palinuro beach or visit the city of Salerno for a shopping trip.

Day 9 :
Breakfast and transfer to Naples International Airport or Central Train Station



TOUR DETAILS

Start: Palinuro, Salerno
End:Palinuro, Salerno
Lenght: 270 km, daily distances between 40 and 50 km
Duration: 9 days/8 nights (including transfers), 6 cycling days
Nr of participants: min. 8, max. 16
Price:prices start from 550 euro/person in double rooms, depending on season and number of participants. Please contact us for an exact price quote; self-guided tour from 440 euro/person
2007 starting dates: March 17th, April 28th, June 9th, September 15th, October 27th (for of groups of over 10 participants starting dates may be changed on demand)
Our services include
-overnight stays in 3 star hotels or equivalent agriturismo, breakfast and dinner served in hotel (drinks not included), picnic lunch
-cycle guide for the duration of the tour
-back up van and tecnical assistance for the duration of the tour
-luggage transport
Our service does not include
-transfers from and to Napels International Airport or Central Train Station (can be organized on demand)
-bicycle rent (70 euro for the duration of the tour)
-various entrance fees and local guides
-drinks and snacks not included during meals
-travel and medical insurance
-tips