Popular holidays in Italy tend to be Rome, Milan and Venice but here are six places in Italy to rediscover the country all over again.
When you think of holidays in Italy, you think of sun-drenched coastlines, glorious food and wine and effortless chic style oozing from every corner.
But if you are looking for somewhere different from your usual destination, here are six new places in Italy to try.
1. Puglia
With its sunny climate, whitewashed hillside towns and hundreds of miles of Mediterranean coastline, it’s hard to understand why the southern Italian state of Puglia sits untouched by tourists. However, the fact that it does fall under the radar for many travellers is exactly what makes it so alluring for holidays in Italy.
What to do:
Head into the main town or take a seat at one of the many cafés of Piazza del Duomo to enjoy the amazing architecture and probably the best cup of coffee you’ll ever taste. Make sure you travel on an empty stomach because there are so many delicacies to experience. You will embark on a gastronomical tour around the town discovering where many Italian rustic dishes originate from.
2. Cilento
Cilento, just south of Naples, is an undiscovered gem. And it’s here on Cilento’s coastline where you will find locals taking their own summer holidays in Italy thanks to its stunning scenery and relaxed vibe. Well, if it’s good enough for the locals, it’s good enough for us…
What to do:
The Vallo di Diano National Park is what pulls in most of its visitors, but beyond the park are unspoiled beaches and mountains with olive groves dotted throughout the scenery.
3. Abruzzo
For interesting holidays in Italy, Abruzzo is one place you should consider because it has buckets of style and more than enough to keep you entertained during a stay. There are rocky beaches where fishermen still head out off the shore to catch the day’s specials, but an exciting ski offering up in the mountains.
What to do:
Besides being an activity-focused destination with three national parks to explore and plenty of water sports to try out to sea. In Winter, you can head into the mountains and find 261 kilometres of white snowy slopes with fantastic resorts like Alto Sangro – Roccaraso/Rivisondoli.
4. Bergamo
Northern Italy paints a very different picture to the rustic oil paintings of the south. And in the Renaissance city of Bergamo the baroque architecture and medieval art are simply unmissable.
What to do:
Explore the city’s historical charm with a myriad of museums and churches within the old walls of the city. In fact, simply weaving through the traditional cobbled streets will delight every sense. Most importantly, head to Lower Bergamo for the markets and Torre dei Caduti for a fantastic viewpoint to take in all of the city.
5. Ponza
Ponza is the largest of the Pontine Islands and the place to see true Italian culture in abundance, while rubbing shoulders with wealthy yacht owners. You could say it’s the St Tropez of Italy – famed for its shores and a quite magnificent harbour.
What to do:
The colourful variety of bars and restaurants make for the perfect spot to soak up the sun and the atmosphere. If you’re looking to explore though, the only way to see this island is by boat!
6. Pavia
Travel an hour south of Milan and you will come across the city of Pavia – a cultural hub thanks it once being considered as the most important and influential town in Northern Italy.
What to do:
There has been plenty of investment put into the district with notable architecture such as the beautifully restored Sta. Monica Church of Pavia, the striking Basilica Maggiore and the Pavia Cathedral.
