Archeological Park of Velia Romana

When finished our lunch and walked out of the garden that was full of orange trees, we sat there for our lunch and enjoyed several of the local specialties I looked up to a mountain near by and the ski behind suddenly understanding why the Greeks and the Romans and other traveling civilizations settled in some beautiful places instead of others.

I had the distinct feeling that I was in another world. The air was fresh full of aromas from the flowers, roses, orange trees heavily loaded with fruits and everywhere. A near perfect, 77ºF temperature, clear sky, bright warm sunlight. I had to call my colleague and friendMarcello and ask him “Marcello is this real.” Him too was having the same thoughts and dreaming of what could be leaving there.

Greek and Roman settlers were famous for their choices, think of Taormina, Selinunte in Sicily, Pompeii and Herculaneum in Campania, Metaponto in Calabria.

It truly was a perfect day for being November 21.
Velia is a former Greek-Roman settlement and archeological area; 40 minutes drive South of Paestum, 90 minutes for the cliff of the Amalfi Coast. Located in a tranquil area a calm bay that forms the gulf of Castelvelino a small summer resort that not even Italian know about. Thank God. That means even during the Italian vacations rush time there are no crowds and bumper-to-bumper traffic.

I strongly recommend a visit to the area for those traveling North-South or vice versa. Or even better plan to spend few days there. Accommodations are modern, nice and very affordable. Cuisine is simple but exquisite and locals are really friendly and hospitable. Wines? That’s will be for another post.

A variety of activities, cultural and recreational, are available in the area. In the summer there is a festival of classical theater with national and international performing groups. Free transportation to/from the entrance to the archeological park to/from Salerno.

The Greek theater is wonderfully located on the top a hill overlooking the calm bay of Ascea.

Theatrical Greek Festival at the Archeological Park

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