Pompeii Gets the Crowds. Paestum Gets the Locals.
Alessia thinks Amalfi gets too much attention and the Cilento gets too little. Her honest guide to Campania, Paestum, and what the region is really about.
Sheer cliffs, sapphire water, and a lifestyle dripping in la dolce vita.






Your on-the-ground insiders. The ones who know the enduring favourites, the quiet corners and what’s worth your time.
Salerno, Naples +1
Ciao! I’m Alessia, and I’m basically your personal compass for the heart of Italy! Consider me your human GPS, but with much better taste in pizza! I graduated in Oriental Languages in Naples and I'm currently working on my Master’s in Planning and Managemnt of Tourism Systems—which is a fancy way of saying that planning perfect trips is my obsession. I’m fluent in English and Korean, and after surviving nearly a year living in the organized chaos of Seoul, I’ve developed a natural knack for logistics. I’m a local from Agropoli, just 10 minutes away from the breathtaking Greek temples of Paestum. Think of it as the 'Secret VIP Entrance' to the Cilento Coast—perfectly positioned to explore the authentic South, while still being within easy reach of Salerno and Naples. We are just south of Salerno and the famous Amalfi Coast, but with way more authentic vibes (and much better prices!)

Amalfi, Sorrento +11
Born and raised in Italy's Marche region, I have explored the country from north to south during travels and study periods away from home. I have lived part of my life in amazing cities such as Venice and Bologna, and have visited Rome a lot since I have family and friends there. I am an experienced trip planner for destinations all over Italy, from the breezy Cinqueterre in Liguria down to the sun kissed Amalfi coast. If you want someone to help you with all-encompassing guidance and make the best out of your trip to Italy, I will be most happy to help you!

Naples, Amalfi
Hi everyone! I'm Renato, but you can call me Reni. I was born and raised between the charming city of Naples and the fabulous Amalfi Coast. I work as an import/export professional, and in my spare time, I love exploring new places, reading, running, and surfing. I have lived in Australia, Brazil, and China for a long time - aka, I know what it feels like to be a foreigner :) I speak six languages (Italian, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Chinese) and I love to interact with people from different cultural and social backgrounds. As a spontaneous, curious and open-minded individual, I would like you to experience the places I love at their best, and make the most out of your trip. In short, I will do whatever I can to make your trip unforgettable.
Naples, Sorrento +6
I was born and raised in Pompeii, between Naples and Sorrento, with the whole region as my playground. On my scooter I could spend a morning on hidden beaches along the Sorrento and Amalfi Coasts, an afternoon in Naples' museums and streets, and an evening out in the city. Being local isn't just about the famous landmarks. It's about the rhythm of everyday life, the traditions that shape these communities, and the small details that make this corner of Italy special. I've travelled widely, and I speak Italian, English, and Portuguese. For seven years I've worked as a Tour Manager with American and international travel companies, learning what travellers look for in Italy, and the unspoken needs different cultures bring. History is everywhere here, and you don't need a local to admire it. What a local truly offers is access to experiences you'd never find in a guidebook. Everyone knows Pompeii, Positano, and pizza, and rightly so. But the real magic lies beyond the postcards. I love showing travellers the hidden side of Southern Italy: family-run wine bars in Naples' backstreets, secret viewpoints, authentic trattorias where locals gather, quiet beaches only insiders can find, and traditions passed down for generations.
This is the Italy of your dreams. A dramatic coastline where pastel-coloured villages cling impossibly to cliffs that plunge into the sea. From the glamour of Positano to the garden paradise of Ravello, it's pure sensory overload. But let's be honest: the Amalfi Coast can also be a logistical nightmare of traffic, crowds, and tourist traps. A local expert is your secret weapon, securing the right boat, the perfect cliffside lunch reservation, and the quiet paths away from the crowds.
May, June, or September. Avoid August at all costs—it's impossibly crowded and hot. The season (and most services) largely shuts down from November to Easter.
A local will tell you to skip the packed ferries and hire a private gozzo (a classic wooden boat) for the day. It's the only way to find the hidden coves and sea caves.
The "Path of the Gods" is famous, but a local knows the quieter, more scenic "Path of the Lemons" connecting the towns of Maiori and Minori, with stops for fresh-squeezed lemonade.
A local will tell you to skip the Blue Grotto queue (a 2-hour wait for a 2-minute ride) and instead visit Villa Jovis, the staggering clifftop ruins of Emperor Tiberius's palace, which you'll often have to yourself.
If you ask someone which island in the Bay of Naples to visit, almost everyone says Capri. Miriam, who was born and raised in Naples, has a different answer.