Italy Travel
3 Off-The-Beaten-Path Seaside Destinations in Italy
We are in the shortest and coldest days of winter. Sometimes, at the start of my day, as I suit up to face the cold, I find myself wishing I could just flash forward to the summer. Can you relate at all? When this happens to me, I start fantasizing and I picture myself exploring a new, incredible place in the middle of summer, and I immediately feel warmer and happier. In this spirit, I would like to show you three off-the-beaten-path seaside destinations in Italy.
Discover 3 Off-The-Beaten-Path Seaside Destinations in Italy
If “take the road less traveled” is your motto, look no further. There are countless seaside spots in Italy that have nothing less than places like the Amalfi Coast and the Cinque Terre, except the hoards of tourists. As hard a task as this was, we have picked out our three favorite off-the-beaten-path seaside destinations in Italy.
Alternative #1 – The Tuscan Maremma
Most of you probably haven’t heard of it, but La Maremma is an undiscovered treasure trove of charming properties, as well as delicious food and wine. Located in the southern coastal area of Tuscany, La Maremma hosts the renowned Bolgheri DOC region. The wines produced here perfectly match the local cuisine. The beaches are sandy, unspoiled, and beautiful little towns are scattered all along the coastline. The old quaint town of Pitigliano boasts a great deal of Jewish culture and history. Fabulous watery scenery is paired with those rolling hills we all picture when we hear the word Tuscany. Definitely a deserving off-the-beaten-path seaside spot.
Alternative #2 – Puglia
The heel of the boot, Puglia has emerged and flourished as a travel destination over the last ten years. With its flatter and colorful landscape, the region boasts signature wines like Primitivo and Negramaro, which definitely stand up against the Tuscan Chianti. Likewise, the Apulian centuries-old olive trees produce oil that is actually better than the more famous Tuscan counterpart. One-of-a-kind cities like Alberobello and Ostuni, are something you will not experience anywhere else. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Sassi di Matera, in the nearby Basilicata region, makes a great day trip from Puglia.
Alternative #3 – Sicily
You can’t go to Italy without stepping foot in Sicily. Dramatic scenery all around, incredible food and wine, and volcanoes! In addition, due to the Greek domination over the area, the whole region is full of Ancient Greek architecture. Taormina, a very colorful town you can stay in, boasts an impressive Greek Theater. Fun fact: many scenes from Woody Allen’s movie “Mighty Aphrodite” with Olympia Dukakis were filmed here. Cities like Catania, Agrigento, Segesta, Selinunte, are no less open air museums. It will be educational and fun to explore the region – on your breaks from sunbathing on stunning beaches – even more so if you are traveling with kids.
Have you been to any off-the-beaten-path seaside destination in Italy? Tell us about it in a comment!
Natasha Zicarelli holds a Master\'s Degree in Conference Interpreting from the University of Bologna. Originally from Italy, she began dreaming about the United States when she was very young. During college, she was able to live in Los Angeles for a year on the UCLA Study Abroad Program, and she loved her American life so much she didn\'t want to leave. Now, four years later, she is finally back in the US, living and working in Chicago. She loves travel, fitness, engaging novels, and good food, especially when enjoyed in good company!