The halls of power, seats of members of courts and aristocratic families, buildings in Naples and its province with their vicissitudes are evidence of the millenary history of Naples. But today nearly all the wonderful aristocratic residences of the whole Italian peninsula are open only to a few people. And when those residences are open to everybody, like museums, often the evocative power of reliving those days ends with the closing time to the public.
But there are still a few exceptions and we at Italy Just Perfect hunted for them.



B&B Casale del Barone is a real period manor house located on the Sorrento coast, which has been restored and renovated to perfection. At the end of our trip, we called it "the manor house of suprises". And the first surprise is just the owner, a real nobleman - the manor house is actually named after him - the last descendant of an aristocratic family which comes from Molise.
If you expect to meet an elderly man of middle age, then get ready to meet an original character, a blond handsome man, who looks like a Norman warrior but he is kind and affable.
He is the one who leds us through this special B&B.

Elegance is a characteristic. You can notice it starting from the stairway at the front door that brings you to the only bedroom. It's surrounded by a huge calcareous rock-wall. Impressive!
As we reach the door, we immediately realize that it's a separate entrance. It's an evidence that the baron really cares about the privacy concept.

The interior is the umpteenth surprise. What we see is not a simple bedroom, but a real suite. An entrance, a bathroom, a living room and a double bedroom. It's an ideal place for a couple who is in search of quiet and comfort, or a second Leopardi who is shipwrecked in this sheer paradise to meditate.
Stuccoes, gilts and period busts are everywhere. As well as period forniture. The vaulted ceiling is a blu sky studded with golden six-pointed stars. The balconies look out to the Gulf of Naples.
Being comfortably lying on the bed, you can enjoy the view of the Vesuvius with its magnificence.

We are already satisfied, when the baron invites us to go upstairs to the terrace which is made available to the guests. A sort of a hanging garden with a sun lounge complete with a shower filled with hot and cold water, where you can enjoy the sun of the Sorrento coast.



Such a 'royal' welcome makes us asking a few questions and the baron brings us to his own apartment to have a good chat.
We ask him "How come a man like you, maybe used to a top-quality - we venture a comment - lifestyle, decided to open the doors of his flat to strangers?"
"Hospitality has always been a characteristic of my family for a lot of generations," he replies.
Sure, "but aren't you afraid to waive your privacy this way and draw the curiosity of those who never lived in a place like this?"
"No, first of all I made a place which is able to safeguard my privacy, and most of all the privicay of my guests. And as you well know, the ancients handed down the custom that the guest is sacred; besides I'm sure that the meeting with people from other countries can be a big cultural enrichment for me".
"Our regards to you for what we have seen. Really! It has been a real surprise."
"And you haven't seen everything yet..."
"Really?"
"I reserve my guests a special treatment, extra surprise facilities included."
"What are those surprises?"
(Knowing smile) "If you make it public, those wouldn't be a surprise anymore for my guests!"
Just Perfect mister baron!

Visit the page of Casale del Barone...