Think Italy, and Rome, Florence, Milan and Venice come to mind. But Italia has several secret cities that are every bit as enticing, just a little less well-known (and not-so-touristy!).
So, if you think you’ve ‘done’ Italy, try one of these charming Italian gems instead.
Bergamo
Shrouded in mist (sometimes literally), this city is often overshadowed by nearby Milan, but don’t let that fool you – Bergamo has much to offer.
The city sits on a hill at the foot of the Alps near the beautiful Lake Iseo. The Venetian walls which encircle the city, the Piazza Vecchia in the historic center, and the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, all give Bergamo its own distinctive flavor.
Finding a hotel in Bergamo is not difficult, and the city has an abundance of activities that are worth your while. If you are more of a sporty person, the northern location and close-proximity to the Alps offers the perfect chance for skiing and snowboarding come winter, and hiking and biking in summer. And if you would rather recline in one of the many fantastic cafés, don’t forget to try the famed Polenta e Osei cakes! Find flights to Bergamo.
Lucca
If you’re looking for a medieval getaway, then Lucca is just the place. A charming walled city in the region of Tuscany, Lucca is growing more in popularity without being absolutely over-run by tourists. Even while staying at a modern hotel in Lucca, the experience of the city allows you to feel as if you’ve been transported back centuries.
The oval Piazza dell’Anfiteatro is lined with restaurants and cafés offering outdoor seating and delicious Tuscan dishes, such as pastas loaded with meat sauce. One of the many sights to see is the Guinigi tower, from where there is an excellent view of the city and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. Find flights to Florence
Montalcino
Montalcino is a rustic medieval city which sits on a Tuscan hilltop south of Siena, surrounded by vineyards and olive trees. It’s also home to some of the best wine in the world: Brunello di Montalcino. At night, the mysterious, dimly-lit alleyways open up to some cozy, family-owned restaurants, which serve traditional Tuscan dishes such as polenta and wild boar topped with freshly-made tomato sauce. In the morning, the smell of warm pastries baking in the oven spreads into the piazza; the town baker is already preparing for the day. Find flights to Rome.
Siracusa
Located in the southeast of Sicily and situated amidst the sparkling Ionian Sea, Siracusa (also known as Syracuse) is home to inhabitants who are quite possibly the kindest and most welcoming in all of Italy. Restaurants, some of which sit right on the ocean, specialize in dishes such as Frutta di Mare and Pasta con Sarde, a Sicilian classic.
Throughout Siracusa you will find hidden, quaint piazzas with ambient lighting and buildings that are just as quaint, some painted in light pinks or purples. There is also no shortage of ancient Greek ruins here. On Sunday afternoons, the Piazza Santa Lucia (in which sits the famous Duomo dedicated to Saint Lucy, the patron saint of the city) is filled with families. There is a general sense of peace and calm that envelops the whole city; life is much slower here. Finds flights to Cantania
Matera
If this city looks like it’s out of a Biblical movie, that’s because it is; The Gospel According to St. Matthew, King David, The Nativity Story, and The Passion of the Christ were all filmed here. Located in the southern region of Basilicata, the city and its surroundings have a distinctly primitive look. The oldest section of the city, known as ‘The Sassi’, is filled with cave dwellings which people first inhabited 9,000 years ago.
If history is not your thing, then try the food instead: the bread of this area is renowned and is made of durum wheat from ancient fields, using ancestral techniques. Popular meals include the locally-derived orecchiette pasta. There are also many good wines, but most exceptionally Matera has its own local liqueur called ‘rosolio’, made from rose petals. Bellisima! Find flights to Bari
