– PAESTUM –
GREEK TEMPLES AND BUFFALO MOZZARELLA

Paestum, Temples and Buffalo Mozzarella

Why to stay in Salerno for a day trip in Paestum?
– If you want to visit the greek temples;
– If you would love to discover an important  italian food of the campania area: the “mozzarella di bufala”.

The Salerno railway station is only 850 meters distance from Bed and Breakfast Salerno Centro. The distance is therefore walkable through Corso Vittorio Emanuele which is a pedestrian street and full of shops.
Via a regional train you can easily reach Paestum in about half an hour. Once you get off the train you can reach the archaeological area (only 1km away) by walking or by taxi.

Paestum is an ancient city of Magna Grecia. Magna Graecia is the geographic area of ​​southern Italy that from the VIII century B.C. was colonized by the Greeks. It was called by the founders “Poseidonia” in honour of Poseidon, god of the sea according to Greek mythology.

The temples of Paestum are the “Basilica” (the oldest of the three), the “Athena” (or Cecere) and the temple of “Neptune”. The only one of the three of which we know the divinity to which it was dedicated is that of Athena, goddess of war and craftsmanship. It must be said that the attribution to Neptune of one of the temples is rather disputed. In fact, there are those who claim that it was instead dedicated to Zeus.

The entrance ticket to the museum and / or the archaeological area can be purchased inside the ticket office, located halfway up the avenue that runs alongside the temples.As with all Italian monuments, admission is free on the first Sunday of each month of the year.

Even if you don’t have specific knowledge about archeology, the museum, the temples and the archaeological area can all be visited in half a day.

What is there to do then before or after visiting the temples?
We at the Bed and Breakfast Salerno Centro recommend eating mozzarella or fresh ricotta in the many shops or dairies in the area. For several years our experience has taught us that Paestum is also chosen by visitors who want to know how the whole production process of buffalo mozzarella and its derivatives works.

In the Paestum area there are some family businesses that for generations have been dedicated to the production and marketing of dairy products. Some of these stand out for their respect for the environment, care of the animals, completely biological methods and quality of the final product.
It is possible to participate in the so-called “mozzarella tour” at the “Vannulo” Estate. It starts with the explanation and the overview of the process from the milk to the stretched curd and thence to the finished product: mozzarella cheese.

We then move on to visiting the stables and the buffaloes. Here it is interesting to see how the animals are in great shape thanks to careful feeding and the massages they enjoy: when the buffalo wishes to enjoy a regenerating treatment, it approaches rotary arms equipped with sponges and in this way reaches a state of bliss. This ensures that the milk is of superior quality and at the same time it honours what should be an important aspect of all agricultural food processes.

The next step is to visit of the spaces used for the artisan production of leather goods through the use of buffalo leather which has been previously subjected to a first working in Tuscany.

The journey ends with tasting the mozzarella and an invitation to visit the cafeteria of the dairy where you can enjoy ice cream, yogurt, cappuccino, ice cream and other delicacies for which only buffalo milk is used.

Here are some useful links:
PARCO ARCHEOLOGICO DI PAESTUM
TENUTA VANNULO

Private transfer

The most easy way is a private transfer service with minivan. After the made-to-order breakfast, you would will be driven from the B&B to the farm and then to the greek temples.
For info write to info@salernocentro.it and we will provide all the information about.

DESSERTS TO EAT IN SALERNO


I always wonder, when I arrive in a new city, which are the best desserts of the place. I am about to unveil the unforgettable aromas and flavours of Salerno and its surrounding territory.

DELIZIA A LIMONE

Salerno is an important port on the Amalfi Coast, a land rich in evocative scenic beauty, but also of numerous lemon groves. In our area, the steps from lemon to limoncello and ultimately to  “delizia al limone” (lemon delight) are more than brief. This unique and extremely delicious delicacy was born in Sorrento and taken over with love and passion by the best confectioners in Campania and the Amalfi Coast. This lemon delight comes from the combination of a very soft sponge cake soaked in limoncello and lemon cream. Enjoy it in the pastry shop “Sal De Riso” in the town of Minori; here this lemon delight is a real treat!

ZUPPETTA

The “zuppetta”, which is a sweet derivation of the “Millefoglie”, is very popular in Naples and Salerno. In this case the millefeuille pastry is garnished with custard or ricotta, wild strawberries or chocolate chips. Being crisp and at the same time having a soft filling it satisfies all palates.

SCAZZETTA

The word “scazzetta” is a Neapolitan linguistic creation. Its name is closely linked to the purple headdress that the bishops receive from the Pope during the investiture celebration. The outer part is a strawberry icing, which is also present inside between sponge cake and yellow cream.
You can taste it here where it was born, at one of the best pastry shops in Salerno, the pastry shop “Pantaleone”, located in a deconsecrated chapel in Via dei Mercanti.

PASTIERA

The “pastiera” is a Neapolitan dessert that is made for the Easter period. It has the appearance of a traditional American apple pie but differs in the filling and consists of shortcrust pastry filled with ricotta, custard, orange blossom essence, citrus peel. It is served with a sprinkling of powdered sugar.

BABA’

The “baba” has the appearance of a small mushroom. In the classic version it is soaked with rum  but is very soft and light.
According to the latest trends it is also available with a filling of cream or custard, chocolate or other creamy fantasies. It can be of different sizes.

ZEPPOLA

Classic zeppola or zeppola of San Giuseppe?
Both are fried. The zeppola of San Giuseppe is covered with custard and is widely consumed for father’s day on March 19th. The classic zeppola has a shape similar to a doughnut and is covered with sugar and cinnamon.

SFOGLIATELLA 

Here too it is necessary to make a distinction between the sfogliatella riccia and the sfogliatell frolla. The sfogliatella riccia is made with puff pastry, while the second is made with shortcrust pastry. Both must be eaten warm to be able to fully enjoy the ricotta inside them.

CALZONCELLO

The calzoncelli are small fried cookies usually made at Christmas time.The filling is made from a paste of chestnut flour and chocolate.

FROM ROME AIRPORT TO SALERNO,

THE BEST WAYS

Have you wisely decided on Salerno as your city in which to stay for your daily trips along the Amalfi Coast? Would you rather sleep in Salerno than in Sorrento in order to visit Pompeii, Herculaneum and Paestum?

Salerno is a city full of surprises where you will breathe a typical and authentic Italian atmosphere and at the same time it deserves to be lived in and visited.

Here, we will tell you how to get to Salerno from the international Airport of Rome. The airport is located in Fiumicino.

Private transfer

Certainly the most comfortable way is a private transfer service with minivan.
Contrary to what you might think, this option is not expensive. It can really be the best solution after a long and tiring Intercontinental flight. Please do not hesitate to inquire about how to do it and the costs. For info write to info@salernocentro.it and we will provide you with the best assistance possible!

Train

From the international Terminal “Leonardo da Vinci” (Fiumicino) The easiest choice is the train.

Within the most important Roman airport and named after the Illustrious “Leonardo da Vinci” there is a small railway station. It connects the international Airport of Rome (not to be confused with the other airport “Ciampino”) to the train station “Roma Termini” via the train called the “Leonardo Express”. The service is non-stop and the departures take place every 15 minutes (in some periods every 30 minutes). The journey is only 32 minutes.

When you arrive at “Roma Termini”, you need to change trains to reach Salerno. From Roma Termini Station you can decide to travel to Salerno with Trenitalia or Italotreno.

Both companies offer high-speed trains which arrive in two hours (or even less) in Salerno. I suggest you exclude the solutions that specify a train change in Naples. Regarding Trenitalia, avoid the train called “intercity”, it travels on different tracks than those of high speed and can sometimes be slow.

The level of travel comfort between Trenitalia and Italotreno is more or less the same and if you buy the ticket in advance you can have access to the lowest rates. So choose the fast train!

Here you will find links where you can check the timetables and buy tickets. The first link also concerns the Leonardo Express:

TRENITALIA

ITALOTRENO

If you stay at the Bed and Breakfast Salerno Centro, on request and availability, I would be delighted to offer you a free transfer from Salerno train station to our B&B.

Have a nice trip!

THINGS TO DO IN SALERNO

– Seeing Salerno like a local –

View from Arechi Castle

After visiting the most important spots of Salerno (such as monuments and churchs) here are some suggestions on how to spend time in Salerno as a local.

Salerno is not only a city-base for your trips around the Amalfi Coast and Pompei, but is itself, a wonderful place to visit. Let’s mention some activities to do in Salerno which you will enjoy.

Have a walk along the Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Lungomare street. They are pedestrian areas and here you will be able to enjoy a first taste of Salerno. From the seaside (“Lungomare”street) it is always a pleasure to “breath” the panorama of the first part of the Amalfi Coast.

New “Santa Teresa” Beach

Corso Vittorio Emanuele street is the main shopping area of Salerno. Are you looking for a global brand store? You will find some of them here. Are you interested in local products? Well, do not miss the “salumerie” and the Italian “bar”. Are you hungry? Get into a “Salumeria” and take away a panino with “mozzarella and prosciutto di crudo di parma”, delicious….. Also try to have a coffee standing at the bar, as Italians do. Try to taste a real espresso served in a hot double-ceramic cup.

PIAZZA SEDILE DI PORTANOVA

Go to Portanova square and stand at the highest part of the square. Now look toward the sea, than to the small and narrow “Via dei Mercanti”. You are in the most central point of Salerno. If you walk towards the sea on the left, after 50 meters, you will find us, Bed and Breakfast Salerno Centro. Since you are in Portanova square do not miss the best briocheria/gelateria of Salerno. Its name is “Nettuno”. Try a traditional ice-cream or what about a “brioche con gelato”? It is sweet bread with ice-cream…..divine.

NETTUNO GELATERIA – BRIOCHE WITH ICE-CREAM

As in the north of Italy, also in Salerno you can have an “apertivo” before lunch or dinner. A lot of Italians, mostly on weekend, have a drink (soft or alcoholic) and something to eat (buffet style), some little pieces of pastries, focaccia, pizza, olives, chips. The food can change from place to place. My suggestion? Taste the aperol-spritz.

APEROL SPRITZ

E) The historical center of Salerno is full of narrow streets with lamps. Enjoy this typical scene.

A TYPICAL NARROW STREET

It would very nice to enjoy the panorama of Salerno from the seaside. From the “Masuccio” port the view is very interesting and it is possible to see the Crescent on the left side. It is a new spot of Salerno which ideally embrace people entering in Salerno by boats and cruise ships.

SALERNO AND THE CRESCENT FROM “MASUCCIO” PORT