Rediscover Italy: Ancient Roads, Forest Retreats and Forgotten Cities

In a land famous for its icons, Italy’s lesser-known gems shine just as brightly. Brisighella in Emilia-Romagna welcomes travellers with steep rocky hills, lonely towers and scattered pines that create a dramatic entrance.
The medieval town offers peaceful exploration. A raised walkway winds through stone buildings, creating quiet lookouts and secret corners. Brisighella is both a destination and a gateway to the stunning landscapes that surround it.
Sicily’s Via dei Frati trail is a journey into silence. Over 54 miles between Caltanissetta and Cefalù, hikers cross the Madonie mountains, encountering few tourists and many postcard-worthy views. Each night ends in a welcoming village like Gangi.
In Basilicata, Venosa offers Roman ruins, ancient catacombs and a magnificent castle. The nearby castles of Melfi and Lagopesole stand as reminders of a powerful past, their silence part of their charm.
Completing the picture is an eco-hotel hidden deep in the Apennines, the UNESCO beauty of Cividale, the canals and fort of Chioggia, the mountain trails of Santo Stefano d’Aveto and the desert-like stillness of the Roman city of Urbs Salvia. These places whisper stories that busy tourist centres often drown out.