A plug here for my boyfriend's parents' writers & artists retreat scheme. Having lived there for 7 months, I can vouch for Ascea being spectacularly beautiful, calm and a lovely place to work - also great if you're into archaeology or need to research this for a book.

Wassard a Elea

Residences for writers, artists, composers, and scholars in Campania, Italy

The purpose of these residences is to give people who work in the arts and with scholarly pursuits the opportunity to stay and work for a while in Ascea, a small town on the Cilento coast. Cilento is a protected area of outstanding natural beauty with important archaeological findings and historical architecture. Two small, completely furnished apartments in separate locations are available for rent at reduced rates all year round. Additional work space may be made available. Ascea is located on the west coast of Italy, approximately 140 km south of Naples. For details, contact Prof. Lars Aagaard-Mogensen, Via La Chiazzetta 27, I-84046 Ascea (SA), Italy. E-mail: wassard@tiscali.it. Ph.: +39.0974.978005.