The most authentic experiences you don't want to miss in Italy in 2025

Umbria is renowned for its black truffles, and the more elusive and prized white truffles.

A guided hunt typically begins with meeting a trifolau (truffle hunter) and their trained dog(s). These dogs have an incredible sense of smell and can locate truffles buried underground.

The hunt itself is a unique experience: walking through the woods, learning about the symbiotic relationship between truffles and certain varieties of trees, and witnessing the dog's excitement as it pinpoints a find. Once a truffle is located, the trifolau carefully excavates it to avoid damage.

The experience often culminates in a meal featuring freshly harvested truffles, showcasing their distinct aroma and pungent earthy flavor in dishes like pasta, risotto, or eggs.

Many tour operators offer truffle hunting experiences, often including transportation, the hunt itself, and the truffle-infused meal. The season for truffles varies, so research accordingly. White truffles are typically found in autumn, while black truffles have a longer season.

What a better occasion than this to establish a direct connection to local traditions, culinary heritage, and the natural environment of this marvellous region.

Tuscany is synonymous with wine, and staying in a boutique winery represents, by its very nature, one of the most authentic experiences not to be missed in Italy in 2025,

These boutique wineries are often family-run and although they produce small quantities of wines, these are, in most cases, very high quality wines. The size of places where you can stay, then, can vary considerably, starting from simple but extraordinarily charming farmhouses to luxurious villas.

The activities that you can undergo could include visits to the vineyards, learn about the vines and winemaking techniques, guided tastings of local delicacies to be combined, as a natural consequence, with a reasonable number of wine glasses.

Beyond the bottom of your glass, then, the beautiful Tuscan landscape relaxes and stretches in all its awe-inspiring beauty.

However, for this type of experience, booking your stay in advance is essential, especially during high season. Also consider renting a car to explore the surrounding area

Italy is nothing but the benumbing outcome of an exquisite act of pristine textile craftmanship as in being itself a glimmering tapestry of festivals and events celebrating its time-honoured chronicles and staggering wonders, spanning from historical reenactments, religious occurings to enogastronomy and local artistry.

Examples of such stupefying collection of effulging festivities include the Palio di Siena, a one of a kind horse race taking place in Siena, Tuscany -; the Venice Carnival, to be enumerated, together with Fano's Carnival, amongst the most ancient carnivals of all Italy; the Two Worlds' Festival in Spoleto, where music, art, culture and entertainment intertwine, along with manifold different and equally worthy other festivals taking place all over the country, all the year round.

These festivals represent, by their own true nature, the perfect occasion to catch a glimpse of the local living traditions, the cultural heritage and community spirit which they feed from.

Just so you don't miss your chance to experience occurrings as such, we'd warmly recommend you do some research beforehand as, in spite of the fact that many festivals are annual events, taking place, more or less, in a consistent period of time, there might be a chance for them to be delayed or cancelled because the most disparate reasons.

Furthermore, booking your accommodations in advance is crucial, as these events can draw large crowds.

The Sassi of Matera are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consisting of ancient cave dwellings carved into the mountain and represent a unique example of human adaptation to the surrounding environment.

Exploring Matera and its Sassi will be like going back in time: you can spend some time walking through the streets of the city, visit rock churches with Byzantine frescoes and learn about the history of this fascinating place, from its prehistoric origins to its more recent past.

Guided tours are highly recommended to fully understand what the Sassi represent for the history of the peninsula. Just equip yourself with comfortable shoes and let your sense of discovery and wonder do the rest for you to fully enjoy the experience of visiting one of the richest, most fascinating and ancient places in Italy.

In-depth: Bologna is known as La Grassa (the fat one) for its rich culinary traditions. Taking a cooking class here is a fantastic way to learn the art of Italian cooking. You'll likely learn to make fresh pasta from scratch, such as tagliatelle or tortellini, and prepare traditional sauces like ragù or pesto. Classes often involve hands-on participation, learning techniques from experienced chefs, and then enjoying the fruits of your labor in a convivial meal.

Logistics: Many cooking schools and individual chefs offer classes in Bologna. Research and book in advance, as classes can fill up quickly.

Why it's authentic: It's a direct immersion into the heart of Italian cuisine, learning time-honored techniques and recipes from the source.

The Amalfi Coast has managed to conquer the fame it enjoys thanks to its breathtaking cliffs, picturesque villages overlooking the sea, the verdant lemon groves and a disproportionate amount of activities to lend themselves in almost all periods of the year.

Although it is possible to experience the incommensurable wonders offered by this enchanting slice of paradise between the Cilento and Sorrento coasts, chartering a private yacht could be an incentive, although luxurious alternative to take seriously for your stay in the coastal.

On board your yacht you can explore hidden caves and coves, swim in crystal clear waters, visit charming towns such as Positano and Amalfi, and enjoy the scenery while sipping a glass of prosecco at aperitif time.

A private yacht would also allow you more flexibility and the possibility to customize your itineraries.

Yacht charters are present in almost all the ports of the Amalfi Coast. Prices vary depending on the size of the yacht, the duration of the charter and the time of year. Booking well in advance is essential, especially during the high season.

Florence has a long history of craftsmanship, ranging from leather and precious metals to ceramics and woodworking.

Visiting the artisan workshops, scattered throughout the entire surface of the Tuscan capital, allows you to touch with your hand the final product of a tradition that has its roots in the long lines of time of this fascinating history of this city.

You will be able to observe the craftsmen at work, come to know their techniques and maybe even buy unique handmade souvenirs. Some workshops also offer demonstrations or short lessons, which would further enrich your experience of visiting these shops.

The Oltrarno of Florence is perhaps the district of the Florentine capital best known for its artisan workshops. You could explore the area and visit workshops that interest you. But remember: it’s always a good idea, maybe, to call in advance to check that these are open and if, perhaps, they offer demonstrations.

Among the most authentic experiences to be given in this 2025 that whispers promises of Italy, visiting the markets of Palermo is perhaps one of the most valuable opportunities to really immerse yourself in the daily life of the Sicilian capital.

Markets like Ballarò, Vucciria and Capo could be defined, in all respects, as perfect 'places of perdition' - without the negative component that would make this expression more an insult than a compliment.

Visiting the markets is an essential part of the daily routine of the inhabitants of Palermo. Venturing between benches and kiosks, you can enjoy the sounds, colors and flavors that animate these places; taste local delicacies such as arancine- or arancini - or the more traditional pani câ mèusa, the sandwich with the spleen.

The markets are generally open every day, but it is better to go in the morning, when they may be more crowded. You need to be prepared to have to scramble a bit to get through the crowd and, why not, maybe negotiate on the price of the next souvenir that will enrich your fantastic collection.

Saturnia, in Tuscany, whose name seems to derive from the Roman god Saturn, is famous for the fact that it hosts a wonderful complex of natural hot springs, whose waters - which flow at a constant temperature of 37.5°C - They are said to be rich in minerals and have miraculous therapeutic properties.

Relaxing in these warm, mineral and sulphur waters is a truly healthy and invigorating experience. They are said to:

- Promote skin vasodilation and blood pressure reduction;

- Act as muscle relaxant and anti-inflammatory on the muscular and skeletal system;

- Amplify breathing and increase lung ventilation;

- Clean, cleanse and have antiseptic properties on the skin;

The thermal complex of Saturnia is located in the south of Tuscany. You can reach it comfortably in your car or a rental car. The springs are open to the public and free of charge. However, there are also spa facilities nearby that offer additional services.

The Arena of Verona, a Roman amphitheater located in the center of Verona, the proud gonfalon of the Venetian city, as well as its proud presence in the company of the fictional characters of Romeo and Juliet, is without a doubt, One of the most famous locations in our peninsula and theater of the Arena opera festival when the pages of the calendar slowly flick in view of the beautiful season.

Watching an opera here is a truly memorable experience: the acoustics are excellent and the atmosphere is magical, especially on a warm summer evening under the stars.

The opera season runs from June to September. Tickets for the opera performances at the Arena di Verona can be purchased online or at the box office. Booking in advance is highly recommended, especially for the most popular performances.