17 Places to Go in Italy This Year, According to the Country’s Top Hoteliers

We’re always looking for underrated destinations around the peninsula, and, this month, we turned to the owners behind the Italy Segreta Selection—our curated collection of the country’s best family-run properties—to ask where they go when they want to be the guests. It turns out, the people who spend their lives perfecting the art of the stay are exactly the ones you should ask for recommendations.

“As an Italian, I love our country,” shares Alberto Schiavon, a retired Olympic snowboarder and the owner of Italy Segreta Selection property Chalet del Sogno. “I’ve been fortunate to have a sport/profession that allowed me to travel to many places around the world, and after all that travel, I still believe Italy expresses a complete, varied, and fascinating beauty that is hard to match. There’s no other place in the world where, in just a few hours, one can admire such a diverse mix of heritage: food, art, history, nature, sport.”

His sentiment was echoed by many. That’s why many owners pointed to destinations close to their own properties—because in Italy, there’s rarely a need to take a train, plane, or car to find something remarkable (especially if you’re lucky enough to run a property in a place you already love).

Here’s where the owners of our Selection properties travel when they’re not hosting.

CALABRIA

Calabria

“One of my favorite holidays I’ve ever been on is a road trip through Calabria. We started on the northwest coast in Scalea, then leisurely made our way down to Reggio Calabria, passing tiny villages perched high above the sea and wonderful, uncrowded beaches along the way.” –Alessandro Motti, Cà Spiga

San Nicola Arcella beach in Calabria; Photo courtesy of Alessandro Motti (Cà Spiga)

CAMPANIA

Ischia

“Summer is a special time to experience the island. For snorkeling, swimming, or relaxing, take a 25-minute hike to the secluded wild, rocky cove called the Bay of Pelara. Nearby (and down 170 stairs), you can soak in the natural Sorgeto hot springs, ideal in the morning or late at night under the stars. One of the best ways for navigating the island is by self-skippered boat, so you can explore caves like the Grotta Verde and anchor near the rocks of Sant’Anna to catch a small boat to Il Pirata for lunch—insalata di polpo, spaghetti alle vongole, and the house wine are hard to beat. Don’t miss the stunning Gardens of La Mortella, designed for famous composer William Walton and his wife by landscape architect Russell Page, where you can catch an open-air concert in the evening overlooking the Bay of San Francesco. For the best sunset views, climb up to Il Soccorso.” –Jeff di Costanzo, Casa Via Costa

Caserta

“The old town of Caserta is wonderful to visit, aside from the fact that it features a UNESCO heritage site known as the “Versailles of Italy”—the Royal Palace of Caserta. The palace is extraordinary, but I go for the gardens: designed by architect Luigi Vanvitelli, they’re a great example of the integration of Italian and English gardens. And, you’re really close to Pepe in Grani in nearby Caiazzo—one of my favorite pizzerias that’s often amongst the world’s best.” –Jeff di Costanzo, Casa Via Costa

View from La Mortella gardens in Ischia

EMILIA-ROMAGNA

Tuscan-Emilian Apennines Park

“Located just 30 minutes from Bologna, the hills are ideal for hiking, trekking, and cycling excursions, and offer a year-round escape—from cool, shady trails in the summer to fiery autumn foliage and snowy winter landscapes. The mountain cuisine is delicious and heartier than what you’ll find in the center of Bologna: think lots of mushrooms, fresh stuffed pasta, and game. The park’s highlight is the Pietra di Bismantova, a dramatic, recognizable plateau that Dante mentions in his fourth canto of the Purgatorio.” –Cristina Crotti, Il Borgo del Balsamico

LAZIO

Ponza

“When I have more than a three-day weekend, I feel the call of the sea; living and working in the mountains really creates a longing for sea breezes. Four years ago, I fell in love with Ponza, drawn in by its colorful houses and the way the light touches the island. It’s a small island, still relatively unknown, with very few hotels and countless excellent restaurants. Days there are simple: wake up, have breakfast, take a boat to a cove, and have lunch at Enzo’s beach club.” –Claudia Mumelter, Hotel Saltus

Ponza harbor

LIGURIA

Varese Ligure

“This rounded-shape village is located in a mountainous landscape at the foot of the Ligurian Apennines. While you’re here, get a corzetti stamp—a handmade wooden tool that imprints the region’s flat, circular traditional pasta of the same name. Each artisan has their own designs, and you can even request a custom one—I got my brother one with his initials. Pop into Doro Supermercati for staples like cheeses, cured meats, and dried mushrooms, and for dinner, don’t miss Albergo Ristorante Amici or Osteria Chicchinettu for classic Ligurian cuisine.” –Angela Fenwick, La Sosta di Ottone III

Varese Ligure

Genova

“Liguria’s capital never gets old. I wouldn’t know where to start, so I’ll summarize what fascinates me: splendor and squalor side by side. It’s a port city, deeply cosmopolitan, with all the contrasts that entails. Lots of history immersed in daily life. Lots of craftsmanship. Lots of good food.” –Filippo Montani, Villa Genga–Borgo della Marmotta

Chiavari

“I always make time for Fratelli Levaggi, where they produce the classic Chiavarina chair and other furniture with the same elegant touch. For textiles, Tessitura DeMartini in Lorsica creates damask on original wooden looms—you can also buy macramé from local artisans. The trek up the Ligurian Apennines is scenic, passing through Cicagna, known for slate quarrying and as the hometown of Christopher Columbus’ mother. Nearby, the tiny village of San Salvatore dei Fieschi is also worth a quick visit. For lunch, I like to grab some farinata at Luchin and stroll through the center’s elegant arcades, and for dinner, I go to La Brinca in the hinterland, which is often awarded Italy’s Best Trattoria and has a menu and wine list that never disappoints.” –Angela Fenwick, La Sosta di Ottone III

Chiavari; Photo by Alex Mockensturm

MARCHE

Genga

“Located in the pre-Appenines in Marche, this tiny, hilly village is our hometown—reflected in the name of our Umbrian villa. You can’t miss the neoclassical Valadier Temple, built inside of a cave next to the Hermitage of Santa Maria Infra Saxa and commissioned by our ancestor Annibale della Genga, Pope Leo XII. I also love the Frasassi Gorge, with its caves and dramatic rock formations—it never fails to leave me awestruck.” –Filippo Montani, Villa Genga–Borgo della Marmotta

Freshwater pools in the area around Genga

MOLISE

Molise

“I spent five days exploring all of Molise, using the small village of Larino as my base. Over those days, I visited the inland villages, each one like a little town suspended in time. The people are genuine and welcoming, and the food is fantastic. Plus, you can have mountains, countryside, and sea all in one—a holiday dream. I also stayed in Termoli and took a boat tour to the Tremiti Islands. Our guide Elio—a former university professor who left everything to become a sailor—took us through the archipelago, and we enjoyed an excellent lunch on an historic boat.” –Alessandro Motti, Cà Spiga

Read More: A Local’s Guide to Molise

Molise; Photo courtesy of Alessandro Motti (Cà Spiga)

PIEDMONT

Monferrato

“Although very close to the Langhe, this region feels entirely different—and doesn’t get the attention it deserves. I adore Cella Monte, a hidden village from another era, and the Casale Monferrato vintage market, which I’ve been frequenting since I was little and where you can regularly find rare, irresistible items. But one of the biggest draws is the Orsolina 28 Art Foundation, an internationally renowned artist residency that hosts dancers and choreographers from around the world. It feels like I’m in New York, but with a stage suspended among the Piedmontese vineyards.” –Giuditta Gallo, Relais San Maurizio

Isole Borromee (Lago Maggiore)

“Owned by the noble Borromeo family since the 16th century, this trio of magical islands is perfect for spending a day getting lost amongst their many gardens and Baroque masterpieces. After your tour on the only island that’s inhabited year-round, Isola dei Pescatori, enjoy a romantic lunch at Albergo Ristorante Verbano. Don’t forget to visit Isola Madre, the lesser-known one, which is essentially a true botanical garden.” –Gemma Richards, La Foleia

Isole Borromee; Photo courtesy of Gemma Richards (La Foleia)

SARDINIA

Baunei

“On Sardinia’s eastern coast, this region has incredible water and stunning coves within cliffs that drop dramatically into the sea. It’s great for climbing or biking along the coast or in the region’s interior, and, as always, the food is incredible.” –Alberto Schiavon, Chalet del Sogno

SICILY

Mount Etna Park

“From both a natural and food-and-wine perspective, this is one of the most surprising places in the world. Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe, and every time we visit, we’re struck by how it brings together landscapes, wildlife, food, and stories, with a collection of villages each with their own character and local products thanks to the black volcanic soil. The lava flows are fascinating—ancient and recent layers overlap to create patterns, layers, and horizons that makes the landscape feel almost otherworldly. The northern slope is particularly extraordinary, with its steep, terraced vineyards and centuries-old ‘heroic viticulture.’ The wines here are intense and smoky, with a mineral edge that mirrors the landscape itself.” –The Caruso Family, Signum

Mount Etna Park

Southern Sicily

“I just returned from the southernmost point of Italy, the tip that stretches out between two seas at Pachino/Porto Palo. It’s framed on all sides by the most beautiful waters and inland by the Val di Noto, with an assortment of Baroque towns. The nearby island of Ortigia is a treasure trove of world history, not to mention the Valle dei Templi a little to the northwest, which feels more like Greece than Italy. There’s excellent wine, and the food? Don’t even get me started.” –Alberto Schiavon, Chalet del Sogno

Ortigia

TRENTINO ALTO-ADIGE

Deutschnonsberg

“This area is still little touched by tourism. It’s located in the stunning landscape where South Tyrol gradually becomes Trentino, creating an architectural and cultural transition that’s particularly fascinating. For an overnight stay, Gasthof Zum Hirschen in Senale–San Felice, famously a place of pilgrimage, has very simple rooms designed for guests in search of absolute silence. Hikers should head to Gleckspitze, one of the easier 3,000-meter peaks in the area, reachable via a more-or-less relaxed hike at the end of Val d’Ultimo that passes small mountain lakes and flocks of sheep.” –Katharina Flöss & Martin Kirchlechner, Ottmanngut

Dolomites

“In summer, expert hikers should make their way to the small, crystal-blue alpine Lago di Antermoia, reachable after a full day’s trek around the entire Catinaccio d’Antermoia. The four best rifugi in the area are the Rifugio Alpe di Tires, where the Sciliar meets the Catinaccio massif; Rifugio Passo Santner, offering breathtaking panoramas from the Latemar to the Ortles and beyond; Rifugio Toni Demetz, saddled between the Sassopiatto and Sassolungo peaks and reachable via a cable car; and Malga Schafstall, in a hidden forest clearing.

In winter, skiers should take a cable car up to the Lagazuoi summit—from which you can see World War I trenches—to the Lagazuoi descent, one of the most beautiful runs in the Dolomites. Non skiers can hike through the silent Plan de Cunfin on the Alpe di Siusi or skate on the frozen alpine Lago di Fiè at the foot of the Sciliar. Don’t miss the Castelrotto Christmas markets, where only local farmers and artisans sell handmade wool, woodwork, and more, giving a real taste of Alpine life.” –Peter Schgaguler, Schgaguler Hotel

The Dolomites in their summer outfit

Italy Segreta