Few destinations can hold a candle to Italy when it comes to whirlwind tour potential. There’s so much to see and experience that even staying for a month conventionally would boil down to frantically rushing from one attraction to another just to check it off the ol’ bucket list.
Instead, here are three cities you should visit if you want to embrace slow tourism. Stay a while, really immerse yourself in the local culture, and make your holiday about quality over quantity.
Bologna, Emilia-Romagna
Large cities don’t usually mesh well with the slow travel philosophy, but Bologna is a welcome exception. It’s neither as forward-focused as Milan nor as densely packed with layers of history and tourists hoping to explore it as Rome.
Despite its size, Bologna embodies a human-centric design with a breathable city center where you can stroll around without feeling rushed. It's also the country's food capital, and that's saying something when Italy is concerned! You'll have loads of fun and likely put on a few pounds by touring the local trattorias and markets. It’s also the perfect place to sign up for a class and develop authentic Italian cooking skills.
Bologna is home to the oldest university in the West, which also means it has all the vibrancy and charm you’d expect of a university town. Culture isn’t lacking either. If anything, fewer people means you can immerse yourself in exploring its basilica or MAMbo, the local modern arts museum, at a slower, more introspective pace.
Finally, Bologna is ideal for extended stays since it’s the main transport hub for the entire Emilia-Romagna region. Florence, Milan, or Venice are all an hour away by train if you want to mix things up with conventional sightseeing. Alternatively, you can explore the authentic culture and life in villages like Brisighella and Dozza. Just remember to activate an eSIM plan for Italy beforehand to stay connected at reasonable rates, even in remote areas where Wi-Fi is hard to come by.
Lucca, Tuscany
Regular tourists who visit Tuscany might set aside Lucca for a day trip. Slow travelers will be better off doing the opposite! For a small city, Lucca has multiple claims to fame. It's a mecca for opera lovers, being the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini. You'll also find a plethora of churches, towers, and museums to explore at your leisure.
The medieval walls surrounding the historical city center are now tree-covered avenues with plenty of room for strollers and bikers alike. Would you rather be relaxing and people-watching? Then do so from one of the cafés at the main square, Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, or any of the numerous smaller piazzas strewn throughout the city.
It's tempting to use the Wi-Fi such establishments provide while enjoying an authentic brioche con gelato. However, it can also be dangerous since such networks are easy to fake or monitor. Sticking to the best eSIM for Europe will ensure coverage independent of shady Wi-Fi, whether you’re in the middle of town square or trying local delicacies in the medieval villages out in Lucca’s countryside.
Orvieto, Umbria
Our final recommendation is the poster child for slow travel in Italy if you’re looking to go off the beaten path. The town of Orvieto stands upon the cliff of a dormant volcano, making for a dramatic entrance as you approach it through the Umbrian countryside, and serves as the perfect vantage point for spectacular local vistas.
Conversely, Orvieto also boasts an intricate network of caves and tunnels dating back to Etruscan times. Some lay untouched, while others were repurposed to hold shops or as venues for cultural events. If that’s not argument enough, the region’s white wines, olive oil, and overall cuisine ought to seal the deal.