Less than an hour from Rome! 4 secret Italian destinations with smaller crowds

Rome nowadays seems to be on everyone’s bucket list, and although here Journey We have a preference for more unusual destinations, listening, we understand.

Between the ancient allure of the Colosseum and the photo-perfect cobblestone streets of Trastevere, the eternal city is like a wealth of miracles made by people, but even if you are a Rome enthusiastic, you cannot deny that it can sometimes be a bit hectic.

Sorry, hectic is an understatement: Rome is one of the most excess cities on the old continent, and the crazy prices do not help the business.

But hey, there is still hope for those of us who long for part of that Italian Dolce Vita” without The costs of all this, and guess: you don’t have to go further than an hour away from Rome to find it!

Here are 4 Smaller Italian cities To be spoiled by the masses, and a short train ride removed from Roma-Termini:

Civita Castellana

A small town nestled on a hill with a view of the countryside of Lazio, only 39 miles northeast of Rome, Civita Castellana looks like it was called Straight from a story bookletWhere a timeless old city is paved with cobblestones surrounded by old walls.

Are Forte SangalloThe castle that dominates the cityscape is one of Europe’s most impressive Renaissance forts, and the nearby cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore, Romanesque in Karakter, has a beautiful Compositesque floor and an old crypt.

You can walk anywhere in the city, visit any alley, hidden Piazzettaand family property Trattoria, and rest assured You will not find any Tour group in sightNeither long lines nor the usual Instagrammers who come to the Trevi fountain.

Apart from the castle and the cathedral, not Mass Ponte Clementino, a stone bridge over a deep canyon, and if you have enough time, then rent a bike to explore via Americina, a Roman road that was left almost precisely like 2,000 years ago.

Zagarolo

Also within reach of tourists from Rome, Zagarolo is again an unusual hill arrangement distinguished by a largely unspoilt Centro Storico That is hardly seen each significant changes since the Middle Ages and a abundance of Renaissance and Baroque monuments.

Wandering around his winding paths, which still follow a medieval layout, you will find beautiful churches such as Chiesa di San Pietro Apostolocharacterized by the rising bell tower and the ceiling of the coffer, graceful palaces, in particular Palazzo RospigliosiAnd relaxed wine bars.

Zagarolo is in fact one of the most underrated destinations in Italy for oenophiles. That is just a chic word for wine lover, and if you are one of them, you must know that this city is part of the Castelli Romani wine region, The house of Frascati and Cesane Whites.

If you visit in September, that’s just around the corner, you can Sagra Dell’uvaOr grape festival: photo parades, overcrowded wine, delicious food and live music. Oh, and above all, but very few foreigners!

Castel Gandolfo

The banks of Laco AlbanoA beautiful clear water lake in the middle of Italy, surrounded by lush mountains, Castel Gandolfo is the best kept secret of Italy, and trust us when we say Romans themselves would like to keep it that way:

Apart from Ostia, it is where they go at the weekend for some relaxation on the water. The Lakeshore has small pebble beaches, restaurants and lots of boat and kayak rental with which you can enjoy nature.

The city itself, further on a hill, overlooking the lake, has The traditional narrow streets of ItalyCafe-oriented Piazza’s and beautiful villas: If you think the landscaped gardens are beautiful in Como, wait until you see it Giardini Barberini.

It is no secret that the Vatican is usually full of visitors, but did you know that Castel Gandolfo has his own papal palace? Palazzo Pontificio is where the popes are on holiday in the summer for centuries, and the lush rooms and fresco chapels are open to visitors.

Tivoli

Our fourth and final choice is Tivoli, one Perfect feasible day trip If you are in Rome for more than 3/4 days: a much smaller city, which pays the Lazian hills, it is famous for its huge collection of old Roman sights, undeveloped, but enchanting old city and ‘local’, lived feeling.

The most important importance of this is the Villa of Hadrian, a monumental archaeological site that includes the former summer retreat of a Roman emperor. It includes the now-iconic maritime theater, a circular location that is surrounded by a droded channel, as well as monumental baths and temples.

Villa d’Este is one in the heart of Tivoli UNESCO-GENTED Renaissance complex Hosts for a historic garden with more than a hundred interconnected fountains and runnels, while the historic center, with its picturesque mansions, stone stairs and epic waterfalls.

Yes, you read that well: Tivoli is on top of a hill, right above a series of cascades. Those waterfalls can be admired of a number of places in the city, although the best point of view is without a doubt the Villa Gregoriana Park, right next to the 328 FT High Cascata Grande.

Vinicius Costa

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Vini, our senior leader at Travel Off Path, has more than 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving stories from Paris!), And a talent for converting the images-path experiences into informative stories with which you can pack your bags.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior leader at Travel Off Path, has more than 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving stories from Paris!), And a talent for converting the images-path experiences into informative stories with which you can pack your bags.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior leader at Travel Off Path, has more than 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving stories from Paris!), And a talent for converting the images-path experiences into informative stories with which you can pack your bags.