Underrated gems of Central Italy: Why seasoned travelers are turning toward Italy’s quieter heart
Looking for a softer side of Italy? The central part of the country is home to quaint towns, rolling countryside, and unhurried charm—which means gems can be found around every corner.
For many travelers, a trip to Italy conjures images of Rome’s Colosseum or the winding canals of Venice. While those places are icons for good reason, they’re far from the whole story. If you’ve already strolled through Florence’s Renaissance piazzas or tossed a coin in the Trevi Fountain, your next Italian adventure might take you a little farther off the beaten path. Here, authentic hospitality still feels personal, lunches stretch long into the afternoon, and every church, vineyard, and hillside seems to tell its own quiet story. Whether you’re returning to Italy for a deeper experience or you’re simply drawn to its softer side, these hidden gems of Central Italy reward curiosity with warmth, flavor, and wonder.
Regions to visit in Central Italy
Central Italy lies in the heart of the Italian peninsula, between the Alpine meadows and rocky vineyards of the north and the sun-soaked coasts of the south. From Umbria to Tuscany and Lazio to Le Marche, it’s a land defined by balance: ancient and timeless, cultured and rustic, familiar yet full of surprises, and each region offers its own distinct charm.
Umbria
Known as Italy’s green heart, Umbria is a tapestry of rolling hills, olive groves, and sun-drenched vineyards—a quieter, more contemplative counterpart to its famous neighbor, Tuscany. It’s a land of truffles and wine, medieval hill towns, and winding roads made for slow travel. You can experience Umbria’s pastoral beauty on our Food & Wine: Flavors of Tuscany & Umbria tour or our Undiscovered Tuscany: Lucca, Siena & Maremma tour. Umbria’s warmth and simplicity are guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.
Tuscany
From the Renaissance treasures of Florence to the golden beaches and forested mountains beyond, Tuscany is a feast for the senses. Its cities brim with art and history, while the countryside unfolds in soft waves of farms and vineyards. Whether you’re looking to savor Chianti on a wine tour or wander along Siena’s medieval streets, join one of our tours of Tuscany to see why this region has inspired travelers—and artists—for centuries.
Lazio
All roads may lead to Rome, but they pass through Lazio first. This often-overlooked region is where ancient history meets everyday Italian life, with hilltop towns, volcanic lakes, and vineyard-dotted countryside surrounding the Eternal City. On a free day in Rome, it’s easy to venture deeper into Lazio for a taste of its quiet beauty, and even within the capital, Lazio’s charm shines through in its hidden corners—think cobblestoned Trastevere, where ivy-covered trattorias and lively piazzas offer a glimpse of authentic Roman life.
Le Marche
Tucked between the Adriatic Sea and the Sibillini Mountains, Le Marche is one of Central Italy’s best-kept secrets. Here, sweeping farmland meets dramatic cliffs and quiet seaside towns that feel delightfully undiscovered. If you’re joining us on a trip to Florence, consider adding a free-time day trip or extending your stay before or after your tour to explore this region’s coastal charm and authentic pace of life.
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Why go now: Five reasons Central Italy is perfect for seasoned travelers
For travelers who’ve already experienced Italy’s most iconic destinations, Central Italy offers a more personal kind of magic. “What an amazing experience to share,” said traveler Eleanora after visiting the region on our Food & Wine: Flavors of Tuscany & Umbria tour. “To go into the countryside, visit small towns [and] beautiful roads in the Tuscan and Umbrian hills. Walking on the top of ancient walls that protected the towns, trekking along the pilgrims’ trail to beautiful hilltop towns, hopping on an escalator through the ancient underground cities of old, wandering through the towns, and meeting the beautiful people who live there and want to share the pride of their communities!” Here are five reasons why seasoned travelers are falling in love with Central Italy.
1. Quieter hill towns
Exploring beyond Florence and Rome reveals a Central Italy that feels intimate and lived in. In these charming villages, you’ll walk along medieval walls, relax in sleepy piazzas, and dine shoulder-to-shoulder with the locals. “Florence, Siena, Perugia, and Rome were amazing, but visiting and touring some of the smaller towns was really a treat!” said traveler Tommy after joining our Food & Wine: Flavors of Tuscany & Umbria tour.
2. Food and wine
Step outside the cosmopolitan cities and you’ll find regional flavors that have evolved without ever leaving their roots. Think the rich truffles and herbal flavors of Tuscany and Umbria, and dishes like brodetto, a rich seafood stew that ranks in just about every Le Marche, Italy, travel guide. On our Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany with America’s Test Kitchen tour, you’ll stay at an agriturismo and learn to cook these Tuscan specialties alongside your fellow travelers. “This tour was an intense and joyful discovery of a part of Italy most travelers don’t see,” said traveler Beverly after joining the tour. “The variety of wine and food from regions that are adjacent but so different from each other was delightful.”
3. Sacred art and architecture
The churches and museums you’ll find in these hidden-gem towns in Central Italy rival any that you’ll find in the bigger cities, and you won’t have long lines or dense crowds to contend with. Whether it’s Giotto’s frescoes in Assisi on our Food & Wine: Flavors of Tuscany & Umbria tour or the black and white marble of Siena Cathedral on our Italy for Women: Rome, Tuscany & the Italian Lakes tour, each work of art feels like a rare discovery.
4. Nature and scenic countryside
Sunlit vineyards, olive groves, and cypress-lined roads—Central Italy’s landscapes are straight out of a storybook. Whether you’re hiking through Maremma’s coastal hills on our Undiscovered Tuscany: Lucca, Siena & Maremma tour or admiring the Tuscan landscapes from your private coach, it’s easy to see why painters and poets have always been drawn here, yet somehow hard to believe that it still feels like a well-kept secret. “The scenery of Tuscany, Umbria, and Rome is straight out of a postcard,” said traveler Ty after visiting on our Food & Wine: Flavors of Tuscany & Umbria tour. “Rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves, fields, picturesque villages, and stunning cathedrals.”
5. Authentic experiences
Festivals and traditions here still belong to the locals. If you visit during the Palio di Siena horse race in Siena, the Umbria Jazz festival, or the annual olive harvest in the countryside, you’ll witness culture not as performance, but as pride.
Hidden-gem towns in Central Italy
Each of these destinations captures something timeless that makes Central Italy special, whether it’s discreetly beautiful art, dramatic views, or the taste of something made by hand and heart.
Assisi
Spiritual yet serene, Assisi is the birthplace of St. Francis and one of Italy’s most meaningful pilgrimage sites. Add the optional Assisi & Umbrian Farm Lunch to our Food & Wine: Flavors of Tuscany & Umbria tour to explore this gorgeous hilltop town with its well-preserved medieval structures. You’ll visit the UNESCO-listed Basilica of St. Francis, where pilgrims still gather in quiet reflection, and enjoy lunch at a nearby farmhouse followed by a guided tour of the farm’s vineyard, winery, olive grove, and cattle farm.
Orvieto
Perched atop a rugged volcanic butte, Orvieto is one of the most dramatic-looking towns in Central Italy. Its skyline seems to rise straight from the rock, and its underground labyrinth of caves and tunnels tells the story of its Etruscan heritage. Visit on our Food & Wine: Flavors of Tuscany & Umbria tour or take a free-time day trip during your tour of Rome to enter the monumental Duomo di Orvieto, the Gothic cathedral that dominates the city’s skyline. Spend some time admiring the cathedral’s intricate frescoes, then head to a trattoria to sample traditional fare (like snail-shaped lumachelle bread or slow-cooked pigeon) that earned Orvieto a spot on our list of amazing small towns in Italy to plan your next trip around.
Montefalco
Known as the “Balcony of Umbria,” Montefalco offers sweeping views of the valley below. Home to the sagrantino grape, a hyperlocal varietal responsible for some of Italy’s boldest red wines, it’s the perfect place to sip and savor at a charming local vineyard. Join our Food & Wine: Flavors of Tuscany & Umbria tour to taste these off-the-beaten-path wines where they’re made, surrounded by vines that have been tended for generations.
Lucca
Encircled by perfectly preserved Renaissance walls, Lucca is one of the top villages to visit in Tuscany. When you visit on our Undiscovered Tuscany: Lucca, Siena & Maremma tour, you’ll join a biking tour of Lucca’s tree-lined ramparts and explore the town’s quiet piazzas and artisan shops. Or, add the optional Medieval Lucca & Farmhouse Lunch to your Food & Wine: Flavors of Tuscany & Umbria tour for a shorter stroll through Lucca, followed by a farm-to-table lunch at a nearby agriturismo known for its olive oil production. Regardless of how you visit, Lucca offers a quiet reprieve from the hustle and bustle of nearby Florence and Pisa.
Siena
One of Italy’s most beautiful medieval cities, Siena is famed for its shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and the dramatic black-and-white marble of its cathedral. When you’re there, peek into the Piccolomini Library for frescoes so vivid they almost seem illuminated, and try the ricciarelli—soft almond cookies beloved by locals. When you visit on our Food & Wine: Flavors of Tuscany & Umbria tour, you’ll make a pit stop in nearby San Gimignano, the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages,” known for its skyline of ancient towers.
Maremma
Often called “Tuscany’s best-kept secret,” Maremma’s unspoiled landscapes stretch between vineyards and the Tyrrhenian coast. Wild boar, local seafood, and rich red wines define the region’s rustic cuisine. When you join our Undiscovered Tuscany: Lucca, Siena & Maremma tour, you’ll meet local butteri—Italian cowboys—and enjoy a cooking class and farm-to-table lunch that bring this region’s spirit to life. “I have traveled to Tuscany several times, but never to the Maremma district of Tuscany,” said traveler Martha after joining the tour. “It was fabulous.”
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