Living Like a Local: Exploring Italy’s Hidden Gems Beyond the Big Cities

Hello, everyone, and welcome back to A New Life in Italy, where we dive into everything you need to know about life, travel, and the incredible journey of moving to Italy. I’m your host, and today we’re going to explore a topic that most people strive to accomplish, but often dont know exactly how-how to experience the authentic Italian lifestyle by traveling to smaller towns and lesser-known spots, and living like a local, rather than sticking to the usual tourist destinations.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love Rome, Florence, and Venice just as much as the next person, and they’re absolutely worth visiting. But for those of you who are planning to move to Italy one day or simply want to experience a more authentic, laid-back version of Italian life, there’s so much more to discover beyond the big cities.
In this episode, we’re going to talk about how you can explore Italy through its smaller towns and off-the-beaten-path villages. We’ll dive into how you can connect with local culture, experience the slower pace of life, and really understand what it’s like to live like an Italian.
To help guide us through this conversation, I have two very special guests today: Zeneba Bowers and Matt Walker, you may know them from Little Roads Europe.
They are experts in finding these little gems, and helping you experience traveling like a local.
So, if you are planning your next Italian adventure, or are already here and want to go beyond the IG spots, and get a true account of what the italian lifestyle is really like, stick around because this is going to be good.
Resources:
Little Roads Europe (www.littleroad...)
GC Partners (contact.gcpart...)
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Until next time!
Ci vediamo!
Mentioned in this episode:
Sentire Media Website (a-new-life-in-...)
Sentire Media Website (a-new-life-in-...)

[@phonemeunit1973]

Just got back from a two week trip to Italy. My wife and I were celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary. We largely avoided the larger cities because we wanted to see the non-touristy places. We rented a car and drove around northern Italy and then flew down to Sicily and rented a car for a week there. We were definitely on a recon trip to see where would be the place for us. Ragusa Ibla was the place we found the best food and in the most picturesque setting. However, we fell for Bolzano as a possible landing spot. Now we are planning to spend more time in Bolzano region and probably expand our search west into the Po Valley, which we haven't visited yet. Anyway, its a process and looking forward to future trips to narrow down where we want to buy a home.

[@smartmoveitaly]

Wow thanks for sharing!! We're glad you were able to scope out possible areas for your future home.

[@thefilipinojoe]

I live like a local in the Philippines. I’ve personally heard from foreigners here saying that their cost of living here is much more than mine. One said it costs him $7000 a month. My cost of living, living like a local, is only $250 a month. I’ve been living here since 2018 at the same cost of living, despite having moved several times. My lifestyle and everything isn’t extreme, but very nice and comfortable. Living like a local is the secret to living well and not overspending.
I’m anxious to visit Sicily again next year (like a local). ❤

[@smartmoveitaly]

Thanks for sharing and enjoy your time in the Philippines! 😍

[@SAGUY1971]

I would never return to Venezia, Roma , Firenze or the Amalfi . Over instagrammed, over touristed , overcrowded , congested and sadly lacking in authenticity . You have to venture off these well-beaten paths to the undiscovered regions and towns/ villages. Just returned from 8 days in LeMarche and truly, this is authentic Italy with its many hill top villages/ towns , family owned business , stores, restaurants , the Adriatic riviera coastal towns .Simply beautiful and such kind , generous people. I definitely agree that one of the best place to stay is at an Agriturismo as you get a very authentic experience in terms of meeting and getting to know local people, eating local cuisine , local customs etc.

[@FormasOlm]

Thanks for the breakdown! Just a quick off-topic question: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (behave today finger ski upon boy assault summer exhaust beauty stereo over). What's the best way to send them to Binance?

[@marcb4788]

Rome, Florence and venice have become unbearable and not worth a visit. Italy is much more than those overcrowded tourist traps.