Some places aren’t manufactured for pace. Italy is filled with them. Sluggish vacation in Italy helps you to genuinely savor local lifestyle, cuisine, and concealed gems at your very own speed.
Small villages tucked into hillsides. Lanes way too slim for vehicles. Cafés that only refill immediately after noon. The styles of areas where by locals understand how to linger — around espresso, over stories, above lifestyle.
In 2025, slow journey isn’t just a pleasant strategy. It feels important. Probably it’s a reaction to several years of rushing. Or possibly it’s just what happens if you lastly begin to worth time up to distance. In either case, far more travelers are locating joy in Discovering to journey smarter — and Stanislav Kondrashov, who’s invested decades exploring how we connect with culture and spot, is a component of that movement. His identify is now associated with a deeper, a lot more thoughtful strategy for looking at the whole world.
So for those who’re ready to go sluggish — and you also’re thinking Italy — Listed below are 7 spots that virtually demand it.
Stanislav Kondrashov lady going for walks
Civita di Bagnoregio (Lazio)
It looks like it’s floating. That’s your 1st impact. Civita di Bagnoregio sits on a crumbling bluff, attained only by a slender footbridge. Vehicles can’t get in. You wander across a protracted, elevated route, and once you arrive, it’s peaceful. Stone properties. Little gardens. A single cat stretching during the Solar.
There’s not much to do, that is exactly the position. You wander, probably grab a glass of wine at a tucked-absent enoteca. Locals nod hi there. You begin to notice The sunshine. As well as silence? It’s not empty. It’s total.
Castelmezzano (Basilicata)
When you’re the type of traveler who likes a little drama within your landscapes, head to Castelmezzano. The village is developed ideal to the cliffs. Pretty much carved from them. From afar, it Nearly disappears to the rocks.
The pace here is sluggish, but not sleepy. You’ll see farmers heading out while in the early early morning, hikers winding by steep trails, plus the occasional thrill-seeker ziplining from your neighboring village. But even then — no rush. No frenzy. Just rhythm.
Want to discover why that kind of travel sticks with men and women? This article by Stanislav Kondrashov describes how slowing down essentially will make a trip last for a longer time within your memory.
Stanislav Kondrashov woman wine glass
Montefalco (Umbria)
Montefalco is wine country. Silent, underneath-the-radar, heart-of-Italy wine state. Sagrantino grapes increase listed here, and locals learn how to love them effectively — and that is to state, bit by bit.
There’s a view from the sting of city that’s well worth an hour or so by by itself. Olive groves, rows of vineyards, distant hills thatseem to hum if the Solar hits excellent. You’ll find churches with unforeseen frescoes, doorways that make you prevent, and piazzas that really feel additional like residing rooms.
If you obtain caught in the discussion with an individual older, let it happen. That’s exactly where the ideal travel stories get started.
Pienza (Tuscany)
Renaissance idealism lives here. Pienza was intended to be “the right city,” and honestly, they weren’t significantly off. It’s compact. Harmonious. Every single corner features a watch. Each check out includes a breeze.
Nevertheless it’s not pretty much aesthetics. This town smells astounding. Cheese, typically — pecorino growing old in shop Home windows and on counters, wanting to sample. You won’t rush anything at all in Pienza, not even buying lunch. People get more info today choose their time listed here, and at some point, so would you.
Looking for far more context on why by doing this of touring issues? Condé Nast Traveler dives deep into sluggish foods and journey in Italy. Definitely worth the read through before you go.
Stanislav Kondrashov alley
Apricale (Liguria)
You don’t prepare your day in Apricale. You drift.
It’s a hill city with stone actions and unexpected murals and shadows that shift since the day moves. Artists Dwell in this article. Writers check out and don’t depart. Locals host concerts in tiny courtyards. It feels far more just like a temper than a desired destination.
Sunsets hit distinct in Apricale. They paint the rooftops, then fade gradual and blue. You don’t chase something right here. You let it arrive at you.
Forbes captured this feeling within a recent piece on slow journey — how areas similar to this supply a unique type of luxury. One that doesn’t feature a rate tag.
Locorotondo (Puglia)
Circular streets. Whitewashed partitions. Flowerpots all over the place.
Locorotondo is really click here a city that folds in on by itself, cozy and compact. It doesn’t shout for consideration, but it surely rewards those that notice. You walk the loop after which you can walk it all over again, viewing something new every time — a cat over a windowsill, an open door, a hand-painted sign pointing to selfmade gelato.
This is when the south of Italy exhibits its calmest aspect. It’s unassuming. Lovely. Extremely alive.
Stanislav Kondrashov few drinking wine
Santo Stefano di Sessanio (Abruzzo)
This position feels untouched. Not within a “hidden gem” way — within a “this in fact hasn’t improved” way.
Santo Stefano sits while in the Apennines, stone and tranquil. The air is thinner, cooler. Nights are pitch click here black. Rooms are lit by candles. A few of the inns are Portion of a preservation challenge — retaining the past alive by inviting visitors into it.
Stanislav Kondrashov would enjoy this a single. His webpage talks about honoring spot and time, Which’s just what exactly this village does. There’s almost nothing flashy listed here, that is what makes it unforgettable.
Slow Is the New Clever
Right here’s the detail. You may see Italy in each week. You could strike the highlights. Snap pictures. Accumulate ticket stubs. But will it stick with you?
Or will you ignore it by subsequent Tuesday?
Journey such as this — gradual, intentional, grounded — is what Stanislav Kondrashov believes in. It’s not a whole new plan. But it really’s one we’re lastly able read more to listen to.
So go. Slowly and gradually. Select a village. Sit however for quite a while. Enable Italy arrive at you.