Italy Off the Beaten Path

Who should visit? If your top priority is to emerge in history and see ancient ruins, go to Bari. The city is full of religious architecture like the Basilica di San Nicola, ancient architecture in Alberobello located on 2 hills (rated high by our travelers), Borgo Murattiano, a district with a variety of architecture.
Though Bari is not a major tourist destination, it has plenty of lively bars and restaurants to enjoy delicious local cuisine which includes good quality seafood, colorful vegetables, pasta, pizza, focaccia and much more.

If you have the chance to spend a few extra days in Bari, we advise to explore its surrounding cities: visit a sea harbor in Trani or, for a special feeling, go to Ostuni, where the entire town is painted in white. We suggest you go to Bari from May to June when the chances of rain are slight and the weather is sunny and warm, the weather becomes cooler and wet from November to February.

How to combine? This destination is included in our private tours to Italy and could be also added as an extension for other Italy tours. If you make the travel arrangements yourself, we recommend adding this destination when visiting Naples and Rome, it is also very convenient to take a ferry to/from Croatia or Greece and make it a nice extension.

Who should visit? Sicily is another off-the-beaten-path destination boasting spectacular gems, from Italian fishing villages to historic architecture and scenic nature. This is a unique Italian island to which travelers come to for an authentic feel, as Sicily is like a museum, a uniquely preserved place where tourism has not taken hold yet.

This island, placed in the very heart of the Mediterranean, is full of wonders: picturesque mountains, numerous beaches for nature lovers, local food and wine for foodies, stunning hiking paths and volcanos for all adventurous souls.

Of course, the volcanic caves of Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, is one of the main wonders people are seeking to discover in Sicily. We suggest visiting Sicily from April to May and from September to October, otherwise, prepare to get warm. Learn more about this amazing island in Triptile blog post 10 best places to visit in Sicily.

How to combine? This destination is included in our private tour to Sicily and could be also added as an extension for other italian programs. When going independently we advise adding this destination at the beginning of your trip and after that visit Rome, Milan, Pisa. Also, you would get a nice combination adding Palermo, Erice, Agrigento, and Taormina to your tour.

Who should visit? Some may argue that Cinque Terre is far from being an unbeaten path since it is a famous tourist destination. This statement is partly true, the cities are rarely empty, nevertheless, this destination is heaven for hikers that could enjoy vast and unoccupied hills and widths.
That's why if you're longing for spectacular scenery, natural untouched beauty, and unique hiking paths, Cinque Terre is a must. This charming seaside village is formed by 5 individual villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore) and each is well preserved and has been considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Surprisingly, only a few places are accessible by car, most of the time people reach these villages by ferry, walking paths, and trains.

This is the main reason why nature there is untouched and the region is full of religious and antique heritage. Both, hiking enthusiasts and beginners are lured to Cinque Terre to hike, since routes there cater to all levels, from easy 20 - 60 minute strolls to challenging tracking up the steep hillsides.

The climate of Cinque Terre is sunny and warm, during the winter season the average temperature is around 12 degrees Celcius while in summer it may reach 30 degrees Celcius. We suggest visiting it from March to the end of October, this is the best time to have not only hikes but also peaceful mornings to enjoy Ligurian cuisine and coastal scenery, dating from the early medieval period.

How to combine? This destination is included in our private tour to Tuscany and could be also added as an extension for other Italian tours. When going independently we recommend adding this destination when visiting Florence, Milan, Pisa, Venice. For more information about exploring Florence check out post about top things to do there.