I went to beautiful Italian paradise that has new British Airways flights – and found pretty towns away from the crowds
I'm at Cilento in Volo, a zip-line experience in the picturesque town of Trentinara, in south-western Italy.
Sitting a little south of the Amalfi Coast, this area is stunning.
5
5
5
And I should know. After all, I have just taken it all in from a bird's eye viewpoint reaching thrilling heights of 985ft amid the coastal mountains, rolling hills and forests of Cilento National Park.
And it's now easier than ever to reach this region, in the province of Salerno, with British Airways having recently added a new BA Euroflyer (Gatwick short-haul) route to Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport.
Luckily, this slice of Italian paradise is not overpopulated with tourists like its widely known neighbours, Positano, Ravello and Sorrento.
So when I'm back on solid ground, I'm able to take in the sights of charming Trentinara away from the crowds.
Also known as the 'town of love', thanks to an ancient legend about doomed lovers, Trentinara has plenty to offer along its historic stone streets and winding alleyways (that are particularly appealing at sunset).
Among them, you'll find the warmly welcoming Paolino 848 — a wine bar and restaurant serving platters of antipasto, cheese with truffle honey (a revelation), filled focaccia and hearty meatballs.
I leave contentedly stuffed.
Trentinara's hill-top position means its panoramic piazza offers unbeatable views over the Cilento Coast and the Gulf of Salerno.
Just a 20-minute drive away is Paestum, a fascinating archaeological park and a must-see.
7 TOURIST DESTINATIONS - EVERGREEN LISTICLE
Here, in what was once a major ancient city founded by Greek colonists before it was captured by the Romans, stand three of the world's best-preserved ancient Greek temples.
I position myself alongside the columns of one of them, the magnificent Tempio di Nettuno, for a true sense of scale — and it dwarfs me.
The columns somewhat remind me of those in the lobby of the Savoy Hotel & Spa Paestum, not far from here, where I am staying.
Nestled among pine groves, just steps from the Tyrrhenian Sea, it's the perfect base for exploring.
It even has its own Beach Club 93, with plush cabanas, loungers, a pool, bar, restaurant and a private, sandy beach.
This 7,500sq ft sanctuary offers three temperature-controlled pools, a salt cave, ice room, Turkish bath and a number of treatment options. Within seconds in this space, I'm totally at ease
Sipping a cocktail here at sunset, gazing out across the sea, I've never felt more content. Apart from when I'm in the hotel's Holos Spa.
You'll hear dolphins
This 7,500sq ft sanctuary offers three temperature-controlled pools, a salt cave (if you dip your head under the water you'll hear dolphins), ice room, Turkish bath and a number of treatment options. Within seconds in this space, I'm totally at ease.
5
For dinner, there's a relaxed eatery, Bistrot Olivella, as well as a stunning Michelin-starred restaurant, Tre Olivi, which focuses on delicious ingredients from the hotel's impressive kitchen garden — my dining experience is unforgettable.
If you'd rather head out for food, the nearby La Dispensa di San Salvatore offers farm-to-table dining featuring the freshest fare from the San Salvatore farm. In the kitchen, Italian nonnas, make seasonal, sustainable dishes as their own mothers and grandmothers once did.
Nonna Lucia walks out to the sunny dining terrace where I'm sat and it's here, at the end of a group table, that she makes and shapes the fresh pasta that I'll soon be savouring (along with bowls of fresh salads, helpings of the finest buffalo mozzarella and wines including San Salvatore's award-winning Vetere rosé).
This is Italian food made with passion, freshness and authenticity.
No visit to Cilento is complete without a trip to the enchanting hilltop town of Castellabate.
Alleyways and cobbled streets weave through its ancient walls and its famed terrace offers panoramic views across the coastline and nearby villages.
5
It's from the nearby postcard-pretty fishing port, San Marco di Castellabate, that I take a boat trip along that coastline — calm turquoise waters, alluring beaches and haze-kissed mountains. San Marco's picturesque sister town, Santa Maria di Castellabate, is worth seeing too.
I can safely say this extraordinary region of southern Italy has wowed me on all fronts from every angle. Even upside down.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Jet, Set, Glow: How to turn pre-flight time into a wellness ritual
The airport might not be the first place you think of when you think about wellness, but believe me, you can hone healthy habits just about anywhere. Feeling well is about small incremental changes that are easy to manage and I've got plenty of tips on how to apply these ahead of a holiday. Part of my job is travelling to health retreats around the world so there are a few things I do when I arrive at Heathrow to prepare me for this. Read on for my tips on how to transform waiting at your gate into a wellness ritual. There are great wellness wins to be found in Duty-Free if you know where to look. Discounted skincare? Yes please. I'll always head to the World Duty Free stores to stock up on my flight favourites to hydrate, protect and soothe stressed out skin and wellness tools to fight jet-lag and keep my healthy habits up on the other side. Don't believe what you see on TikTok – you don't want to be putting on a load of skincare and facemasks on a plane. Dermatologists agree that less is more, so I pick up one of Aesop's simple Venturer kits and use it as soon as I'm on the plane. The mouthwash and deodorant contain no nasties and the natural scents soothe the nervous system. I also head to the Charlotte Tilbury counter to make the most of the deals there. The Magic Cream is gentle and hydrating so I use it on the plane once I've taken any make up off to stop my skin drying out in transit. I also usually pick up an In-Flight Hydrate, Protect and Glow kit, which contains a hydrating travel-sized mist, primer and lip oil. If you're concerned about your circulation on a flight, you can find incredible ayurvedic massage tools and neurocosmetic oils from Mauli Rituals to give the brain and skin a boost while you're waiting to board and in flight. The brand's bath salts are great for jet lag recovery too. I slather hand cream on to prevent dryness while I'm in air conditioned spaces so I also make a beeline for L'Occitane products while I'm in the World Duty Free store – the minis are great for travelling and there are some cute travel exclusives available, such as the Shea Travel Must Have's Set. Elemis also does a great selection of minis. If you don't want to bring your entire skincare routine on holiday, opt for the whole Elemis protocol in minis in a travel exclusive set for a gentle hydrating pro‑collagen fix. Tips for making the most of Duty-Free You can reserve your products online up to 30 days before your trip, so rather than stressing about what's in stock or turning up without a clue, I recommend pre-ordering and heading straight to the desk for what you need. Then enjoy a bit of a browse. Stress isn't great for you at any time, let alone when you travel so don't stress yourself out by spending too long looking for what you need and having to run to your gate. I recommend pre-ordering the Aesop kit, Charlotte Tilbury skincare or Mauli Rituals' travel-size oils. It's also worth looking for travel-exclusive offers and sets. The Charlotte Tilbury, Elemis and Clinique travel sets are often much better value than high street versions Shop: other healthy hotspots to visit There are a host of other stores I like to visit for essentials when I arrive at Heathrow and Boots is obviously one of them. This is where I find all my supplements – magnesium for sleep and muscle tension, electrolytes to maintain hydration while travelling and probiotics or digestive enzymes to keep my gut happy. I also head to the Rituals store for more aromatherapy goodness but usually I'll have already stocked up in World Duty-Free. One thing I won't have found in Duty-Free is clothing, so I go to Lululemon for buttery-soft comfies to wear on the plane. Of course, no airport visit is complete without popping into WH Smiths for a book – next on my list is Genius Gut by Dr Emily Leeming. Stretch: use the free aerobics zones and quiet areas and lounges Did you know that Terminal 2 and Terminal 5 both offer quiet areas for stretching? This is a must if you're going to be sitting down for ages on your flight. A quick stretch or yoga session helps to alleviate tight hips, back and neck pain and avoid swelling – especially if you do it before you board and after you land. Compression socks can also help with swelling and improve your circulation but it's great to wake the body up too. Try ankle rolls, neck rotations, legs up the wall and cat-cow stretches. You can also use this time to use your Mauli Rituals massage tools to boost circulation and get your muscles nice and relaxed before having to sit still for an extended period. Even if you're flying economy, you can also book into lounges like Plaza Premium or No1 Lounge for a fee. Many include quiet zones, hot food, showers and complimentary herbal teas. Terminal 5 also has a spa inside some lounges like the Sofitel Heathrow if you're really in need of some downtime whilst passing through the airport, perhaps for a connecting flight. Eat to feel well: Heathrow's healthiest food options There are so many eateries and shops I recommend at Heathrow, you just have to know where to look for the healthiest finds. Eating high protein and fibre options will mean you stay fuller for longer and feel comfortable on your flight. You might also want to think about whether you plan to sleep on the plane or not, and either go for foods and drinks that will relax you, or give you an energy boost, depending on your plans. I'll always go for a high protein breakfast from Pret over a fry up at 'spoons. I also love their ginger shots for an extra immunity boost before breathing in aeroplane air. If I want to feel awake and invigorated, I'll go for a juice and a matcha from Joe and the Juice. Leon is a great shout if you want something more filling that won't leave you feeling sluggish – think fast, fresh options including quinoa bowls, grilled chicken, and veggie pots. For a sit-down meal, head to Giraffe for global-inspired meals with veggie options, smoothies and herbal teas. My all-time favourite spot is Itsu for sushi, miso soup, edamame and gut-friendly options that won't leave me feeling bloated or uncomfortable during the flight. Then I'll stock up on snacks from M&S food for the plane – fresh fruit, nuts and coconut water for hydration. Eating mineral-rich food like this and staying hydrated can help lessen jet lag. Heathrow has water refill stations in every terminal after security. Staying hydrated is one of the easiest ways to reduce jet lag, boost focus, and support digestion—especially important if you're flying long haul. I fill mine up with filtered water and then drink it before I go through security. On the other side it's easy to refill your bottle or buy a new bottle of filtered water. You can also bring your own herbal tea bags, electrolytes and soothing adaptogenic drinks from home. Most come in travel-size sachets and all you have to do is politely ask any coffee shop or restaurant for hot or cold water in a takeaway cup or your reusable cup to mix them up. Chill: create a pre-flight ritual I always create a personal ritual to feel grounded whilst I'm in an airport. They can be busy frenetic places and you might already feel tired from an early start. I like to do a guided meditation (there are plenty of free ones on Spotify) with my headphones on while I'm sitting down paired with some box breathing exercises. I also do it again once I'm in my seat on the plane. This relaxes the nervous system and gets you into a more positive mental state. It's great for alleviating any stress, preparing you for any stressful or challenging situations or calming your nerves if you happen to be a nervous flyer. You can also use your aromatherapy oils, a rollerball or a spray to soothe your senses and reset. Just be mindful of other people around you if you're spraying something. I also try to use the opportunity of time spent waiting at my gate to read a book, instead of doom-scrolling on my phone. If I'm doing this, I pop my earplugs in to drown out the noise around me – my favourites are from Loop. If you prefer to take in your surroundings, pop your headphones on and listen to a soothing or uplifting playlist. I like to curate these before I head to the airport to help me get into the right headspace when I need it. If you do suffer with anxiety around crowds, feel nervous about flying or just want to feel more grounded, you can practice saying a few affirmations and mantras for confidence and calm. This could be something as simple as: 'I am safe and I travel with ease'. Armed with all these tips you'll hopefully be able to board your flight feeling relaxed, prepared and excited to travel to destinations far and wide. Though the unknown can be stressful, there are plenty of ways to feel more optimistic and resilient if we know how to take better care of ourselves, wherever we are.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Woman makes common travel mistake when booking Disney trip that puts holiday at risk
A woman made a huge mistake when booking a trip to Disney World that put the holiday at risk. Becky, @thegeordiedisneyma, had applied for Estas for her family five months before the departure date to ensure they were prepared and ready. Estas, Electronic System for Travel Authorization, allows tourists from certain countries to visit the USA without a visa. In a TikTok video, she explained how she 'double-checked them, triple-checked them, checked them again before you even got to the airport'. However, things took a turn right before the family boarded the plane when it became clear one key detail wasn't correct. Becky's husband's date of birth had been inputted incorrectly on the Esta. She shared how she felt 'slightly traumatised' by the experience and described it as 'hell on Earth'. 'Basically we got to the airport, went to check him in and his date of birth was wrong, the day of his birth,' Becky recalled. 'I don't know how it happened, I scanned the passport, that's what the information got put in from.' Despite both Becky and her husband checking the Esta, somehow the date still managed to be put through incorrectly and approved by officials. 'We went to check in with TUI and they said they couldn't let us board because the date on the Esta didn't match his passport,' she explained. 'When I tell you my heart was in my throat and my stomach was in the other end would be an understatement of how I felt.' The family then had to repack their four cases to ensure Becky's husband's clothes were all in one in case he couldn't join them on the flight. They called various officials including border control and the US Embassy to try and resolve the issue. 'By some divine intervention the flight was delayed three hours,' Becky revealed. They still had to go through security and be ready for the flight to depart. 'I was sobbing at this point, my daughter was sobbing, my son wouldn't speak to us and he's [Becky's husband] smiling, it's fine, things happen for a reason,' the mother-of-two said. Becky and her family made their way through the security gates while her husband attempted to contact officials for help. 'The TUI representative ended up getting through to someone on Homeland Security who basically said you had to cancel the Esta before you could reapply because you can't change or cancel your own Esta once it's been approved, it has to go through them,' Becky recalled. 'So he fast-tracked it, it took an hour so it didn't come back until 12.' Becky's husband was then told to put a new Esta application in which could take up to three days to be approved. 'It gets to 1pm and we're like, if it doesn't come through now he's not going to be allowed on the plane,' Becky recalled. Fortunately, the flight was delayed again meaning they had another hour for the Esta to come through. 'At quarter to two, the Esta came through and he legged it through security and got through departure,' Becky revealed. 'As it happens the flight was delayed again until 4pm because there was then an emergency announcement in the airport and everything kind of stopped for ages.' Still in shock from the turn of events, Becky gushed: 'I still can't actually believe that that happened, it was like some kind of fever dream if I'm honest I still can't believe he's here. 'Moral of the story, even if you've triple checked your Estas, check them again please because that's something I never want to repeat in my whole life.'
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Ollie Locke says his twins, 2, have been on 27 flights including private jets & their one economy trip was a ‘nightmare'
MADE in Chelsea star Ollie Locke 's jet-setting toddlers have racked up a staggering 27 flights before their third birthday. On the latest episode of Fabulous' No Parental Guidance podcast, he revealed the twins' past trips include private jets, business class, and just one economy trip, which he described as a complete "nightmare." 7 7 The 37-year-old opened up about life as a dad to Apollo and Cosima and didn't hold back on the realities of raising toddlers while juggling viral parenting fails and near-constant chaos. Listen and subscribe to our new No Parental Guidance podcast here... Ollie admitted the twins have travelled more than most adults but says they won't be flying economy again. 'They've done 27 flights,' he revealed. 'We've done private jets, we've done business class... and we did economy once, and it was a nightmare. Let's just say we won't be doing that again.' Lulled into a false sense of security by a "quite wonderful" business class flight to Barbados, on which the twins slept the entire way, the couple were caught out when they flew economy for the first time to Ireland. Thankfully it was only a one hour flight, but Ollie is still scarred as his babies "cried the entire journey." He added: "Someone said 'is this their first flight?' and I said 'no, it's actually their 15th flight, they started off on a private jet'. "They'd been in business. Now they're in economy. That's why they're crying. From now on, it's only business." The star was quick to clarify the backstory behind their first private jet experience and it's not as glam as it sounds. The babies were born in Sunderland and rushed straight to NICU, where they remained for five weeks. Ollie said: 'One of the flights was actually a hospital-related private jet, because they were born in Sunderland and had to be transferred for medical care,' he explained. 'So that wasn't luxury, that was necessity.' The twins, who were carried by a surrogate, were born at 31 weeks weighing just 2lbs and 2lbs 11. Losing your identity as a mum, Ollie Locke's twins born at 2lbs & his argument with Binky Ollie says: 'They were super premature. We hadn't done any classes, hadn't met anyone else who was expecting and suddenly we were in this completely alien environment. We didn't know what to do.' Ollie praised the care they received at the NHS neonatal unit, describing the staff as 'incredible,' and said the experience shaped their early days as parents. Despite the terrifying start, the twins are now thriving. 'They're absolute divas,' Ollie joked on the podcast. 'Well, she certainly is.' They've been to places all over Europe, they're better travellers than I was in my twenties. And while he may have spent years on the red carpet, Ollie admits he's completely clueless when it comes to dressing a little girl. 'I thought I was a fashionable guy,' he laughed. 'Turns out I'm absolutely useless in girls' clothing. I've got no idea how tights work, and when it comes to doing hair, no chance.' 7 He added: 'My daughter doesn't have much hair yet, so people often think she's a little boy. "I dress her in pink dresses every day just to make it obvious!' Despite his best efforts, Ollie relies heavily on support and proudly admits it. 'If I'm completely honest, I get the nanny to do the hair,' he said. 'Otherwise I can't work!' The couple's day-to-day routine is full of typical toddler mayhem, with Apollo often leading the charge. 'He's obsessed with doors and hinges,' Ollie said. 'He needs to constantly open and shut everything. He's fascinated by mechanics and will do absolutely anything to hurt himself.' Ollie's most recent parenting fail was catching his son Apollo halfway through the cat flap. He said: 'I turned around and there he was. 'He'd climbed through the cat flap like it was the most normal thing in the world.' 7 While Cosima is reportedly more relaxed, the pair are already learning the complexities of sharing, or refusing to. 'You can buy them the most beautiful wooden toys,' Ollie said, 'but they'll still fight over the grottiest, most horrible thing they can find.' He also confessed to making the classic mistake of buying the surrogate's kids a Nerf gun and is still finding foam darts around the house a year later. Despite the chaos, the sleepless nights, and the unplanned NICU crash course in parenting, Ollie says he wouldn't change a thing. 'I'm still learning every day,' he said. 'But they're amazing. It's exhausting, it's messy, and it's absolutely the best thing I've ever done.' Tips for flying with kids Flying with little ones can be a nightmare – just ask Ollie Locke, who called his twins' first economy flight 'a disaster.' Here's how to keep your cool at 30,000ft: 1. Pack smart Snacks, toys, iPads, wipes, and more snacks. Load up your carry-on with everything they love – and double it. You'll thank yourself mid-tantrum. 2. Tire them out Get them moving before boarding. Airports are perfect for laps, dancing, and anything that burns energy. A sleepy toddler is a peaceful passenger. 3. Don't fear screen time This is not the flight to limit Peppa Pig. Headphones, downloaded shows and games are lifesavers. You can detox when you land. 4. Bribe them (seriously) Small surprises – sticker books, new crayons, a sweet treat – work wonders for behaviour. Think of it as positive reinforcement, not bribery. 5. Lower your standards It won't be perfect, and that's OK. If everyone makes it to the other end in one piece (even with crumbs in your hair), you've nailed it. 7 7 7
