“Where locals go” is our new series featuring under-the-radar holiday destinations that are often overlooked by visitors but cherished by locals. In this edition, our Italy experts showcase their favorite holiday spots at home.
Italians are well aware of their country’s charms and when in need of a holiday, they usually head to the mountains or sun-kissed coasts to cool down. Here, three Lonely Planet writers in Italy reveal the destinations they escape to in summer to enjoy simple pleasures like swimming, hiking, good food and cultural sites without the crowds.
Old-world charm in Piedmont
Benedetta Geddo is from Turin, Piedmont
One of my favorite spots for a mountain vacation in Italy is Valsesia, located in the northernmost part of the province of Vercelli in Piedmont. Whether you come for an outdoorsy summer holiday with hiking, biking and water sports, or a snow-filled winter getaway at one of the stations of the Monterosa ski area in winter, Valsesia offers a gentle, relaxing pace.
The destination follows the course of the Sesia River and is under the shadow of the Monte Rosa, the second-highest peak of the Alps, which means you’re surrounded by stunning views wherever you look. You can stay in the charming town of Varallo, maybe in the quiet Al Vicolo del Gallo hotel. Varallo offers many amenities including restaurants, bars, a riverside beach, an art gallery and Sacro Monte di Varallo, a medieval monastery complex and Unesco World Heritage Site.
You can go for something even more laid-back in the smaller village of Alagna Valsesia’s hamlet of Pedemonte, famous for its vineyards; consider a stay in a typical Valsesian building such as at Albergo Montagna di Luce. Enjoy local cuisine at restaurants like Piane Belle in Varallo and unwind with a drink and a view in Alagna Valsesia’s bars. Two of my favorites include Il Baretto and La Miacceria.
The 12 best things to do in Italy: embrace la dolce vita
The other side of Tuscany
Angelo Zinna is from Florence, Tuscany
Known for its vineyard-covered rolling hills, Renaissance treasures and medieval hamlets, Tuscany attracts millions each year. Still, few visitors seem to be aware that besides art, wine and…
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