The Italian Versailles

(Distance from home 151 km). For my 27th birthday I received a regal day out at what is called the Italian Versailles: the Royal Palace of Caserta. We reached Caserta by train: as soon as you come out of the station the imposing palace stands before you and so using the train to reach it is very convenient, no other means are needed and you don't have the worry of the car. Of course the trains are not the height of comfort though.... Very beautiful is the palace, in whose rooms you breathe a fascinating air due to the frescoes and the furniture: spectacular for light and colour is the throne room and also the nativity scene kept in a special room.

Equally beautiful is the staircase that leads to the interior of the palace: truly majestic! Having left the palace you feel a desire to walk in the open air that is soon satisfied: the avenue leading to the final waterfall is a motorway dotted with beautiful fountains. Although there is the possibility of renting bikes or taking a carriage ride, we preferred to do the route on foot so as not to miss the slightest detail or hidden corner. At the foot of the waterfall is the English garden, where strolling (even if begun a long way back) is pleasantly relaxing.

Unfortunately a negative note: there could certainly be more attention to the maintenance of the site and more rigour in demanding respect for the protection of this enchanting place which, not without reason, has been named a World Heritage Site: in fact it is not unusual to see cans in the fountains or papers scattered on the lawns. Have a good trip.