Off the beaten track holidays in Italy: our guide to properties away from the normal tourist routes

April 13th 2010

Want to escape from the travel masses and discover your own Italian holiday secret hideaway? From cottages in enchanting villages to properties in magnificent coastal areas, our special selection of ‘off the beaten track’ properties have been hand-picked to give you a truly authentic taste of Italy.

Italy may well be one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe but the country is big and there are many areas and regions which are off the beaten track from mainstream tourism. These destinations offer visitors the opportunity to delve a little deeper into the history and culture of a region as well as providing more calm and relaxing lifestyle where you can unwind, embrace the 'domani' way of life and become totally immersed in the real Italy.

Here are just a few of our ‘off the beaten track’ properties to make your holiday a truly memorable one:

Liguria This region may have glitzy towns and a busy and bustling coastline but venture back into the hills and you will find a completely different lifestyle; pretty villages, a traditional lifestyle and mountain views. Casa Piccola Liguria is located a mere 6km from the coast but in the tranquil village of Vasia which is offers a glimpse of village life with its village shop, post office and excellent pizzeria.

Campania If you venture south from the Amalfi Coast, you will discover the Cilento, which is largely uncharted territory for mass tourism but offering the most beautiful coastline and many lovely resorts which the Italians have long kept to themselves. The beautifully restored Cilento apartments are located in the heart of the Cilento in a pretty valley surrounded by olive trees and offering sea views with a spectacular mountain backdrop. The property is set on a 50-hectare estate with more than 10,000 olive trees, vineyards and vegetable gardens and it produces its own olive oil, fruit preserves and wine, all of which are used within the traditional cuisine served in the kitchen.

Trentino – Dolomites This region is very popular for winter tourism but venture there in the summer and you will find a completely different world – an oasis for mountain lovers. The area benefits from many outdoor activities and sports including trekking, nordic walking, mountain bike excursions, fishing and rafting along the Noce river. Located in the wonderful green park area of the Dolomiti di Brenta, the Madonna Pinzolo Sun Residence the sits at the foot of the Madonna di Campiglio mountains.

Lazio This region is the most visited in Italy due to the Capital Rome but tourists rarely venture out into the beautiful countryside with rolling hills and lakes – think Tuscany but without overseas tourists and high prices. Set in a beautiful hillside position. The Oak Forest Villa is immersed in oak forest with mountain views and just a few kilometres from beautiful medieval villages.

Puglia in the southern heel of Italy may be starting to increase its tourism but travel south in the region towards the bottom and you will find a more rustic land with dramatic coastlines, not dissimilar to the Amalfi Coast but without the tourists and developments! The pretty little coastal hideaway, offers breathtaking views over the sea and the perfect location for a relaxing and tranquil holiday: Salentian House

And finally…

Tuscany The region may not be off the beaten track but there are still areas which are generally untouched by mainstream tourism. If you venture north of Lucca into the mountains, you will discover a different side to Tuscany that you may think never existed.Casa Rustica is located in a quiet hilltop village of Crasciana where outstanding natural beauty, historic towns and mountains are part of everyday life for its inhabitants and visitors, this part of Tuscany offers refreshing Alpine villages and great access to the beautiful walled towns of Barga and Lucca.