We kicked off Day 3 with a delightfully relaxing breakfast at the hotel, soaking in a slower morning. While the rest of our tour group headed off to Pompeii at 10:00 AM, we decided to venture out on our own. Having already visited Pompeii twice before, we set our sights on a grand monument we’d been eager to experience: the Royal Palace of Caserta (Reggia di Caserta).
As you approach the estate from a few miles away, its sheer scale and majesty take your breath away. The Royal Palace of Caserta is one of the largest royal residences in the world, and stepping inside feels like entering a world of pure opulence. The central vestibule and the Grand Staircase (Scalone d’Onore) are absolute masterpieces of architecture, carved from an incredible array of marble and stone.
Wandering through the lavish Royal Apartments, you are instantly transported back in time. Walking beneath the towering gilded ceilings and shimmering chandeliers, I could almost picture my own Piromallo and Caracciolo ancestors dressed in fine attire, attending magnificent royal balls in these very halls.
A Glimpse into Royal History
Commissioned in 1752 by King Charles VII of Bourbon (later Charles III of Spain) and designed by the famed architect Luigi Vanvitelli, the palace was built to rival the grandeur of Versailles and serve as the magnificent heart of the Kingdom of Naples. Constructed with monumental scale, it features over 1,200 rooms, 34 staircases, and a vast sweeping park. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, it served as the center of Neapolitan court life, hosting international diplomacy, lavish ceremonies, and grand galas for the kingdom’s highest nobility.
While we didn’t have enough time to explore the sprawling royal gardens—we’ll have to save those fountains for next time!—we had a very important afternoon appointment to catch.
We reunited with our group and made our way to the slopes of Mount Vesuvius for lunch and wine tasting at Azienda Vinicola Sorrentino in Boscotrecase. Although we don’t share any direct family ties (that I know of!), visiting the Sorrentino family feels just like coming home. This was our second visit to the vineyard, and it was fantastic reconnecting with my friend Umberto Rusciano, one of their brilliant wine experts.
If you ever find yourself anywhere near Naples or Vesuvius, a wine tasting here is an absolute must! The volcanic soil produces some of the most extraordinary wines in Italy, most notably the legendary Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio (Tears of Christ).
The Legend of Lacryma Christi
Local lore tells us that when Lucifer was cast down from Heaven, he stole a piece of paradise as he fell, creating the Bay of Naples. Distraught over the loss of such beauty and the wicked fall of the angel, Jesus shed tears over Mount Vesuvius. Where His divine tears fell upon the volcanic slopes, the vines blossomed, giving birth to the rich, complex wine known today as Lacryma Christi.
After a stunning lunch paired with unbelievable wines, we ordered a few bottles to be shipped home (luckily, they ship worldwide directly from their website!).
It was the perfect end to a day filled with regal history, fantastic friends, and unforgettable flavors. Rest up… tomorrow we set sail for Capri!
Click here to join out Facebook group The original plan for today was to make a quick late morning stop to the cemetery in Cercola to see where my great-grandfather, Nicola Piromallo was buried. However, at the lunch on June 4th my Zio Nicola (more about that later) told me that he wanted us to visit family in Torre del Greco. So we were able to work that into the schedule. Cercola is about 30
I have seen a lot of people that whose ancestors are from Naples, or Italy in general wondering why they have a percentage of Greek, Spanish, Arabic or other non-Italian segments. DNA segments can potentially go back 10 generations. I’m not a DNA nerd, but I certainly welcome any comments that any one may have to give simple explanations. I have also seen people post that I know where I came from and I’m 100%
I do hope that you enjoy these photos of Italian brides ( and grooms ). Some of these my mom had, some are from my first cousins, some however, are from a long lost cousin that I found through ancestry research. Amazing that she, through her grandmother, had photos of my aunts and uncles. Please share. Bridal crown designed and made by my grandfather. Click Here To Join Our Facebook Group My Mom and
Click here to join out Facebook group Our first full day in Naples began with a walking tour of the streets of Naples where my Sorrentino, Princi, Piromallo and Caracciolo lived. Our guide Vincenzo D’Onofrio, was great and explained various landmarks along the way. The current Hotel Caracciolo, on via Carbonara was the home of my Caracciolo ancestors and quite an impressive building inside and out. I could just imagine the parties held there over
We get some inside information from Naples resident Cristina Rizzo about the Historic Center and her rental flat. Cristina fills us in on some of the sights and what makes Naples unique from other large Italian cities. For more information on Spaccanapoli Home check out Sawdays. Visit Our Shop Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video
Click here to join out Facebook group During my two week vacation in Italy, a majority of the first week was spent in Naples where I stayed for 6 days. One of the things that surprised me was how Naples bore a similar resemblance to New York City except with less skyscrapers and older buildings. The district of Naples that I was staying in was the historical district of Naples and the churches in Naples
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