Casale Villarena, Nerano, Sorrento Coast

A fantastic balance between old world rustic charm while having all the modern conveniences that you would expect today.

A splendid centuries-old villa renovated and turned in to an elegant residence with five independent apartments, they are all superbly clean and homely spaces, ideal for a break with friends or family.

The terraced gardens are available for all to enjoy a drink or read a book while the swimming pool among the lemon and olive trees offers plenty of shady areas for relaxation.

The restaurant ''Il Dolce Far Niente'' (The Joy of Doing Nothing) of the Casale Villarena is located on the sea view terrace and offers a typical homely menu with the freshest ingredients from the Casale's own gardens

Guglielmo organises fun cooking classes for anyone who wants to learn the secrets of the Neapolitan cuisine.

The five apartments are not about sophistication, design or chic style, they are spacious, tastefully furnished and equipped with every comfort, all with kitchen and large patio or veranda for Al Fresco dining.

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Location

Casale Villarena occupies a superb place surrounded by greenery, in the charming hamlet of Nerano on the very tip of the Sorrento peninsula.

The charming seaside resort of Nerano, in the Marine Reserve of Punta Campanella, offers a pleasant pause from the bustle of Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.

In an atmosphere full of peace and magic, the landscape offers picture-postcard scenery with stunning views of Capri, the Amalfi coast and the Li Galli archipelago.

The picturesque beach of Marina del Cantone is the end of the road.

From here it's very easy to venture in walks into nearby bays, such as Ieranto or exciting boat trips to the most renowned resorts of Sorrento, Massa Lubrense, Positano and Amalfi.

But Nerano is not only famous for its natural beauty, with a number of excellent restaurants, including two Michelin starred,  this is a gourmet mecca with particular emphasis being given to the excellent fish and seafood for which the Amalfi Coast is famous for.

If you travel out of season (March-May or October-November) car hire is useful and will allow you to explore further afield while in summer roads and parking are very busy, better to use public transports.

There is a SITA bus stop just outside Casale Villarena which will take you into Sorrento in about 40 minutes while from Marina del Cantone is possible to arrange boat trips to the coastal towns of the Amalfi Coast and Capri.

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Stay local: lounge by the pool, take some cooking lessons, walk to the beach, trek along the Bay of Ieranto
  
  
• Go on a farm visit and learn about mozzarella, ricotta cheese, olive oil and lemons
  
  
• Michelin dining? Don Alfonso (2 stars), Quattro Passi (2 stars), Taverna del Capitano (2 stars). More typical? Try the Casale's own restaurant
  
  
• Take a boat tour to Capri or the Amalfi Coast
  
  
• Take the bus to Sorrento and then onwards to Pompeii and Hercolaneaum or go on evocative night tour of Pompeii (lelunedipompei.net)
  
  
• Take your place among the Gods and trek along the breathtakingly scenic Sentiero degli Dei (Path of Gods)
  
  
• Beach with reach: Crapolla, Cala di Mitigliano, Marina del Cantone, Jeranto, Recommone
  
  
• Charter a boat and pick your private cove
  
  
• Guglielmo and his team are hugely knowledgeable about the area and ready to give a helping hand in organising tours and boat trips.

• Join in a cookery course for all the family and learn how to make fresh pasta dishes or pizza.  Courses are suitable for all ages and bookable on a per day basis.

• Casale Villarena in The Times
   Great getaways for under £500: 20 bargain holidays around the world

Brigante - 50 sqm, sleeps 3
Open plan kicthen/living area with access to private bathroom, 1 double room with wardrobe, 1 single bedroom with balcony and view of both the sea and islands

Rotonda - 65 sqm, sleeps 3
The apartment is composed of a wide room divided into a living room with sofabed and kitchenette, 1 double room and a small terrace with sea view

Gallo Lungo - 60 sqm, sleeps 4
Large living room with kitchen table and TV, outdoor covered patio with table and chairs and garden with sea view.
One bedroom with twin beds and one with double bed with built in wardrobe, both with windows overlooking the gardens of the Casale.

Vetara - 90 sqm, sleeps 4
The entrance opens to the lounge/dining area with a fireplace and cooking corner. Both double rooms are en-suite. The main feature is the large veranda overlooking the Li Galli archipelago and the Casale own's gardens

La Gerania - 90 sqm, sleeps 4
This apartment is located just outside the Casale's wall enjoying extra privacy but still only 2 steps from the swimming pool and the gardens. Inside it offers two double bedrooms, two bathrooms (one with shower), a fully equipped kitchen /living area and two sea view balconies

Isca - sleeps 2
Double room with en-suite