Italy is a perennial favourite for American travellers. It’s so popular that more than 2 million of us travel to the bel paese every year. Many first-timers hit the big three of Rome, Florence, and Venice. Those with a little more experience take the lake country and the cosmopolitan city of Milan, while mixing in some of the Tuscan towns and countryside outside Florence. And then there are the lesser known Italy destinations. There are so many incredible parts of Italy that are worth seeing. No matter how many times you go, it’s virtually impossible to see all of Italy. As Giuseppe Verdi famously said, “you may have the universe if I may have Italy.” And Italy’s lesser known destinations pack a punch that rivals the big three. These are just a few of the places more seasoned travellers who have already covered the basics can see.
Lesser Known Italy Destinations
Some of my favourite lesser known Italy destinations include the beautiful coastlines of Puglia and Sardinia. Ischia is a great place for those who’ve “done” Capri. And Umbria, well, if you’re seeking quaint vineyards and golden hills without the Tuscan crowd, go here.
Dolomites
These mountains of the southern Alps separate the Romance world of the peninsula from the northern Germanic parts of Europe. Where they mix is a fascinating region of cultural intermingling and oh so much great skiing. Cortina d’Ampezzo hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics. They’ll also host the alpine events in conjunction with Milan in 2026. Boutique Virtuoso-preferred resorts Hotel Rosa Alpina and Lefay Resort & Spa Dolomiti are the perfect places to set up your home base and get a feel for “The Sound of Music” with an Italian accent.
Puglia & Basilicata
The heel of the boot was a favourite summer getaway of the ancient Romans, but long overlooked by modern visitors to Italy. The wedding of Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel at Borgo Egnazia in 2012 helped change that. Travellers soon discovered charming towns such as Alberobello, full of traditional stone huts with conical roofs known as trulli. Locorotondo feels like you’ve wandered into the past. And Lecce has a distinctly Ottoman feel, unlike much of Italy.
While Puglia has the most coastline of Italy’s regions, Basilicata features the ancient cave dwellings of Matera known as sassi. The ancient look has allowed Matera to stand in for any number of ancient sites on film. Travellers to Matera can stay in the caves, too.
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Sardinia
Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean, trailing only Sicily. Just like Sicily, a lot of different civilisations have laid claim to Sardinia. This history is reflected in the diversity of languages and the official recognition of Sardinia as an autonomous region. The Costa Smeralda is a 12-mile stretch of surf and sand that has developed into one of the poshest places in Europe. But much of the idyllic island is filled with four million sheep and plenty of agritourismi. There are ancient — as in 3,000 years old or more — fortresses known as nuraghi in strategic positions around the island. A visit to Sardinia most definitely encapsulates the old and the new.
Ischia
One of the best lesser known destinations in Italy is Ischia, at the north end of the Naples Gulf. The volcanic island’s hot springs make it a great spa destination, as attested by Virtuoso-preferred Terme Manzi Hotel & Spa and Mezzatorre Hotel & Thermal Spa. It’s also much more laid-back than nearby glitzy Capri, which has been famous for a couple of millennia.
Umbria
A sort of junior Tuscany with all of the beauty but way fewer crowds, Umbria occupies a swath of central Italy just south of Tuscany and boasts vineyards and olive orchards of its own. Hill towns don’t get more charming than Assisi and Citta di Castello. Norcia preserves plenty of history from the Renaissance and earlier, and Orvieto holds a treasure trove of Etruscan and Roman artefacts. Capital city Perugia played an interesting role in the Italian Wars and in modern times has made a name for itself in the world of chocolate thanks to its signature Baci (kisses).
Is Italy on your wanderlist? Whether you have been once, or ten times, I can guarantee there is something new for you to see. Contact me today to begin the consultation process. Not quite ready for bella Italia? Pin this >>> for future reference!
