The palatial wonders of Caserta, a town just a smidgen north of the Bay of Naples in southern Italy, take the meaning of grandiose and baroque to whole new and dizzying heights. We're talking, of course, about the sprawling Palazzo Reale, whose colossal buildings and manicured gardens, packed to the brim with domed hallways and gold-gilded murals, neo-classical water features and elegant court rooms have been used in countless Hollywood flicks. UNESCO sites and majestic Baroque artworks aside, Caserta tour guides can also take you through the town's medley of tight-knit lanes and piazzas, where boutique fashion shops and local coffee haunts are awash with chatting locals. There are regular bus and train connections from here to Naples central throughout the day.