Vèrres, Levico Terme, Varallo, Riccia and Pergola are 5 of the 20 locations chosen as the most beautiful villages in Italy by the well-known competition 'Il borgo dei borghi 2022'. While we wait to find out which villages will be chosen as Italy's most beautiful in 2023, let's take a look at these 5 charming villages which are among Italy's most beautiful mountain towns and villages.
Vèrres
The village of Vèrres is located in Valle d'Aosta, at the foot of a castle that, since the 14th century, has towered high into the sky and watched over the small town from on high.
In Vèrres, everything is history, magic and tradition: its narrow stone streets, the Carnival in which masks and floats parade amidst music and dance, its delicious cheeses and fine wines are just some of the wonders that await you in this charming Italian village.
But Vèrres is also great for sport and out-of-town trips, in fact it is only 15 km from the ski slopes of La Thuile and only 30 km from the well-known and exclusive Courmayeur.
Levico Terme
The village of Levico Terme, in Trentino-Alto Adige, offers a historic centre full of paths for walking and cycling, while the gastronomic scene is sure to get your mouth watering; cheeses, speck, venison, goulash soup, chanterelles with sauce, canederli and other seafood products capable of satisfying even the most demanding palates. All of this should be paired with regenerating afternoons at the lake, boat trips and fishing trips, invigorating thermal baths and massages, not to mention sports days on the ski slopes in nearby Folgaria. All in all, Levico Terme is a great location for holidays for the whole family.
Varallo
Did you know that in Varallo, Piedmont, you can take a ride on Europe's steepest cable car and experience 90 seconds of adrenalin rush with your legs suspended over the views of this stunning Italian village? Not only that: you can taste the tasty secret recipes that are traditional in the village, based on rice, beans, lard, cuttlefish and... frogs! Moreover, you can wander among the splendours of the Belle Époque, including museums, palaces, art and the sacred.
Riccia
Riccia is a village in Molise rich in medieval history, whose main attraction is a castle that can be reached by a walk through narrow streets and steep stone steps.
It is also known for the Bosco Mazzocca, a green area protected for flora and fauna, where children can enjoy 'Il Bosco delle Favole' (The Fairy Tale Forest), a trail organised to transport children to a distant era and give them a taste of playing with the strumbele, chasing a hoop and competing at mazze and pìveze
If this beautiful Italian village is right up your street, we're going to give you an even better reason to buy a house in the village of Riccia. Until the end of 2023, those who take up residence there will be able to obtain a contribution of up to 5,000 euros per beneficiary to support purchase and renovation costs.
Pergola
Do you love wine and white truffles? Then take a break in Pergola, in the Marche region, and enjoy the typical flavours of its land and vineyards. Make sure to take a stroll through the old town centre, so rich in churches that Pergola has earned the names 'Holy Pergola' or 'City of a Hundred Churches', and don't forget to visit the 'Museum of the Gilded Bronzes and the City of Pergola', which houses Roman statues made by Paco Lanciano, the only gilded bronze statues in the world.
It may also be useful to know that Pergola is only 15 km from the ski slopes of Monte Catria making this the perfect destination for those who love holidays in the snow.
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