My friend and I are planning on visiting Italy in the summer, and we wanted some interesting places to visit. We want places that aren't too touristy and crowded, or at least not too cliche (like Rome or Venice, though we will be visiting there too). We also want places where there is lots to do (especially a good local night life). I know this might sound a bit contradictory, but if you can give any suggestions, that would be great.
Thanks
Reply to this Head towards Sorrento. Still a bit touristy, but i enjoyed my time there. It's near enough to Rome, or you may want to use it as base for other sites like Pompeii, Capri, Positano. Also further north, nearer Venice is Verona. And nearer Florence is Siena and San Gimignano. When I get my chance, I will spend more time there.
Reply to this Hello Gianna 😊
I think if you take a train or bus to any village or town that you never heard of, then you will be off the beaten track. All places will likely have bars and a local club. But for some very good night life I would go to places like Rome.
Mel
Reply to this As places off the ebaten track I would suggest the Eolian Islands and Catania in Sicily, Verona in Veneto, Ferrara and Cesena in Emilia-Romagna and, well, the list could be infinite!
Anyway, the Eolian Islands are very beautiful and peaceful (I've visited Stromboli: it's an active vulcan - a tiny island with dark sand, beautiful sea...); Catania is full of things to see and is very lively. Ferrara as well is very lively and beautiful, Cesena a bit less but still beautiful. As for Verona, it is very nice, you can find many things to do - including opera: there's its beautiful roman arena!
Reply to this Hello Gianna
Basically anywhere south of Naples will be TOURIST free. If you are going in mid-summer you are going to run into the Italian tourists.
If you are looking for out of the way places, consider Italy's three southern most regions of Calabria, Basilicata and Puglia. Puglia has been called the "New Tuscany" Calabria and Basilicata have the same coastline as the Amalfi Coast without the masses of tourists. Calabaria and Basilicata will tend to be more economical as well.
Reply to this Gianna, if you are looking for a completely untouristy region, Abruzzo is your place. It's mainly mountains and national/natural parks, but still, being rather close to Rome, it's full of Roman archeological sites and middle age and renaissance churches. The nicest town might have been -till 24 hous ago- L'Aquila, but has been hit hard by the earthquake and I guess it will be a sad place for a while.
Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, on the other hand, 70 Kms further south, it's a great place for hiking.
As for nightlife, Pescara and neighbouring coastal towns are the best bet in the area.
I confess I come from Abruzzo so my judgment might be slightly biased. Take a look by yourself and let me know :-)
Marco
Reply to this Hi Gianna, if you are looking to do something different that is not too far outside Florence, try the countryside. My boyfriend and I stumbled upon a very cool little place called the 500 Touring Club (medieval garage just behind the Uffizi). Inside were 6 little Fiat 500 cars (that looked like colorful jellybeans). We took a tour and the best thing is- you get to drive the car!!! We followed the owner (Sophie) and she led us outside the city center and onto these winding streets with AMAZING views of the countryside that you would not get to see (let alone knowabout) if you were just on foot. We just loved it. We chose the wine tasting tour because my boyfriend loves good wine- they served food and we also tasted the olive oil. The wine and oil are both produced in this villa (it is GORGEOUS- I think I want to get married there!!!). Anyway, it's an affordable, fun and unique thing to do- I have never driven a vintage car before! A once in a lifefime exerience! Check out their site: www.500touringclub.com (and have a great time in Italy this summer- CIAO!!!)
Reply to this Hello Gianna,
an idea may be visit Ischia island, near the gulf of Neaples. From 4 to 7 June there is Travellers by notes, a festival about music tourism.
Val Reply to this 
