Italy’s Quiet Side: Where Medieval Lanes and Emerald Rivers Await

There is an Italy beyond the crowds — a place of tranquillity, forgotten ruins and intimate landscapes. Brisighella in Emilia-Romagna is a perfect example. Surrounded by dramatic hills and solitary towers, it looks like the backdrop to a Renaissance fresco.
The town’s medieval heart is a delight to explore. Its raised walkway threads between houses, offering glimpses into courtyards and panoramas of the rugged hills. It’s an ideal starting point for long, scenic walks into untouched countryside.
In Sicily, the Via dei Frati provides a completely different rhythm. This 54-mile mountain trail is blissfully quiet, connecting Caltanissetta with Cefalù through wild forest and open ridges. Evenings spent in villages like Gangi become the highlight, with friendly locals and hearty Sicilian dishes.
Basilicata’s Venosa carries centuries of history in its stones. Roman ruins lie scattered around the town, while catacombs and a fortress add layers of intrigue. Nearby castles, including Melfi and Lagopesole, stand grand and imposing despite their lack of tourist traffic.
Further north and east are more discoveries: the off-grid Apennine eco-hotel, Cividale’s medieval wonders and turquoise river, Chioggia’s canal-lined streets, the Ligurian peaks near Santo Stefano d’Aveto and Urbs Salvia’s expansive Roman theatre. These are the landscapes of an Italy that feels wonderfully personal.