Where to go in Italy without a car

Stopping and getting rid of modernity, the hustle and bustle of motors, and, above all, city smog makes the traveller and his host happy. It's about embracing the philosophy of "time for myself" in a world where time seems to flow faster and faster and hurry, as we know, makes us lose moments that could be essential memories instead. Without a car, walking through places steeped in history and tradition, you will have the chance to harmonise with the surrounding environment, to follow its rhythms and capture its essence. You will be amazed at new details that you have never considered before. You will have the sensation of being an integral part of the community, losing the identity of a tourist and beginning to experience an authentic journey. Italy is the ideal destination to rediscover on foot, along ancient roads, old trade routes, forgotten but vivid villages rich in historical evidence. An intelligent and eco-sustainable approach allows us to discover lesser-known wonders of our country, far from the usual tourist destinations. Let's venture out together on this journey to rediscover 5 of the best destinations in Italy, where you can leave your car behind and be guided by the patience and simplicity of the trip.

Thanks to the Attigliano- Bomarzo station, located at the confluence of the Viterbo-Orte and Florence-Rome lines, it is easy to reach this village from Rome and Montepulciano in about an hour. From Chiusi-Chianciano Terme in less an hour, from Orte, in less than half an hour and from Naples in almost two hours. Comfortably by train you can enjoy the scenery and relax without thinking about traffic and parking, and then arrive in one of the most beautiful villages of Tuscia.

Once you arrive at the station, the journey of discovery begins. It is ideal for walking through the fabulous "Cascate Del Fosso Castello", where the lush vegetation of moss and lichen envelops the tree trunks and makes the place enchanting.

Through a tunnel, you arrive at the "Valle Dei Mulini", where you can observe the remains of ancient buildings going back in time, all enveloped in contemplative and relaxing silence. Once you have passed the valley, the path leads uphill to a fantastic viewpoint, the Torre di Chia, from which you can observe the entire surrounding area.

After taking an unforgettable photo, take the path that leads to the "Necropoli di Santa Cecilia". From here, cross the anthropomorphic tombs in tufa and reach the "Piramide di Bomarzo", also known as "Sasso Del Predicatore". It is an enormous trachyte boulder detached from the overhanging wall of volcanic rock with 26 steps carved into the rock. It is impossible not to be astonished by this mighty 8-metre staircase, whose function, although not sure, is traditionally linked to the sacred sphere and is identified as an altar for celebrations and sacrifices in Etruscan times. 

Bomarzo, over centuries, has been dominated by many, but its most flourishing period began when it became a fief of the Orsini family in the 16th century. The Orsini family made significant cultural and structural contributions, thanks to which we can now admire the alleys and views of astonishing beauty around the Cathedral of Bomarzo and Palazzo Orsini.

Palazzo Orsini was built at the height of the Renaissance, a central place of business for the Roman nobility during the 16th century. With its articulated structure, it dominates the town. Inside, of great importance is the beautiful hall frescoed by painters of the school of Pietro Da Cortona.

The Orsini Palace included a "Bosco Sacro", now called the "Parco dei Mostri". Prince Pier Francesco Orsini commissioned this as a dedication to his wife, Giulia Farnese.

The Park is an absolute labyrinth in which you can get lost as in a magical world, where you come across large boulders of unknown meaning, which stimulate intuition and imagination. Visitors enjoy finding the different connections between the mythological evocations and the purely literary references of the various statues. It is the perfect place if you like ancient legends and the adrenaline rush of mystery waiting to be discovered.

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is the heart of Cingoli. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Town Hall is considered the oldest structure dating to the twelfth century.

From the square, going down, you cross the beautiful Renaissance palaces that belonged to the noble families of Cingoli to reach the court where the church of San Domenico and the convent of the Order of Preachers are built. On the church's high altar, you can admire the beautiful painting of the Madonna del Rosario e Santi, one of the most magnificent works by the restless Venetian painter Lorenzo Lotto. 

Not to be missed is a walk through the Polisena neighbourhood, considered the oldest in the town thanks to the interweaving of small streets made of irregular stones that cross rustic houses, without plaster, that recalls the hermetic period that interested Cingoli. Next to the building that once housed the church of Santa Maria in Valverde is the beautiful Fontana di Maltempo. Not far from it is the 17th-century Palazzo Castiglioni, where Francesco Saverio Castiglioni, who became Pope Pius VIII, was born.

From Cingoli, it is possible to make interesting excursions in the uncontaminated nature. Not far from the town centre, it is possible to reach Lake Cingoli, an ideal place to contact oneself and the natural world that surrounds us. From ancient times to the present day, Cingoli has a timeless fascination with history, art, and unmissable nature and can satisfy families on outings, trekkers, and those in search of romance or the adventurous dreamy. A destination for everyone.

We take a ferry to the Island of San Giulio. The first thing that will amaze you is the fascinating Romanesque Basilica of San Giulio. 

Strolling around the island, you can come across elegant villas that belonged to the canons, which bore the names of the saints. One of the most important is Villa Tallone, which hosts lovely classical music concerts every year.

The nerve centre of Isola Di San Giulio is the Benedictine Abbey Mater Ecclesiae. Initially, six nuns were living here, but now there are 80 who live in total silence. Their guide for all these years has been Mother Abbess Anna Maria Canopi, a crucial female figure in the Catholic Church. She is responsible for the mystical and contemplative atmosphere of the island, crisscrossed by a road, the Via del Silenzio. One walks past ancient villas, wells, walled gardens, and narrow alleyways that descend towards Lake Orta.

But the attention is undoubtedly drawn to the messages left by Mother Abbess Canopi, who along this minor road shared her wisdom on silence. In contrast, in the opposite direction, she went thoughts on meditation. 

It is precisely this aura of mystery and depth of soul that increases the desire to visit this magical place and contemplate her beautiful words, which are, today, small pieces of advice of great value for better understanding ourselves and others.

The Valle di Fiemme is one of the principal valleys in the Dolomites and extends along the Avisio stream between the Lagorai and Latemar mountains.

As well as woods and forests, it offers the possibility to cross two nature parks and climb imposing Dolomite peaks, namely the Corno Bianco, the Gruppo del Letemar with beautiful spires and the Pale di San Martino. These incredible peaks have been declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

Val Di Fiemme is the ideal destination for those who want to travel environmentally sustainable way. In fact, in 2003, it was the first valley to certify its forests, and it was here that the first eco-certified World Championships were held. 

Today a cycle path runs through the entire valley, from Molina di Fiemme to Moena and Canazei. Five ski areas and two cross-country skiing centres are available for those who love to reach these places in winter, especially for families.

Therefore, Val di Fiemme is one of Italy's most interesting naturalistic destinations. In its territory, there are scattered mountain villages and hamlets where it is possible to learn about the history and traditions of this immense Italian paradise.

A 2-hour walk from the centre of the village and a 700-metre difference in altitude await us at an unmissable viewpoint, Le Point Sublime. From here you can enjoy a fantastic view of the Cervino, which is known the world over as "Europe's noblest rock", as the English poet John Ruskin described it.

Le Point Sublime is also a starting point for skiing or snowshoeing in winter and spring. 

Fascinating and suggestive is Lake Lord, one of the most characteristic corners of Chamois. It is located at an altitude of 2000 metres and can be reached by chairlift or on foot along simple paths. This place in reverse turns into a natural paradise for ski lovers, especially for children who are taking their first steps in this activity.