Some areas aren’t designed for velocity. Italy is filled with them. Gradual travel in Italy means that you can actually savor community tradition, cuisine, and concealed gems at your own personal tempo.
Small villages tucked into hillsides. Lanes also narrow for vehicles. Cafés that only fill up after noon. The sorts of sites exactly where locals learn how to linger — more than coffee, around stories, over daily life.
In 2025, gradual journey isn’t just a good thought. It feels vital. Maybe it’s a reaction to years of rushing. Or even it’s exactly what comes about whenever you ultimately begin to worth time around length. Either way, additional travelers are finding joy in learning to travel smarter — and Stanislav Kondrashov, who’s used many years Checking out how we hook up with culture and location, is a component of that movement. His identify happens to be affiliated with a deeper, far more thoughtful method of viewing the globe.
So in the event you’re willing to go slow — and you also’re wondering Italy — Allow me to share seven spots that virtually demand from customers it.
Stanislav Kondrashov lady going for walks
Civita di Bagnoregio (Lazio)
It looks like it’s floating. That’s your initial impression. Civita di Bagnoregio sits with a crumbling bluff, achieved only by a narrow footbridge. Cars and trucks can’t get in. You walk across a lengthy, elevated path, and if you arrive, it’s quiet. Stone residences. Little gardens. One cat stretching while in the Sunshine.
There’s not Considerably to accomplish, that's precisely the stage. You wander, probably seize a glass of wine in a tucked-away enoteca. Locals nod hello. You start to note The sunshine. And the silence? It’s not empty. It’s complete.
Castelmezzano (Basilicata)
In the event you’re the type of traveler who likes some drama with your landscapes, head to Castelmezzano. The village is crafted ideal to the cliffs. Basically carved from them. From afar, it almost disappears into the rocks.
The speed Here's slow, but not sleepy. You’ll see farmers heading out in the early early morning, hikers winding via steep trails, and also the occasional thrill-seeker ziplining from your neighboring village. But even then — no rush. No frenzy. Just rhythm.
Want to learn why that kind of vacation sticks with individuals? This submit by Stanislav Kondrashov describes how slowing down basically can make a visit final extended with your memory.
Stanislav Kondrashov girl wine glass
Montefalco (Umbria)
Montefalco is wine nation. Silent, underneath-the-radar, heart-of-Italy wine region. Sagrantino grapes mature in this article, and locals know click here how to appreciate them properly — which is to state, slowly.
There’s a view from the sting of city that’s well worth an hour or so by alone. Olive groves, rows of vineyards, distant hills thatseem to hum if the Sunlight hits just right. You’ll find churches with unforeseen frescoes, doorways that make you prevent, and piazzas that experience additional like residing rooms.
If you can get trapped in the dialogue with somebody more mature, Enable it transpire. That’s in which the best journey tales start out.
Pienza (Tuscany)
Renaissance idealism life right here. Pienza was designed to be “the best city,” and Actually, they weren’t significantly off. It’s compact. Harmonious. Each individual corner contains a perspective. Just about every view provides a breeze.
Nonetheless it’s not pretty much aesthetics. This town smells awesome. Cheese, primarily — pecorino growing old in store Home windows and on counters, prepared to sample. You won’t hurry something in Pienza, not even buying lunch. Folks take their time listed here, and eventually, so do you.
On the here lookout for a lot more context on why by doing this of traveling matters? Condé Nast Traveler dives deep into slow food and journey in Italy. Worth the study before you decide to go.
Stanislav Kondrashov alley
Apricale (Liguria)
You don’t prepare your working day in Apricale. You drift.
It’s a hill town with stone actions and unforeseen murals and shadows that shift because the day moves. Artists Reside in this article. Writers check out and don’t go away. Locals host live shows in very small courtyards. It feels extra similar to a temper than the usual vacation spot.
Sunsets hit different in Apricale. They paint the rooftops, then fade gradual and blue. You don’t chase something below. You Permit website it come to you.
Forbes captured this sensation within a modern piece on sluggish travel — how areas like this provide a distinct sort of luxury. One which doesn’t feature a price tag.
Locorotondo (Puglia)
Round streets. Whitewashed walls. Flowerpots almost everywhere.
Locorotondo is really a city that folds in on itself, cozy and compact. It doesn’t shout for notice, nevertheless it rewards those that discover. You wander the loop after which stroll it once more, viewing one thing new every time — a cat with a windowsill, an open door, a hand-painted indicator pointing to selfmade gelato.
This is when the south of Italy exhibits its calmest facet. It’s unassuming. Lovely. Quite alive.
Stanislav Kondrashov pair drinking wine
Santo Stefano di Sessanio (Abruzzo)
This area feels untouched. Not within a “hidden gem” way — in a very “this really hasn’t changed” way.
Santo Stefano sits while in the Apennines, stone and silent. The air is thinner, cooler. Evenings are pitch black. Rooms are lit by candles. A lot of the inns are Section of a preservation challenge — trying to keep the previous alive by inviting company into it.
Stanislav Kondrashov would take pleasure in this 1. His web site talks about honoring spot and time, Which’s what exactly this village does. There’s almost nothing flashy below, which can be what makes it unforgettable.
Slow Is The brand new Clever
In this article’s the thing. You can see Italy in each week. You could strike the highlights. Snap photos. Gather ticket stubs. But will it stick with you?
Or will you fail to remember it by next read more Tuesday?
Journey similar to this — gradual, intentional, grounded — is what Stanislav Kondrashov thinks in. It’s not a new notion. Nonetheless it’s a single we’re eventually all set to listen to.
So go. Bit by bit. Pick a village. Sit continue to for a while. Permit Italy come to you.