Rome and Florence have deservedly earned their reputations, but they can also leave people thinking they’ve seen all Italy has to offer, when they’ve really only experienced a fraction. A second trip opens up completely different landscapes, regional traditions, and local routines that rarely make it into first-time itineraries. One week might involve wandering through a Sicilian street market in the morning, another could end with a walk beneath the Dolomites after an afternoon train ride.
These five regions suit independent travellers who enjoy spending several days in one place and escaping the main tourist circuit. Some are easy to explore by train, while others are best explored by car once the itinerary reaches smaller towns.
Sicily and the Greek and Arab History That Shaped the Island
Sicily’s history is visible long before anyone steps inside a museum. Syracuse’s Archaeological Park still contains one of the largest Greek theatres ever built. At the same time, the Valley of the Temples near Agrigento preserves temples that have stood for more than two thousand years. Palermo tells a different story. Ballarò Market, Via Maqueda and the streets around Quattro Canti all reflect centuries of Arab influence, from the layout of the old city to the ingredients still found in local markets today.
Travellers hoping to spend time across southeastern Sicily can choose Sicily villa rentals by WishSicily as a base. Staying in one place makes it easier to visit Ragusa Ibla, Noto, Modica and Agrigento over several days without changing accommodation every couple of nights. Each town has its own character, and hiring a car leaves plenty of time to wander the historic centres instead of watching the clock for the next bus.
Regional trains work well along the north and east coasts, linking places such as Cefalù, Taormina-Giardini and Syracuse. Inland services are slower, and a hired car gives far more flexibility once the journey heads into southeastern Sicily. Many historic centres also have restricted traffic zones, so drivers usually leave the car in public car parks outside the old town before continuing on foot.
Puglia and the Trulli Towns the Crowds Haven’t Reached Yet
Alberobello attracts most first-time visitors to Puglia, though nearby towns reveal a very different side of the region. A short drive away, Locorotondo and Cisternino have many of the same whitewashed lanes, though the atmosphere feels much more local once the day-trippers head back towards the coast. Laundry hangs above quiet side streets, neighbours stop to chat in small squares, and local shops continue serving residents long after souvenir stalls have closed elsewhere.
The weekly markets are worth checking before arriving because each town has its own market day. Fruit, vegetables, clothing, kitchenware and regional cheeses take up most of the stalls, and most shoppers consist of local residents picking up groceries for the week. Around Martina Franca, it’s common to see people filling shopping trolleys before stopping for a coffee in the main piazza.
Bari is usually the easiest arrival point by train. From there, regional railways reach many inland towns, although Sunday services are less frequent. Drivers should also expect narrow streets inside historic centres where parking spaces disappear quickly by late morning.
Tuscany and the Walking Routes That Connect Its Hilltop Towns
Florence often dominates the attention of those visiting Tuscany, yet many of the region’s most enjoyable days happen well outside the city. Places such as San Gimignano, Volterra, Pienza and Montepulciano are small enough to cover on foot. Spending the night also means seeing the streets after the coach groups have left, when the main squares are noticeably quieter.
The Via Francigena is well worth considering for a walking holiday in Italy, with sections that can either be completed over a weekend or added to a wider Tuscany itinerary. Some walkers complete the full pilgrimage over several weeks, while others simply choose individual stages between nearby towns. The route passes vineyards, farm tracks, cypress-lined lanes and old stone villages where drinking fountains are often found in the main square.
The paths are generally well marked, although proper footwear helps after wet weather when gravel tracks become slippery. Public buses connect many of the hill towns, though departures may only run a handful of times each day. It’s always worth checking the final return service before setting off.
Emilia-Romagna and the Food Heritage Italy Built Its Reputation On
Bologna is one of those cities where ordinary food shopping quickly becomes interesting, thanks to its rich cultural cuisine heritage. The lanes around the Quadrilatero fill early with people buying fresh pasta, fruit, bread and cured meats before work. Produce arrives throughout the morning, so the atmosphere changes quite a bit between breakfast and lunchtime.
A short walk leads to Piazza Maggiore, where students, commuters and visitors all seem to cross paths. Covered arcades make walking comfortable even when summer temperatures climb, and they also provide shelter during sudden rain showers.
Parma, Modena and Ferrara are all easy day trips from Bologna by train. Many food producers welcome visitors for guided tours, though it’s worth booking a few days ahead, particularly at weekends. A car isn’t essential because trains run frequently between the region’s main cities.
The Dolomites and What Italy Looks Like Away from the Mediterranean
Italian and German influences sit comfortably alongside each other in the Dolomites. Village names appear in both languages, church towers rise above alpine meadows, and local bakeries often display pastries alongside more familiar Italian breads.
Bolzano makes a practical starting point because trains from Verona connect directly with regional buses heading into the valleys. During summer, buses to places such as Ortisei and Corvara can become busy by mid-morning, particularly during school holidays. Arriving early usually makes finding a seat much easier.
Walking around Lago di Braies or Tre Cime di Lavaredo doesn’t require technical climbing, but alpine conditions are unpredictable. A waterproof jacket earns its place in the backpack, even on bright mornings. Cable cars also stop operating surprisingly early outside peak season, so checking the final descent time avoids an unexpectedly long walk back down.
Which Italian region is still missing from your list?
There’s no shortage of places to explore in Italy once Rome and Florence are off the list. Sicily is home to Greek temples, Arab-influenced markets and baroque towns. Puglia’s hill towns still gather around weekly markets, while Tuscany’s footpaths continue to connect villages that have stood for centuries.
In Emilia-Romagna, fresh produce markets and traditional food producers remain part of everyday life. Then there are the Dolomites, where train journeys give way to mountain buses, bilingual road signs and walking trails that climb above the tree line.
Rome and Florence may be where many journeys begin, but they represent only a small part of what Italy has to offer.
