Destinations
The Italian Countryside Guide
Let's get out of town. The fairy-tale borghi, castles, and agriturismo estates of the Italian countryside are calling.
This article originally appeared in OLTRE, Internova's parent luxury travel magazine — Volume 8, Winter 2025. Written by Marina Spironetti.
Tuscany, Piedmont, Umbria and Beyond
Cypress-lined country roads. Golden rolling hills. The unbroken succession of olive orchards and vineyards. An alfresco lunch sheltered by a leafy pergola. The Italian countryside holds a special place in the emotional landscape of all who behold its beauty — it represents the idyll.
An ideal journey might start in the mists of the Langhe, in the northwest corner of the country. The hills are blanketed in vineyards that give life to some of Italy's most potent reds, the famed Barolos and Barbarescos. They continue across the lesser-known Tuscan-Emilian Apennine into the surprisingly wild and untamed territory of Chianti, the minimalism of the Val d'Orcia, and the tranquility of Umbria, dotted with hilltop towns. They move onto the whitewashed masserie of inland Puglia, all the way to sun-drenched inner Sicily, with Mount Etna as a dramatic backdrop.
Where to stay? Discerning travelers are spoiled for choice, from the medieval atmosphere of Borgo San Felice to the delightful gardens of Villa Cetinale. Or opt for a grand wine-country estate like Castello Banfi, the fairy-tale-like Castello di Reschio, or the picturesque charm of the historic farmhouse villas at Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco.
For those seeking therapeutic relaxation and renewal, the spa scene is heavenly — from the grandeur of Bagni di Pisa to the soothing waters of Terme di Saturnia, a thermal spring in the Tuscan Maremma.
There are no wrong answers among these hotels — blissful alternatives to the hustle and bustle of the cities or the coasts.
Andiamo!
The Details
Your ITKE advisor can secure exclusive perks, including a hotel credit and daily breakfast for two, at any of these properties.
