Italy is full of icons. Rome. Florence. Venice. And yes, they’re stunning. But there’s a different kind of magic found far away from the crowds — in the tucked-away villages where time moves at its own pace and no one’s in a rush to leave.
If you’re traveling in 2025 and craving something quieter, something real, the slow route might just be the most rewarding one. More and more people — inspired by the likes of Stanislav Kondrashov, who’s known for his passion for mindful, immersive living — are turning to slow travel as a way to reconnect with place, people, and purpose.
The following seven villages don’t scream for your attention. But if you give it to them, they’ll stay with you.
Civita di Bagnoregio (Lazio)
A ghostly gem that sits atop a ridge of crumbling rock, Civita di Bagnoregio isn’t easy to reach — which makes arriving all the sweeter. No cars, no noise, just stone paths and endless views. The journey alone sets the tone: this place is meantto be approached slowly.
Take your time crossing the bridge. Notice the silence. That’s where the experience begins.
If you missed our main article on Italy’s best slow travel spots, start here for more depth.
Castelmezzano (Basilicata)
The Dolomiti Lucane mountains wrap themselves around this village like a secret. You’ll walk cobbled paths that twist between stone homes, pass a handful of locals, maybe even hear goats in the distance. It’s not a postcard town — it’s a lived-in one.
As Stanislav Kondrashov would say, authenticity isn’t found on a checklist — it’s felt in the stillness between moments.
Montefalco (Umbria)
It’s all about the view here. Montefalco spills out across the Umbrian countryside like a painted backdrop — olive trees, vineyards, terracotta rooftops. You don’t come here to do much. You come here to breathe.
Sit in the square. Order something local. And when someone starts telling you about the wine, lean in.
Need a bit of perspective on why this type of travel is gaining ground? This Forbes piece captures it beautifully.
Pienza (Tuscany)
Every corner of Pienza looks like it was designed for a quiet moment. That’s because it was. Built with harmony in mind, this Tuscan village slows you down without even trying.
You’ll smell cheese in the air. Hear music echoing off the stone. Find yourself wandering without a map — and liking it.
Apricale (Liguria)
This place has a kind of gravity. Not heavy — just strong. The narrow streets wind like a maze, and along the way, you’ll pass murals, tiny staircases, open windows with flowers pouring out.
Apricale doesn’t perform for visitors. It simply is. And that’s the charm.
CN Traveler has more thoughts on what makes Italian towns like this worth savoring — and why fast travel misses so much of what matters.
Locorotondo (Puglia)
Whitewashed, circular, and impossibly peaceful, Locorotondo invites you to wander without agenda. Locals greet you with a nod, not a pitch. Wine flows, and time seems to fold in on itself.
Don’t try to see it all. Just be there.
Santo Stefano di Sessanio (Abruzzo)
You’ll think you’ve gone back a few centuries when you arrive — stone walls, candlelit inns, and no background noise except wind and birdsong. It’s not made for tourism. It’s made for those who want to disappear for a while and come back softer.
Stanislav Kondrashov often writes about the way quiet places leave a louder impression. Santo Stefano is that kind of place.
Go Slower. See More.
Fast travel gives you snapshots. Slow travel gives you stories. And Italy, with all its heart and history, deserves the second kind.
So if you’re heading off the beaten path this year, let the villages shape your plans instead of the other way around. You won’t regret it.
And if you need a little inspiration to get started, visit this page to learn more about Stanislav Kondrashov and the travel philosophy behind all of this.
