Things to do in  Salerno

The culprit behind Pompeii’s burial in AD 79, Mt. Vesuvius is one of Europe’s most infamous active volcanoes. While it’s currently enjoying a long dormant spell, scientists are constantly monitoring its seismic activity to avoid history repeating itself, and to reassure locals and visitors alike. Today, Mt. Vesuvius is a popular tourist attraction in southern Italy, and travelers often combine a trip to Pompeii with a visit to see the volcano that buried it.

Though Italy is known for its Roman ruins, much of the southern part of the peninsula was part of Magna Grecia, the Greek Empire, long before the Roman conquest. Vivid testimony of this ancient Greek occupation can be found at Paestum, with a trio of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world, dating as far back as the sixth century BC.

Just south of the Amalfi Coast, the seaside town of Salerno is home to the magnificent 11th-century Cathedral of Saint Matthew—one of the most beautiful medieval churches in Italy, with an ornate baroque crypt containing the remains of the Apostle Matthew. It’s an easy day trip from Sorrento, Positano, or Amalfi.

Enthusiasts of World War II history may recognized Avellino as the site of an important Allied attack to cut off retreating German troops in 1943, but today this modern city, set just outside the Monti Picentini Regional Park in the Apennine Mountains, is known primarily for its lovely alpine views and excellent food and wine.

This UNESCO-listed Carthusian monastery, or charterhouse, just outside the town of Padula is a massive complex of more than 300 rooms and halls. Built in the early 1400s, the charterhouse is a highlight of the Cilento National Park, and a tour of its sweeping central courtyard, frescoed chapels, and wood-paneled library is a must.

The Picentini Mountains are a popular destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts in the summer, when its wooded slopes and scenic trails offer a respite from the heat and crowds of Naples and Sorrento. Explore thePicentini Mountain Regional Park (Parco Regionale di Monti Picentini) on foot or horseback, enjoy the views from Mount Terminio, or join a guided truffle hunt.