Visit this tiny village in La Lunigiana, northern Tuscany, to see the Museo dell’Emigrazione della Gente di Toscana. The museum is inside the castle. Have a great time.

An unassuming red brick building marks the entrance to a very special underground place in Italy, the second century AD Mithraeum, or, as the Italians say, Mitreo. If you are a fan of going underground to strange places, the Mithraeum of Capua is a great place to start.

Need a bite to eat in Rome and don’t have a lot of miney? Forno La Renella, a Roman bakery, will make you some great artisan things from bread.

Oria is an ancient town of around 15,000 people in the Puglia province of Brindisi. It has winding lanes, a Swabian castle and great food.

Lecce is the principal city in the Salento peninsula of Puglia, the heel of the boot. It’s a whole different italy you need to explore.

The Greek Temples in Agrigento aren’t just more ruins to trudge through. You can really enjoy them in the springtime as you stroll through olive groves and wildflowers to discover the layers of culture expressions that exist in this little corner of southern Sicily.

Marostica is about as romantic a Veneto city as you can get, with two castles, a legend involving chess, and some great cherries.

When you’re tired of the crush of Rome, the monument overload, the lack of fresh air and green pastures, I have an idea. A microadventure you can bet your friends haven’t even thought of, a trip to the Arco di Malborghetto, a 4th century Roman arch converted to a medieval home and inn.