Nel cuore del Cilento costiero: Acciaroli e Pioppi visti insieme ad Ernest Hemingway ed Angel Keys Le Guide di Paestum e Velia en

The two lovely towns have deserved for many years important international awards for the quality of the sea (such as Five Blue Flags of Legambiente).
Acciaroli is either a small fishing village or a famous sea resort for many bathers and tourists. On the “marina”, that is near the harbour lie the Church of the Annunciation and the imposing Norman Tower. The latter was erected in ancient times to protect the village during the barbarian invasions.

In the 1950s Acciaroli linked its name to Ernest Hemingway who was very fascinated by this picturesque village and its people. He found there the right inspiration to write his masterpiece "The old man and the sea".

Pioppi is a little town, not far from Acciaroli. It has few houses lined up along the coastal road, like a balcony overlooking the sea. This village has the title  "World Capital of the Mediterranean Diet", thanks to the American epidemiologist Ancel Keys, who has lived and studied here for more than forty years- He discovered the direct link between diet (intended as lifestyle) and cardiovascular diseases. He wrote the headlines of the Mediterranean Diet, which has been recognized all over the world as Cultural Heritage of Humanity, since 2010.

There is in Pioppi a little museum of the Mediterranean Diet, which describes it in a simple and interesting way.

The Vinciprova Palace houses  a little collection of marine organisms of this area like fishes, corals; there is a little space dedicated to the turtle Caretta Caretta that has lived in some of the beautiful beaches for years.
These museums are two "gems" of Cilento that offer the visitor the opportunity to discover the territory with its splendid sea and the Mediterranean Diet, a healthy lifestyle.

A COOKING CLASS IN POLLICA

The tour can be integrated with a short guided tour of Pollica, a pleasant village located on a hill in a beautiful panoramic position, not far from Acciaroli and Pioppi.

Pollica is among the seven emblematic communities of the Mediterranean Diet, whose name is related to Ancel Keys.

The medieval Capano castle, with its mighty quadrangular tower, dominates the historic center. Inside the fortress there are still suggestive things such as stables, guard posts and an oil mill. Tradition says that S. Alfonzo Maria de Liguori, author of the famous Christmas song "Quanno nascette ninno", also stayed here.

In this splendid palace, on request and for small groups, a tasting of extra-virgin olive oil and two cooking classes can be organized. It’s possible to realize and taste home-made pasta, typical vegetables and desserts.