This Is Italy
Would you like to enjoy the late season in Italy? Just do it! We have a tip for you: take a road trip with a rental car. You fly low-budget to the most surprising Italian cities and you discover a whole new side to Italy. There is so much to discover!
In this article, we would like to point out 5 often-overlooked destinations that you can easily visit during a road trip in the autumn can discover.
Matera
Matera is a special, prehistoric city in the southern Italian region Basilicata, which is a road trip in itself. This year (2019) Matera is also European Capital of Culture, so you can expect all kinds of events and festivities.
The cave houses in which people lived until the middle of the last century are a real sight to behold. And did you know that Matera is often used as a backdrop for films set in the distant past? So is The Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson included here.
Bergamo
Bergamo is easy to reach from Milan (where you can easily pick up your rental car at the airport). Bergamo is located between the Iseomer and the majestic Alps wedged in. It is not often on the lists of tourists, but that is completely unjustified. This city has its own uptown and a lower town, which are connected by the funicular.
The old town is full of history, with a beautiful cathedral and historic city walls. The funicular takes you easily from the old center to the shopping paradise in the bustling new part of the city. Are you already a little later in the year with your trip to Bergamo? Then you can also ski and snowboard here!
Lecce
We go back to the south of Italy, to the Florence of Italy. We are talking about here Lecce, a city that had its heyday in the sixteenth century and is still full of the beautiful architecture of that time. From the cathedral to the basilica, from the amphitheater to one of the many palaces and squares, a visit to Lecce will make you wonder why you haven't been to this city before.
In any case, a road trip through the heel of the boot is something we can recommend 100%. In Puglia you really get to know a new side of Italy.
Bolzano
Because we are traveling criss-cross through Italy, we go all the way north again. To Bolzano in the beautiful region Trentino-South Tyrol. It is the city that is at the top of all lists when it comes to beauty and liveability. Some say that Bolzano is actually more Austrian than Italian.
We think you will find a wonderful mix between Mediterranean Italy and influences of the Germanic migrants here. Bolzano is a beautiful and lively city, where you are less bothered by tourists, but still find lots of fun and unique architecture every day of the year. In addition, you can enjoy beautiful car rides through the Dolomites
Lucca
Of course we know that you are only too happy to visit Tuscany. And really, there is no better time to travel to this popular region than in the late season. Where all the tourists flock in Florence, Pisa and San Gimignano, it is a lot quieter in the beautiful Lucca.
Lucca is an ancient town, with ramparts designed by the great Leonardo da Vinci himself. From those walls you have a beautiful view over Tuscany and the old buildings in the city itself, such as the antique amphitheater and the great Torre dei Guinigi. If the weather is good you can see as far as Pisa.
Tip: go cycling through the center of Lucca.
More road trip ideas?
There are many more towns like this in Italy. You can write entire websites about it and we have been doing that for about 10 years!
Even in the most popular regions of Tuscany, Liguria and Veneto, rough diamonds are waiting to be visited, sometimes being only XNUMX minutes from a major popular tourist destination.
So many beautiful villages and places waiting to be discovered, all it takes is a bit of an adventurous mentality, a good map and a car that can get you from A to B without any problems. Italy is and remains a country of wonders and you can discover it best if you can move around easily.
Cheap flights?
You can save a lot on airline tickets if you can travel on flexible days and times. If you are dependent on the school holidays, you usually pay a little more. In general, you should book as early as possible or go for the last-minute offers.
Alternatively, you can of course also depart by car from the Netherlands or Belgium. It takes a little longer, but it is a lot more environmentally friendly. And you can stop wherever you want. After all, the journey there is also a holiday!
A safe rental car for a good price
Earlier we gave you several tips about what you should take into account when you going to rent a car. There are several brokers who hire their rental car on a large scale from the rental companies, which means you can save a lot on the costs of car rental.
A reliable rental agent who can provide safe cars for a good price is Sunny Cars. Feel free to compare the rates on the website if you know the period in which you are going.
Your tips for road trips?
Do you have any good tips for road trips to areas, towns or villages in Italy? Leave a comment below and help other Italy lovers!
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