Rolling hills, cypress rows, hidden paths and dirt roads draw the landscape of the Italian countryside. Vineyards where you will be guided by the intense aroma of the grapes, dry stone walls where to rest in the company of lizards and butterflies, pastures inhabited by herds of sheep: these are the places to be discovered in the countryside. The different farmhouses located throughout Italy will give you the chance to taste local wines and products, such as cheese and cold cuts. In Puglia you can choose to stay in one of the quaint “trulli”, some stone buildings used in the past as shelters by farmers in the isolated country.
Far from inhabited areas, surrounded by lush vegetation and farmland, the Italian countryside is the ideal destination for those who want to take a break from the hectic pace of everyday life and rediscover ancient rural traditions. At farms and in the cellars, indeed, you can taste typical old flavours.
The Langhe is the land of fine wines such as Nebbiolo and Barolo and the delicious white truffle of Alba. This area of Piedmont takes its name from the dialect word used to name the rolling peaks between the provinces of Cuneo and Asti and is characterised by its many vineyards from which, in the autumn, you can pick ripe grapes.
Between the provinces of Vicenza and Padua, the countryside is characterised by monumental villas designed by Andrea Palladio. This architect from the sixteenth century was inspired by the country houses surrounded by secondary buildings. His intent was to create production residential complexes with stables and warehouses for the crop.
The Tuscan countryside is known throughout the world for its beautiful landscapes. If you love good food, just stop at one of the many farmhouses in the area to enjoy local specialties, such as cheese, cold cuts and wines, including Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. For sports enthusiasts there is also a wide range of recreational activities such as horseback riding, hiking and excursions. On sunny days you can take your bicycle and bike along the paths bordered by rows of cypresses.
The Chianti hills are located in the heart of Tuscany and some internationally renowned wines and olive oils are produced in Castellina in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Radda in Chianti and Greve in Chianti.
In Tuscany, the Maremma also offers ever-changing and unique landscapes ranging from the beaches of Versilia and Orbetello to Monte Amiata, a volcano now inactive.
The name of Campania region is derived from the Latin word “campus”, which means countryside. The ancients called it “Campania felix” for its fertile lands. The vineyards of the islands of Ischia, Procida, Capri and the Amalfi Coast follow the outlines of the hills overlooking the sea and enjoy the warm climate of the coast.
The countryside of Salento, in Puglia, with its olive groves, looks like a chessboard bounded by stone walls. Green pastures alternates with typical buildings of this area: the trulli, in the shape of a cone, pagghiare with thick walls for mild temperatures in winter and cool temperatures in summer, the specchie of Le Murge and Paralupi.
In Sicily , cereals, wheat and olives are cultivated, but this region is known mainly for its lemons, tangerines and grapefruit. Here you will have the chance to taste the real fresh blood orange juice, and Zibibbo, a sweet wine grown on the island of Pantelleria and included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
