My Italy Trip Guide: Discovering the Hidden Gems
I’m excited to share with you my Italy trip guide and the gems that made my trip special. It will surely encourage you to plan an unforgettable trip to Italy too!
An Italy trip guide typically hits on all of the touristy bases: sightseeing in Rome and Florence, a wine tour through Tuscany, shopping in Milan, and a luxurious stay on the Amalfi Coast. While these are certainly fabulous ways to experience Italy, I opted to venture a bit more off the beaten path on my trip to Italy this past October. We had a couple days in Rome and Florence, but spent the majority of our time exploring northern Italy…and we fell in love. The glorious steep coastline of Cinque Terre and stunning mountains of the Piedmont region are not to be missed. I found the small mountain towns in Italy to be ever-charming, transporting me to a whimsical land of old-world Europe.
My trip to Italy was a bit different from many of my big trips, which are usually completely focused on my outdoor activities. On this trip, I wanted to not only experience the climbing and outdoor beauty that Italy had to offer, but also the culture, food, wine, and espresso that Italy is so well known for.
I traveled to Italy with my partner and our ‘fly by the seat of our pants’ approach led us to encountering countless hidden gems. In this trip guide, I’ll share the special experiences we stumbled upon in each area: from charming lodging to amazing restaurants, bakeries, and cafes, to fantastic activities.
General tips for a trip to Italy:
Before I delve into the details, I want to shares some lessons learned/tips that could really help make your trip a more enjoyable experience.
- Avoid taxi scams. Don’t hop in a taxi that is not part of an official taxi or rideshare service, you’ll get overcharged. In Rome, in particular, the FREE NOW taxi app was an easy way to get rides and know the cost ahead of time (it is similar to Uber).
- Best time of year to travel to Italy is Fall. This is my personal opinion, but I’ve been to Italy in both Summer and Fall now and I HIGHLY recommend visiting in the Fall. Being at the tail end of the tourist season, plane tickets are cheaper and it is more pleasant due to less crowds. I enjoyed the moderate temperatures and beautiful Fall foliage in the north.
- Have euros on hand. Not everything can be bought with a credit card. You will especially want to carry cash when traveling to smaller towns. Furthermore, we learned a lot of the hotels we stayed at charged a cash-only tourist fee.
- If you are planning on renting a car and do not have an EU driving license, YOU MUST GET AN INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT IN YOUR COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE IN ADVANCE! We made a BIG mistake by not doing this and ended up not being able to rent a car. It takes about 2 weeks to process usually, so plan accordingly before your trip.
Now, on to the good stuff…
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre was initially a bit of an afterthought in our trip plan. When we learned that the Piedmont region would be experiencing rainy weather during our first week in Italy, we decided to push back the rock climbing portion of our trip and spend a couple days in Cinque Terre. Upon arrival at the misty coastal town of northwest Italy, we were so happy we added the trip to our agenda. A bit less popular than the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre is comprised of 5 small villages on the sea and each one of them will deliver a special experience. We chose to stay in Monterosso, mainly because it has the best beach for swimming (playing in the waves is our jam).
Where to stay:
Hotel La Spiaggia. This hotel was very easy to get to from the train station and had a lovely view of the ocean. It was also right next to some adorable seaside cafes and gelaterias.
Where to eat:
Gastronomia San Martino in Monterosso. Our favorite meal in the town of Monterosso was at this tiny restaurant. Cinque Terre is known for the pesto pasta dish, so it is what I ordered. It did not disappoint! It was fresh, creamy/silky, and the pasta (Trofie–my new favorite pasta) was cooked to perfection. We also ordered the swordfish, which was tasty as well. I recommend getting there right when they open for dinner because they have limited seating and tables fill up fast.
Lapos Pizzeria. My favorite thing about this restaurant was the ambiance. The outdoor setting was romantic, with a view of the ocean and warm twinkle lights in the trees. They also delivered a bomb salad. A lot of the salads I had in Italy were underwhelming (we’re talking iceberg lettuce and nothing else), but this one had dark greens, apple, nuts, and a tasty balsamic dressing. Their pizzas were yummy as well–classic Italian with that thin crust they do so well! For dessert, the sour cherry tiramisu was a unique spin on a classic.
Belforte Ristorante. In the town of Vernazza, where we took a day trip, we decided to have lunch at the top of a beautiful stone tower overlooking the ocean. My main goal for this meal was finding a restaurant with the best ocean view! Lucky for us, the food here was just as good as the view. I ordered a Prosecco to sip on. Then we shared a bowl of mussels and a side of veggies. The mussels were DELICIOUS..the lemony, garlicky, white wine broth was on point.
Activities/recreation:
Hiking The Blue Trail between Cinque Terre towns. The Blue Trail is about a 7 mile trail linking the towns from Riomaggiore to Monterosso. The hike is beautiful and a fabulous way to visit each town (and get some exercise in nature). We hiked only the portion of the trail between Monterosso and Vernazza, which was about a 1.5 mile hike (one-way). The rest of the day was spent exploring Vernazza before we hiked back to Monterosso. Tickets need to be purchased to hike, but it is only 7,50 euro per adult for a day pass.
Domodossola
After our visit to Cinque Terre, we headed up north to Domodossola, a charming town in the Ossola Valley of the Piedmont region. The town sits at the foot of the Italian Alps, so the scenery is picture perfect and a must-visit for anyone who loves being in the mountains. Visiting in the Fall is a special time (particularly the end of October) because the foliage is stunning.
The town has maintained an old-world, medieval vibe, which I adored. The cobblestone streets, granite structures, and stone roofs are quaint and unique. We were charmed by the scenery, lodging, and food.
Where to stay:
B&B Villa Moro. Our first couple nights in Domodossola, we stayed at this family-operated B&B on the outskirts of town (~1 mile from downtown). We stayed in a private guest room in their lovely home, and felt like we found a gem (at a great price). The property has beautiful gardens where fruits, vegetables, and herbs are grown. They had a lovely outdoor table for dining with a view of the town and surrounding mountains. Our room had a very peaceful energy, which I desperately needed to ease my travel stress. I appreciated the nice touches: cozy fireplace, candles in the bathroom, and interesting antique decorations.
The folks who run Villa Moro are good people. Isabella was very warm and welcoming to us, as was her son, Sam. Sam prepared us a delicious vegan breakfast each morning, comprised of a blended fruit cream (similar to a smoothie) and tasty vegan pancakes with delicious fruit spreads and homemade chocolate! Note: they only provide a vegan breakfast, so you will not be served any dairy products. I felt re-centered and inspired after this stay.
Hotel Corona. At the end of our trip in Piedmont, we were scrambling last-minute to book a hotel in Domodossola. Everything was expensive and booked up for the All Saints Day holiday weekend. Hotel Corona was our last somewhat affordable option, so we booked it. I expected the hotel to be sub-par. However, we were pleasantly surprised. Our room was nice and we had a little balcony that had a gorgeous view of the mountains.
What made this hotel a really special experience, though, was the ambience and the staff. The receptionist was dressed to the nines and exuded professionalism and class. He was also very kind and attentive. Even more, he made one of the tastiest cappuccinos we had in Italy. I adored another hotel employee, who was likely one of the owners. She was an elderly woman who was as classy and elegant as they come, always wearing nice clothing and lovely pearls. I admired her dedication to her work and sweet disposition.
On top of the classy staff, I enjoyed our breakfast experience at the hotel dining room. We’d sip our cappuccinos and eat fruit and pastries while listening to the tunes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Ella Fitzgerald. I was in my happy place.
Where to eat:
Terminus. This place was hopping! The ambiance of the restaurant is jovial and feels very Italian. The wine we had was delicious. We splurged on a nice Barolo wine, which is produced in Piedmont from the Nebbiolo grape. It was my favorite Italian wine! I highly recommend Barolo to anyone who loves rich and full-bodied red wines.
The meals were also fantastic. While I do not eat meat, my partner enjoyed a steak prepared with a mustard sauce and said it was one of the better steaks he’s eaten. I thoroughly enjoyed their pasta dishes. The pesto pasta with zucchini was flavorful and unique with the addition of fresh mint to the pesto sauce. The spaghetti pomodoro was also quite tasty. Again, pasta was cooked to perfection! For dessert, we had profiteroles covered in a blanket of rich chocolate mousse. Heavenly!
Cafes/bakeries:
Italy is known for its espresso and pastries/desserts. While I typically have a very clean/healthy diet, I was shamelessly gluttonous on this trip when it came to the pastries. At times, my body was not happy with me for driving up my intake of inflammatory foods, but it was worth the indulgence! When it came to the sweet treats and espresso, Domodossola lived up to the hype.
Pasticceria Doria. This cute little pastry shop had a great selection of sweet bites. It was very difficult to decide what to get from the large display case of desserts/pastries. I learned you can’t go wrong with the hazelnut profiteroles and the fruit tarts. I also couldn’t believe how cheap the desserts were here! 5 euros for 5 treats!
Tisti Pasticceria. We made a point to visit a bakery early in the morning before we had to catch our train back to Rome (we mean business with these Pasticcerias). After doing research, we discovered the gleaming reviews of this place. Their desserts looked like little works of art and the owner reminded us of that sweet Italian grandmother everybody loves. These desserts delivered. The hazelnut treat had pieces of hazelnut in the cake, the pistachio fruit cake was divine, and the berry/jam and chocolate croissants were flaky and delightful.
Sensolato: We had been trying to find gelato that rivaled Gelateria la Romana (see in Rome portion of this guide below) and we found this place to be second best. The little shop is cute and the hazelnut gelato was creamy and delicious. Their cappuccino is a MUST TRY! It was, perhaps, the best one we had in Italy (and we had a lot of cappuccinos). It was so good that we bought a bag of their espresso beans (La Sosta Specialty Coffee) to take home to our families!
Activities/recreation:
Ancient Villages Hike. We wanted to go for a hike when we were in Domodossola but were limited by not having a car. Luckily, there was a lovely hike that started straight from town. The Ancient Villages hike starts on a steep cobblestone road with picturesque lamp posts and trees lining the path. The road passes ancient churches that you can explore and have a close look at.
At some point, we opted to leave the road and take an actual hiking trail. Along the way, we passed old bunkers that took us back in time, and eventually we made it to a quiet field with beautiful views of the mountains. I’d recommend this hike for anyone who wants a little escape from city life to step back in time and experience both the history and nature this region has to offer.
Cadarese (and neighboring towns)
I think it is absolutely worth exploring the small, charming mountain towns north of Domodossola. You’ll have a very peaceful experience–a departure from the hustle and bustle of the bigger cities. They deliver that fairytale Italian Alps experience you’ve been dreaming of: mountains, pastures, waterfalls, and golden sunsets. Some of the towns we visited were: Crodo, Premia, Cadarese, and San Rocco. Crodo and Premia are a bit larger than Cadarese and San Rocco.
We spent most of our time in Cadarese, which is about 17 miles north of Domodossola. This serene town has few lodging options, 1 restaurant, 1 bar, and 1 tiny market that offers mostly cheeses and meats. The main attraction of Cadarese is the thermal bath house. We were drawn Cadarese because there is premiere rock climbing accessed by a 15 minute hike outside of town.
*I advise anyone staying in one of these small towns to go grocery shopping in Domodossola beforehand (especially if you are without a car). Crodo is a bit larger and has markets for grocery shopping as well.
Transportation:
Cadarese (and the neighboring towns) can easily and affordably be accessed by bus. It’s easy to take the Bus line 4 from the Domodossola bus station (Comazzi website has schedules), right next to the train station. Taxis are also available to take you to and from these towns and is about 60 euros for a one-way ride to or from Domodossola. If you have a rental car, even better!
Where to stay:
Ca del Borgo. There are more lodging options in Cadarese than one would think. We really got a bang for our buck staying at this place for about 80 euros a night! It had a super cozy room with stone walls, a very comfy bed, and windows with fabulous views of the surrounding mountains. There was a nice kitchen as well (fully equipped with cooking/dining utensils, refrigerator, stove, and even a microwave).
The staff was really kind and accommodating. The fellow who headed our lodging offered to get us food from the market, let us know when the restaurant opened, and even asked if we needed taxi arrangements. We felt very much cared for and appreciated it. They also gave us discounted tickets to the bath house! I’d definitely recommend this apartment if you desire a quiet stay in Cadarese.
Where to Eat:
La Fruetta. This is the only restaurant in Cadarese and is typically only open for dinner Thursday-Sunday or whenever tourism is high. We dined here with our new Argentinian friends (!) who we met while rock climbing. The food here was definitely tasty. I had a polenta gnocchi and a side of vegetables. For a dessert, I had what was like a chocolate molten lava cake, but filled with pistachio cream sauce. It was indulgently delicious!
Giglio Azzurro Bar Ristorante Pizzeria. Another evening, our kind Argentinian friends drove us to Premia to go this pizzeria. The place is a cute local establishment with some darn good pizza! There were so many options on the menu and the pizzas were gigantic! I got a vegetable pizza. For dessert, we got their special homemade tiramisu. Instead of soaking the lady fingers in espresso, they were soaked in Amaretto. I love a classic tiramisu, but I was intrigued by this one!
Activities/Recreation:
Rock climbing. We deliberately went to Cadarese for the rock climbing. I must say, it is a hidden gem for single pitch granite crack climbing in Italy. It’s becoming more popular, especially with a number of pro climbers putting it on the map. I was very impressed with the climbing area. Excellent quality rock climbing on lovely granite walls in a beautiful forest, surrounded by the mountains..just a 15 minute hike from town!
We were kept busy on fun and challenging routes our 5 days in Cadarese. I think we made a wise decision going at the end of October. While the weather is more unpredictable, there are still beautiful, warm weather days to be had and it’s not too hot or humid. The fall colors are pure magic, especially in the late afternoon when the sun bathes the area.
Thermal Baths of Premia. On our rest day (when I was not feeling well), we visited the hot springs/bath house, which is the main attraction of Cadarese. It was only a 2 minute walk from where we were staying. We went in the evening during sunset and it was relaxing and beautiful. The outdoor pool was warm, not hot, but we had it to ourselves (weekdays in late October seem to be prime time) and enjoyed a magical view of the mountains.
The thermal baths also have a spa. We graced the saunas (there were at least 3 varieties), steam rooms, and even a meditation room. The spa was just the experience I needed to relax, ground myself, and heal my aching body. Massages can be scheduled at the spa as well.
Rome and Florence
While we spent more time in the small towns in northern Italy, I still have to include some of Rome and Florence in my Italy trip guide and point out some of the AMAZING restaurants and cafes/bakeries we experienced..especially the gelato in Rome!
Rome
Where to eat:
CiPASSO Bistrot. We went here on our last night in Italy when we were meeting up with our friends whose Italy trip overlapped with ours. This was a highly-rated, fancy restaurant and I was very impressed! Their version of the caprese salad was wonderful, the spinach salad was delicious and so fulfilling (I loved the mustard dressing and roasted nuts), the truffle crostini was indulgent, and the bestselling pumpkin ravioli was exquisite. For the meat eaters: my friends loved the Amatriciana al Cesanese. I HIGHLY recommend having a special meal at this place!
Osteria Fratelli Mori. This restaurant was not in the heart of downtown, but right down the street from the hotel we were staying at. It was our first meal in Italy and a great way to kick off the trip. Being in Rome, I had to try the Cacio e Pepe. It was very rich and delicious. Perhaps my favorite part of our meal here was the zucchini ribbons. If you like mustard and acidity, you will love this unique side dish!
Gelato:
Gelateria la Romana. This was, BY FAR, the best gelato we had in Italy. We had it our first (and last) day in Italy and it set the bar incredibly high. Luckily, there are 4 locations in Rome and I think it is a MUST to experience this stuff. Their flavors are unique and the gelato is rich and creamy. Plus, they offer to pour chocolate sauce in the cone AND add whipped cream on top. Indulgence at its finest! I am already considering getting on a plane back to Italy for this goodness..
Florence
Cafe/Pastries:
Pasticceria Cesare. If I could rave about one thing in Florence (during my brief visit), it would be the pastries. This place, in particular, was fabulous. Nestled in a neighborhood away from the city center, the atmosphere was warm and the employees were very helpful. Here we enjoyed a cappuccino and some tasty treats. Each little treat we got was AMAZING: the hazelnut profiterole, the fruit tart, the pistachio tart, and the coconut chocolate cake bite! There were SO many tasty treats to choose from. I imagine you can’t go wrong.
Activities/recreation:
Poggiopiano Winery. We were excited to try out this winery because of its close proximity to Florence (15 minute drive and can be accessed via a bus from downtown Florence). We probably should have called in advance, but we walked up to the vineyard/winery from the bus stop, expecting to be welcomed in without a problem. Upon our arrival, a women came up to us and somberly told us that the winery was not open this year since they did not have a harvest. We were sad that we didn’t get to experience the winery, but even more sad for the hit she and her family must have taken due to these circumstances.
So, we failed at wine-tasting in Tuscany, but it looked like a beautiful place for a tasting. We still enjoyed the stroll up to the winery through the vineyards and olive tree groves, listening to folks happily singing as they worked in the fields. I recommend this winery for future years when they are open for business.
Well, there you have it! I hope this Italy trip guide proves useful for your future travels. At the very least, I hope my descriptions and photos have transported you to the magical land of Italy for a brief period.
