The countryside of Italy is entrancing! Most people envision the rolling hills of vineyards in Tuscany’s Chianti or a cypress lined road snaking its way through fields of wheat and flowers past tiny isolated chapels or medival borgos, in the mesmerizing Val d’Orcia. But Italy boasts many other distinctive countrysides offering life enhanicing experiences with something for every taste.
From the northern reaches of Aosta’s Alps down to Puglia’s sunny coasts the visitor is rewarded with unique sights and sounds. The alpine countrysides are often hybrids of Swiss, French, Austrian and Italian cultures with picture postcard perfect photo opportunities, a hearty cuisine, rich dairy products and crisp wines from their mountain slopes.
Our travelers experience the very best of the glorious Italian mountains because each day is tailored and personalized to meet their specific interests and requirements.
The gentle countryside of the Veneto is a wealth of immense architectural wealth in the numerous elegant villas, many by Palladio, with frescoed walls, ceilings and extensive grounds. Rivaling Tuscany’s hills and vineyards is Piedmont where the towns of the Langhe beckon serious wine and food lovers the world over. The lands of St. Francis and Roman emperors, Umbria and Lazio, have mystical monasteries and abbeys, waterfalls and ancient town and village birthplaces of Rome’s first emperors. Countrysides are dotted with red poppies and yellow broom in the spring, golden fields in the summer and autumnal golds and reds in the fall.
In the south of Italy regions are rich with farms and vineyards growing grapes, oranges, lemons, olives and chestnut trees. Shepherds tend their Pecorino producing flocks and in the fall hunters take to the fields to bring game to their tables. Olives are harvested in the late fall all over the Italian countryside and in Puglia, Italy’s heel of the boot, the ancient groves are hives of activity. Countryside here is scattered with historic masserie and at Alberobello, conical shaped trulli.
While Sicily is surrounded by water its interior is dotted with wine estates, almond, citrus and olive groves often amid ancient temples. Beautiful agroturismi estates make rewarding stays, many near archeological sites. From north to south travelers weary of city life can have rewarding holidays making friends with Italians in their most natural habitat.
Tuscan Vineyards
Parmigiano Reggiano
Puglia's Ancient Olive Trees
Villa Barbaro
White Truffle from Alba (Piedmont)
Barolo vineyards, Serralunga, Piedmont
Barolo wine from the Piedmont
Greek theater Taormina, Sicily
Market in Sicily
Sicilian shepherds
Italian Pecorino Romano Cheese
Umbria Hill Town
Hill-top towns, Perugia
St Francis Basilica, Assisi
Ostuni, Puglia