- I've traveled across Italy, and though I love its cities, the country's small towns have my heart.
- Some of my favorite small towns in Italy are Barga, which has amazing views and wine, and Termoli.
- Elsewhere, Pizzo is my favorite beach town in Calabria, and Torre di Palme has a bit of everything.
As much as I love traveling to new places, it never takes more than a twist of my arm to go back to Italy.
I've visited every Italian region, most of them at least twice. As I've had the great privilege of exploring Italy in greater depth, I've also gotten a bit jaded about the major hot spots and grown more fond of classic Italian small-town charm.
Don't get me wrong: Those major cities like Rome and Florence are iconic for a reason. Whenever I return to them, though, I feel a sense of frustration about the overpriced food, crowds so rampant that I find myself clutching onto my bag for dear life, and an atmosphere that often caters to tourists.
When you visit small towns in Italy, though, being one of the few tourists around can help you get a taste of the locals' everyday life, which — in my opinion — creates a meaningful and more personal experience.
So, if you're looking to get out of the major cities and connect with true Italian life, head to one of these towns instead.
Pizzo has tons of local charm … and delicious desserts
Calabria's Tropea has become quite the popular beach haven in recent years, and for good reason. The coasts of Calabria are some of the most picturesque in all of Italy, with rocky white marbled sand and seas so blue they might as well be on a postcard.
As much as I love Tropea, it's often packed with tourists, so if you're looking for a beach town in Calabria that still preserves local charm, nearby Pizzo ought to do the trick.
It's not just the beaches that make Pizzo such a great spot, though. Pizzo is home to the tartufo di Pizzo, a decadent chocolate gelato-filled dessert coated in cocoa powder. You can try one at Gelateria Dante, the famed sweet shop that's credited with creating it.
While walking around, you'll also want to check out artisan markets selling hand-painted ceramics, and hit a trattoria to try 'nduja, a spicy salami spread typical of the Calabrian region.
Torre di Palme is a gem tucked away in Marche
If you ask an Italian about the most underrated region in Italy, they might mention Marche.
Marche is in central Italy and has a little bit of everything: rolling mountains and vineyards, impeccable coastlines, and castle-filled medieval villages.
Out of the many towns I've visited in the region, Torre di Palme — or "Tower of Palms" — offers a perfect mesh of Marche's best offerings. This medieval village is perched high above the sea, so much so that it's been dubbed the "Balcony of the Adriatic."
True to its name, Torre di Palme is indeed full of palm trees, which adds a tropical feel to its historic cobblestone streets. While here, make sure to try olive all'ascolana, a deep-fried, meat-stuffed olive that's one of the most common dishes of the Marche region.
My favorite part of Tuscany is a small Scottish enclave
When I saw Scottish flags around Barga, a small town in Tuscany, my interest was immediately piqued.
I learned that many Italians left Barga for Scotland in the early 1900s, but over time, a lot of them returned, marrying the two cultures right in Tuscany.
Although Barga is known as "the most Scottish town in Italy," it still feels distinctly Tuscan — even though it's not unusual to see fish and chips on a menu or hear a Scottish accent, like my guide had when I hiked throughout Bagni di Lucca.
I recommend checking out Duomo di San Cristoforo, the main Roman Catholic church in town, which offers panoramic views of the rolling hills of Tuscany. And if you fancy some vino, Podere Concori is one of my favorite wineries in the country.
Termoli is a charming beach town in one of Italy's lesser-explored regions
Did you know there's an "Italian region that doesn't exist?" Well, not really, but that's what locals will tell you when you mention Molise, one of the smallest and least-visited regions in the country.
Molise was the final region I visited, and though I was tempted to visit the region's capital, Campobasso, it was peak summer, and I was craving the water. So, I looked at a map and saw a place called Termoli.
Though I went into Termoli knowing nothing, I fell in love quickly. It's a small beach town with under 35,000 residents, and the most convenient spot in the country for catching a ferry to another Italian best-kept secret, the Tremiti Islands.
Food-wise, Termoli is also home to some of my favorite gelato in the country. You can also try typical Molisana cuisine here, like caciocavallo cheese and fusilli pasta.
For a slice of history while in town, make sure to head to Castello di Svevo, an old castle perched right near the town's main beach. Only in Italy could you lounge out on a beach chair with a spritz in hand to look up and see a castle.
