 First time travelers to Italy almost always have the same mental picture: Tuscany with its rolling green hills covered in vineyards, towering Italian cypress trees, and scenic hilltop villages. We LOVE Tuscany, we do! But we also love to help our clients experience other regions within Italy. Italy is made up of 20 unique, vibrant, regions. Each region has its own personality, cuisine, and landscape, and most have their own dialects or unique languages in addition to Italian. Each region provides a quintessential Italian experience, and we’re here to help you navigate your options. We’d love to get you off the beaten path and into some of our must-visit dreamy Italian getaways.  VenetoVeneto is a northeastern Italian region stretching from the Dolomite Mountains to the Adriatic Sea. Venice, its regional capital, is famed for its canals, Gothic architecture and Carnival celebrations. Veneto was part of the powerful Venetian Republic for more than 1,000 years, between the 7th and 18th centuries. A medieval city of rare beauty, set back against the hills to the north and laid out harmoniously along the smooth curves of the Adige river, Verona is famous for being the setting of Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet." A 14th-century residence with a tiny balcony overlooking a courtyard is said to be the fictional “Juliet’s House." The Verona Arena is a huge 1st-century Roman amphitheater, which currently hosts concerts and large-scale opera performances. Let us take you there!  LombardiaThere’s more to the northern lake district of Italy than just Lake Como and George Clooney. Lakes Iseo, Maggiore, and Garda offer stunning views, charming villages, delicious regional cuisines, and everything from ritzy to casual elegance. Sirmione is a dazzling town on Lake Garda that is often called one of the prettiest and quaintest villages of Italy. It's a famous thermal destination and has lovely spas to relax and unwind. Lake Como, with views of snow capped Alps, is famous around the world for elegant villas, breathtaking scenery, lakeside villages, fantastical gardens, quaint alleyways, and dramatic vistas. With a mix of lake and land activities, scenic experiences, stunning properties, and a well-balanced itinerary, this trip provides a truly Exquisite Northern Italy journey.  Puglia & BasilicataPuglia, a southern region forming the heel of Italy’s “boot,” is known for its whitewashed hill towns, centuries-old farmland and hundreds of kilometers of Mediterranean coastline. Capital Bari is a vibrant port and university town, while Lecce is known as “Florence of the South” for its baroque architecture. Imagine yourself in the south of Italy, immersed in a food lover's paradise in an area mostly overlooked by mass tourism. Puglia, pronounced “pool-ya,” is the perfect region for Soirée’s discerning guests. The “heel” of Italy’s fashionable boot. Here you’ll find graceful Baroque cities, curious conical stone huts called “trulli,” charming villages, exquisite cuisine, and glorious, peaceful beaches. Don’t skip over the UNESCO treasure of Matera in Basilicata. This city may be the world’s third-longest inhabited human settlement. The old city is famous for its cave dwellings and is often filmed as a stand in for Jerusalem in blockbuster movies. The new city is all about gracious living and sophisticated gastronomy. Basilicata, with its "little Dolomites," unique cuisine, ancient history, and outdoor adventure possibilities is worth your time. Whether Italy is new for you or familiar, we think this awesome itinerary checks all the boxes for incredible food, magnificent wine, dramatic landscapes, and unfrequented destinations.  Le MarcheOne of Italy's best hidden gems is the eastern region of Le Marche (pronounced leh mark-eh). Situated along the Adriatic Sea, with stunning landscapes and hill towns, Le Marche takes you out of the norm to discover an incredible and beautiful Italian region. Generally tourist-free and uncrowded, immerse yourself in traditional and authentic Italy. Le Marche sits between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea. Ancona, its capital, is a port city on the Riviera del Conero, an area with sandy coves, limestone cliffs and medieval villages. Pesaro is the birthplace of renowned opera composer Rossini. The interior has countryside dotted with fortified hilltop settlements and the glaciated valleys of the Monti Sibillini National Park. Discover the artisans, hidden alleys, panoramic views, shops, and monuments such as Raphael’s birthplace in the wonderful UNESCO HERITAGE city of Urbino. If you're looking for a truly immersive experience in Authentic Italy, we can deliver.  SicilyAt the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Sicily embodies the taste of a half-dozen cultures. Rich flavors, healthy ingredients, fresh seafood, delectable combinations, and unique wines merge to form the extraordinary cuisine of Sicily. Explore the history and beauty of Sicily, indulging in food and wine experiences along the way at some of the island’s most traditional markets, shops, wineries, and restaurants. Get off the beaten path to discover the real flavors of Sicily. We can help you discover the Flavors of Sicily as you experience the delights of its unique food culture while exploring ancient and scenic destinations.  UmbriaThe region of Umbria borders Tuscany and is known as the "Green heart of Italy." Famous for its history, lakes, hilltop villages, and wines, this timeless region deserves your attention. You can explore Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis, one of Italy's two patron saints. Situated along the gentle hills of Umbria Assisi, is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the world and one of Italy’s most interesting little towns. Charming, winding streets lead to a number of piazzas and significant churches, but the highlight might well be the Basilica of St. Francis. Its construction began in 1228 just after St. Francis’ death. A second church sits above the lower. Both are filled with frescoes, while the lower church houses St. Francis' tomb. It's common to see in this special city monks in long brown robes roaming the streets or bands of pilgrims walking the country roads surrounding the town. Perugia, the regional capital, was an Etruscan settlement between 6th-1st century BC, falling to the Romans in 40 BC. The quantity and quality of remains from these periods is impressive, particularly the ancient walls and gates to the city, many of which remain intact.  Piemonte, Emilia-Romagna & LiguriaThese three regions border one another north of Tuscany and stretch all the way to the French and Swiss borders. From sandy Adriatic beaches, to pristine lakes, snow-capped mountains, and the Italian Riviera, the diverse land and seascapes will leave you swooning.
But that’s not all. These regions are a food-and-wine lover’s paradise. Pesto, Barolo wine, Parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, Lambrusco wine, chocolate-hazelnut spreads, Prosciutto di Parma, tortellini, Bolognese sauce, and more all originated in these destinations. High-quality black and white truffles abound in Piemonte. Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventures, relaxing beach time, luxury driving experiences (think Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Ducati) or ritzy Riviera vibes, you’ll find them all here. And we specialize in helping you connect with locals while getting you off the beaten path to experience these breathtaking regions without the crowds. Combine them, or pair one or more of these regions with one of our existing itinerary inspirations to personalize your travels. Contact us for more information. Comments are closed.
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