a family story...
One day, while driving to Palinuro, Pio Carfora gave a local farmer a ride.
The farmer owned some property with an olive grove not far from the beach.
He talked about it.. Pio:can we go see it?
A few days later, Pio and Madeleine, his Parisian wife, in love with southern Italy, and naturally with her husband, went to Marina along with a French businessman. Thus began the story of the resort.
A wonderful sea, large deserted white sand beach, Mediterranean scrub and an olive grove with century old trees.
We'll build the amphitheater here, the kitchen and restaurant here, the office here, the bungalows in the olive trees and the parking lots. It seemed impossible to imagine the construction of a tourism facility in that barren land. However, in the eyes of the visitors, the project seemed to exist already.
A good relationship was established with the French guest, which over the years would lead to a successful business undertaking.
Thus Villaggio Elea was built, originally as Villaggio Francese.
The first resort in Marina di Ascea. Why Elea?
For Pio, a math professor, Elea was the Eleatic school, the city of Parmenide and Zeno, the famous author of the paradox of the tortoise and Achilles, principles of infinitesimal calculus.
Culture, history and archeology are attractions and at Villaggio Elea entertainment, sports, gastronomy, conferences and tours throughout the region.
A few meters from the excavations of the ancient city, Velia was its Roman name, the discovery of the famous Pink Gateway, the only example of a round arch in Magna Graecia.
The Villaggio was built in a relatively short time, in the fairly Spartan manner of the time.
The guests arrived mainly by car and French, Swiss and Belgians filled the resort.
The name of Ascea began to become known in Europe thanks to the Villaggio and Pio Carfora, the initiator of tourism in Marina di Ascea.
The Villaggio also contributed to the archeological initiatives by hosting groups of students from Milan and Europe for several years who worked on the Velia excavations.
Then, as the years passed more and more Italians stayed at the Villaggio: from Verona, Alto Adige, Milan and even Naples, but it continued to maintain the spirit of a French resort. Bastille Day is still celebrated on July 14th with the "Storming of the Bastille" performed by Neapolitans, however without neglecting "Gatta Cenerentola” or "Carmen” by Bizet.
Why do people vacation at Villaggio Elea?
For many it is a mandatory stop, every year, to visit as friends. Many always stay in the same bungalow, as if it were their second home.
The years have passed, the Villaggio has expanded, the cuisine is always top quality and the ambiance always cordial and family-like.
Pio is no longer with us. Madeleine and her children continue the founder's work with professionalism and passion. The Villaggio is one big family.
Fabrizio, also a math professor handles the management office, Vanessa always present in all the resort's activities relies on the assistance of Antonio and Antonella who coordinate an expert and loyal staff.
One day, while driving to Palinuro, Pio Carfora gave a local farmer a ride.
The farmer owned some property with an olive grove not far from the beach.
He talked about it.. Pio:can we go see it?
A few days later, Pio and Madeleine, his Parisian wife, in love with southern Italy, and naturally with her husband, went to Marina along with a French businessman. Thus began the story of the resort.
A wonderful sea, large deserted white sand beach, Mediterranean scrub and an olive grove with century old trees.
We'll build the amphitheater here, the kitchen and restaurant here, the office here, the bungalows in the olive trees and the parking lots. It seemed impossible to imagine the construction of a tourism facility in that barren land. However, in the eyes of the visitors, the project seemed to exist already.
A good relationship was established with the French guest, which over the years would lead to a successful business undertaking.
Thus Villaggio Elea was built, originally as Villaggio Francese.
The first resort in Marina di Ascea. Why Elea?
For Pio, a math professor, Elea was the Eleatic school, the city of Parmenide and Zeno, the famous author of the paradox of the tortoise and Achilles, principles of infinitesimal calculus.
Culture, history and archeology are attractions and at Villaggio Elea entertainment, sports, gastronomy, conferences and tours throughout the region.
A few meters from the excavations of the ancient city, Velia was its Roman name, the discovery of the famous Pink Gateway, the only example of a round arch in Magna Graecia.
The Villaggio was built in a relatively short time, in the fairly Spartan manner of the time.
The guests arrived mainly by car and French, Swiss and Belgians filled the resort.
The name of Ascea began to become known in Europe thanks to the Villaggio and Pio Carfora, the initiator of tourism in Marina di Ascea.
The Villaggio also contributed to the archeological initiatives by hosting groups of students from Milan and Europe for several years who worked on the Velia excavations.
Then, as the years passed more and more Italians stayed at the Villaggio: from Verona, Alto Adige, Milan and even Naples, but it continued to maintain the spirit of a French resort. Bastille Day is still celebrated on July 14th with the "Storming of the Bastille" performed by Neapolitans, however without neglecting "Gatta Cenerentola” or "Carmen” by Bizet.
Why do people vacation at Villaggio Elea?
For many it is a mandatory stop, every year, to visit as friends. Many always stay in the same bungalow, as if it were their second home.
The years have passed, the Villaggio has expanded, the cuisine is always top quality and the ambiance always cordial and family-like.
Pio is no longer with us. Madeleine and her children continue the founder's work with professionalism and passion. The Villaggio is one big family.
Fabrizio, also a math professor handles the management office, Vanessa always present in all the resort's activities relies on the assistance of Antonio and Antonella who coordinate an expert and loyal staff.