Emilia-Romagna’s Brisighella sets the stage for a journey through Italy’s lesser-known treasures. Its rocky hills and solitary towers create a dramatic welcome that feels like stepping into a painting.
Inside the town, narrow alleys and a unique elevated walkway invite leisurely wandering. Brisighella’s calming pace makes it a rewarding place to linger.
In Sicily, the Via dei Frati stretches 54 miles through the quiet Madonie mountains. The trail takes hikers through remote countryside before delivering them to villages such as Gangi, where hospitality requires no translation.
Basilicata’s Venosa holds layers of history: Roman ruins, Jewish catacombs and an impressive castle. Melfi, Lagopesole and Pietragalla add even more historical intrigue to the region.
Completing the journey are an off-grid eco-hotel, Cividale’s UNESCO-listed temple, Chioggia’s canals, Santo Stefano d’Aveto’s hiking routes, Loazzolo’s sweet wines and Urbs Salvia’s Roman amphitheatre. It’s a deeper, quieter Italy — just waiting to be discovered.
