Local Travel Guide

Benvenuti to the Sannio Hills

Piazza Roma, Pontelandolfo

Our Italian home town, the little village of Pontelandolfo, is high in the Sannio hills of the Provincia di Benevento. Our village is part of  L’Alto Tammaro – the heart of the territory of the ancient Sanniti. I love this part of Italy and will focus on a few of the eleven villages that are part of L’Alto Tammaro – Campolattaro, Casalduni, Castelpagano, Circello, Colle Sannita, Fragneto L’Abate, Fragneto Monforte, Morcone, Reino, Santa Croce del Sannio e Sassinoro.

Curious about life in small hill towns? Tired of beating your way through crowds of tourists and want to see a slice of real Italian life?  Why not come to Pontelandolfo or neighboring Morcone – we’ll keep the caffè on for you.

To get a kick start on exploring – Check out our COOKING IN THE KITCHENS OF PONTELANDOLFO and Literally Italy programs.  

General Information: As I collect information, this section will be updated.

Remember, this is Italy and we do things a wee bit differently here.  The shops and services open early in the morning – by 8:30 if not earlier.  Except for the bars, they close at about 1:00 and reopen between 4:30 and 5:00 PM until about 7.  That mid-day break is very civilized.

You need to be familiar with the Italian Holiday Calendar.  Things close, parties happen and hotels may be full.

If you are visiting Pontelandolfo, some helpful sites are Visit Pontelandolfo and Pontelandolfo News. Pontelandolfo 1861 tells the history of the town with a particular emphasis on its destruction by the Piedmontese occupation army.  Estate Del Terrore recounts the burning, pillage, and murders of men, women and children on August 14, 1861.  The web site is part of a larger initiative to bring tourists to town that are interested in history. Read about the program at this post The Pontelandolfo 1861 Project.

I made this video after seeing Morcone’s Il Precepe Vivante. Worth the visit!

Morcone is a small town located in the Sannio Hills just up the mountain from Pontelandolfo. Due to its position between Benevento and Campobasso, Morcone is the most important town of the Alto Tammaro.

The ruins of the Castle tower loom over the urban centre; it was built probably around the Xth century, and the door is still visible nowadays. Small staircases, narrow alleys and old buildings form the historic center of Morcone.

To find out more about the village read La Cittadella or Il Murgantino.

Hotels:

La Locanda della Presuntuosa, is a unique villa built into a mountain on acres of land. The villa includes a swimming pool, tennis court, washing machine, and park like grounds that are minutes from Pontelandolfo and Morcone village life. One must rent the entire villa. It is a great deal for families. There are four large and well appointed bedrooms all with ensuite bathrooms. We use the villa for our writing and arts retreats.

Bioagriturismo Borgo Cerquelle is a throw back to life in Pontelandolfo when my grandparents were here.  Located out of town in an old Contrada it has an amazing view.  BorgoCerquelle is the website and after reading about this organic farm, you will want  to try the restaurant. The food is abundant and incredible.  They also served us homemade liquors!  We have hosted large groups there and the owners are absolutley wonderful.  Here is their e-mail address – agriturismo@borgocerquelle.it.  +39 338.685. 7493. Our cooking program participants are happily housed there.

B&B Calvello  takes its name from the mountain that it is nestled in.  Angela and Salvatore have restored a series of buildings that were home to Angela’s ancestors.  The view from the mountain is incredible.  Angela, with the aide of her grandmother’s wood burning oven, makes pizza so light you feel like you are eating with the angels. Trails to an adjacent park provide a great way to walk off great meals. Angela, through our Cooking in the Kitchens of Pontelandolfo program, taught a group of Americans some traditional dishes.  Travel through time with your taste buds!

Bars:

Bar Elimar is a place I love to sit, stare and write in.  Caffè to cocktails help make this a comfortable place to sit and watch the world go by.  They do a very nice aperitivo with snacks. Marilina Mazzamauro and Elio Di Muragi are you hosts. Piazza Roma

Bar 2000 is on Viale Europa – the Main Street into the village center.  In the summer, owner Ghaleb, places tables and chairs on the promenade.  Weekends his special Kebabs are a great light dinner.

Ponte Simone is a bar, place to play lotto and the slots, grocery store and tavola calda. Owner Nicola has created a space that mixes all the things they do comfortably.  His local cooks provide home style cuisine for the tavola calda. Ponte Sorgento.

Cafe Style is the newest addition to our bar scene.  Located in Contrada Santa Caterina, it has parking, indoor and outdoor seating and a wonderful hosts, Asia and Antonio.  Great place to stage parties.

Nestled high in the historic center of Morcone, Storico Bar di Marino Lamolinara is a very charateristic little bar, located on Corso Italia 157. Marino is a jovial host who offers several specialty drinks, coffee and aperitivo. its cozy almost 1960s vibe make it perfect for a calm afternoo

of conversation, drinks and relaxing.

Riohana Cocktail House is the home of an incredible mixologist! Mattia Cioccia is the bartender/manager and creative force behind the Riohana Cocktail House. The space has a really hip New York City Vibe and an adult beverage menu that is absolutely delectable. The panini are interesting blends of meats, cheeses and vegetables. They are located in Morcone just down the road from the park.

Da Mena Bar offers a various amount of services, from breakfast and lunch to an electric car recharging station! It is located on the Statale 87, which connects Benevento to Campobasso. Due to its strategic position, it is almost always open. Along with truckers, e have enjoyed their tavola clad at lunch time. Cherry on top, not that I am a feminist or anything but – it is an all women owned and run business.

Local Resturants:

Tawā Sushi is the newest addition to the Pontelandolfo’s Piazza Roma. Tawā was born from the personal passion of the owner, Giuseppe Sforza, for sushi and more generally for gastronomy in Japanese culture… a sort of philosophy of life that involves all five senses. Sometimes on a trip to a small Southern Italian village you can find something so unique that you can’t believe it’s real. Pontelandolfo (BN) is the village and Tawā a world class Japanese restaurant is the incredible find. The menu is fixed, with the chef offering plate after plate of incredible fare. This is a place where you savor each course. Our dinner took three hours and was scrumptious. Make a reservation for an unforgettable meal at Tawā. Call or use WhatsApp +39 0824.851380

Non Solo Pizza at Piazza Roma #10 sells pizza by the slice or whole.  They also have a lot of scrumptious snacks like arancini balls, calzones and rustica.  Emilia Lese, the owner, catered a party for me and everything was yummy. +39 328.589.0831

Ponte Simone as a tavola calda posts its menu everyday on Instagram.  Fixed price and a fixed menu.  It has been €10 and the choices are from two first course and two second course plates.  The price includes one beverage.  The owners take pride in the meals and the service to their customers.

Elimar Food is attached to Bar Elimar.  This is another tavola calda.  They make a number of vegetarian, pasta, and meat dishes daily.  (Please do not reveal that I no longer cook. Most days our luncheon fare is whatever Marylina makes that day,) You choose what interests you and it has all been yummy.  It is not a fixed price menu.  You pay for what you choose.  Bar Elimar also has an outdoor cooking space that is open all summer.  They specialize in specialty beef from different regions in Italy. 

Sesto Senso di Zaccari Donato  is on Via Molise in nearby Compolattaro.  Jack and I love the fresh fish and warm atmosphere of this restaurant.  I am passionate for their mussels done in a broth that sings. For a seafood fix, this is a great place. They also have menu items for carnivores. We are weekly regulars. Say I sent you! Their number is 0824.858120. They respond to reservations via FaceBook Messenger.

Ristorante 4 Ruote is owned and operated by the Di Brino family. The menu offers Mediterranean dishes, like homemade pasta, pizza and desserts, made with local
ingredients. The spacious restaurant also has an extensive wine and beer list, and a wide selection of grappa and rum. They are located on SS 87 k.98, in Morcone.

THAT’S AMORE RESTAURANT is located right off the highway in Contrada Piana, in Morcone. The menu is various and complete: fish and meat dishes, typical southern Italy food, pizza, vegetarian and vegan options, as well as gluten-free ones. They are open for lunch and their friendly staff is always ready to welcome you.

RINALDI Macelleria, Salumeria and Braceria was founded in 1987, and it is one of the most famous in the Alto Tammaro. For carnivores, this Morcone institution is a great find. The family run business offers various options of locally sourced meats, which can be bought and cooked home. Since this blogger stopped cooking we are happy that the Rinaldi family
also runs their own Braceria. We have swooned over their Antipasto, with local cheeses, salumi and vegetables. Their meat dishes are, of course, the stars of the menu!

Buy Locally Sourced Food

Marcelleria Mancini is my butcher. During our stint with Covid, Stefano delivered meat to my outdoor table and kept us happy. Located on Via Falcone e Borsellino, 6 in Pontelandolfo, they have a small parking lot that daily at 11:00 is packed with folks picking up locally sourced meats for pranzo. One can also find interesting meat dishes ready to be tossed in the oven or on the grill. What I love is that everything is cut to order. Meat if freshly ground, chicken breasts are thinly sliced for cutlets. It is always wonderful.

Sanniolat Caseificio has been making fresh and aged cheeses since 1997. The Guerrera family, not related to me and of course I asked, is incredibly warm and welcoming. They have cheeses not only made for cow milk but also goat and sheep. They will shrink wrap cheeses for me to take on the plane. The ricotta is exceptional. My ricotta cheese cake has become a community favorite. I take no credit – it is the ricotta. You can find them just off SS87 on Via Pianelle.

CASEIFICIO FORTUNATO is a family business born in 2005, with the intention of directly selling artigianal cheeses produced by the family’s cows. I discovered them our first year here. They sell mozzarella, which we all know, is made from buffalo milk. Delish! The cows are also important and their Fiordilatte, ricotta, caciocavallo are all very delicious! You can find them on SS 87 in Morcone.

PECORINO DEL SANNIO is a nifty artigianal farm. Their products are made from raw sheep’s milk, and without preservatives. The sheep are theirs. This family run business sells all forms of pecorino cheese including mozzarella, provola and caciocavallo. their ricotta is sweet and yummy. Pecorino del Sannio is located in Via degli Alifani, in Morcone. You can find them on FaceBook.

Grano Risparmio is just outside of the village center at c. Da Santa Caterina. Tel. 0824 851100. This is a full service grocery store, some fresh vegetables, frozen section, housewares, beer, wine etc. Deli gets great bread and has superior cold cuts. 

Conad is the town secret. There is no sign on Via San Rocco,3 for this teeny tiny grocery store with great prices. They carry everything the large Conad stores carry. Lots of BOOZE, housewares and cheap gifts.

Activities:

Il Lancio della Ruzzola is an attic sport played in the streets. Think golf – fewer tosses to the target wins – played with 50 pounds of cheese. Shops have been known to put bales of hay in front of glass doors. Pontelandolfo has an award winning team.

Pontelandolfo has a regulation calcio field and a tennis court. I have no idea how you reserve a court. There also is the Bocciodromo Comunale di Pontelandolfo and the men and women who play bocci there welcome guess.

Queensley County Resort is a glamorous pool open in the summer. Imagine Los Angeles in the Sannio Hills. We love this place. There is also a restaurant and snack bar. The restaurant is open in the winter for events. It is located at Piana 252, Morcone.

Le Sirena Palestra Acquatica is located at Via Dei Lucani in Morcone. They have classes and an opportunity for free swim. I haven’t visited the facility since it was built but the Facebook page now shows a full gym as well.

Shops and services:

La Farmacia, Pizza Roma 13 Dott. Nicola Perone and his daughter Dotteressa Assunta Perone have a full service pharmacy. Medicine, cosmetics, baby and hygiene supplies. If you bring in your existing medicine bottle they will refill it with the same or a comparable Italian drug.Tina speaks English and is incredibly helpful.  +39 082.485.2051

Edicola, now located in Cafè Style, sells newspapers, magazines, comic books, kid’s books, lottery tickets and books by local authors.

Ufficio Postale can be found at Viale delle Rimembranza,3. ATM and Post Office.  Expect a long wait for postal services.

Parrucchiera Raffaella Guerrera is up a flight of stairs at P.zza Roma 18.  She cuts my hair and is a super nice woman.  Call for an appointment. Tel. 0824.851395 

Autonoleggio Cerrato is the company that we use to and from the airport.  Owner, Tullio Cerrato makes sure that every client is treated well.  They have English speaking drivers and will organize tours. +39 347 9257499. +39 0825 447820

Agenzia Funebre, we hope you don’t need the services but if you do, Mario Sforza is the person to call. He runs a very professional yet caring organization. The office is on Piazza Roma in Pontelandolfo. There is another office in Casalduni run by Giuseppe Corbo.

Gioielleria De Angelis  Viale Euopa, 25! Cell 33.480.25064  This store may be small but it is packed with great stuff and leather purses. The purses are all made in Italy and fabulous. The owner Miriana is delightful. They have lots of gold and silver.

Oro Giovane Piazza Roma, We adore these folks – not just because they sell my book – Olga is a great buyer. They have Pontelandolfo based objects, purses, wonderful faux jewelry, real jewels, household items and more.

Ennegi Ferramenta Roma, 18 Hardware store and has tons of stuff. Nicola Guerrera, not related to me, is super and he will also order anything you need.