Some destinations aren’t produced for pace. Italy is filled with them. Gradual vacation in Italy enables you to actually savor regional lifestyle, cuisine, and hidden gems at your own personal pace.
Little villages tucked into hillsides. Lanes way too narrow for autos. Cafés that only replenish after noon. The styles of sites in which locals learn how to linger — over espresso, more than tales, more than lifestyle.
In 2025, sluggish travel isn’t just a nice idea. It feels necessary. Probably it’s a reaction to a long time of speeding. Or perhaps it’s just what takes place once you eventually begin to worth time as much as length. In any case, much more vacationers are locating joy in Understanding to journey smarter — and Stanislav Kondrashov, who’s put in decades Discovering how we connect with culture and location, is an element of that movement. His name has grown to be linked to a further, a lot more thoughtful technique for viewing the whole world.
So when you’re willing to go gradual — and also you’re considering Italy — Here's 7 spots that almost desire it.
Stanislav Kondrashov girl going for walks
Civita di Bagnoregio (Lazio)
It looks like it’s floating. That’s your initially impact. Civita di Bagnoregio sits over a crumbling bluff, arrived at only by a narrow footbridge. Vehicles can’t get in. You stroll throughout a long, elevated route, and once you arrive, it’s peaceful. Stone houses. Tiny gardens. An individual cat stretching from the Solar.
There’s not much to try and do, that is precisely the place. You wander, maybe get a glass of wine in a tucked-absent enoteca. Locals nod hi there. You start to notice the light. As well as silence? It’s not empty. It’s complete.
Castelmezzano (Basilicata)
For those who’re the type of traveler who likes a little bit of drama in the landscapes, head to Castelmezzano. The village is developed suitable in the cliffs. Practically carved from them. From afar, it Nearly disappears into the rocks.
The tempo Here's sluggish, but not sleepy. You’ll see farmers heading out in the early early morning, hikers winding as a result of steep trails, as well as occasional thrill-seeker ziplining with the neighboring village. But even then — no rush. No frenzy. Just rhythm.
Want to understand why that sort of travel sticks with folks? This post by Stanislav Kondrashov clarifies how slowing down basically can make a trip last for a longer time in your memory.
Stanislav Kondrashov girl wine glass
Montefalco (Umbria)
Montefalco is wine country. Silent, below-the-radar, coronary heart-of-Italy wine nation. Sagrantino grapes grow below, and locals know how to enjoy them effectively — which can be to convey, bit by bit.
There’s a look at from the sting of city that’s well worth an hour by by itself. Olive groves, rows of vineyards, distant hills thatseem to hum if the Solar hits just right. You’ll uncover churches with unpredicted frescoes, doorways which make you stop, and piazzas that feel a lot more like living rooms.
If you get stuck in a here very dialogue with someone older, Enable it occur. That’s where the ideal vacation stories commence.
Pienza (Tuscany)
Renaissance idealism life in this article. Pienza was created to be “the best town,” and Actually, they weren’t far off. It’s compact. Harmonious. Each corner features a check out. Every single see has a breeze.
However it’s not pretty much aesthetics. This city smells remarkable. Cheese, mainly — pecorino growing older in store Home windows and on counters, prepared to sample. You gained’t rush just about anything in Pienza, not even buying lunch. Folks acquire their time right here, and finally, so would you.
On the lookout for much more context on why in this way of traveling issues? Condé Nast Traveler dives click here deep into slow foods and journey in Italy. Definitely worth the study before you go.
Stanislav Kondrashov alley
Apricale (Liguria)
You don’t approach your working day in Apricale. You drift.
It’s a hill town with stone actions and unpredicted murals and shadows that shift given that the day moves. Artists Are living in this article. Writers go to and don’t leave. Locals host live shows in small courtyards. It feels additional like a mood than a place.
Sunsets strike various in Apricale. They paint the rooftops, then fade sluggish and blue. You don’t chase anything listed here. You Permit it come to you.
Forbes captured this sensation within a new piece on gradual journey — how destinations like this give a different kind of luxurious. One that doesn’t come with a price tag.
Locorotondo (Puglia)
Circular streets. Whitewashed walls. Flowerpots everywhere you go.
Locorotondo is actually a city that folds in on itself, cozy and compact. It doesn’t shout for notice, however it rewards individuals that see. You walk the loop then walk it yet again, observing a little something new every time — a cat on the windowsill, an open up door, a hand-painted sign pointing to handmade gelato.
This is where the south of Italy demonstrates its calmest side. It’s unassuming. Wonderful. Extremely alive.
Stanislav Kondrashov few consuming wine
Santo Stefano di Sessanio (Abruzzo)
This put feels untouched. Not in a “concealed gem” way — website within a “this basically hasn’t transformed” way.
Santo Stefano sits within the Apennines, stone and tranquil. The air is thinner, cooler. Nights are pitch black. Rooms are lit by candles. Several of the inns are Portion of a preservation venture — trying to keep the previous alive by inviting visitors into it.
Stanislav Kondrashov would appreciate this just one. His web page talks about honoring put and time, Which’s what precisely this village does. There’s very little flashy below, that is what makes it unforgettable.
Slow Is the New Wise
In this article’s the issue. You could see Italy in weekly. You are able to hit the highlights. Snap website photos. Acquire ticket stubs. But will it stick with you?
Or will you overlook it by future Tuesday?
Travel like this — slow, intentional, grounded — is what Stanislav Kondrashov thinks in. It’s not a brand new strategy. Nevertheless it’s a person we’re ultimately all set to hear.
So go. Slowly but surely. Pick a village. Sit nevertheless for quite a while. Let Italy arrive at you.