Caserta, Italy

Capital City

With a population of just 72,805, Caserta may seem like a quaint, manageable city, but the reality is a heavy bureaucratic burden and a climate that swings from sweltering to frigid. The former seat of Bourbon kings, Caserta is now a commercial and industrial hub, though its historic Royal Palace remains a major tourist draw. While the city was decorated for its wartime heroics, the text notes it also suffered fierce bombing and reprisals during World War II. For those seeking a slower-paced Italian lifestyle, Caserta's climate extremes and persistent bureaucratic headaches may outweigh its charms.