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A peaceful beach with turquoise water in Cilento, Italy, lined with historic stone buildings and green hills under a bright blue sky.
Italy

Winter in Italy: A Window Into the Slow Life of Cilento

Program No. 25136RJ
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Program
At a Glance
Duration
8 days
Program Begins
Santa Maria di Castellabate (SA)
Program Concludes
Santa Maria di Castellabate (SA)
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
13 ( 6B, 4L, 3D )
Activity Level
From
2,749
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Experience Cilento during the quiet season, when mild Mediterranean days and peaceful villages reveal a more intimate side of southern Italy. Based along the coast in Santa Maria di Castellabate, explore medieval hill towns, remarkable archaeological sites and landscapes shaped by centuries of rural life. Meet local residents, learn about regional traditions and discover how history, community and the natural environment continue to shape daily life in this lesser-known corner of Italy. Along the way, explore the Greek temples of Paestum, the Pertosa Caves and the Certosa di Padula, and experience Cilento's rich culinary traditions through wine and olive oil tastings, a hands-on cooking lesson and a visit to a buffalo farm.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Walk the medieval streets of Castellabate and Teggiano, where local residents share the traditions, crafts and rural way of life that define the region.
  • Explore the Greek temples of Paestum, cross an underground river in the Pertosa Caves and discover the monumental Certosa di Padula.
  • Experience the flavors of Cilento through wine and olive oil tastings, a hands-on cooking lesson, fresh buffalo mozzarella and the region's prized white figs.
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Featured Expert
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Camilla Pollio
Camilla Pollio received a bachelor’s degree in cultural and linguistic mediation from the University of Roma Tre. She took part in an exchange program in Austria and lived there for five months. She has also started on a new bachelor's degree in modern singing. She has worked for Road Scholar since 2024. She has many interests and passions, the biggest being music; she sings and plays the piano and guitar. She is also interested in reading and loves going to museums.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Alessandra Sarappa was born and raised in Rome. She studied English at Rice University in Texas before spending seven years in the UK. She was part of the cabin crew at British Airways for 25 years, and worked with English customers in Sorrento as a customer resort helper for Jet2Holidays for one summer. She then became a group leader for companies including AG Boutique in Rome, Laser Jet in Riccione, and the Aloschi Bros cruise agency. Her interests range from art to nature and gastronomy.
Camilla Pollio received a bachelor’s degree in cultural and linguistic mediation from the University of Roma Tre. She took part in an exchange program in Austria and lived there for five months. She has also started on a new bachelor's degree in modern singing. She has worked for Road Scholar since 2024. She has many interests and passions, the biggest being music; she sings and plays the piano and guitar. She is also interested in reading and loves going to museums.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Learn About Activity Levels
Walking up to 3.5 miles per day at a moderate pace of 2 mph over uneven terrain, inclines and cobblestones. Standing up to 2 hour per day. Program will require approximately 11 miles of walking over 7 days. Must be able to get on and off a boat and use stairs without handrails in order to navigate field trip sites. Due to unavoidable stairs wheelchairs and scooters cannot be accommodated on this program. Must be physically capable of participating in all planned program activities.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
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You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
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Call 800-454-5768
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

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  • Peace of Mind

    We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

    An illustration of a hand using a pen to check off the final item on a clipboard checklist
  • Assurance Plan

    Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

    An illustration of an elderly man sitting at a computer with a pair of binoculars beside him
  • Want to Protect Your Investment?

    Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

    An illustration of an elderly woman holding a piggy bank, with the Eiffel Tower in the background
  • Sustainable Travel

    We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

    An illustration of a hand holding a globe with a small bird flying around it
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