15 Unique and Cool Things to Discover in Italy

Whether I’m going to Italy for the first time or the tenth time, I appreciate the beauty that surrounds me, like this view of Verona from above.

But sometimes the unexpected and unusual sights pique my curiosity. So aside from visiting the typical tourist attractions, I suggest these unique experiences as you create your travel itinerary.

My Personal List of Unique and Cool Things to Discover in Italy
(Photos with corresponding numbers appear below this list)

1. 1. Italy’s Free Wine Fountain in Abruzzo, along the Cammino di San Tommaso, where complimentary glasses of  red wine are served to travelers and pilgrims.
   2. Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary in Rome, the nonprofit cat colony, where volunteers care for sick and elderly cats on the archaeological site of four ancient temples.
   3. The Carrara Marble Quarries in Tuscany, where you go deep underground to observe the marble extraction process first-hand.
   4. Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice, a quirky used book store that utilizes waterproof containers, wheelbarrows, kitchen sinks, buckets, and bathtubs to display and store its books.
   5. The Sassi Districts in Matera, where you can stay overnight in an underground cave refurbished into a B&B.
   6. Climb La Scalinetta, the 142-step staircase in Caltagirone, Sicily. On each riser are hand-painted ceramic majolica tiles, and no two the same.
   7. Stay in a masseria in Puglia to experience cooking classes and a quieter lifestyle with locals.
   8. Ride the Minimetro in Perugia, to travel to the historic center on a truly different form of public transportation.
   9. Drive through the Ligurian hills above San Remo to the village of Apricale and watch local men compete in a game of handball known as Balu Ball and also Pallone Elastico.
   10. Ride Bergamo’s Funicular, an engineering marvel and convenient, fast mode of transportation connecting the center of Bergamo with the Città Alta, the Upper Town.
   11. Art Installations inside the Naples Metro Stations. See photo below for this exhibit inside the Toledo station of the Naples Metro. “By the sea…you and me,” by artist Robert Wilson  For more on Naples metro station and its art installations, check out Underground Napoli:The Metro.
   12. Explore less crowded museums which feature special art exhibitions such as this M.C. Escher collection I attended at the Museo degli Innocenti in Florence.
   13. For a respite from the crowded streets of beautiful Bellagio, take the uphill walk to Pescallo, a tiny fishing community.
   14. Immerse yourself into the Ferrari Museum in Modena ~ A Car Lover’s Dream.
   15. Meet skilled ceramic artisans at work in Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi Coast.

 

These numbered photos correspond to the captions above.

1 Free wine fountain inside Dora Sarchese winery

2 Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary in Rome

 

3 Marble quarries in Carrara

4 Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice, a quirky used book store

5 Sassi Districts in Matera

6 La Scalinetta in Caltagirone

7  Masseria Provenzani in Puglia

8 The Minimetro in Perugia (Photo from https://www.visitaperugia.it/en/useful-information-minimetro/)

9 The main piazza of Apricale where local men gather for a game of handball

10 The Funicular in Bergamo

11 Inside the Toledo entrance to the Naples Metro station

12 MC Escher Exhibit in Florence at Musei degli Innocenti

13 The tiny fishing community of Pescallo, a mile away from Bellagio on Lake Como

14 Ferrari Museum in Modena – A Car Lover’s Dream

15 Meet skilled ceramic artisans at work in Vietri sul Mare

Have you visited some off-the-beaten-path places In Italy? If yes, which ones were your favorites?
I always appreciate feedback, so please leave a comment.

Grazie and Ciao.

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In case you haven’t checked out my Italy travel books, they are available on Amazon and Audible. Enjoy!