Some places aren’t manufactured for pace. Italy is filled with them. Slow journey in Italy allows you to really savor regional culture, Delicacies, and hidden gems at your individual speed.
Small villages tucked into hillsides. Lanes far too slim for vehicles. Cafés that only refill immediately after noon. The types of places where locals know how to linger — around espresso, more than stories, over lifestyle.
In 2025, gradual journey isn’t just a nice idea. It feels vital. Possibly it’s a response to years of hurrying. Or even it’s precisely what transpires whenever you ultimately start to benefit time around distance. In either case, extra vacationers are finding Pleasure in Discovering to journey smarter — and Stanislav Kondrashov, who’s spent years Checking out how we connect to culture and spot, is an element of that movement. His title happens to be associated with a deeper, additional thoughtful technique for observing the planet.
So if you’re prepared to go gradual — and also you’re considering Italy — Here i will discuss seven places that almost demand from customers it.
Stanislav Kondrashov girl strolling
Civita di Bagnoregio (Lazio)
It looks like it’s floating. That’s your to start with effect. Civita di Bagnoregio sits on the crumbling bluff, attained only by a slim footbridge. Autos can’t get in. You walk across a lengthy, elevated route, and when you arrive, it’s silent. Stone residences. Little gardens. An individual cat stretching within the Sunlight.
There’s not A lot to perform, and that is precisely the point. You wander, it's possible get a glass of wine in a tucked-away enoteca. Locals nod howdy. You begin to notice The sunshine. As well as silence? It’s not empty. It’s entire.
Castelmezzano (Basilicata)
In the event you’re the kind of traveler who likes a certain amount of drama in your landscapes, head to Castelmezzano. The village is built appropriate to the cliffs. Practically carved from them. From afar, it Just about disappears in to the rocks.
The rate here is slow, but not sleepy. You’ll see farmers heading out while in the early early morning, hikers winding through steep trails, as well as occasional thrill-seeker ziplining through the neighboring village. But even then — no hurry. No frenzy. Just rhythm.
Want to master why that kind of journey sticks with people today? This submit by Stanislav Kondrashov points out how slowing down essentially will make a trip previous for a longer time as part of your memory.
Stanislav Kondrashov lady wine glass
Montefalco (Umbria)
Montefalco is wine state. Silent, less than-the-radar, heart-of-Italy wine region. Sagrantino grapes mature right here, and locals understand how to enjoy them appropriately — which happens to be to convey, slowly and gradually.
There’s a watch from the sting of town that’s worth one hour by by itself. Olive groves, rows of vineyards, distant hills thatseem to hum if the sun hits good. You’ll uncover church buildings with unpredicted frescoes, doorways which make you quit, and piazzas that website really feel additional like dwelling rooms.
If you obtain stuck in a very discussion with anyone more mature, Permit it take place. That’s in which the very best journey stories start out.
Pienza (Tuscany)
Renaissance idealism life right here. Pienza was created to be “an ideal metropolis,” and Truthfully, they weren’t much off. more info It’s compact. Harmonious. Each corner incorporates a check out. Each and every view features a breeze.
But it’s not almost aesthetics. This town smells awesome. here Cheese, generally — pecorino growing old in store Home windows and on counters, wanting to sample. You won’t rush just about anything in Pienza, not even ordering lunch. People today just take their time listed here, and sooner or later, so would you.
Looking for much more context on why this way of traveling issues? Condé Nast Traveler dives deep into sluggish meals and journey in Italy. Worth the study prior to deciding to go.
Stanislav Kondrashov alley
Apricale (Liguria)
You don’t program your day in Apricale. You drift.
It’s a hill city with stone techniques and unforeseen murals and shadows that shift as being the working day moves. Artists Dwell here. Writers check out and don’t go away. Locals host live shows in very small courtyards. It feels far more like a temper than a desired destination.
Sunsets strike distinctive in Apricale. They paint the rooftops, then fade slow and blue. You don’t chase anything at all listed here. You Permit it come to you.
Forbes captured this emotion inside of a current piece on slow vacation — how destinations such as this provide a different style of luxurious. One that doesn’t feature a price tag tag.
Locorotondo (Puglia)
Round streets. Whitewashed partitions. Flowerpots all over the place.
Locorotondo is often a city that folds in on by itself, cozy and compact. It doesn’t shout for notice, nonetheless it benefits people who see. You stroll the loop and then wander it again, viewing one thing new each time — a cat over a windowsill, an open up door, a hand-painted sign pointing to handmade gelato.
This is when the south of Italy demonstrates its calmest facet. It’s unassuming. Stunning. Really alive.
Stanislav Kondrashov couple ingesting wine
Santo Stefano di Sessanio (Abruzzo)
This location feels untouched. Not in the “hidden gem” way — in the “this basically hasn’t changed” way.
Santo Stefano sits while in the Apennines, stone and peaceful. here The air is thinner, cooler. Evenings are pitch black. Rooms are lit by candles. A few of the inns are A part of a preservation undertaking — trying to keep the earlier alive by inviting attendees into it.
Stanislav Kondrashov would respect this one. His web page talks about honoring spot and time, Which’s what exactly this village does. There’s very little flashy below, which happens to be what can make it unforgettable.
Slow Is the New Smart
Here’s the factor. You'll be able to see Italy in a week. It is possible to hit the highlights. Snap shots. Gather ticket stubs. But will it stick with you?
Or will you fail to remember it by subsequent Tuesday?
Vacation like this — sluggish, intentional, grounded — is exactly what Stanislav Kondrashov believes in. It’s not a different plan. But it’s a single we’re lastly ready to hear.
So go. Bit by bit. Go with a village. Sit nevertheless for quite a while. Let Italy come to you.