This Is Italy
Tourism has changed, and this is also noticeable in Italy, where travelers are increasingly looking for unique places off the beaten track. Most of the tourism tends to concentrate in just 1% of the country: art cities such as Florence, Rome, Venice and Milan, or cities known for their cuisine, such as Bologna and Naples, or the most popular Italian seaside resorts.
Yet data from Coldiretti/Ixè showed that in 2023, stays in Italian small villages increased, with 72% of Italian tourists choosing one of more than 5.000 villages in their own country as their holiday destination; this points to the growing appeal of local and sustainable tourism.
Sustainable travel by train
These charming villages spread across Italy, from north to south, offer authentic experiences of tradition, culture and history, and are increasingly accessible, even without a car. Thanks to the extensive railway network of Trenitalia the train is an ideal, sustainable way to discover these hidden gems. This is especially appreciated by younger tourists, who are more environmentally conscious.
One of the most attractive services offered in Italian villages is the opportunity to stay in historic homes: with demand more than 80 percent higher than in 2019, these characteristic houses are the icing on the cake of an unforgettable holiday , far removed from the chaos and bustle of the big cities.
From Sicily to Liguria: a fairytale route through Italian villages
A journey of discovery through these gems could take us throughout Italy, because villages represent almost 70% of all municipalities in the country. Each of these countless small towns and villages encompasses unique history and tradition, as well as fine food, wine and craftsmanship, and they are all waiting to be explored and experienced.
An example is Cefalù, a Sicilian pearl declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, with its crystal clear waters and an ancient town built almost entirely in limestone: an unforgettable destination, enriched by the Arab-Norman details of its architecture.
On the mainland, the Puglia region awaits Alberobello, a village known worldwide for its characteristic trulli homes, while visitors to Calabria visit places such as Tropea en Calabrian lace can explore.
And when it comes to villages, Umbria and the Tuscia area are hard to beat, with their small medieval hamlets and castles scattered among the hills. A must Castiglione del Lago, listed among the 'Borghi più belli d'Italia' (the most beautiful villages in Italy) and surrounded by robust, medieval walls and the magical Lake Trasimeno.
From there to the north is Tuscany, dotted with an abundance of small villages overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea: Orbetello is just one of the beautiful destinations in the region.
Finally, the Cinque Terre area in Liguria should not be missed. Vernazza, overlooking the sea and with a population of 738, is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy because of the colorful facades of its houses.
Source: True Italian Experience press release
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