On ALOR Italy you can explore Italian destinations with locals to decide where to go and what to see during your next trip to Italy. From hidden gems to popular destinations discover authentic Italian charm with those who know and love it best, Italians!
Italy invites tourists to indulge in la dolce vita. Undoubtedly that includes leisurely meals of the world’s most popular cuisine. To be sure paired with local wines admired by oenophiles worldwide. Naturally while surrounded by ancient architecture, world-renowned art, and poetic natural beauty. Hence Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world. For first-time tourists, deciding where to go in Italy is the only hard part. That’s where knowing locals like us comes in handy.
We’re Paolo and Brandy. Together we have been traveling across Italy for over a decade. After becoming dual Italian American citizens we moved to Italy to live out our early retirement dreams. Now we travel to Italy’s most popular destinations and explore hidden gems full-time from our home base in the Italian Alps. We share our experience traveling Italy in the off-season to help you avoid the crowds and save on travel.
Italy Destinations Map
Explore Italy from the Northern Lakes to Sicily. Where would you like to go?
Popular Destinations in Italy
ALOR Italy is where we share personal travel stories, Italy travel recommendations, and important tips about Italian culture for travelers. Explore the map of Italian travel destinations or hop down to the featured destinations section to find inspiration for your own Italian adventure. Planning your first trip to Italy? Here are a few of our most popular resource articles with tips on navigating some of Italy’s unique cultural quirks.
Sardinia, Italy
Craving a relaxing beach vacation and fresh Italian seafood? Then Sardinia needs to be on your travel bucket list. Why? Because Sardinia is an Italian Mediterranean island with 1,242 mesmerizing coastal miles, and over 100 beautiful beaches. Best Beaches in Sardinia
Verona, Italy
Best known as the setting for Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” Verona is one of the most popular least crowded destinations in Italy. Verona is highly enjoyable to explore on foot because it is a romantic city of curved streets winding gracefully around piazzas, bridges, and 21 churches What to See in Verona
Portofino, Italy
There are places in Italy one simply cannot not see. Take Portofino for example. This port town has long drawn royalty, celebrities, artists, and wealthy vacationers because of the pristine waters of its snug harbor just big enough for Yachts to slip into. Discover Portofino
Venice, Italy
Nicknamed the Floating City because of a series of islands separated by canals linked by bridges, Venice is the ultimate romantic getaway. Steps from the main squares tourist crowds thin and Venice becomes a maze of art, food, and wine to find yourself in. Discover Venice
Italian Lakes
From the famous Borromean Islands of Lake Maggiore to the romantic hidden gem of Lake Orta, Italy’s Northern lake district delivers a relaxing vacation vibe in fresh Italian Alps air. Consequently it’s the perfect destination for both family vacations or romantic getaways. Discover Italy’s Lakes
Cinque Terre, Italy
Liguria, Italy is home to countless summertime vacation hotspots including Sanremo, Genova, Portofino, La Spezia, and five technicolor fishing villages collectively known as Cinque Terre. Hence it’s popularity as a technicolor paradise for shutterbugs. Discover Cinque Terre
Rome, Italy
Nicknamed the Eternal City, Rome is one of Italy’s most popular and expensive destinations. As a result our travel tips for Rome focus on where to stay, eat, and what to see in Rome, on a budget. Free things to do in Rome.
Puglia, Italy
Puglia pronounced poo·lee·uh has become a celebrity favorite. Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren, and Francis Ford Coppola for example have all snapping up holiday homes in the region. Explore our Puglia Guide for the 13 best sites and bites in Puglia.
Italian Alps
See pictures of the Italian Alps that will make nature lovers want to move to Italy. In fact we ourselves moved to the Alps! As a result we have personal Alps Life photos that show what living in the Italian Alps in Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall is like.
Off the Beaten Track Destinations in Italy
Spoleto, Italy
Unspoiled by tourism Spoleto is known to Italians as a city of culture and the arts. It’s not just the Umbrian cuisine, local white wine, or even the UNESCO world heritage site nestled secretly away in Spoleto. It’s more of a feeling. The one that says, you just found a hidden gem. Discover Spoleto
Pitigliano, Italy
Carved into a cliff of volcanic tuff rock, Pitigliano dates back to 1636. Recently named one of the 19 most beautiful villages in Italy, Pitigliano remains a non-touristy hidden gem in Tuscany. Take a step back in time and discover Pitigliano and the neighboring town of Sorano, Italy.
Pienza, Italy
Home to Zeffirelli’s classic film ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Pienza is one of Tuscany’s most romantic hilltop towns. An unforgettable city thanks to its near-perfect urban planning, graceful buildings, and charming streets Pienza became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Discover Pienza
Unique Travel Experiences in Italy
Italian Agriturismo
If you’re looking to experience the best, most authentic Italian cuisine on your next trip to Italy, there is no better place than an Agriturismo. Discover Agritourism in Italy.
Assisi, Italy
Dating back to 1000BC UNESCO World Heritage Assisi is best known as the birthplace of St. Francis. Over 5 million tourists make the pilgrimage each year. Discover Assisi, Italy
Tuscan Villa in Italy
Think waking up to Tuscan views like these is out of reach? Think again! Off-season travel makes staying in a Tuscan villa more affordable than one might think. Where to Stay in Tuscany
Popular Italy Travel Questions
Here are a few popular questions and our answers when it comes to travel destinations in Italy.
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- What is the prettiest place in Italy? Italy invites tourists to indulge in la dolce vita with leisurely meals of the world’s most popular cuisine paired with local wines admired by oenophiles worldwide. All while surrounded by ancient architecture, world-renowned art, and poetic natural beauty. It’s no wonder Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world. For first-time tourists, deciding where to go in Italy is the only hard part. That’s where knowing locals like us comes in handy. When it comes to the prettiest places in Italy, we recommend checking out our list of the 13 Prettiest Towns in the Italian Countryside. We also strongly recommend considering Sicily and Liguria and for those looking to enjoy the coast. While we love Rome, for us Venice and Florence take top spots for the prettiest cities in Italy.
- What is the coolest place in Italy? For outdoor lovers, one of the coolest places in Italy is the Italian Alps. If by coolest you mean Kardashian weddings and Travel Influencers, look toward the Italian Riviera. Think Portofino and Cinque Terre. Rome and Florence are popular destinations for college students, frequently visiting friends studying in Italy. The coolest coasts in Italy can be found in Sardinia, the Amalfi coast and Puglia where lowkey celebrities frequently purchase homes.
Since so many people dream of vacationing in Italy for years before getting to do so, we recommend subscribing to ALOR Italy. Chiefly to get a bit of la dolce vita in your inbox. Secondly because we have so much more in store!
Coming soon… photos, recommendations, and travel inspiration from Sicily, Rome, Puglia, Torino, Verona, Umbria, Bologna and many more!
Latest Italy Destination Articles From the Blog
- What is Ravenna Famous For? These 3 Things Might Surprise YouThe last capital of the Western Roman Empire, what Ravenna is famous for in Emilia-Romagna, Italy is Dante’s Tomb and Byzantine mosaics.
- Is Urbino Italy Worth Visiting? 11 Reasons We Love ItWhile planning a trip to le Marche, you might want to know if Urbino, Italy is worth visiting. Along with Florence, Urbino is known as the cradle of the Renaissance. So you would think everyone would know about Urbino. Yet the most common thing people ask about it online is, is Urbino worth visiting? Here … Read more
- San Marino Italy Guide & 15 Fun Facts About This Tiny CountrySan Marino is one of two independent countries in Italy. Top fifteen reasons to visit San Marino in Italy, including why it is so much fun! On a recent trip to the Marche region of Italy, Paolo turned to me and said, “Do you want to see a new country?” I thought he was talking … Read more
- Is Pisa Italy Worth Visiting?Planning a trip to Italy and wondering if Pisa is worth visiting? The answer is maybe. Here are a few things to consider when deciding if Pisa is suitable for your trip to Italy. To decide for yourself if seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa is worth it, answer the following questions. Then see which … Read more
- 21 Surprising Sicilian Volcano FactsWould you believe Mt. Etna used to be underwater?! 21 surprising Sicilian Volcano facts to know for visiting Sicily or doing crossword puzzles at home.