Discover an Unexpected Side to Italy

For travelers who’ve already strolled the Spanish Steps, lingered too long over lunch in Positano, and know their way around a Venetian vaporetto, Italy can start to feel familiar. Yet another layer—quieter, richer, more textured—waits beyond the obvious. It’s not hidden, exactly. Just rarely sought out.

We’re talking about the Italy your guidebook barely mentions. The one where the joy is in the unexpected detour, the unplanned conversation, the restaurant with no website and a menu that changes daily. The one locals keep for themselves, until someone they trust asks just the right question. Luckily, you know us, and we’ll about to share our insider insights with you.

Puglia: The Sun-Drenched Heel

Head southeast to Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot, where the land stretches lazily into the Adriatic and the light feels almost edible, soft and golden, as if filtered through olive leaves. Here, the rhythm of the day isn’t dictated by itinerary, but by appetite and curiosity.

In Lecce, one of the region’s cultural jewels, mornings begin slowly with a caffè leccese—espresso over ice with a dash of almond milk—and from there, everything follows suit. No rush, no reason to hurry. Just time. You’ll wander through baroque streets the color of baked stone, stopping to admire facades that seem to ripple in the afternoon heat. Pause for a pasticciotto, a custard-filled pastry that’s somehow both flaky and dense, and understand why nobody here ever eats on the go.

Elsewhere in Puglia, traditions run deep. You can join a pizzica dance workshop in a small town outside Lecce. The music is infectious, and the movements are deceptively simple. Before long, you’ll understand why this centuries-old folk dance was once considered a form of healing.

For families, Alberobello is pure storybook charm. Whitewashed trulli with conical roofs cluster like sugar cubes along the hillside. We’ll introduce you to a local trullaro, who’ll teach children how to build their own miniature versions, the kind of keepsake they’ll never forget. And when the sun dips low, your haven awaits at Borgo Egnazia. In this luxury property, elegance and rusticity live in perfect harmony—day trips to hill towns or crystalline beaches round out the experience.

Sardinia: Wild Beauty, Waterfront Glamour

Too often labeled simply as a beach destination, Sardinia—Italy’s second-largest island—is far more layered, especially when you know where to look. This sun-drenched island doesn’t give itself away all at once; it rewards curiosity.

On the northeast coast, the famed Emerald Coast glows like a mirage. Yes, Cala di Volpe and 7Pines offer the polished resort experience, and yes, Phi Beach Club is still the spot for a sunset Aperol. But venture beyond the expected, and the island reveals its wilder soul.

A guided e-bike ride through the La Maddalena Archipelago, a protected marine area, is one of our favorite ways to experience it. You’ll coast past secluded coves, breathe in the scent of wild myrtle and strawberry trees, and stop beneath pine-shaded overlooks that feel entirely yours.

Then there’s Caprera Island, a short ferry away. It’s here that Giuseppe Garibaldi—yes, that Garibaldi—chose to retire. His home still stands, dignified and straightforward, a quiet tribute to the man who unified a nation.

But Sardinia’s history still goes further. At Nuraghe La Prisgiona and the Giants’ Tombs of Coddu Vecchiu, you’ll walk among Bronze Age ruins that feel almost prehistoric in their stillness. These ancient structures have withstood millennia and will be there long after the cocktail glasses in Porto Cervo are cleared away.

That interplay between past and present, wild and refined, makes Sardinia unforgettable. Whether you spend your days hiking rugged trails or people-watching from a chic lounge chair, the island delivers both serenity and style in equal measure.

Umbria: The Quiet Heart

Umbria, often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor Tuscany, is where you exhale. There’s something inherently restorative about its rolling hills, medieval villages and warm, amber light. It’s softer around the edges than Tuscany, more introspective, and brings the authentic charm of discovering somewhere unexpected.

In the village of Deruta, ceramics aren’t a trend—they’re tradition. Spend a morning with a local artisan, their hands steady over the wheel, their movements almost meditative. Each glaze, each pattern, tells a story. One rooted in artistry and ancestry.

Pair the visit with lunch in Perugia, Umbria’s capital, where Etruscan walls cradle Renaissance piazzas, and chocolate shops sit next to centuries-old churches. There’s no need to rush. In Umbria, lingering is practically the law.

We recommend an e-bike ride around Lake Trasimeno for a more active immersion. The trail winds through vineyards, olive groves and fields that have barely changed in a few hundred years. The route ends, as all good journeys should, with a visit to a local winery. You’ll sip something earthy and honest as the light shifts gold across the hills.

At day’s end, retreat to Castello di Reschio, a meticulously restored estate where horses roam free, the spa is tucked into an old wine cellar, and every detail—from the lighting to the linens—feels intentional. It’s a place to unplug fully, and perhaps never leave.

Explore the Unexpected

When someone says they’ve “done Italy,” we nod politely. Then we smile.

Because the truth is, Italy isn’t something you check off. It’s something you return to, again and again, discovering a new layer each time. Of course, we still love the Amalfi Coast and the Tuscan Hills. But we'll take you further when you’re ready to go deeper. The best part of Italy is the part you haven’t met yet.