From the Ruins of the “Little Colosseum”, to the Wolves of the Appenine

First on the map of the route is the Amphitheater Campano. Situated in the city of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, it is called also the "small Colosseum", because of its dimensions.
As the matter of fact, it was build earlier than the Colosseum in the I century b.C. ca., and that apparently, served as a model for the construction of the Colosseum in Rome.
It was the very first important school for gladiators and a cultural symbol in the history, since it was the place from which the gladiator Spartaco started the battle against Rome in the 72 a.C.
You can find more about historical info and opening hours on the site. Note that the Amphitheater is closed on Monday.

A double structure, the Theater-Temple of Pietravairano. Leaving Santa Maria Capua Vetere, you will approach another district of the province of Caserta, which is Pietravairano, a small village in the sub-Appennines that has a terrace structure.
One of the most beautiful and historical landmark of this territory, is the Theater-Temple, which is located on the mountain San Nicola at 326 mt high. Some studies conducted after its discovery, indicate that the theater is definitely dated back to Roman era but formerly it was a Samnite structure, due to the fact that there is the presence of the temple too and the Romans did not combine together theater and temple.
The access to the site is free, there is not a parking lot to leave the car but it is possible to park it at the end of the route - from Pietravairano you will see signals for the temple and when you arrive you will see a small open space at the base of the mountain, or you can leave it alongside the street.

Before entering the forest of Cipresseta, since there are also pic-nic tables inside, you can stop by this restaurant and buy some food to eat inside under the falls.

Here you are in the National Park of Matese, in a little paradise surrounded by the vertical forest of cypresses, called Zappini, and crossed by the Sava river, which flows down from the mountain creating these little falls in the wood.
This is an amazing restoring point, especially during the hot months of summer, you can have a relaxing moment after the trekking on the temple. Check out the site for all the info on opening hours and entrance tickets.

Leaving the Campania region and entering the Abruzzo, you'll find immerse even more in the pure fresh air of the mountains, since you arrive in Barrea, that is a small village on the lake in the National Park of Abruzzo.
This is a little gem perched at 1000 mt of heigh on the lake with just 700 inhabitants. And in the center of the city, there is the castle, dated back to the Middle Age with its defensive walls that circle the structure and from whom you can admire the breath-taking view on the valley and the lake, surrounded by the mountains.
You can visit it from 10 am to 1 pm and from 4 pm to 8 pm, just on Saturday and Sunday.

Of course after having seen it from the top, it is now time to go nearer! The lake of Barrea, amazing turquoise water nestle into the mountains frame.
It is an artificial lake built in the 50s by blocking the river Sangro with a dam, that you can see on the route by descending from the village to the lake. It is a majestic structure which integrates smoothly with the natural territory.
Arrived on the lake, there is the possibility to stay on the beach - there is a beach resort, where it is possible to rent a paddle boat to go for a ride too- or even explore the surrounding by taking the trail tracks.

Time for a deserved lunch in the porch with a lake view! Next stop for dinner is La Poiana, a restaurant located very close to the lake and that serves a variety of typical Abruzzese dishes, mixing tradition and innovation. You should definitely book you table in advance, because it is always full, especially during the weekends.

After dinner, Civitella Alfedena awaits you, to spend the night in a lovely village in the heart of the Regional Parc of Abruzzo, close to the faunal area of the wolf. As the matter of fact, you can have the luck to see deer and wolves while walking in the small streets of the village, but don't worry it is not dangerous at all, since there are fences that protect the area.
The hotel Casahotel Civitella is located in the center of the village, has a classical cottage style and it is a family-run business, so you can feel at home.