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There's a change taking place in how people travel. Definitely less speeding, more lingering. Less box-checking, more immersion. Many are now on the lookout for something simpler, more earthy, and, honestly, more fun. Now it's about slowing down and actually experiencing the places we visit, not just looking at landmarks.

With Italy, this is a fit. The country was made for gradual discovery — its food, its villages, its inhabitants, even its pace. And nowhere is this more fulfilling than in its special places, so lets you discover Italy again, place by place.

Naples

Most people pass through Naples in order to arrive somewhere else – Capri, the Amalfi Coast, Pompei. But the city itself? It's loud, wild, disorganized – and absolutely captivating, once you give it a chance.

This is not something you "do" in a day. This is something you learn to comprehend, block by block. Mornings over coffee in Piazza Bellini, middays discovering the Spanish Quarter, and evenings sitting on a rooftop as the sun goes down over Mount Vesuvius.

Eat pizza where it was born, obviously, but go further. Discover fried street snacks in the alleys and visit neighborhood bakeries. Let the city show itself slowly, and you’ll see why Neapolitans are fiercely proud of their home.

Cefalù, Sicily

Along Sicily's north coast lies Cefalù, a small, sandy-beach town with a towering cathedral. It welcomes tourists, sure, but it remains a town where the charm of the locals is very recognizable. 

If you're going easy, Cefalù is absolute gold. You can  hike to the top of La Rocca in the afternoon for bird's-eye views, and dine over an alfresco dinner at night. There’s no need for a car.

Hang around for a couple of days and before you know it you'll get into the swing of small-town Sicilian living—and that's eat well, rest often, and don't be too hard on yourself.

Tropea, Calabria

Tropea is not always listed in international travel guides — but it should be. Perched on a cliff above the Tyrrhenian Sea, this Calabrian jewel is about clear seas, white beaches, and it’s also one of the nation's most postcard-pretty vistas.

One reason Tropea is so great for slow travel is its small size. It's walkable, compact, and everything here feels close: the old town, the beach, the market.

Remember to sample the local red onions, very famous throughout Italy, take your time for taking a boat tour of the surrounding coves and claim a spot on the shore and watch the local harmoniously-paced energy. You will see no rush. 

Gaeta, Lazio

A few hours south of Rome, Gaeta is where Roman families escape to for summer weekends — but it's still off the map for most foreign tourists. The town has seven beaches, a medieval old center, and a special energy that makes it easy to linger.

The coastal promenade, Monte Orlando park and the ancient church are must-sees. Gaeta is also a working fishing community, too, so the fish is exquisite and fresh — especially the tiella, a fabulous pie with layers of octopus or anchovies.

Gaeta isn't pretentious and truly authentic. And come summer, that's exactly what you’ll want to experience.

Sperlonga, Lazio

Just across Gaeta's beach is Sperlonga, a town with a more Greek than central Italian vibe. Its whitewashed houses, streets, and views attract travelers who prefer to avoid the Amalfi crowds.

Sperlonga is about barefoot walking, very local and special. Aside from having a beautiful sea and hidden coves, it's also where an underrated archaeological site is — Emperor Tiberius once had a villa here, with sea grotto and sculpture garden.

Polignano a Mare, Puglia

Polignano a Mare receives its fair share of day-trippers, but it remains relatively local in atmosphere — particularly if you linger overnight. Dramatically perched on cliffs over the Adriatic, the town has incredible views and a small historic center full of character.

By day, people cliff-dive into the blue-green waters. By night, the narrow streets fill with seafood smells and soft music from tiny bars and trattorias. You’ll quickly understand why many who come for a day end up wishing they booked for longer.

Sardinia

Sardinia is stereotyped as an upscale destination — and yes, it does have its yachts and five-star resorts. But there's more to the island than that, and it's ideal for travelers who want their experience to be intimate without coming off as tacky. Sardinia rewards the tolerant traveler. Break in mountain villages where shepherds still make pecorino by hand, or take a tranquil walk through mediterranean scrub that opens up onto an unpeopled beach.

For those who want an experience without the crowds, private tours in exclusive Sardinia are a smart way of getting access to its hidden stories and secrets at a slower and deeper level.

Italy rewards this kind of travel, especially by the sea. You’ll start to feel the point isn’t to see more – it’s to feel more.

And last, but not least: traveling slowly doesn’t mean doing less. It means doing better.