Guest User
January 31, 2023
We had planned this trip three times. Marulivo and Pisciotta were always on the itinerary, and it was heartbreaking the first two times we had to cancel (due to Covid). Lea, with whom I was in contact, was kind and understanding, and reassured me that when we were actually able to make the trip, it would be worth the wait. How right she was!! We have been to the Amalfi coast twice. While it was lovely, it is overcrowded, overhyped, and overpriced. Pisciotta and the Cilento coast are what the Amalfi coast used to be - uncrowded, unspoiled, the "real Italy" many of us yearn for when we travel. Pisciotta is a hill town located just a few km above the sea. Marulivo is a gorgeous reinvention of a hundreds-of-years-old convent, lovingly restored and outfitted with all the modern conveniences. We stayed in the "Monastery" room, so named because of the ancient wooden confessional screen embedded in a wall between the sleeping area and the sitting area. What a unique and interesting touch!! The room was very comfortable, well-decorated, and very quiet. The piece de resistance at the hotel is the ocean-view terrace, where the bountiful breakfast is served and where guests retreat in the late afternoon for cocktails and other sundowners, masterfully prepared by Lea and Massimo. One thing to keep in mind - this is not a particularly suitable place for people with mobility issues - the town itself is a warren of cobblestone stairs and lanes, and you cannot drive straight up to the hotel door because it is situated in the laneways rather than on a "street." The hotel itself is also situated on a few different levels, serviced by stairs. There is a sand beach in Pisciotta Marina, directly down the hill from the town (about a mile or two walk down). Although we are in good physical shape, it was a heatwave while we were there and because of that, and the steep slope down, we were completely worn out when we got to the beach (don't even think about trying to walk back up if the weather is uncooperative!). There are a couple of organized areas at that beach, where you can rent sunbeds and umbrella for 10 euros, and when you're done, Lea can arrange for a tuk-tuk to whisk you back up to the town. Perfect day out!! If you are open to a little drive, just adjacent to Pisciotta is a nature reserve and many beaches, so there are lots of options to get in the water, which is clean and clear and a perfect swimming temperature. Although we did not require trip planning assistance, having done massive amounts of research before we arrived, Lea and Massimo are founts of knowledge of the area and activities to undertake, and they are happy to dispense their wisdom and plan outings for their guests. They did plan several dinner reservations for us, at two lovely local restaurants, which we greatly appreciated. The only thing wrong with our stay is that we did not plan to be in Piscotta and at Marulivo for nearly enough time - we were kicking ourse