Surreal Places in Italy You Have to See to Believe

Riomaggiore is one of the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera thats well worth a visit
Riomaggiore is one of the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera that's well worth a visit | © Southmind / Alamy Stock Photo
Livia Hengel

It’s a country blessed with stunning landscapes and steeped in artistic and cultural heritage, but if you seek to go beyond the tourist attractions, Italy also has plenty of more unusual sights. Here’s our roundup.

Join Culture Trip’s 10-day small-group Northern Italy trip – led by our Local Insider – to witness some of the most stunning spots in Italy, with ample opportunity to sample sumptuous cuisine along the way.

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Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Civita di Bagnoregio

This picture-perfect town in northern Lazio is a fairy tale come to life. Perched on a tufa rock hill in the Tiber River Valley, it was founded by the Etruscans 2,500 years ago but over the centuries was largely abandoned due to its friable terrain slowly eroding, earning the town its nickname la città che muore (the dying town). The Civita is connected to the mainland by a footbridge and famously has fewer than 15 residents year round, though tourism is thriving thanks to its position and charm.

Civita di Bagnoregio has less than 15 permanent residents

Cinque Terre

The fabled Cinque Terre (five villages), are cliffside fishing towns located in the northwest region of Liguria. They comprise Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare, each of which has its own unique history and charm. Although they are all stunning in their own way, Vernazza is often touted as the loveliest town for its quaint, photogenic harbour. Interested in visiting? Culture Trip’s 10-day Northern Italy tour includes an unforgettable guided hike along the Cinque Terre coastline.

Manarola is one of the Cinque Terre, in Liguria

Reschensee

Reschensee, in the Italian Alps, is a man-made lake that’s known for the steeple sticking out of the water. It belongs to a 14th-century church, which was submerged when the lake was created in 1950: a dam was put in place by an electricity firm in order to generate seasonal electricity, and a number of towns, including Graun and Reschen, were flooded in the process. The church steeple is all that remains visible and can be reached on foot when the lake freezes over in winter.

Reschensee, a manmade lake, has a 14th-century steeple sticking out of the water from when the town was flooded in 1950 to build a dam

Trulli

Puglia‘s conical trulli, reminiscent of hobbit homes set in a fantasy world, were constructed as dwellings and storehouses in the 19th century. The distinctive roofs are made of limestone, arranged in a tilted fashion so they are waterproof, then topped with a closing stone. Most trulli have one room beneath each roof and additional rooms in arched alcoves within the structure.

Trulli in Alberobello, in Puglia

Grotta della Poesia

The Grotta della Poesia (the Cave of Poetry), is a water-filled sinkhole on the Adriatic Sea in Puglia. According to legend, it was the favourite watering hole of an ancient princess and the sight of her swimming there inspired poets to write about her. Today, it is mainly used for cliff jumping and scuba diving, thanks to its crystal-clear water, underground caves and natural scenery.

The Cave of Poetry was inspired by a mythical princess

Scala dei Turchi

The Scala dei Turchi (Stair of the Turks) is a tiered cliff in southern Sicily, made of soft limestone and white marl – a sedimentary rock. This stretch of coastline has withstood millennia of lapping ocean waves and salty breezes that have created natural steps on the cliff, giving the formation its name. It is also named after Turkish pirates who invaded Sicily numerous times over the centuries.

The Scala dei Turchi, in southern Sicily

Castello di Sammezzano

Sammezzano, a stately palazzo near Florence, was built at the beginning of the 17th century by a Spanish nobleman, Ximenes of Aragon. An extensive property with 365 rooms, it is notable for its Moorish revival architectural style and Arabesque decorative details. The prismatic Peacock Room, featuring intricate patterns and colours, is one of many highlights of the castle.

The Sammezzano castle, near Florence, has a strong Moorish influence

Giardino di Ninfa

Arriving at the landscaped Gardens of Ninfa, you may feel as if you’ve stumbled upon a secret world of nymphs and fairies. Described as the most romantic garden in the world, this evocative oasis, created in 1921 in the English garden style, features thousands of exotic plants and trees, medieval ruins integrated into the natural landscape, a crystalline river with water fresh enough to drink and an ancient stone bridge.

The Gardens of Ninfa are said to be the most romantic garden in the world

Matera

Once considered the shame of Italy, Matera is now one of its pride and glories. The ancient city is comprised of hundreds of Sassi (stone dwellings) that date back to prehistoric times when the country was full of troglodyte settlements. These homes were dug out of the calcareous rock and hollowed out to create rooms for entire families to reside in. The evocative city has often been used for filming and represented ancient Jerusalem in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ (2004).

Matera is often used as a film location

Rocca Calascio

Rocca Calascio, a mountaintop fortress in the Apennine mountains in central Italy, dates back to the 10th century and resembles something you might see in Game of Thrones. The fort was damaged during an earthquake in 1703 but this only adds to its mystique. It’s quite a dramatic sight, especially when set against the snowy mountains of Abruzzo.

Rocca Calascio is a medieval fort in the Apennines

Tempio del Valadier

Inside the impressive Frasassi caves, a karst cave system with stalactites and stalagmites, the Tempietto del Valadier is a neoclassical temple tucked into a sanctuary-cum-chapel. Built in 1828 by the Italian architect Giuseppe Valadier, it echoes the Tempietto del Bramante he designed within the San Pietro in Montorio church on the Gianicolo Hill in Rome. The temple is intended as a pilgrimage site where sinners can seek forgiveness.

The Temple of Valadier echoes the design of an earlier temple built in Rome

Blue Grotto, Campania

The entire island of Capri is a feast for the senses, but its famous Blue Grotto is a truly mystical sight to behold. The blue that lights up the cavernous rock formations is caused by sunlight passing through a deep underwater cavity, then reflected back up through the water. The mouth of the sea cave is only 1m (3ft) high, so you can only enter the Blue Grotto by a small boat when the tide is low enough.

The spectacular Blue Grotto in Capri can only be visited at low tide
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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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