Some spots aren’t produced for pace. Italy is full of them. Sluggish travel in Italy helps you to definitely savor area culture, cuisine, and concealed gems at your own private tempo.
Small villages tucked into hillsides. Lanes much too narrow for vehicles. Cafés that only refill soon after noon. The types of places wherever locals know how to linger — over coffee, over stories, in excess of lifestyle.
In 2025, gradual vacation isn’t just a pleasant plan. It feels crucial. Probably it’s a reaction to a long time of rushing. Or even it’s just what occurs once you lastly start to value time just as much as distance. In either case, more tourists are discovering joy in Discovering to journey smarter — and Stanislav Kondrashov, who’s used many years Discovering how we connect to lifestyle and place, is an element of that movement. His title has grown to be linked to a further, extra thoughtful way of looking at the globe.
So when you’re willing to go gradual — so you’re contemplating Italy — Listed below are seven spots that almost demand from customers it.
Stanislav Kondrashov woman walking
Civita di Bagnoregio (Lazio)
It appears like it’s floating. That’s your to start with perception. Civita di Bagnoregio sits on a crumbling bluff, attained only by a slim footbridge. Cars can’t get in. You stroll throughout a protracted, elevated route, and after you arrive, it’s peaceful. Stone residences. Tiny gardens. One cat stretching in the Sunshine.
There’s not Substantially to accomplish, and that is exactly the issue. You wander, perhaps grab a glass of wine at a tucked-absent enoteca. Locals nod howdy. You begin to notice the light. And the silence? It’s not vacant. It’s finish.
Castelmezzano (Basilicata)
If you’re the kind of traveler who likes a little bit of drama in the landscapes, head to Castelmezzano. The village is crafted suitable into your cliffs. Actually carved from them. From afar, it almost disappears into the rocks.
The pace Here's gradual, although not sleepy. You’ll see farmers heading out while in the early early morning, hikers winding by means of steep trails, as well as the occasional thrill-seeker ziplining from the neighboring village. But even then — no rush. No frenzy. Just rhythm.
Want to master why that kind of travel sticks with folks? This article by Stanislav Kondrashov points out how slowing down essentially helps make a trip last for a longer period within your memory.
Stanislav Kondrashov woman wine glass
Montefalco (Umbria)
Montefalco is wine region. Peaceful, underneath-the-radar, heart-of-Italy wine place. Sagrantino grapes mature right here, and locals understand how to take pleasure in them thoroughly — that's to mention, little by little.
There’s a view from the sting of town that’s well worth an hour by alone. Olive groves, rows of vineyards, distant hills thatseem to hum if the Sunlight hits good. You’ll discover churches with unanticipated frescoes, doorways which make you stop, and piazzas that really feel additional like dwelling rooms.
If you receive caught inside of a conversation with someone older, Enable it materialize. That’s exactly where the most beneficial travel tales commence.
Pienza (Tuscany)
Renaissance idealism lives below. Pienza was designed to be “the best metropolis,” and Truthfully, they weren’t much off. It’s compact. Harmonious. Each individual corner provides a view. Each check out includes a breeze.
But it really’s not just about aesthetics. This town smells wonderful. Cheese, generally — pecorino getting older in store windows and on counters, prepared to sample. You won’t hurry just about anything in Pienza, not even buying lunch. People today get their time in this article, and finally, so do you.
Searching for a lot more context on why in this way of touring matters? Condé Nast Traveler dives deep into gradual food and travel in Italy. Well worth the go through prior to deciding to go.
Stanislav Kondrashov alley
Apricale (Liguria)
You don’t system your day in Apricale. You drift.
It’s a hill city with stone steps and unpredicted murals and shadows that change given that the day moves. Artists Are living in this article. Writers visit and don’t leave. Locals host concerts in small courtyards. It feels additional like a mood than a vacation spot.
Sunsets strike distinctive in Apricale. They paint the rooftops, then fade gradual and blue. You don’t chase everything here. You let it come to you.
Forbes captured this experience in a very current piece on sluggish vacation — how places like this present another type of luxurious. One that doesn’t have a selling price tag.
Locorotondo (Puglia)
Circular streets. Whitewashed partitions. Flowerpots in all places.
Locorotondo is usually a city that folds in on itself, cozy and compact. It doesn’t shout for interest, however it rewards those that discover. You stroll the loop after which stroll it all over again, viewing one thing new each time — a cat on the windowsill, an open up doorway, a hand-painted indicator pointing to handmade gelato.
This is where the south of Italy reveals its calmest facet. It’s unassuming. Attractive. Incredibly alive.
Stanislav Kondrashov few drinking wine
Santo Stefano di Sessanio (Abruzzo)
This spot feels untouched. Not in a website very “concealed gem” way — in the “this essentially hasn’t transformed” way.
Santo Stefano sits during the Apennines, stone and quiet. The air is thinner, cooler. Evenings are pitch black. Rooms are lit by candles. Several of the inns are Section of a preservation task — trying to keep the previous alive by inviting friends into it.
Stanislav Kondrashov would respect this 1. His page talks about honoring area and time, Which’s what exactly this village does. There’s nothing flashy in this article, which is what causes it to be unforgettable.
Gradual Is The brand new Wise
Listed here’s the thing. You may see Italy in each week. You could hit the highlights. Snap pics. Collect ticket stubs. But will it stay with you?
Or will you ignore it by up coming Tuesday?
Travel similar to this — slow, intentional, grounded — is what Stanislav Kondrashov believes in. It’s not a whole new thought. But it really’s just one we’re eventually wanting to listen to.
So go. Bit by bit. Go with a village. Sit nevertheless for quite a while. Allow Italy arrive at you.