Italy is a country with a big history, culture and traditions and, accordingly, it is a country with a lot of attractions for tourists coming from all around the world. For this reason I would like to explore with you some enchanting and lesser known places that I keep in my heart…because, as you can imagine, there is much more to discover beyond the usual “big 3” of Rome, Florence and Venice!
So, let’s start our journey, discovering the top 10 places of Italy not to be missed for tourists that would like to travel off the beaten paths.
Northern Italy
1. Palladian Villas
The area near Vicenza is rich in ancient villas dating back to 1500, with amazing frescoes and gardens realized by Palladio. Today we can count 24 villas listed by the UNESCO world heritage, although there are many more villas to be explored: more than 4300!!! A tour for the art lovers cannot miss a stop at Villa La Rotonda – the most imposing villa – or in Villa Godi Malinverni – the first building completed by Palladio in 1542. Many villas are near quiet and peaceful rivers, surrounded by enchanting gardens: the best example is Villa Contarini. Thanks to the particular conformation of the area, it is possible to reach this villas by boat, with daily excursions departing from Venice or Padua. But if you have more time at your disposal, I really suggest you not to miss a unique and unforgettable experience: sleep in a real villa Palladiana…a luxury just for one night, to live one day like a prince or princess!
2. The silk district of Como Lake
Fashion victims cannot miss to visit Milan, one of the most famous fashion capitals of the world. But if you would like to experience something different from the big international brandstores, the right place for you is Como Lake, also famous for being the place of residence of many VIPs, like George Clooney! In a day excursion from Milan you can easily reach Como by train and explore the “silk valley”, an area rich in small business that still today produce handmade silk! Among the most famous local silk brand the are Mantero and Seteria Bianchi, indeed you cannot miss a stop at the Silk Museum of Como, where you can learn more on the history of the silk production of Como, that begun in 1400.
3. Bologna & surroundings for foodies
The area that surrounds Bologna is a real paradise for foodies: here are produced the famous “tortellini” of Bologna (pasta stuffed with meet), the Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, the Parmiggiano Regiano (famous Italian cheese) and the Ham of Parma. The factories where these delicatessen are produced are not in the city center, so the best way to explore the area is by car. It is an unforgettable food experience and you can taste fresh and authentic Italian food!
4. Ravenna, the city of mosaics!
A small city but a big treasure trove of art! A city where the glitter of gold and the bright colors of blue, green and red, will strike you definitely. These are the colors of the famous mosaics of Ravenna which can be admired in 8 monuments inscribed in the World Heritage List. Thanks to a combined ticket it is possible to visit 5 UNESCO sites at a more competitive price and you can easily reach each monument by foot. The main attractions are: Basilica di San Vitale, Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, Neoniano Baptistery, Basilica di S. Apolinnare Nuovo, the Chapel and the Arcivescovile Museum. Here you can breath a magic atmosphere, rich in faith, history, culture and art… but that’s not all: indeed, Ravenna houses also the Tomb of Dante!
Central Italy
5. The marble valley
Have you ever wondered where does the white marble come from used to build the most famous statues in the world, like the Pietà of Michelangelo? The right answer is the caves of Carrara! From Carrara city centre depart different day tours by jeep to explore the monumental caves and to admire an unusual and white panorama. But the best part of a Carrara cave tour is the tasting of the famous Lardo of Colonnata, a sort of bacon preserved in the local marble!
6. Montepulciano: the paradise of wine lovers
A place surrounded by green and quiet, in the Chianti Hills area. Montepulciano is a small and charming medieval town that welcomes you in a typical and small square, surrounded by the dome and an ancient well. The typical and narrow streets are dotted with small craft shops that sell above all leather goods, and a lot of art galleries and painters. You’ll be surprised to find such vivacity and cultural ferment in one of the smallest town of Italy! But the real attraction of Montepulciano is the wine! Among the most beautiful wine cellar you cannot miss a stop at Cantina del Redi and Fattoria della Talosa, in the heart of Montepulciano. In the last one it is also possible to taste few wines and to take part in a guided tour of the wine cellars for free!
7.Castelli Romani, beyond Rome
Just 30 minutes by car from the bustle of Rome, there is a green area known as Castelli Romani, dotted with small and charming towns, most of them overlooking blue and rounded lakes.
It is a quiet area where you can still breath an authentic atmosphere and, during the lunchtime, the narrow streets are filled with the heady fragrance of Italian cuisine! Two of the main events held in the Castelli Romani refer to these ancient traditions: Infiorata of Genzano and Sagra dell’Uva of Marino.
The Infiorata (Flower Festival) is held in Genzano during the Corpus Domini celebrations (in June) and it dates back over two centuries. It is an amazing festival, rich in colors and perfumes thanks to the 14 pictures that compose the florarl carpet, long around 250 meters.
The other huge event is the wine fastival of Marino, known as “Sagra dell’Uva”, which take place during October. The best part of the festival is when the fountain in the city centre of Marino does not give water but wine!! And, following this ancient festival, you can easily imagine that it is an area famous for the wine production. Here you can visit some vineyards and wine cellars: among the most famous producers there are the “Pallavicini” and “Casal Pilozzo”, the last one with a charming wine cellar where you can also admire ancient archaeological ruins.
8. Unspoilt Abruzzo
Abruzzo is one of the lesser-known Region of Italy and, for this reason, is one of the best preserved and unspoilt! The Region is covered by the Apennine Mountains, so it is not easy to reach it, above all the small towns near the ski resort… but the effort to reach it will be rewarded!
One of the most sadly famous city is L’Aquila, protagonist of a terrible earthquake. Today it is possible to join a tour to discover a city sadly rose to the honors of the news after the earthquake of April 6, 2009. Not tourism of the rubble, but conscious awareness with a local citizen, to learn what was the city, its past and its future.
Of course not the whole region was destroyed by the earthquake, and it is possible to visit many other small and enchanting towns…one of my favorites is Sulmona, birthplace of the poet Ovid and place of hermitage of Celestine V. But the attractions of Sulmona don’t end here! Indeed, the city is famous to be the place of production of the most delicious confetti, and it is still possible to visit the confetti factory…a full immersion into the sweets!
Southern Italy
9.The stones of Matera
If you believe that the holiday begins with the journey, Matera is the perfect destination for you!!! So, as you can image it is not easy to reach Matera: you can land in Bari airport or arrive at the train station of Bari and then take a private transfer (about 1 hour by car). Otherwise there is a small train with a single-track and narrow gauge, departing from Bari…but pay attention: the train from Bari to Matera is not run by Trenitalia but by Ferrovie Appulo Lucane. Indeed the train is not the right solution if you are planning to travel during the weekend, because it doesn’t work on a Sunday.
You may know Matera as the movie set of the Passion of Christ and actually it is a charming and romantic city, perfect to spend a weekend in a cave house. Yes, you can sleep in a real cave house, with some modern comfort that people living there until 1950s didn’t have!! Indeed, the Italian government closed the cave houses in 1952 due to the poor conditions in which they poured, and they only re-opened in 1993, when the UNESCO inscribed Matera in the world heritage list.
Walking through Matera you can easily understand why It is called the stone city: churches, houses, shops…all is housed in ancient caves! Finally, don’t miss a stop at Murgia Materana Park, with a stroll to discover the rocky churches, with precious ancient frescoes.
10. The Trulli of Puglia
If Matera is famous for its cave houses, Puglia Region – and above all Alberobello – is famous for its Trulli houses, a traditional dry stone hut. The whole town of Alberobello consists of white and grey Trulli, some of them still inhabited, above all in the neighborhood known as Rione Aia Piccola. The most touristic area, known as Rione Monti, is rich in shops where you can buy (and also taste!) the local products, like the typical “orecchiette” (pasta)…a journey into the past and ancient traditions!
My most loved places, the traditions of my Country, the real Made in Italy, the unique atmosphere that you can breath only in small Italian towns, the ancient history and culture, the secret art treasures…I hope I have passed all this and much more in our imaginary journey through the 10 off the beaten paths places of Italy
Bio: Silvia is a travel consultant at Fashion Tour, a travel company specialized in arranging unique travel experiences and customized Italy tours
