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The three trendiest destinations in Italy right now aren’t the places you’d expect.
You won’t find Rome, Florence or Venice on the list of the fastest growing destinations in Italy.
Based on a recent researchthere are three specific regions in Italy that will rise to the top of tourism by 2024.
Many of these regions are already popular among Italians, but remain under the radar for Americans and other foreign tourists.
Below you can read about the hippest destinations in Italy, plus tips for the best time to travel.
Overall, this year is expected to be a record year for tourism in Italy, but the following destinations are expected to see the most growth.
1. Sardinia
The destination in Italy that is currently rising the fastest is Sardinia.
This large island in the Mediterranean has long been a popular summer getaway for Italians, but is only now being discovered by American travelers.
Sardinia is home to some of the best beaches in all of Europe, with Tuerreda Beach being named among the best. Although primarily a beach destination, there are other things to do in Sardinia, including hiking and discovering the island’s small towns and villages.
In short, this is the perfect destination for beach lovers and nature lovers!
As Sardinia is a popular summer destination, I recommend avoiding it during the peak months of July and August. The best time to visit Sardinia due to lower crowds is late September and even early October.
At this time of year the sea is still warm enough to swim in, after being heated during the long, hot summer, but most of the crowds have disappeared.
2. Apulia
Another popular destination in Italy at the moment is Puglia.
If you look at a map of the country, Puglia is the heel of Italy’s boot.
This southern region is less visited by foreign tourists, mainly because it is not as well connected by train as the larger cities.
Renting a car is the best choice to explore Puglia, but it’s worth it!
This underrated region has beautiful beaches and beautiful historic towns such as Alberollo, famous for its trulliwhitewashed stone houses with conical roofs.
Puglia is the number one holiday destination in Italy for the Italians themselves, so it’s hardly a hidden gem; you just won’t encounter many American tourists there.
Like Sardinia, I would recommend waiting until autumn to visit Puglia as there are much fewer crowds and milder weather, as summer can be scorching hot. May is also a beautiful time to visit.
3. Campania
Finally, Campania is another region in Italy expected to grow in popularity this year.
Campania is a region in southern Italy and the largest city is Naples.
You probably already know another famous destination in Campania: the Amalfi Coast.
This beautiful stretch of coastline is a coveted destination among travelers, known for its beautiful clifftop villages, amazing beaches and dramatic vistas.
Although the Amalfi Coast is beautiful, it is very expensive. Personally, I prefer the underrated island of Ischia, an hour’s ferry ride from Naples.
When is the best time to visit Campania?
It depends where you’re going. Naples is a large city with over a million inhabitants, so it is a year-round destination, along with nearby Pompeii, which is a popular day trip.
On the Amalfi Coast and islands such as Ischia, Capri and Procida, summer is the high season and during winter many hotels, restaurants and shops are closed.
I recommend visiting in late May to beat the summer crowds or waiting until the crowds die down and come mid to late September.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
