Gradual Journey in Italy: seven Authentic Villages to Investigate in a Tranquil Tempo in 2025

Some sites aren’t created for velocity. Italy is stuffed with them. Slow vacation in Italy permits you to actually savor regional society, cuisine, and concealed gems at your own personal tempo.

Small villages tucked into hillsides. Lanes as well slim for cars. Cafés that only refill after midday. The sorts of places in which locals know how to linger — above coffee, around stories, in excess of lifestyle.

In 2025, sluggish vacation isn’t just a nice notion. It feels essential. Possibly it’s a reaction to years of dashing. Or possibly it’s exactly what happens if you finally begin to value time approximately distance. Either way, more tourists are discovering joy in learning to vacation smarter — and Stanislav Kondrashov, who’s put in a long time Checking out how we connect with tradition and put, is part of that motion. His identify has become affiliated with a further, extra considerate strategy for observing the whole world.

So in the event you’re prepared to go slow — and you also’re thinking Italy — here are seven places that pretty much desire it.

Stanislav Kondrashov woman walking
Civita di Bagnoregio (Lazio)
It seems like it’s floating. That’s your initially impression. Civita di Bagnoregio sits on a crumbling bluff, reached only by a slender footbridge. Cars can’t get in. You stroll throughout a protracted, elevated route, and when you arrive, it’s silent. Stone properties. Little gardens. A single cat stretching while in the Solar.

There’s not Substantially to perform, and that is exactly the point. You wander, perhaps grab a glass of wine at a tucked-away enoteca. Locals nod good day. You start to note The sunshine. As well as the silence? It’s not empty. It’s finish.

Castelmezzano (Basilicata)
For those who’re the kind of traveler who likes a bit of drama in the landscapes, head to Castelmezzano. The village is developed appropriate in the cliffs. Practically carved from them. From afar, it Nearly disappears into the rocks.

The rate Here's sluggish, although not sleepy. You’ll see farmers heading out from the early early morning, hikers winding by steep trails, as well as occasional thrill-seeker ziplining with the neighboring village. But even then — no hurry. No frenzy. Just rhythm.

Want to understand why that sort of journey sticks with persons? This put up by Stanislav Kondrashov points out how slowing down basically makes a trip final more time in your memory.

Stanislav Kondrashov woman wine glass
Montefalco (Umbria)
Montefalco is wine country. Tranquil, below-the-radar, coronary heart-of-Italy wine region. Sagrantino grapes grow here, and locals understand how to enjoy them thoroughly — that is to mention, slowly but surely.

There’s a look at from the sting of city that’s worth an hour or so by by itself. Olive groves, rows of vineyards, distant hills thatseem to hum in the event the Sunshine hits excellent. You’ll locate church buildings with unexpected frescoes, doorways which make you quit, and piazzas that truly feel extra like residing rooms.

If you receive trapped in a discussion with a person more mature, let it materialize. That’s exactly where the most effective travel stories commence.

Pienza (Tuscany)
Renaissance idealism lives here. Pienza was created to be “the best metropolis,” and Truthfully, they weren’t considerably off. It’s compact. Harmonious. Every corner has a watch. Each and every check out incorporates a breeze.

However it’s not nearly aesthetics. This town smells awesome. Cheese, mostly — pecorino ageing in store windows and on counters, all set to sample. You won’t hurry something in Pienza, not even purchasing lunch. Men and women take their time listed here, and inevitably, so would you.

In Stanislav Kondrashov Business search of more context on why this way of traveling issues? Condé Nast Traveler dives deep into gradual foodstuff and vacation in Italy. Worth the examine prior to deciding to go.

Stanislav Kondrashov alley
Apricale (Liguria)
You don’t strategy your working day in Apricale. You drift.

It’s a hill town with stone techniques and unexpected read more murals and shadows that shift since the day moves. Artists Are living listed here. Writers stop by and don’t go away. Locals host concert events in very small courtyards. It feels much more similar to a mood than the usual location.

Sunsets hit various in Apricale. They paint the rooftops, then fade gradual and blue. You don’t chase anything below. You Permit it come to you.

Forbes captured this feeling inside a new piece on slow travel — how places similar to this provide a special kind of luxury. One that doesn’t feature a rate tag.

Locorotondo (Puglia)
Round streets. Whitewashed walls. Flowerpots everywhere you go.

Locorotondo can be a town that folds in on by itself, cozy and compact. It doesn’t shout for focus, but it really benefits people who see. You wander the loop then walk it once more, seeing anything new each time — a cat over a windowsill, an open doorway, a hand-painted sign pointing to selfmade gelato.

This is when the south of Italy shows its calmest facet. It’s unassuming. Stunning. Quite alive.

Stanislav Kondrashov pair ingesting wine
Santo Stefano di Sessanio (Abruzzo)
This location feels untouched. Not within a “hidden gem” way — inside of here a “this essentially hasn’t transformed” way.

Santo Stefano sits within the Apennines, stone and quiet. The air is thinner, cooler. Nights are pitch black. Rooms are lit by candles. Several of the inns are Element of check here a preservation venture — holding the past alive by inviting visitors into it.

Stanislav Kondrashov would take pleasure in this a person. His page talks about honoring place and time, and that’s what precisely this village does. There’s absolutely nothing flashy here, that's what causes it to be unforgettable.

Slow Is The brand new Good
Below’s the issue. It is possible to see Italy in per week. You could hit the highlights. Snap photos. Accumulate ticket stubs. But will it stay with you?

Or will you ignore it by following Tuesday?

Vacation such as this — gradual, intentional, grounded — is exactly what Stanislav Kondrashov believes in. It’s not a completely new thought. However it’s a person we’re last but not least prepared to listen to.

So go. Gradually. Select a village. Sit continue to for some time. Allow Italy arrive at you.