If we think of the main tourist destinations in Italy, we immediately think of cities like Rome, whose history has influenced the whole world, the city of Venice lying on the water, the art and Renaissance architecture of Florence, Milan, the capital of fashion and design and the colour and folklore of Naples. 

However, it is more difficult for us to imagine what we can find around these magnificent cities. These are the small villages and towns, hidden gems of equal beauty, less crowded and therefore more authentic.

The trend in recent years, especially for needs related to the current health situation, is to make small trips a short distance from our residence. This has allowed us to bring to attention new places and acquire a greater awareness of our surroundings.  

But what should we expect if we choose to visit lesser-known destinations?

LESS CROWDING

Small towns and cities are less crowded than large cities, but they are also smaller in size.

If possible visit them in quieter periods, during the week or in the intermediate seasons for example. You will discover that places and landscapes are beautiful in any season and you will be able to enjoy your trip in peace, avoiding waits and slowdowns.

THE MOST AUTHENTIC TRADITION

Unfortunately, one of the negative effects of mass tourism is the great rush to sell, which in part distorts the spontaneity of the place. This is clearly not an intended effect and even in these contexts, typicality and ancient traditions emerge but are more difficult to find. In smaller contexts, there is less tourist pressure and daily life goes on regardless of what is going on around them. Local artisans still keep their stores and with a little luck it is possible to observe them at work. 

NEW CONNECTIONS

 It's not difficult to walk through the small streets of a village or in the countryside and meet the locals. It will definitely happen to you to stop and chat with an elderly person, intrigued by the sight of new people (you know here everybody knows everybody) who will tell you old stories about its village. Sociality and spontaneous exchange are a great asset and make you feel part of the place.

A SLOWER RHYTHM

Leaving behind the frenzy that characterizes our time, the thousands of commitments and deadlines, we can find in this dimension on a human scale a more relaxed and natural rhythm. It will be the context itself that will require you to slow down, walk without a specific direction and sit at a table in a bar enjoying the view without hurry.

REDISCOVER OUR ABILITY TO ADAPT

We are strongly tied to our habits and over the years we have studied solutions that are increasingly comfortable and easy to access. In small realities, however, we must consider that services and information are not always accessible when we need them. Detaching ourselves from our routine and comfort allows us to experiment, to be ingenious in the face of unexpected and sudden situations such as the closure of a small museum on Sundays, or the lack of an information point to understand how to move around a place or pharmacies that close during the lunch break. You will be forced to rediscover your spirit of adaptation and you will need to find alternative solutions to solve your small "difficulties".

CELEBRATIONS AND LOCAL FESTIVALS

You can plan in advance a visit during one of these popular events or by chance find yourselve in the middle of a street event. Whatever the case may be, attending religious celebrations or festivals where typical local products are tasted allows us to discover the folkloric character of a territory. Inhabitants often meet in the main squares of the village or walk along pre-established paths, the atmosphere is solemn and devout for religious manifestations, more convivial, colourful and festive for festivals. 

A JOURNEY INTO THE PAST

Even the simple action of entering a bar or another village store will immediately project you into the past. You can see old machinery and tools, old plaques, handwritten signs. The cups of the past. The atmosphere you breathe is that of a place frozen in time.

CONNECTIONS ARE NOT ALWAYS FUNCTIONAL

It must be admitted, outside of the freeway or state roads to reach these destinations you have to deal with small narrow roads, sometimes difficult to navigate, with sudden crossings of animals such as wild boars or fawns, definitely not for everyone. 

If you love to drive and enjoy the autonomy that a vehicle gives you, you have to reach these places respecting the speed limits, avoiding distractions and possibly driving during the day.

Alternatively you can rely on the service of a professional driver able to drive safely to your destination.

To conclude, we must not forget that travelling means respecting the place one is visiting, and to do so, one must enter it on tiptoe.

Small places, above all, are also the most fragile because of their conformation, size and do not enjoy the same economic support as large cities. 

It is important to move and observe with respect for the place we visit and the people we meet and today more than ever it is respectful to ask permission to take pictures or touch what surrounds us.