When you think of Italy, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Rome with its many magnificent monuments, Venice, the city on the water, or Florence with its solemn and ancient charm? In fact, the charm of Italy is far more than these famous big cities.
These 8 small towns are more "Italian" than you think!
1. Siena | Medieval City
Siena is the embodiment of a medieval city. The residents here competed and won with Florence for the right to plan the city on the land, keeping the city built in the 12th-15th centuries, and realizing the Gothic dream they sought.
The pastoral square here concentrates on the masterpieces of the entire urban design. Like works of art, it is integrated with the surrounding landscape and complements each other.
2. Bolgheri Town | Grapes with beautiful scenery
The town of Bolgheri is a small town surrounded by the vineyards of Marima in southern Tuscany. The small town of Bolgheri has the right soil for the grapes, breezy sunny weather, and dry strokes, so the grapes grow big and shiny.
3. Verona | Romeo meets Juliet
Verona is an ancient city located in the west of the Veneto region. It is located in the southern foothills of the Alps, facing the Adige River. Verona is one of the oldest, most beautiful, and most glorious cities in Italy, meaning "the most elegant city" in Latin.
In 2000, Verona was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Romeo and Juliet's poignant love takes place here.
4. Sorrento | City of Fruits
The western town of Campania. Located on the north coast of the Sorrento Peninsula, near the Bay of Naples. The city is built on the cliffs of the seaside, surrounded by trees such as oranges, lemons, olives, and mulberries, and is a scenic tourist area. Mainly produces olive oil and a variety of Mediterranean seafood.
Handicrafts such as joinery and lace are very famous. Everyone should have heard the world-famous song "Return to Sorrento".
5. Alberobello | Paradise Town
Alberobello is located in Puglia and is known as the "town of paradise". There are more than 1,000 stone-roofed houses preserved here, which is the real "stone-roofed house" in the world. Some of these domes are painted with strange symbols whose meanings are still unknown.
6. Manarola | Town on a Cliff
The charming fishing village of Manarola is one of the five largest fishing villages in Liguria, but the smallest. The colorful buildings are brighter in the Italian sun, and one can enjoy the laid-back seaside vibe here, as vehicles are not allowed into the town. Visitors can get here by shuttle, boat, or on foot.
7. Bellagio | Heart of Lake Como
Bellagio is a town related to Milan, located at the intersection of the "herringbone" shaped Lake Como, known as the "Heart of Lake Como". It is said that when the weather is good, climb the hill behind the town and you can see the spires of buildings 70 kilometers away.
8. Bellagio | City in the Sky
Located on the top of the mountain, it has a history of 2,500 years. It is the prototype of Hayao Miyazaki's Sky City. It is only connected to the outside world by a narrow long bridge. From a distance, it looks like a castle in the sky.
