Italian countryside

Italy’s cities get most of the attention, but it’s the smaller villages that really show how layered the country is.

When people talk about Italy’s most beautiful mountain towns, they’re usually picturing snow-capped peaks, stone houses and those emerald-green valleys.

Italy isn’t just frescoed ceilings and sunbaked piazzas — slip beyond the olde worlde city walls and an entirely different world opens up. Snow-dusted peaks, emerald-green forests and cliffside paths unfurl across a country that feels, at times, wonderfully untamed.

When people search for Italy's most beautiful towns, they’re often talking about I Borghi più belli d’Italia — an official association that recognises small historic villages across the country. This isn’t a glossy travel ranking or a social media trend.

If the beach isn’t your style, Italy’s mountains offer a wonderfully atmospheric alternative, especially now that winter has arrived.

The UN Best Tourism Villages initiative puts Italy in the frame for 2025 with three villages.

As the year draws to a close and thoughts turn to fresh starts, many buyers begin dreaming of a place where they can enjoy slower living, crisp country air and generous outdoor space.

As you make your way up the volcano along dry-stone walls, lava-stone roads, and through historic hamlets, you’ll discover lush vineyards. Differences in altitude, sun exposure, and soil give rise to wines with a truly unique character, telling the story of Europe’s highest active volcano.

Every region of Italy is home to breathtaking historic gardens and parks. From UNESCO World Heritage Sites to secret garden islands and historic mazes, here are the best gardens in Italy that you simply cannot miss.

Across the Dolomites and the Apennines, the most beautiful snowy villages in Italy are all snow‑dusted bell towers, olde worlde stone lanes and glistening rooftops.

Perched in the prestigious hills above Florence, Tuscany, just five minutes from the historic centre, this exceptional 15th-century villa is offered fully furnished and turnkey at €12,500,000, presenting a rare opportunity to own a piece of Tuscan heritage reimagined for contemporary living. Me

Italy is renowned for its sun-soaked summers, but when temperatures soar, finding a cooler corner of the country can transform your holiday.

Finding your feet in Italy doesn’t have to mean shelling out for a city flat or jostling with tourists on the coast.

There’s something a bit magical about life in an Italian village.

While Italy’s city life thrums with energy and history, there’s something quietly captivating about the countryside. Think rolling hills dotted with olive groves, vineyards that seem to stretch for miles, and rural villages where every neighbour knows your name.

Now listed on idealista, this magnificent 17th-century masseria in the picturesque countryside of Cozzana – Gorgofreddo – Antonelli, Monopoli offers an extraordinary blend of historical architecture and modern luxury.

In a bold move to rejuvenate its picturesque yet depopulated villages, the Autonomous Province of Trento in northern Italy is offering grants of up to €100,000 to individuals willing to relocate and restore abandoned properties.

Spring 2025 is the perfect time to explore Italy, with its vibrant landscapes, rich culture, and timeless beauty. Whether you’re seeking historical landmarks, stunning coastlines, or charming countryside retreats, Italy offers a variety of destinations that promise a memorable escape.

March is the month when the first signs of spring begin to appear, and with longer days, it’s the perfect time for hiking in nature or planning a weekend getaway. If you’re thinking of taking a trip this month, why not explore some of the best destinations to visit in Italy?

Italy’s global reputation as a premier ski destination is well-deserved, thanks to its awe-inspiring mountain scenery and world-class resorts.

Nestled in the exclusive locality of San Maurizio in Brunate, just beneath the iconic Alessandro Volta Lighthouse, this extraordinary property offers a harmonious blend of historical charm, modern luxury, and unparalleled natural beauty.

Autumn marks the grape harvest, and there’s nothing quite like soaking in the enchanting atmosphere among Italy's vineyards. Italy boasts an incredible wine heritage, with its rolling hills, plains, and terraced landscapes offering stunning backdrops for excellent wine production.

Umbria, an enchanting region in the heart of Italy, is the perfect destination for those looking to spend time among the hills and artistic Italian towns and villages.

The Sentiero Valtellina, also known as the Ciclovia dell'Adda, is a 114 km long cycle and pedestrian route that winds along the Adda River, from Colico to Bormio, in Lombardy, Italy.

Exploring Northern Italy is akin to discovering a treasure trove. This guide delves into the serene mountains and lakes, historic cities, and charming coastal towns that make Northern Italy a must-visit destination.