Caserta, Naples
& the Cilento
Two nights by the Royal Palace of Caserta, three in the heart of Naples, three on the Cilento coast among the temples of Paestum.
Naples and the Campania few travellers see
Most visitors see Naples and head straight for the Amalfi Coast. This journey goes the other way: the Bourbon palace of Caserta, larger than Versailles, then Naples at its most authentic, and finally the Cilento, a national park of Greek temples, fishing villages and buffalo farms.
- 1Caserta 2 nights
- 2Naples 3 nights
- 3Cilento 3 nights
8 days, 3 homes
For every stop: what to see and where to go, the dishes to try and where to eat them. Below, two or three of our homes in the area, with live rates for your nights.
Caserta, the Bourbon palace
The Reggia di Caserta was built by the Bourbon kings to rival Versailles: 1,200 rooms and a park with fountains that runs for three kilometres. Around it, the plain where buffalo mozzarella is made.
What to see & where to go
- The Royal Palace and its park, a UNESCO site
- Caserta Vecchia, the medieval hamlet on the hill
- The silk works of San Leucio
- The Roman amphitheatre of Santa Maria Capua Vetere
- The frescoed basilica of Sant'Angelo in Formis
- A buffalo mozzarella dairy, in the morning
What to eat
- Mozzarella di bufala campana, from the dairies of the Caserta plain
- Pallagrello and Casavecchia, the revived local wines
- Pizza from the new generation of pizzaioli around Caserta
- Annurca apples
Where to eat
- Pizza at I Masanielli, in Caserta
- Fresh mozzarella di bufala, eaten at the dairy
- Pastiera, the Neapolitan Easter cake, all year round
Garden pool and panoramic restaurant.Why stay hereA short way from the Royal Palace of Caserta, with a garden pool, spa and panoramic rooftop restaurant.See the home
Naples, from the Sanità to the sea
Three nights in Naples: the old centre, the Sanità district with its catacombs and palazzi, and the seafront from Chiaia to Posillipo.
What to see & where to go
- The Veiled Christ in the Sansevero Chapel
- The National Archaeological Museum
- The catacombs of San Gennaro in the Sanità
- Pompeii or Herculaneum, for a day
- Capodimonte for Caravaggio and the royal park
- Marechiaro and Posillipo at sunset
What to eat
- Pizza napoletana, Margherita or marinara
- Sfogliatella and babà from the historic pastry shops
- Pizza fritta and the cuoppo of fried street food
- Ragù napoletano, slow-cooked for Sunday lunch
Where to eat
- L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele
- 50 Kalò in Mergellina
- Sfogliatella at Attanasio
16th-century palazzo with a Baroque salon.Why stay hereA 16th-century palazzo in the historic centre, with breakfast in a Baroque salon and Spaccanapoli at the door.See the home
Family palazzo restored by a descendant.Why stay hereA family palazzo in the Sanità district, restored by a descendant of the family: the authentic Naples, away from the crowds.See the home
Historic building near the seafront.Why stay hereA historic building on elegant Via Chiaia, a short walk from the seafront and the harbour.See the home
Paestum and the Cilento coast
South of Salerno the coast becomes wilder: the Greek temples of Paestum in a field of wild fennel, hill villages above the sea and a national park that runs down to the water.
What to see & where to go
- The temples of Paestum and the Tomb of the Diver
- Castellabate, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy
- The ruins of Velia, home of the Eleatic philosophers
- The Certosa di Padula, a UNESCO charterhouse
- Palinuro and its sea caves by boat
- The old town of Agropoli above the harbour
What to eat
- Mozzarella di bufala from the Paestum dairies
- Fusilli cilentani with goat ragù
- White figs of the Cilento
- Alici di menaica, the anchovies of Pisciotta
Where to eat
- Buffalo mozzarella and yogurt at Tenuta Vannulo
- Fusilli cilentani with goat ragù in any trattoria in the hills
- The salted anchovies of Menaica, in Marina di Pisciotta
Historic palazzo with sea views.Why stay hereIn Castellabate, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, with sea views and a sun terrace.See the home
Apartments with sea views.Why stay hereApartments with sea views above Agropoli, for independent days on the Cilento coast.See the home
B&B above the temples.Why stay hereA small B&B in the centre of Capaccio, above the temples of Paestum.See the home
Ask our assistant
This itinerary is a starting point. Tell the assistant your dates and constraints and it re-plans the stops on our homes, then checks the rooms.
- We only have 7 days: which stop do we cut?
- Same route but with two children under 10: which homes work?
- Can you check the three homes for arrival on May 4?
