Step away from Italy’s headline sights and a quieter, more atmospheric world begins to appear. In Emilia-Romagna, the approach to Brisighella feels almost theatrical. Dramatic limestone hills rise suddenly from the landscape, each crowned with a solitary tower or tree, as if painted in careful detail centuries ago.
The town unfolds as a small labyrinth of medieval streets. An unusual elevated walkway cuts through the old houses, offering sheltered corners to sit, talk and watch the town go about its business. From Brisighella, it’s easy to explore the surrounding countryside, which feels untouched by the rhythms of mass tourism.
Head south to Sicily and the Via dei Frati, a 54-mile trail from Caltanissetta to Cefalù. Crossing the Madonie mountains, it offers sweeping views and a sense of real isolation – no crowds, no lines of hikers, just villages like Gangi greeting you at day’s end. Language barriers dissolve over homemade food and local wine.
Further inland, Basilicata’s Venosa sits quietly with a remarkable history. Once an important Roman centre and the hometown of Horace, it now feels like a sleepy provincial town scattered with ancient ruins, catacombs and an imposing castle. Nearby, the fortresses of Melfi and Lagopesole, and the ducal residence at Pietragalla, show how dense this region is with overlooked heritage.
Elsewhere, an eco-lodge in the Apennines offers river swimming, forest walks and absolute digital silence; Cividale in Friuli mixes Roman and Lombard history with riverside views; Chioggia delivers the canals and narrow alleys of Venice without the crush; and mountain villages in Liguria and Piedmont serve polenta, mushrooms and sweet Loazzolo wine. In the Marche region, the Roman city of Urbs Salvia stands under a fierce sun, almost empty, waiting for visitors who enjoy ruins without the crowds.