VILLA BRIGIDA

Santa Maria di Castellabate :
Santa Maria di Castellabate – Only an hour or so South of the Amalfi Coast, is the true Cilento – this delightful little harbour town nestles on the coast below the unspoiled medieval hamlet of Castellabate, perched high above, with spectacular views down the coastal panorama. Still an inhabited Italian community, its name derives from its founder, Saint Costabile Gentilcore, who was the fourth abbot of the Abbey of Cava, who built the castle in the 12th century. Santa Maria still embraces Italian life in the true sense of the word: whilst in the main summer months it comes alive, life in Santa Maria is still wonderfuly Italian, the main events of the day evolving around the fishing catch, and in the evening the “passeggiata”, with families idly gossiping, strolling arm in arm at their own pace. The area is designated a marine park, an the beautiful Punta Licosa, reached by boat or road, is a haven for guests at the Palazzo to walk through pine scented paths, or swim and picnic in the azure sea. Day trips can be made down the coast to places like Palinuro with its beautiful grottoes, whilst the awesome Greek temples of Paestum, with its evocative and moving frescoed “Diver’s Tomb”, are only 20 minutes away. With the buzzy Amalfi coast visible across the bay of Salerno, this wonderful corner of Italy is a wonderful place to escape to.

Local Activities: swimming, tennis
Water Sports: scuba diving
Recreation: cycling, horseback riding
Extreme Sports: mountain biking