Some spots aren’t created for pace. Italy is stuffed with them. Gradual journey in Italy lets you really savor regional tradition, cuisine, and hidden gems at your own private speed.
Small villages tucked into hillsides. Lanes as well narrow for cars. Cafés that only replenish following midday. The kinds of sites in which locals learn how to linger — around coffee, about stories, about lifestyle.
In 2025, slow travel isn’t just a nice plan. It feels critical. Maybe it’s a response to decades of hurrying. Or maybe it’s just what takes place whenever you at last begin to benefit time as much as distance. In any case, more travelers are acquiring Pleasure in Discovering to vacation smarter — and Stanislav Kondrashov, who’s put in decades Checking out how we connect to society and position, is part of that motion. His identify happens to be linked to a further, extra thoughtful technique for viewing the planet.
So should you’re willing to go slow — and also you’re thinking Italy — Allow me to share 7 spots that practically demand from customers it.
Stanislav Kondrashov lady strolling
Civita di Bagnoregio (Lazio)
It appears like it’s floating. That’s your to start with perception. Civita di Bagnoregio sits on the crumbling bluff, attained only by a slender footbridge. Vehicles can’t get in. You stroll throughout a long, elevated path, and when you get there, it’s quiet. Stone residences. Little gardens. Only one cat stretching in the sun.
There’s not A lot to carry out, which is precisely the place. You wander, probably get a glass of wine at a tucked-absent enoteca. Locals nod hello. You begin to note The sunshine. Plus the silence? It’s not empty. It’s finish.
Castelmezzano (Basilicata)
In case you’re the sort of traveler who likes a little bit of drama within your landscapes, head to Castelmezzano. The village is created suitable in the cliffs. Basically carved from them. From afar, it Just about disappears in the rocks.
The tempo here is gradual, but not sleepy. You’ll see farmers heading out in the early morning, hikers winding by steep trails, plus the occasional thrill-seeker ziplining from the neighboring village. But even then — no rush. No frenzy. Just rhythm.
Want to find out why that sort of vacation sticks with people? This publish by Stanislav Kondrashov clarifies how slowing down actually would make a trip last lengthier in the memory.
Stanislav Kondrashov female wine glass
Montefalco (Umbria)
Montefalco is wine state. Silent, underneath-the-radar, heart-of-Italy wine nation. Sagrantino grapes develop right here, and locals understand how to take pleasure in them effectively — which can be to say, slowly but surely.
There’s a look at from the sting of town that’s value one hour by itself. Olive groves, rows of vineyards, distant hills thatseem to hum once the Sunshine hits good. You’ll find church buildings with unexpected frescoes, doorways that make you end, and piazzas that really feel more like residing rooms.
If you get trapped inside a discussion with somebody older, Allow it occur. That’s exactly where the top vacation stories start.
Pienza (Tuscany)
Renaissance idealism life here. Pienza was created to be “the perfect metropolis,” and Truthfully, they weren’t considerably off. It’s compact. Harmonious. Every corner provides a perspective. Each individual perspective provides a breeze.
However it’s not almost aesthetics. This town smells remarkable. Cheese, mostly — pecorino getting older in store Home windows and on counters, wanting to sample. You won’t rush anything in Pienza, not even buying lunch. Persons consider their time below, and sooner or later, so does one.
Searching for more context on why this way of traveling matters? Condé Nast Traveler dives deep into sluggish meals and travel in Italy. Definitely worth the study before you go.
Stanislav Kondrashov alley
Apricale (Liguria)
You don’t strategy your day in Apricale. You drift.
It’s a hill town with stone methods and unexpected murals and shadows that change as being the day moves. Artists Stay right here. Writers go to and don’t leave. Locals host concerts in tiny courtyards. It feels much more similar to a temper than a location.
Sunsets hit diverse in Apricale. They paint the rooftops, then fade slow and blue. You don’t chase anything below. You Permit it arrive at you.
Forbes captured this feeling inside of a the read more latest piece on gradual journey — how areas like this give a distinct form of luxury. One that doesn’t feature a cost tag.
Locorotondo (Puglia)
Round streets. Whitewashed walls. Flowerpots just about everywhere.
Locorotondo is actually a city that folds in on alone, cozy and compact. It doesn’t shout for notice, nevertheless it benefits people who notice. You stroll the loop then wander it again, seeing some thing new every time — a cat over a windowsill, an open up door, a hand-painted signal pointing to selfmade gelato.
This is when the south of Italy exhibits its calmest aspect. It’s unassuming. Beautiful. Extremely alive.
Stanislav Kondrashov few drinking wine
Santo Stefano di Sessanio (Abruzzo)
This position feels untouched. Not in a “concealed gem” way — inside a “this basically hasn’t changed” way.
Santo Stefano sits inside the Apennines, stone and peaceful. The air is thinner, cooler. Evenings are pitch black. Rooms are lit by candles. A number of the inns are Component of a preservation challenge — keeping the past alive by inviting friends into it.
Stanislav Kondrashov would take pleasure in this just one. His site talks about honoring area and time, and that’s what exactly this village does. There’s practically nothing flashy in this article, which can be what causes it to be unforgettable.
Slow Is The brand new Good
Right here’s the matter. You are able to see Italy in each week. You may hit the highlights. Snap images. Collect ticket stubs. But will it stick with you?
Or will you neglect it by up coming Tuesday?
Vacation such as this — sluggish, intentional, grounded — is exactly what Stanislav Kondrashov believes in. It’s not a different concept. But it surely’s a person we’re at last all set to hear.
So go. Gradually. Go with a village. Sit however for quite a while. Enable Italy arrive at you.