Those looking for space and silence in Italy still have many options. In Emilia-Romagna, the road into Brisighella winds through hills that feel sculpted as much as eroded. Towers sit alone on ridges, while scattered trees stand like characters on a stage.
Brisighella’s medieval core is a place to wander without a plan. A raised, covered path runs through part of the old town, providing cool corners and unexpected views. From here, you can step out into the countryside or linger in the town’s cafés and courtyards.
Further south, Sicily’s Via dei Frati offers something rarer still: a multi-day walk with almost no other travellers. The 54-mile route across the Madonie mountains links Caltanissetta and Cefalù, concluding each day in villages such as Gangi where English may be rare but warmth is abundant.
In Basilicata, Venosa and its surrounding castles represent another type of hidden treasure. The town’s Roman ruins, catacombs and fortress reveal its past importance, while Melfi, Lagopesole and Pietragalla add more fortified silhouettes to the skyline. The local wine and food further reward those who make the journey.
Elsewhere, travellers can disconnect entirely at a riverside eco-hotel in the Apennines, explore the medieval streets and Lombard art of Cividale, slip through Chioggia’s narrow canals, hike around Santo Stefano d’Aveto, taste sweet Loazzolo wine amid colourful autumn vineyards, and wander the Roman city of Urbs Salvia under the blazing Marche sun. Campoli Appennino, perched on the edge of a vast sinkhole, adds bear-watching, gorges and truffle pasta to the mix for those seeking something truly different.
