Italy is famous for its awe-inspiring art, the mesmerizing architecture and the historic ruins. The delectable food, scenic countryside and irresistible wines of this country make it one of those destinations which travelers love to visit over and over again. The history, the culture, and the iconic cities make Italy one of the most popular tourist destinations. However, most of the tourists restrict their travel to only the famous cities like Rome or Venice or Florence. There is a vast new world outside of these well-known cities. Very few people rent one of the luxurious Italian country villas, and explore these destinations which are lesser known to the people outside Italy, but as breathtakingly beautiful as their famous counterparts. If you want to get off the beaten path when you travel to Italy, here are five of the lesser known destinations in Italy for you to check out.
1. Treviso
Located in the Veneto region of Northern Italy, Treviso is a beautiful town just about 40 kilometers away from Venice. Many of the flights to Venice often land in this town, and there are a lot of good reasons to just stay there only. At the heart of this beautiful little town, you will find a walled city. With its medieval gates, cobbled streets and tiny canals, this little-known city is no less beautiful than any other famous Italian cities.
2. Pisciotta
Pisciotta is a gorgeous little seaside getaway located in the province of Salerno. It is one of those small southern Italian coastal towns which you have always searched for, but never found in the real life. Situated on top of a hill, the town boasts some of a gorgeous views of the magnificent ocean. Bellow the hill, you will find Marina di Pisciotta, the beautiful little seaside offshoot of the Pisciotta town. Explore the streets lined with pastel-painted houses, walk through the winding alleyways or eat at one of the small. Local pizzerias while you are here.
3. Civita di Bagnoregio
Situated in the Province of Viterbo in central Italy, Civita di Bagnoregio is an awe-inspiring hilltop town. The town is so beautiful that it was nicknamed as ‘A jewel on the hill’. The town is over 2500 years old and can be only visited during the summer months due to poor road conditions. However, if you are in Italy during the summertime, then you must not miss the chance of visiting this magnificent town. The breathtaking view from the town overlooking the Tiber river valley and the historic architectures make the town worth visiting.
4. Bergamo
The northern Italian city of Bergamo is one of the finest hill towns of the Lombardy region. This charming walled city is a perfect place to explore the beautiful countryside and some of the Italian lakes. Lake Como and Lake Iseo have located just about 30 kilometers away from this city. The city of Bergamo and the surrounding regions is best explored during the spring.
5. Matera
A UNESCO certified World Heritage Site, Matera, is a historic city which was one of the poorest cities in the Western Europe just about 50 years ago. However, with new hotels, restaurants, cafes, galleries – the town has regained its fortunes in the recent years. The Sassi di Matera, which lies in the Centre of this town, is one of the first human settlements in what we now know as Italy. Explore the ancient caves, visit the rupestrian churches carved from volcanic rocks, taste some of the traditional food that you can only find here and lazily walk through the ancient alleyways of this magnificent city. It will be one of the most unique Italian experiences you can have in your lifetime.