Lifestyle in Italy

Italy is home to countless medieval towns and villages, each steeped in history and bursting with charm. From hilltop villages in Tuscany to coastal gems along the Amalfi Coast, these towns transport visitors back in time, offering a glimpse of life as it was centuries ago.

When choosing a place to retire, there’s no better guide than the Italians themselves.

Italy does cheese the way nonna does Sunday lunch: with pride and deep regional roots. Across the Alpine pastures, the Po Valley dairies and the sunny farms of Sicily, each area champions its own cheese styles. These are shaped by milk type, ageing traditions and DOP/IGP rules.

Rome is the headline act, but Italy’s Roman ruins outside Rome deliver ancient drama with fewer crowds and gentler prices. Think evocative ports, theatres and mosaics, with straightforward trains and buses to keep things simple.

Latronico is a small mountain town in Basilicata, tucked into the Lucanian Apennines. It’s been getting fresh attention lately, with interest in homes here having spiked hard, helped by word spreading about good-value property and a local push to match empty houses with buyers.

Latronico’s finally popping up on savvy travellers’ radars for two big reasons: wellness and wild nature. This small hill town in Basilicata’s Potenza province sits between the Monte Alpi massif and the edges of Pollino National Park.

Venice, the iconic city of canals and gondolas, is famous for its romantic atmosphere and rich history. But one thing often surprises visitors: the city streets and squares are almost empty of cats.

A bid to bring swimmers back to Rome’s River Tiber has moved centre stage, stirring fresh optimism—and questions about what it would take to make it happen.Current status of the River Tiber in RomePublic bathing in the Tiber remains prohibited, a ban dating to the 1960s with fines for violators.

Located between the Apennines and the Adriatic, Molise features stone hill towns that watch over olive groves and a quiet coastline. Life ambles along in Campobasso and the fishing docks of Termoli, with truffles, bean stews and moreish local wines.

Where can you find the best cheese in Italy? From the mountains of the Aosta Valley to the sunny landscapes of Sicily, Italy is a paradise for cheese lovers.

Fittingly, the birthplace of the Renaissance rewards slow wanderers. Head out on non‑touristy neighbourhood walks in Florence through Santo Spirito, Sant’Ambrogio and the quieter river lanes.

Florence rewards anyone who slips into its daily rhythm, trading tick‑box sights for small rituals and hands‑on moments. Think an early coffee at the bar, a peek into working botteghe, and a low‑key evening wander along the Arno.

Slip off the main drag and Rome softens into villagey corners, street art pockets and leafy hillsides.

Rome gets under your skin the moment you slip down a cobbled alleyway or duck into a cool courtyard. If you’re after non-touristy things to do in Rome, think slow mornings at neighbourhood markets, sunset viewpoints with locals, and late‑night gelato far from the hubbub.

Slip beyond the blockbuster sights and you’ll find Rome’s unusual attractions tucked into cloisters, courtyards and catacombs. Think keyholes framing domes, layered churches and private palazzi with quietly dazzling art.

Venice casts a spell—bells over the water, light on stone—but the crush around San Marco and Rialto can drown out the everyday rhythm. A simple skip-and-swap mindset helps get a little closer to the non-touristy things you can do in Venice.

Beyond the queues and gondola jams, Venice hides quiet little courtyards called campielli, neighbourhood taverns, or bàcari, and workaday islands where daily life moves at an easier pace.

Lake Braies (Lago di Braies), also known as the Pragser Wildsee in German, is one of the most famous lakes in the Dolomites and a must-see destination in northern Italy. With its turquoise waters framed by forests and the UNESCO-listed Braies Dolomites, this Alpine lake attracts visitors in every season.

Deep in the heart of Sicily's Caltanissetta province is Mussomeli. The town’s famous 1 euro houses scheme has made the idea of living in Mussomeli a tempting prospect for people across the world.

Verona is in northern Italy’s Veneto region, with the Adige River flowing right through its centre. While it's often linked to Shakespeare’s famous couple, the city's character is really shaped by its grand Roman amphitheatre and winding medieval lanes.

Everyone knows Verona as the stage for Shakespeare's most famous love story, but there's so much more to the city than balconies. You’ll find its real heart in the gorgeous medieval streets and the incredible Roman Arena.

Sicily is one of the most captivating destinations in the Mediterranean, offering a unique blend of history, culture and breathtaking landscapes. Among its many treasures are 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – places of outstanding cultural or natural importance that you won’t want to miss.

The picture-postcard image of the Amalfi Coast is one of the world's most recognisable. Pastel-coloured villages clinging dramatically to cliffs that plunge into the glittering Tyrrhenian Sea.

The Almalfi Coast is a dramatic meeting of mountains and sea along the Sorrentine Peninsula, where towns painted in terracotta and pink tumble down steep cliffsides to the water's edge.

Looking for unique things to do in Palermo? Tucked away beside the iconic Norman Palace, the Royal Gardens of Palermo offer a tranquil, leafy escape steeped in centuries of history and culture.