Palazzo Belmonte

SET ON AN UNSPOILT STRETCH of Campanian coastline nudging the village of Santa Maria di Castellabate, Palazzo Belmonte still has regal appeal. Once the hunting lodge of kings, it's now a beachside holiday estate in the heart of the Cilento National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site whose shoreline has won accolades for its environmental excellence.

Palazzo Belmonte's sturdy 17th century walls enclose five acres of landscaped grounds. Guests can stay inside the palazzo itself, at Edoardo’s House or at Villa Belmonte in the grounds. Bougainvillea tumbles down brickwork; gardens rustle with orange and lemon trees, while the air is scented with jasmine and rose.

A freshwater pool floats in a profusion of greenery, while a secret door leads to Palazzo Belmonte's private stretch of beach. Dine at the Belvedere restaurant at dusk when it’s glowing with torches and candlelight, with the waves almost lapping at your feet. Med-inspired cuisine fits the bill nicely.

Amalfi coastline

From the torchlit restaurant, diners gaze across the water to the Isle of Capri. After breakfast, the options are almost limitless: sail across to the dramatic Amalfi coast; dig around the area's big archeological sites; take boat trips to unspoilt Punta Licosa or Capri; scuba dive or ride.

Prince Belmonte, whose lineage can be traced back nearly 1,000 years, still lives here in this aristocratic family estate. Today's guests can enjoy these once princely surrounds in suite tranquility.

© Room for Romance