Villa Cimbrone

The Villa Cimbrone is not only a hotel: its gardens are one of Ravello’s most famous attractions. The tourist office proclaims, “The Villa Cimbrone—essence of all the enchantment of Ravello—hangs like a swallow’s nest on the cliffs.” The villa is reached by a delightful ten-minute walk from Ravello’s main square (the signs are well marked to this favorite sightseeing prize); then, once you pass through the gates, the villa and its magnificent gardens open up like magic. The gardens are truly superb—if you have ever received a postcard from Ravello, chances are it showed the view from the terrace of the Cimbrone. Most dramatic of all is the belvedere with its stately Roman statues accenting the dazzling sea view. Luckily, this gorgeous villa is also a charming, intimate hotel. The rooms are of museum quality with furniture fit for a king. The hotel is even further enhanced with a splendid swimming pool and a beautiful restaurant. Before being purchased by the present owners, the Vuilleumier family, this fabulous villa was the prized possession of an English lord, who, toward the end of World War II, landed with the Allied troops in Salerno. Somehow he was able to find a jeep, and wound up the twisting road to see once again his beloved villa once again.