Many people from all around the globe go to Italy every year. Yet, many tourists spend almost all their time seeing the country’s greatest sights. Although Rome and Florence are home to some of the world’s most famous historical sites, Italy has much more to offer.
Going slightly off the main path may result in amazing discoveries. Go from Parma via Lecce to Cefalu for local prosciutto, baroque architecture, and beach time. All these things may be done if you visit some of Italy’s lesser-known places. Include as many of these highlights as time permits in your trip.
Polignano a Mare
A whitewashed town with attractive churches, balcony-studded lanes, and stunning limestone cliffs, this Adriatic hamlet on Italy’s eastern coast has long drawn visitors lured by the Mediterranean’s allure.
Cala Porto’s white-pebble beach may be reached through the remains of a Roman bridge, or you can rent a boat and cruise around Polignano a Mare’s blue bays and inlets (Ponte dei Lapilli is particularly stunning, among many others). Have dinner at the Grotta Palazzese, often regarded as the most romantic restaurant in the world, and afterwards relax with an espresso on the plaza while gazing at the stars.
Laglio: Off The Beaten Path In Lombardy
Laglio, located on Lake Como’s banks, is a beautiful village that tourists sometimes overlook. Laglio’s picturesque location with the lake and the mountain gives it the ideal site to discover Lombardy’s numerous wonders, especially as it is practically unknown to most tourists, who instead travel to the cities of Bellagio and Como. Laglio may give off an air of casualness, but it has a celebrity connection thanks to George Clooney, who has a mansion there.
The Bear Hole is a karst cave in Laglio, notable for its beautiful stalagmites and stalactites that grow at odd angles from the cave’s walls. There are three fantastic subterranean lakes just waiting to be discovered, and they lie all the way down below the surface. Visiting Laglio in the summer is not a terrible idea since it is seldom too crowded. However, if the heat is a problem, consider planning your spring or fall trip when temperatures are more pleasant for touring.
Perugia
Going straight across the middle of Italy will bring you to Perugia. This city in Umbria is home to a prominent university. Therefore, its population is diversified, educated, and relatively young. It’s a must-see destination if you’re interested in mediaeval architecture or chocolate. Despite the city of Perugia’s outstanding architecture, the hidden treasures under the surface are breathtaking.
You may go straight down to the city’s core by going through the ruins of a fortification named Rocca Paolina. See the Cathedral of San Lorenzo above ground, close to the Gothic-style Palazzo dei Priori (Town Hall) from the 13th century.
Nocelle: Off The Beaten Path In Amalfi Coast
The little town of Nocelle, perched high in the mountains above Positano and the beautiful Amalfi Coast, is a great place to escape the crowds and discover the true Amalfi Coast. Nocelle is a tranquil haven, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the cities and towns below. Nocelle is a wonderful place to visit since it shows a less commercialised side of Italy than neighbouring Positano and has some of the most breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast.
Aosta
Aosta is well situated in the Italian Alps, providing access to various breathtaking natural features, including woods, granite, waterfalls, lakes, and exquisite historic buildings. It would help to always have a high-quality camera to record the city’s breathtaking scenery.
Aosta’s Roman Theater, built during the era of the legendary emperor Augustus, will add to the awe-inspiring nature of the city’s scenery. Not only is the Aosta Cathedral, first constructed in the 4th century and rebuilt in the 11th, still standing but so is the wonderfully intact old town boundary (2379 by 1873 feet) of Augusta Praetoria Salassorum.
It is easy to see why Italy is at the top of most tourists’ bucket lists, what with all its historic sites, beautifully kept churches and picturesque landscapes. Yet, it would help if you did not write off Italy because you may have to share the Coliseum with many other visitors. If you know where to go, your next vacation may be full of exciting, off-the-beaten-path discoveries.
As you can see, there are many off-beaten-path sites in Italy, enabling one to experience a unique journey to Italy. While most of these hidden spots are within easy driving distance of some of Italy’s most well-known cities, you will not feel like missing the country’s best-known attractions. Unfortunately, locating a group trip to these locations will be challenging since they are not often visited.
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