Finding ‘Off the Beaten Path’ in Southern Italy
“If you like Italy as far south as Rome, go further south. It gets better. If Italy is getting on your nerves by the time you get to Rome, think twice about going further. Italy intensifies as you plunge deeper.” — Rick Steves
When you think of Italy, what’s the first place that comes to mind? And the second? And the third? Chances are, depending on your proximity to the country itself, you conjured up at least one of the trinity: Rome, Venice, and Florence.
And while the three of them are the trifecta of northern Italian perfection for good reason, those looking to explore a lesser-known Italy will do well to venture slightly further south, and when we say slightly, we mean all the way down.
Why?
For those looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience, getting one is significantly easier when leaving the north. The tourism trade in Italy is huge, and it’s far more established in the iconic Italian locations. It doesn’t make them any less Italian, but it does make them more accommodating towards tourists, and for those looking for an immersive experience, that can be unwanted.
“Southern Italy is like the slow food of travel. While much of Europe marches to an increasingly homogenised beat, this raffish corner of the continent dances to its own hypnotic tune. Melancholy folk songs still fill the air, eyeshadow is applied thick and bright, and hearts are proudly worn on sleeves. Many of my fondest travel memories have been formed here … I might hail from the north, but my heart belongs to the Mezzogiorno.” — Cristian Bonetto
Not only is there value in taking a more adventurous approach to Italian travel, but there’s an abundance of value in the south itself. The region is markedly different from its northern counterpart, so checking out the lower parts of the country allows you to see a completely different (and totally wonderful) side to Italy.
Food, wine, culture, and scenery all differ from region to region, and you don’t want to miss the southern offerings. And while so much of it is incredible, here are three locations to check out to find the Italy enjoyed predominantly by other Italians…
One: Matera
“In the past year I’ve been traveling a lot in Southern Italy and have been repeatedly stupefied by the beauty of the ancient city of Matera. Though it’s not really ‘unknown’ anymore, it’s off most people’s beaten path but well-worth visiting, especially before tourism explodes there since it will be the 2019 European Capital of Culture.” — Kate Little-Paradiso, Sales & Client Management
Well, you heard it here, folks — if you want to experience Matera as the hidden gem it has been historically, you’re going to need to book your flights ASAP.
Once regarded as the shame of Italy, Matera exists within Basilicata, an inland Italian region rich with luscious forests and majestic mountainous areas. Traditionally, the town had been left isolated and unloved — which means traditionally it has been widely unvisited and under-appreciated.
Carlo Levi’s Christ Stopped at Eboli doesn’t exactly paint a flattering view of the post-war region. But in true ‘no publicity is bad publicity,’ style, it was this portrayal of his time in exile that drew sufficient attention to a misunderstood region that set in motion an arduous process of revitalization.
Anyway, enough vague history: Travelling to Matera is like travelling through time — it offers a cinematic and unfiltered look at an architectural time gone by, and it’s well worth a visit.
Want to know more? Check out Kate’s blog about the ‘Magic of Matera’ here.
Two: Tropea
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Ah, Tropea. There aren’t actually enough words to establish just how incredible Tropea is. It’s the very definition of picturesque — if the picture you’re looking at is a tropical beach town with dramatic views, stunning blue seas, and a vibrant central square, that is.
You can find sea side paradise, Tropea, in the province of Vibo Valentina — which is inside the southern Italian region of Calabria. It’s situated in the gulf of St. Euphemia on a reef, and it’s connected to the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Calabria is a region filled with incredible beaches, corresponding seaside towns, and laid-back living, but Tropea is the pinnacle. Rumor has it that this is a town that Hercules himself founded, and we can believe it — how else did the Church of Santa Maria dell’Isola get to the top of the cliff, after all?
A somewhat tentative grasp on Greek mythology aside, Tropea is the ideal spot for those of you who love getting your culture while working on your tan — as Tropea is small in size, you can go from beach-bum to ardent admirer of Italian architecture in seconds.
Tropea is the ideal destination if you want to take your time getting to know one place intimately, however, it’s also the perfect place to spend a couple of nights while taking in a wider range of southern Italian destinations.
Whatever your plans, plan for Tropea.
Three: Alberobello
“The site is of outstanding universal value being an exceptional example of a form of building construction deriving from prehistoric construction techniques that have survived intact and functioning into the modern world.”– UNESCO
Oh, UNESCO, you tried. Sure, it may not be the most exciting description, but trust us — exceptional is the key word here.
Alberobello is renowned for its unusual districts of trulli — if you’re not sure what a ‘trulli’ is, imagine gnomes were real and they lived in human-sized houses. Yep, that’s it. These white-washed with conical roofs are as charming as they are distinctive, and they can’t be missed.
Alberobello itself is situated in Puglia — all of which is incredible and well-worth visiting. However, if you’re looking for a travel experience to remember, Alberobello is worth considering purely for the uniqueness of your potential hotel. That’s right — you can stay in your very own trulli.
The great thing about Alberobello is that there’s enough to do to make an incredible vacation, but it’s connected enough that you could also make it a kooky pitstop on a longer trip. Alberobello is the kind of place that you should see at least once — whether for an hour or for a full vacation, experiencing the culture and architecture of this picturesque spot is well worth it.
You can venture through the narrow streets of the sprawling 1500 beehive-looking huts, explore, and grab dinner or drinks locally. If you did want to stay in town for a while, you’re close to the sea, and you can explore the surrounding areas on foot, by bike, or even on horseback.
It’s worth noting, that while it is a hidden gem comparative to somewhere like Rome, it’s nicheness makes it a tourist hotspot, so that’s something to consider before booking.
Aci Trezza, Sicily: More southern Italian beauty.
Three southern locations that offer vastly different experiences — from cinematic wonder of the architecture of Matera, to the dramatic cliffs and tropic sands of Tropea, all the way to the distinctive and quaint buildings in Alberobello.
And therein lies the beauty of the south of Italy, and indeed the beauty of Italy as a whole, you do not have to travel far to experience this diversity of culture and beauty.
Italy is the gift that keeps on giving — think it’s time to unwrap a little more?
