You may have heard about the popular parts of Italy that are breathtakingly gorgeous. However, did you know that there are hidden treasures in this region that can give the more popular town and cities a run for their beauty?
There is so much more to Italy than meets the eye. Some of Italy’s greatest charm lies in its smaller villages and towns. So, to catch the true essence of Italy, you have to separate from the crowds and follow the cobble-stoned path and know all about how the locals’ way of living. Get a glimpse of these sun-soaked islands that can take your breath away.
Tellaro, Liguria
The famous Italian villages of Cinque Terre have grabbed the maximum spotlight, and hence it has become crowded in the process. But don’t despair. You can pay a visit to an equally gorgeous and less-congested place and just a few miles off the Ligurian coast.
The village of Tellaro is nothing but a fishing village, yet behind its conventional facade hides the true beauty of this stunning village. It has pastel-colored buildings, beautiful cobbled streets, and gorgeous views of the ocean.
Pitigliano, Tuscany
This tiny hill town is also known as Little Jerusalem because it was once home to a large Jewish community that settled down here around the 16th century. While Pitigliano’s Jews disappeared around the mid-20th century, mostly because of some economic reasons. There are hard-to-miss remnants of that era, complete with the Jewish ghetto, which has a restored synagogue, ancient bread ovens, and a small museum.
Well, various other sight-seeing spots are worth a dekko too, such as the Palazzo Orsini, a 14th-century fortress that offers attractions like historical artifacts; and Vie Cave, you can follow the path to the wondrous Etruscan caves.
Chioggia, Veneto
A place that resembles Venice, complete with a traditional fishing port, minus the large cruise ships and jostling and pushing crowds. Yes, we are speaking about Chioggia, a real-life place that mimics a picture postcard.
You can reach the place via a ferry and bus from Venice. Chioggia is the quintessential tourist place complete with canals, yet it is far away from the madding crowd of the more popular cities. You may wander around the traditional fish market and enjoy the excellent seafood the restaurants offer.
Locorotondo, Puglia
When you walk through the town of Locorotondo, the beauty will mesmerize you. And the pure beauty you encapture through your marveling eyes will be a memory you will cherish forever. Those pictures of pink and red geraniums crowding the window boxes against whitewashed walls looks like a picture straight from paradise.
Chiesa Madre San Giorgio covers, a cathedral dominates the skyline of this town. And this part of Puglia’s skyline, the white hill towns, will be a surreal experience. Don’t forget to bask in the beauty of the place and drink its famous white wine.
Viterbo, Lazio
It takes just two hours by train to reach Viterbo from Rome. It has a walled medieval town square which is perfect for idle strollers. The town was once the focus of attention since it was part of the papal seat in the 13th century. You can still visit the beautiful and impressive Palazzo dei Papi and get to know some of the historical backgrounds.
Viterbo’s key attractions include thermal baths, which have attracted both the locals and visitors alike.
Noto, Sicily
Noto’s gets its elegance from its baroque churches and palaces. They had to rebuild it to resemble the original town that was destroyed by a violent earthquake.
Noto has a lot to offer for the eager traveler, interesting streets, beautiful cream-walled buildings. You can even treat yourself to a frozen delight at one of the popular and tony ice-cream parlors. If you have a little more time on your hands, spend some time on the sun-warmed beaches. Watch the beautiful sun-drenched town from atop the rooftop restaurants and terraces and sigh at the gorgeous splendor that the sun-basked town has to offer.
Certainly, Italy is a traveler’s delight. You can safely get lost in the charms that its tiny towns and picturesque villages have to offer. Each of the towns is beautiful in its way. It might take you by surprise at the laggardly pace of life the locals spend here. Sometimes, you may want to leave the stress of the world behind and lose yourself in the beauty of Italy!