I love Tuscany. Sipping espresso on the Piazza del Campo in Siena, watching the sunset from Florence’s Piazzale Michelangelo, getting lost among the winding streets of Montepulciano. I’ve visited the region so many times, I didn’t think it could surprise me – but last year I found myself in a lemon-yellow Fiat Grande Panda driving through the Apuan Alps, which felt a world away from the vineyards and hilltop towns I was used to. We wound our way into the mountains, passing through little villages and alongside vast marble quarries, with breathtaking views of sweeping green valleys below.
It showed me a completely different side of Tuscany, and one that was all the more special due to the fact that we didn’t see a single other tourist. I was reminded of this trip when our senior travel writer Natalie returned from Umbria a few weeks ago (you can read about her trip below), and we got to talking about the appeal of visiting the parts of Italy that aren't so well-known to UK travellers.
Read about the Travel Desk's favourite places we visited last year
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Most visitors to Calabria will head to the beautiful town of Tropea, but I’d be tempted to head a little further along the coast of southern Italy to Pizzo, perched on a clifftop above the Tyrrhenian Sea. Here, you'll find the beaches of the Costa degli Dei (Coast of the Gods), along with a pretty old town with a smattering of bars and restaurants.
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Even in April, just 30 minutes in central Florence, on a mad dash to Santa Maria Novella station, was enough to call for several strong espressos, cradled in silence. Having left the hushed refuge of the Oasi Dynamo in the Tuscan Apennines – a place where I had apologised to deer for the startling hum of my e-bike and dallied in a guided “grounding” session on the forest floor – the congested capital of Tuscany proved far more difficult to navigate than the unmarked wilds of a rural nature reserve.
Tourism in Italy’s cities seems to only be growing. According to a 2023 report by The Data Appeal Company, 70 per cent of visitors are usually concentrated in just one per cent of the country. An ongoing battle against overtourism has recently seen day-tripper entry taxes, bans on short-term rentals and new visitor fees at major attractions, including Rome's Trevi Fountain. In June, the mayor of Venice proposed raising the entrance fee for day-trippers from €5 (£4.30) to €50 (£43) as a “stronger deterrent during periods of peak tourist pressure”.
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The Oasi Dynamo in the municipality of San Marcello Piteglio is a WWF-affiliated nature reserve (Natalie Wilson)
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For me, caffeination and calm came one regional Trenitalia train ride later with a view of Lake Trasimeno from a terrace in Panicale, Umbria. A pocket of Italy so peaceful that one couple from New York kindly requested that I not write about it. Unfortunately, it would be deeply unfair not to sing the praises of the people, Renaissance frescoes and oh, the olive oil in this hilltop hamlet. From shows in the 19th-century theatre Teatro Caporal to masterpieces of embroidery in the Museum of Tulle and a town square, Piazza Umberto, more primed for aperitivo and conversation than any al fresco table in Florence, Panicale’s empty streets in spring came close to perfect.
So, the next time you look to book that Italian city break, consider also jumping on the train for a slice of la dolce vita with some room to breathe.
Read more about our Italian adventures here
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Lose yourself in the natural beauty of Norway, from the dramatic fjords to the lush mountain valleys of Geilo, with this great value package from Exoticca.
Experience one of the world's most scenic rail journeys aboard the iconic Flam Railway, cruise through the fjords, and discover the vibrant cities of Stavanger and Bergen. Includes return flights, accommodation, a fjord cruise, guided city tours, meals, and more. Learn more.
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Stay from just £65 when you book within seven days of your arrival date at Village Hotels, with new locations updated every week.
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Discover Lucerne, Interlaken and Montreux from just £459 per person, with flights, hotels and rail journeys included.
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Unwind at The Royal Hotel, the city's oldest grand hotel, located in the city centre just moments from top attractions.
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The world's biggest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas, is about to set sail. Marc Shoffman had a sneak peek at its slides, bars and endless pool decks
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Phew, it's been rather hot in the UK lately! While I'm certainly not complaining about seeing some sunshine, this heat has me daydreaming about cooler adventures abroad. I'm thinking of the fresh, crisp air while hunting for the Northern Lights in Iceland, scenic mountain hikes through Norway's dramatic fjords, or breathing in the alpine air beneath the snow-capped peaks of Chamonix.
If you're looking for some travel inspiration for later this year or beyond, Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2027 is now available to pre-order. The latest edition showcases 25 of the world's must-visit destinations alongside 25 experiences, making it the perfect companion for anyone seeking ideas for their next big adventure.
Of course, staying comfortable on those trips is just as important as deciding where to go. Whether you're tackling long-haul flights, sightseeing on foot or heading off on hiking adventures, packing the right essentials can make all the difference. A good pair of travel socks is one of those underrated items that can keep your feet comfortable during long journeys, while taking up barely any room in your luggage.
In the meantime, if you're staying in the UK and trying to cope with the current heatwave, a few cooling products have genuinely made a difference for me. I've been sleeping under a mulberry silk cooling duvet, which has helped me stay more comfortable on warm nights. A cooling eye mask is another handy option, whether you're trying to get some sleep at home or catch a few hours' rest on a flight. And if you're looking for a more high-tech solution, the Sony reon pocket cooling system has dropped to under £100. It clips discreetly under your clothes to provide hands-free cooling, making it ideal for commuting, sightseeing or travelling during warmer weather.
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.jpg?quality=75&width=1368&crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&trim=0%2C951%2C0%2C93&auto=webp "Marc says the experience is like ‘stepping into Wonka’s world’ (Marc Shoffman)")
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