I will be posting an excruciatingly detailed trip report soon, but first I wanted to post a rave review of Salerno Centro Bed & Breakfast.
When I first started planning this trip in 2019, I had wanted to stay in Ravello, or maybe Positano. But none of the hotels in our price range came close to meeting my expectations. Using Salerno as a base for touring the Amalfi Coast and Paestum seemed like the best option.
Salerno Centro Bed & Breakfast turned out to be the ideal place for us. The B&B is well-priced and well-located. The proprietor, Francesco, basically organized the second half of our Italian vacation. For very reasonable fees, he drove us from our hotel in Pompei to the B&B; drove us along the Amalfi Coast to Ravello, and helped us find a small boat to charter for a scenic ride from Amalfi town to Positano, and then back to Salerno. Plus, he picked us up at the dock in Salerno!
He drove us to Paestum and arranged for a guide to tour the Vannulo Water Buffalo farm/Mozzarella factory. We had no idea we would enjoy this experience as much as we did. Then, another guide that he arranged for us provided a fascinating tour of the ruins at Paestum.
Months ago, I told Francesco that we were interested in Operation Avalanche (1943 Allied invasion of Italy), and he put a great deal of effort in tracking down some fascinating sights for us. The beaches themselves, German watchtowers repurposed from medieval towers, a German bunker on the beach at Paestum - these, aside from the beaches, would have been difficult and, in some cases, impossible for us to find on our own. Plus, he took us to the Museum of Operation Avalanche (MOA) in Eboli, and arranged for a terrific guide to show us around the museum, who threw in a brief tour of the beautiful town of Eboli. Photographer Robert Capa was with the troops at Salerno, and a number of his photographs are featured at MOA. I had never seen them before. The Capa photos alone would justify a trip to this museum. They also have an excellent multi-media presentation about the landings.
The meal we had at a restaurant in Eboli, recommended by the MOA guide, was incredible. Of course, Francesco escorted us to the restaurant. After a sublime meal, eating what the waiter suggested, we received a dessert and two limoncellos that Francesco sent with his compliments.
Walking on an empty, but beautiful beach with Francesco to an abandoned German bunker, after exploring the ancient Greek ruins of Paestum, is an experience I will never forget.
Francesco's mom prepares a great continental breakfast. The public areas and our room were immaculate - no unpleasant surprises. We had a lovely balcony. Surprisingly, there were more English-speaking TV channels here than at the Hilton at FCO!
I highly recommend this B&B, and urge you to consider using Salerno as your base for exploring the Amalfi coast.