Consider The Ciliento Coast…..Holiday and Wedding Destination

Consider The Ciliento Coast…..Holiday and Wedding Destination

Ten Things to see and do in the Cilento National Park

We had a wonderful June break in Santa Maria di Castellabate for 11 days in this unspoiled Italian gem.  We had a hire car, drove just under 2 hours south from Naples to reach here and explored the Cilento area.  Just wanted to share some things that are possible to do, many of which we enjoyed on our trips out.

ONE

[S]pend a day in Santa Maria, explore the town with its alleyways, shops, and bars and then head for the beautiful sandy beach, have a pasta or fish lunch at the  Lido Azzuro beach cabin

 

TWO

[D]on’t drive all the way up to the hilltop of Castellabate, take time to walk up and explore the cobbled alleyways and quaint piazzas for an aperitif. Watch the sunset up here and look down on the fabulous coastline before having diner in one of the many restaurants up here.

 

THREE

[S]troll along the beach all the way to San Marco and have an ice-cream at the harbourside. Take a boat out to the small island of Licosia and look across to the summer plaace of  the Prince of Belmonte.

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FOUR

[P]aestum is a must in this area, just some 25km away.  Three huge Greco-Roman temples in a field to explore.  On the way back lookout for the buffalo in the fields and stop at one of the local factories and taste freshly made mozzarella, it just melts in the mouth!

FIVE

[A] trip further afield to Padula is also worthwhile, you can spend a good few hours exploring the huge monastery, but take some time to explore the old town up on the hill too

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SIX

[F]avourite trip was to explore the abandoned village of Roscigno Vecchio – deserted after a malaria outbreak. Now just home to the odd cat kittens and a lone hermit inhabitant who tends a small museum there.

SEVEN

[E]xplore the many hill villages of the Cilento National Park, it’s so easy by car

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EIGHT

[T]ake a drive down the coast to the ruins of Velia and explore the site there, bit of climbing involved but worth it for the views.

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NINE

[A] trip to Pailinuro about 90 minutes away to another beautiful sandy beach, very popular and wonderful beachside tavernas for pizza!

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TEN

[Y]ou can get married here!! I know the best wedding planner here and there are a variety of places to get married, the beach, a palace tower and then party the night away!
Just ask for details and we can chat!

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Bohemian Elopement: Santa Maria, Italy

Bohemian Elopement: Santa Maria, Italy

Gorgeous Santa Maria Seaside Boho Elopement Italy

Boheain elopement Santa Maria, Cliento Coast, Italy

How gorgeous was this shoot on a workshop, led by the fabulous Claire Penn, in Santa Maria di Castellabate during the Secret Retreat workshop
A loved up Italian couple, wow what chemistry Luigi and Antonia! …well they were married just a few days ago for real,  it really shines through these images.
We were privileged to be given access to the normally off-limits summer palace and villa Sirena, by the island of  Licosia, belonging to the Prince and Princess of Belmonte.

Antonia’s dress is a genuine vintage 1960s Mexican wedding dress purchased from Etsy, perfectly complemented by a feather headdress and feather details in her barefoot sandals.
Luigi or Lu as he is known is a local lead singer in a band.  His styling was simple, his own clothes accessorised with a mustard bow tie, love those braces too!
The picture-perfect picnic by the sea was masterminded by the uber-talented Mandy Beck of Saddleworth Shindigs.
She has a wealth of goodies in her Aladdin’s cave treasure trove and squirreled some away for this shoot.  The ceremony arbor hung in the trees was decorated with lace ribbons, feathers and hand made dreamcatchers.  Mandy is so super talented.

A perfect laid back boho wedding elopement and picnic reception by the sea, doesn’t get more chilled out and idyllic than this!
An evening party ensued with good friends at the Azurro Lido on the beach, with music from Lu himself and lots of dancing…oh and fireworks on the beach, outstanding!
Hope you enjoy these images!

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Bohemain elopement Santa Maria

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Location: Villa Sirena, WWW.PALAZZOBELMONTE.COM/EN/VILLA-SIRENA

Styling: Mandy Beck: SADDLEWORTH SHINDIGS

Organisation: THE SECRET RETREAT + MY SECRET ITALY