Today’s itinerary is a bit off the beaten track. We’re taking you to explore the curious and sometimes bizarre peculiarities of some of the top cities in Italy, the most beautiful ones, and in addition to the classic “must-see” sites in each of them, we’ll share some hidden gems that not all tourists have the pleasure to discover on their visit.
So let’s start immediately, working our way from north to south, and if we convince you, book your 23-day trip to Italy with Dragonfly Tours.
Venice
This is one of the most visited cities in Italy, welcoming almost 20 million visitors in 2017. The sheer quantity of tourists has caused worry about overcrowding and so the idea of tourism with programmed access is being reevaluated.
So, far from the crowds, the particularity that you absolutely must see, explore, and experience are the hidden streets of Venice, the so-called “calle”. They are small alleyways up to a few hundred meters long, that go from 6 meters to just 60 cm wide, flanked with high buildings to your left and right, almost completely hidden even from the sun. These are the authentic hidden streets that take you to the heart of the city and often take the name of the illustrious people who lived in the buildings that overlook them, or of the churches and monuments that they lead to. While you’re exploring, Don’t miss the Ruga Rialto or the Ruga Giuffa, the largest and most famous Calle in the city.
Verona
The Arena, symbol of the city, is a perennial favorite of visitors, but it is not the only wonder in the city of love, and no, we’re not talking about Romeo and Juliet this time. Those two are not the only ones in town with a love story without a happy ending. Wandering through the lesser known streets you will have the pleasure of discovering the “Lovers’ Well“. The lovers in question were Corrado and Isabella, and their story dates back to the sixteenth century. Legend has it that Corrado, a young soldier, tired of the continuous refusals of his beloved, arranged to meet her near the well, to show her that her heart was as cold as the cold water of the well. Isabella, to test the love of the young man, then told him to jump in to see if the water was really so very cold. The desperate young man threw himself in and didn’t come back up again. Isabella, who in reality loved the young man, followed him, throwing herself in after him. The Lovers’ Well is located near the busy Piazza delle Erbe and is worth a little detour off of the beaten track.
Milan
While visiting the Milanese capital you will come across a particular type of street art that will certainly make you smile. The street artist Pao has made his mark on the city, and his “penguins” and “dolphins” do not go unnoticed. But Milan has an abundance of oddities: there are those who go to the city specifically to visit the Church of San Bernardino alle Ossa, where the walls are decorated with remains identified as being those of heretics killed before the year one thousand. Between legend and some grains of truth, this church has become an important place of worship not only for the Milanese, and it maintains a mystic aura that cannot be found elsewhere.
Turin
It is the city of publishing houses and Art Nouveau, a historical industrial center, and hub of innovation and progress that coexists alongside its inimitable art and culture, with over 40 museums. All this is Turin and if that isn’t enough for you, we’ll tell you about a curious gem that makes many passers-by smile. Many linger on a bizarre detail on the front door of a building in Corso Matteotti: a stone hand sticking out of the doorway holding a note in his hand. There are many theories about what it could mean: a message between lovers, a request for help, a secret sign that indicates a house of ill repute. Legend has it that the hand belongs to a certain Ebe, a charismatic woman who was courted by numerous lovers. However, while in Turin, you cannot miss a visit to the Egyptian Museum, the oldest in the world, which covers over 4000 years of history.
Bologna
A tiny treasure trove. Walking through its colonnades it will be difficult for you not to come across its oddities ranging from the sacred to the profane: a city studded with stone faces of demons that decorate the facades, and churches with unique works such as the sculptural complex of the Compianto Cristo. Don’t miss a taste of Venice in Bologna, just look out the window in Via Piella on to one of the few remaining waterways, the Canal delle Moline, which vaguely resembles the Venetian capital.
Modena
Not far from Bologna, a stop in Modena is obligatory. There is a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere, and art and history fill the streets. For the refined palates Modena is the perfect place, the Osteria Francescana, the restaurant of the Michelin star chef Massimo Bottura, has been repeatedly in first place in the ranking of the best restaurants in the world.
Florence
The statue of Ferdinando I de ‘Medici on horseback in Piazza Santissima Annunziata in Florence, hides a curious detail: a swarm of bees at the back. What is surprising is that it is almost impossible to count the number of bees without the help of a guide. You have to try it to believe how difficult it is.
Rome
This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the city of Rome, but to devote just a few lines to the Eternal City is almost impossible. Some interesting features that are off of the beaten track?
Quartiere Coppedè, an example of Art Nouveau and mystic architecture squeezed into a few hundred square meters, or the water clock at the Pincio, or the Magic Door in Piazza Vittorio. To really see Rome, however, you will need a dedicated holiday. Treat yourself to a 4-day tour in Rome to experience it by day and by night.
Naples
Visiting Naples is always a multi-sensory experience: sounds, colors, flavors, and a mix of art, history and extravagance that amazes with every visit. For example, if there is a place where a doll hospital can exist, that is Naples, where abandoned and broken dolls are given new life. Certainly a singular and extraordinary place.
Palermo
Yes, in Sicily, specifically in Palermo, the cultural melting pot that over the years has created layers in the city is clearly visible in some of its less visited, but no less interesting, monuments. Just a couple of examples are the Chinese building, the antique residence of the Bourbons built in an oriental style, and the Arab-Norman discovery itinerary whose buildings and churches have become UNESCO World Heritage Sites.