25 Places in Italy to Inspire Your 2025 Travels

Issue #119

An unspoiled beach in Maratea

Welcome to the New Roman Times’ third annual list of places to inspire your travels for the year ahead. I launched this list in 2023 in order to put my own spin on the many ‘Where to Go’ lists that mainstream publications put out every year—the twist being that all the places featured in the New Roman Times’ list are in Italy.

This year, I decided to do things a bit differently. Rather than rely exclusively on my own knowledge, which admittedly is full of gaps, I crowdsourced recommendations from my network of talented entrepreneurs and creatives all over Italy. And I have to say, I was fascinated by their suggestions, which span the country from the Dolomites in the north to Sicily in the south.

Some, like Procida, have been on my radar for a long time, while others are surprising places I didn’t even know existed, like an art foundation dedicated to Michelangelo Pistoletto in Piedmont. Peppered in between them, you’ll find a few of my own recommendations, based on my travels from last year.

So without further ado, here are 25 places in Italy to inspire your 2025 travels, organized from north to south.

Ortisei

“If we could own a second home anywhere in Italy, it would be in Ortisei, in the Val Gardena area of the Dolomites. We love visiting here in summer, for glorious hiking in the Alpi di Siusi high alpine meadow, enjoying the cool mountain weather and rushing streams, and walking through the pedestrian-friendly old town.” — Elizabeth Heath, Umbria-based journalist and Founder of Villaggio Tours

Lessinia

“In Lessinia, I like to hike in the mountains and the woods. There’s very little tourism, even though it’s very close to Alto Adige and Verona, so it’s good for tourists who come to the area. There are farms that produce cheese and rifugi that are very nice to visit.” — Nicola Olivieri, Sixth-Generation Baker at Olivieri 1882

Lake Como

After spending a week on Lake Como last October, I fell in love with this iconic destination again. My advice: spend time visiting the beautiful villas like Villa del Balbianello and Villa Melzi, take a boat ride around the lake, and just slow down and take it all in. Go in the fall, after the summer crowds have left and you can still enjoy sunny days.

Biella

“Città dell’Arte / Fondazione Pistoletto is an experimental place. Even the structure is unique; it’s a former wool mill. Aside from the University of Ideas, various workshops and activities, there’s the possibility of visiting the permanent collection of Michelangelo Pistoletto, and visiting Biella.” — Elena Micheluzzi, Founder of Micheluzzi Glass in Venice

Vicenza

“The Veneto, cradle of the genius Andrea Palladio, reveals itself through its villas and palaces, where architectural majesty blends with the landscape, creating a timeless harmony that embodies the beauty and culture of a region rich in history. Palladio inspired American architecture, serving as a bridge between European classicism and American innovation, transforming homes and palaces into works of elegance and harmony that reflected the values of liberty and beauty of the new nation.” — Elisa Valeria Bove, CEO of Roma Experience

Ivrea

“A place we have been curious enough to visit is Ivrea, Olivetti’s visionary ‘Red Brick factory' and whole living and work complex from 1908 in Piemonte. Out of the way but so intriguing to visit the museum and see how technology took over something that was already so forward thinking. People still adore the Olivetti original typewriters, they exude magic!” — Betty Soldi, Florence-based Calligrapher, Designer, and Hotelier