June in Italy feels like a gift, a perfect transition into summer with amazing weather and fewer crowds than the peak months. It’s the kind of time when the light is just right, the air is warm but not too hot, and you have so many incredible options for exploring. Whether you’re drawn to the coast, ancient cities, or mountain trails, Italy really shines this time of year. It makes planning a holiday a delightful challenge because there’s just so
Italy offers an incredible range of destinations, from northern forests to southern beaches, with plentiful options for every type of traveler. Whether you’re drawn to the rustic charm of a restored farmhouse, the modern comfort of a villa, or the unique experience of glamping, there’s a perfect Italian escape waiting for you. Northern Sicily Adventures Our journey begins with a stay at Terre di Bea, a traditional Sicilian cottage nestled within the Madonie natural park in northern Sicily. It’s a
When thinking of Italy, my mind conjures images of the familiar: the rolling hills of Tuscany, the canals of Venice, the ancient ruins of Rome. But on a recent trip, I discovered a region that captures the essence of Italy in a way I hadn’t anticipated – Abruzzo. Nestled on the Adriatic coast, east of Lazio, this central Italian gem offers a microcosm of the country’s diverse landscapes and deep-rooted traditions, far from the usual tourist crowds. Imagine journeying from
Italy conjures images of ancient ruins, rolling vineyards, and the sweet sound of opera. While the postcard-perfect visions of Rome, Venice, and Florence are undeniably alluring, our last trip there showed me the magic that can be found off the beaten path. Escaping the crowds of the major hubs offers a chance to truly connect with the local rhythm of life. For a more relaxed and authentic Italian adventure, I’ve found that delving into the smaller towns can reveal an
Italy’s Abruzzo region offers a distinctly slower pace, and I found Guardiagrele to be a perfect embodiment of that. Nestled in the foothills of the Apennine Mountains with views stretching towards the Adriatic Sea, this historic hill town has gracefully embraced its identity as a center for craft, cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes. It’s the kind of place where heritage feels lived in, not just preserved. Discovering Guardiagrele’s Stone Heart Often called the “City of Stone,” Guardiagrele immediately lives up to
Italy’s Maiella National Park offers a rugged and less-trodden path into the heart of Abruzzo, a region brimming with natural beauty and echoes of history. It’s a place where dramatic landscapes meet genuine hospitality, creating an experience that feels both adventurous and deeply restorative. If you’re seeking an Italian escape that goes beyond the usual tourist trails, with opportunities for hiking, cultural discovery, and simply soaking in the atmosphere, this park is an exceptional choice. Exploring Maiella’s Wild Heart A
Central Italy holds a region brimming with opportunities for travelers, a place often called the “green lung of Europe.” This area, Abruzzo, is a tapestry of medieval towns, rolling vineyards, and striking Adriatic coastline, all punctuated by alpine peaks within three protected national parks. It’s a natural wonderland, home to a significant portion of European wildlife. My own experience here, after visiting Tuscany’s famous wine regions, showed me it’s a less-traveled gem, offering celebrated Montepulciano wines and charming towns nestled
I’ve spent years wandering Italy’s backstreets and hill towns, and one thing I keep coming back to is how different the country feels when you have a proper base — a place with a kitchen, a pool, and enough space to actually breathe. The luxury villa market here has grown 40% in value since 2019, reaching an estimated €35.7 billion, and it’s not hard to see why. More travellers are trading hotel rooms for private gardens, olive groves, and the
Choosing a villa for our Italian getaway has become my favorite way to experience the country. It offers a sense of freedom that hotels just can’t match. We set our own pace here, from leisurely breakfasts on sunny terraces to spontaneous dips in private pools, followed by quiet explorations of charming nearby towns. It means no rigid schedules, just the pure joy of shaping our days exactly as we wish. Whether it’s for a quiet escape, a big family gathering,
L’Aquila sits in a high valley of the Apennines, ringed by peaks that hold snow well into spring. It’s the capital of Abruzzo, a region most travellers speed through on the way to the coast, and for the past decade and a half it’s been known for something else entirely: the 2009 earthquake that killed more than 300 people and damaged an estimated 100,000 buildings across the area. But 2026 is the year that changes. L’Aquila has been named Italy’s
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The Sentiero dei Limoni connects Maiori and Minori with roughly 400–800 stone steps, climbing through terraces where the sfusato amalfitano lemon has been grown for centuries. – Amalfi Outdoor Experience I was standing in the main piazza of Minori, coffee in hand, staring up at the hillside behind the Basilica di Santa Trofimena. Terraced rows of green and yellow climbed the slope in tight lines, held up by dry-stone walls that looked older than the church itself. A few minutes earlier I had asked a local shopkeeper about the lemon groves visible from town. She pointed to a narrow
I first heard about Marina del Cantone from a friend who grew up going to the Sorrento coast long before the influencers arrived. She described it as the place her family went when they wanted to escape the crowds, a little fishing village with a pebbled beach and a pasta dish so good it has its own name. I’d been to Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi, and loved them, but I also felt the strain of the crowds. So when I finally made it to Marina del Cantone, I understood exactly what she meant. Marina del Cantone is a refuge
I stood on the pebble beach at Marina del Cantone, squinting at the water. It was a shade of blue so deep and vivid that I thought my eyes were playing tricks. I pulled out my phone, lined up the shot, and watched the screen turn the color into something flat and ordinary. The water in Nerano simply does not photograph correctly. That’s not a complaint — it’s a challenge. Nerano is a tiny fishing village in the municipality of Massa Lubrense, about 70 km from Naples, tucked between the Amalfi Coast and the Sorrento Peninsula. Nerano is a
Cava de’ Tirreni has reinvented itself. It is no longer just a beach destination. It is a place where people come for the art, the history and the peace.” – Pasquale Schiattarella, local tour guide, via The New York Times I stepped out of the car in Cava de’ Tirreni and the first thing I noticed was the air. Cool, clean, carrying pine instead of salt. After days on the Amalfi Coast, where heat bounces off limestone and the sea breeze is a constant companion, the shift felt immediate. This town sits on the steep slopes of the Lattari
I stood on a terrace carved into rock so steep I had to brace myself with one hand. Below me, the Mediterranean glittered. Beside me, vines twisted out of soil that barely looked deep enough for a houseplant. In August 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization added Amalfi’s terraced farming system to its Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems list — recognizing that these stone-walled plots let people grow food on terrain most would call impossible. – lavocedinewyork.com Emily’s Take Yes, the vineyard terraces of Furore are worth a detour — but only if you’re okay with steep roads, manual
I stood at the edge of the path in Bomerano, looking down at the terraced lemon groves and the sea stretching toward Capri, and I finally understood why they call it the Path of the Gods. The Sentiero degli Dei runs 7.8 km from Bomerano (in the municipality of Agerola) to Nocelle, a hamlet above Positano, and it’s the kind of walk that shifts something in you. Most people start from the other end, but the real magic happens when you go this way. The trail runs 7.8 km from Bomerano (Agerola) to Nocelle, mostly downhill, with views of
