00:00You've seen the usual Italian spots, Rome, Venice and Florence, but we're here to show you the less explored side.
00:11Three destinations that show the country in a different way.
00:21What if your next Italian getaway didn't involve elbowing your way through crowds?
00:26Think picturesque peaceful beaches, mountain adventure and rustic Italian towns full of culture.
00:32These are the places Italians love and that travellers often overlook.
00:36We've found three destinations that have all the beauty of Italy without the chaos.
00:41And you never know, they might be your next favourite destination.
00:46My top tip if you're visiting Tuscany is to head for the coast to the Maremma region.
00:51Here you'll find family friendly campsites, beautiful beaches without a serried sunbed in sight and some of the finest wines in all of Tuscany.
01:00Drive an hour south of Pisa and you'll reach the pretty hilltop town of Bulgari, which has a fascinating wine history.
01:06In the 1940s, winemakers started experimenting by growing French grapes here.
01:11And today, these wines are known as some of the best in the world, the Super Tuscans.
01:15You can taste them in the restaurants or take one of the many wine tours where you can sip a lovely glass as you gaze across the vines and sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea.
01:25Close to the border of Lazio, you'll find the trio of medieval hilltop towns, particularly Arno, Serrano and Savannah.
01:31Here, a visit is like stepping back in time.
01:34And nearby, the thermal hot springs, where locals love to bathe at the weekends.
01:38But in the weekdays, it's quiet. It's also free apart from parking.
01:42My top tip? After you visit, make sure you take a shower because the sulphur does leave a bit of an eggy smell.
01:48I think, for me, the best part of the Maremma region is that it has this beautiful stretch of untouched coastline.
01:55And my favourite beach is Cala Violina.
01:57It takes about a 20-minute hike through the forest and there are no facilities, so make sure to pack your own provisions.
02:03But the views and the fact that you're pretty much alone on this beach make it more than worthwhile.
02:08For me, the absolute best destination in Italy is the Dolomites.
02:15These beautiful, jagged mountains are wonderful year round.
02:19Most people associate them with skiing and the snow sports there are absolutely wonderful.
02:24But there's some really great adventures to be found out of season.
02:28For me, it's the hiking and particularly the trail running that makes this area stand out.
02:32On the flip side, the Dolomites are also increasingly being known for wellness.
02:36There are a number of incredible spas with beautiful views over the mountain.
02:41One of the standout features of the Dolomites is that it has a very unique culture.
02:45And this is largely down to the ancient myths, legends and traditions of the Ladin communities,
02:51who have been in the mountains for centuries.
02:53You'll notice this in the cuisine.
02:55When you're in the Dolomites, you'll often find yourself eating dumplings or gravioli stuffed with spinach.
03:01And there's also a very distinctive and very delicious barley soup.
03:04So when traveling in the Dolomites, make sure you look out for these Ladin restaurants and mountain lodges.
03:10There is so much to do in the Dolomites.
03:12Last time I was there, I went horse riding up in the mountains through the snow.
03:16And you can also go snowshoeing.
03:18One of the really unique features about the Dolomites is that there actually aren't any chain hotels.
03:24So wherever you stay is likely to be family run and have been around for quite a while.
03:29Whether that's a luxury hotel, a rustic mountain lodge or even a city centre apartment.
03:34Now this can mean that it's a little bit more expensive than other places where you might ski or stay in the mountains.
03:40But what it does do is bring a real authenticity of experience.
03:44It's not going to be like anywhere else you skied.
03:47When you think of a European beach break, Italy might not spring to mind first.
03:52I have heard that Sardinia makes an excellent coastal getaway with white sandy beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters.
04:00Now many people think of Sardinia as the sort of place the ultra wealthy go on holiday.
04:04But if you go to the south or the west of the island to towns like Chia, you can have a surprisingly affordable break.
04:10And one of the best ways to explore the coastline is to rent a boat.
04:13You don't need a skipper, you can just charter your own.
04:16And they seat up to six and just pull into these little coves, pack a picnic and that's a perfect day trip.
04:21I really love the idea of being able to just jump off your boat and snorkel whenever you want.
04:25Sardinia is really well known for seafood and also lamb. It's home to three million sheep.
04:31They make their own Pecorino Romano cheese there, which is world famous.
04:35And the most important thing I've heard about food and drink is that you should finish every meal with a shot of Merto,
04:40which is a little bit bitter, a little bit sweet and the perfect way to end any meal.
04:47So Emily, is there anywhere that we haven't mentioned that you'd recommend people visit if they want a more authentic Italian experience?
04:54Yes, I would say that Puglia is still an underrated gem.
04:57Somewhere I haven't been yet and desperate to visit.
05:00Absolutely gorgeous, like lovely food, quaint little agriturismos where you can stay for not very much money
05:06and also get your evening meal and beautiful historic cities like Lecce.
05:11So those are our tips for an Italian holiday a little away from the typical tourist trail.
05:16If we've given you inspiration for your next Italian getaway, you can find more destination inspiration,
05:21travel tips and advice at independent.co.uk slash travel.
05:26And for more Travel Smart episodes, head to Independent TV.
05:30Bye for now.
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