Italy’s charm runs deeper than its famous cities. In Emilia-Romagna, the village of Brisighella rises among rocky cliffs that create a dramatic first impression. Its towers and solitary trees look almost designed for an oil painting.
Inside the town, medieval streets twist beneath arches and over cobbled stones. A unique elevated walkway cuts behind buildings, offering glimpses of courtyards and the hills beyond. Brisighella is ideal for wandering without a plan.
Further south, Sicily’s Via dei Frati is a walker’s dream. The 54-mile route across the Madonie mountains offers sweeping views and near-total silence. Villages like Gangi welcome travellers with home-cooked meals and warm hospitality.
Basilicata’s Venosa holds treasures that span centuries. Roman ruins, catacombs and a powerful castle anchor the town’s identity. Nearby Melfi, Lagopesole and Pietragalla extend the region’s hidden architectural riches.
Italy’s quieter secrets also include a peaceful eco-hotel in the Apennines, Cividale’s medieval beauty, Chioggia’s canals, the rugged Ligurian peaks above Santo Stefano d’Aveto, the vineyards and truffles around Loazzolo and the timeless Roman remains at Urbs Salvia. These places invite curiosity and reward those willing to explore.
