Visiting Italy is not always easy. Often, especially in summer, the cities are overcrowded and the risk is to not enjoy the trip.

This happens especially in the capitals, or in major cities, such as Naples, Florence, Milan... For this reason many people prefer to devote themselves mainly to exploring our peninsula, visiting places almost hidden on the map. 

Today we propose four of those places that in our opinion in addition to offering a spectacular holiday can in fact also be considered as places to retire, to live the Italian culture in the round.

 

Apricale: The city of sun.

Liguria is a region rich in history, culture and tradition. It is defined by many as "the country of the sun" and is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

In the province of Imperia you can find the city of Apricale founded in the year one thousand, a mosaic of houses built on top of each other. Here you can live surrounded by olive, oak and chestnut trees.

The village overlooks the cliff and is surrounded by mountains and forests of greenery. The city is covered with high-level murals depicting life in the fields. The murals are the work of contemporary artists fascinated by the simplicity of Italian rural life.

The Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II houses a fountain of Gothic origin with stone seats. Justice was once administered here: nowadays most of the events and festivals of the village take place.

The Oratory of San Bartolomeo is another mandatory destination, it is a building of the 500 decorated later with Baroque taste. In Apricale you can also visit the Castello della Lucertola, which houses the museum of the history of the village. For lovers of views you can look out from a roof garden. Here you can find archaeological finds, photographic material and other works of art: inside the castle you can visit the rooms dedicated to the Countess of Apricale Cristina Anna Bellomo.

 

Badolato: a casket in the Ionian Sea.

Badolato is known as Borgo degli Angeli and Country of Artists and Stranier. It is a medieval village in the province of Catanzaro, perched on a hill at 240 meters above sea level. Here tradition and culture mix in a medieval charm and the ideal destination for slow tourism. It is one of the most popular seaside resorts in Calabria and is in close proximity to other places such as Sant'Andrea Apostolo dello Ionio, Isca sul Ionio and Soverato.

The city thrives on camping, seaside hotels and holiday homes.

In the village there are more than 100 foreign families owning houses, since in 1989 the village was defined "for sale" due to the phenomenon of depopulation. The Residential Tourism here allows artists and foreigners (hence the name) to spend the holidays and also to live twelve months a year.

The city lives on camping, hotels by the sea and holiday homes.

In the village there are more than 100 Foreign families owners of houses, since in 1989 the country was defined "for sale" due to the phenomenon of depopulation. The Residential Tourism here allows Artists and foreigners (hence the name) to spend the Holidays and also to Live twelve months a year.

The city thrives on campsites, hotels by the sea and holiday homes.

In the village there are more than 100 foreign families owning houses, since in 1989 the village was defined "for sale" due to the phenomenon of depopulation. The residential tourism here allows artists and foreigners (hence the name) to spend the holidays and also to live twelve months a year.

 

Maremma: a sight to behold.

Tuscany is a region rich in history and art (and good wine!) but contains within itself a pearl of inestimable value. Let’s talk about the Maremma, located between two regions: southern Tuscany and western Lazio. It is a land where tradition reigns supreme and a magical place where you can live forever between animals and nature.

In the past it was a wild, rough and unhealthy land. The reclamation works began from the Lorraine and ended with the Ente Maremma in 900. The sea of the Maremma got a blue flag in 2013 and since then has defended its primacy. Here you can admire the coast, the protected natural areas, the picturesque sunsets.Here you can find the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago, where the ancient Etruscans obtained precious minerals for metalworking. For wine lovers it is possible to make very interesting tourist routes.For lovers of mountain activities this is the perfect place to spend time in company or even alone, thanks especially to the many realities that are responsible for organizing these events throughout the region.

 

 

Viggiano: the land of the black Madonna

Viggiano is a small village in the heart of Potenza, in Basilicata. It is a perfectly preserved village, often a destination for tourists seeking tranquility and traditions.

From the natural point of view, Viggiano is crossed by the river Alli (tributary of the river Angri): the expanses of vineyards, moreover, allow the production of Aglianico wine.

Characteristic of Viggiano is certainly the Black Madonna, a statue depicting the Madonna completely covered in gold. On the first Sunday of May the statue is carried on the shoulder by a group of devotees to the Sanctuary, which can also be completely visited.

Viggiano is also known for its popular music: in particular there is the sound of the Harp and in the territory there is also the school of the Viggianese Popular Harp. Among the places of interest you can visit you can find several, such as the church of San Benedetto, the Castle, the Convent of Sant'Antonio became since 1900 the headquarters of the local police. In the inner area there is also a Museum of popular traditions.