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Forbes
30-06-2025
- Forbes
The 20 Most Beautiful (And Undiscovered) Villages In Italy—Winners Of A 2025 Contest
Aerial view of Grado, a colorful seaside village on the Adriatic that is featured on the 2025 list of Italy's most beautiful villages. getty What are the most beautiful villages in Italy? Every year, a popular TV contest in Italy crowns the winners. Launched in 2014, and broadcast annually on Italy's national TV channel, Borgo dei Borghi (which translates to 'The Village of Villages') spotlights the country's most beautiful small villages—places that still feel like hidden gems. Each year, 20 villages (one from each region in the country) compete for the coveted title. The winners are chosen by both public vote and a panel of experts in history, art and culture. The goal is to celebrate Italy's rich regional diversity and promote sustainable tourism in places that might otherwise be overlooked—perfect at a moment when overtourism is reshaping travel across Europe. The 2025 list has just been revealed, spotlighting 20 villages across Italy that stand out for their beauty, culture and charm. From seaside escapes to medieval hill towns and foodie havens, each one offers a unique slice of Italian life—without the crowds. This year's winning village is Militello in Val di Catania in Sicily. The town is set in at the foot of Mount Etna and was originally founded in the Middle Ages. After being destroyed in a 1693 earthquake, the village was rebuilt in a Baroque style that eventually earned it a UNESCO World Heritage recognition. Today, the village is home to more than 20 historic churches and a collection of noble palaces. A scenic view of Maiori on the Amalfi Coast, with terraced hills, colorful buildings, and boats on the turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea—named one of Italy's most beautiful villages of 2025. getty The second village on the list is Agliè, in the Piedmont region—it's got manicured gardens, weekly markets and a UNESCO recognized castle. Coming in third is Vignanello, a Lazio village set among volcanic hills and lush vineyards. Perched high above the Tyrrhenian Sea, Aieta takes fourth place. Rounding out the top five is Maiori, one of the unsung stars of the Amalfi Coast and a quieter, more affordable alternative to places like Positano. Why You Need To Go Now Many of these spots on the list are surprisingly affordable, offering boutique hotels, local trattorias and artisanal experiences for a fraction of what you'd pay in Italy's big name cities. Best of all: In these small villages, the food is just as good, the history runs just as deep and the pace of life invites you to slow down and savor your surroundings. In some cases, villages are going even further to attract visitors and new residents. Aieta, which ranks fourth on this year's list, was part of a Calabrian initiative back in 2021 offering newcomers up to $33,000 to relocate. Other small towns and villages across Italy have offered houses for as little as €1 to revive shrinking communities. But here's the catch: Once a village wins, it's no longer a secret. Just look at Peccioli in Tuscany, which won the contest in 2024. Set on a hilltop, this once-sleepy town has seen a surge in visitors, thanks to its title, with travelers now flocking to see its cutting-edge contemporary art installations and stunning Palazzo Senza Tempo. Which is why you want to see these enchanting spots before they hit the big time. Here are the 20 most beautiful Italian villages to visit before everyone else does. The Nymph Zizza fountain in Militello Val di Catania, Sicily—Italy's most beautiful village of 2025. getty Ranked: The 20 Most Beautiful Villages In Italy 1. Militello in Val di Catania, Sicily: The winning town is Militello in Val di Catania, which feels like a living museum with more than 20 churches, ornate palaces and lively festivals. Don't miss the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Stella and its famed marble Madonna. An aerial view of Agliè Castle in Piedmont, a UNESCO World Heritage site. getty 2. Agliè, Piedmont: The gem in the north of Italy used to be a summer retreat for the House of Savoy. It has manicured gardens, weekly markets, stately piazzas and a laid-back vibe. Its main castle is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. A street in the medieval village of Vignanello—one of the most beautiful villages of Italy. getty 3. Vignanello, Lazio: Set amid volcanic hills and vineyards, this village is a favorite for wine lovers and history buffs. Time your visit with the annual grape harvest festival, when the whole town celebrates with tastings, music and local specialties. A view of Aieta, a hilltop village in Calabria. getty 4. Aieta, Calabria: Located more than 1,600 feet above the Tyrrhenian Sea, Aieta combines Renaissance elegance with wild mountain scenery. Explore its 16th-century palace and wander medieval streets that feel untouched by time. The charming town of Maiori on the Amalfi Coast, with its hillside castle. getty 5. Maiori, Campania: On the Amalfi Coast, Maiori is often overshadowed by the big-name towns like Amalfi and Positano—but it has the longest beach on the coast and is quieter and more budget-friendly. The picturesque town of Lazise on the shores of Lake Garda. getty 6. Lazise, Veneto: Set on the southeastern shore of Lake Garda, Lazise is all about medieval charm with lakeside relaxation. The town's stone walls, bustling harbor and thermal spas make it ideal for a romantic getaway. A church in Ischitella, one of Italy's most beautiful villages in Puglia. getty 7. Ischitella, Puglia: Ischitella has stunning Adriatic views, whitewashed houses surrounded by olive groves and is a gateway to the Gargano National Park and nearby coastal beaches. Don't miss local specialties like orecchiette and fig jam. The coastal village of Buggerru in Sardinia, framed by cliffs and turquoise sea. getty 8. Buggerru, Sardinia: Once a mining town, Buggerru is now a coastal retreat framed by cliffs and turquoise waters. It's perfect for surfers, hikers and anyone craving a wilder side of Sardinia. Grado, a colorful seaside town in Friuli-Venezia Giulia with Venetian-style canals and Adriatic charm. getty 9. Grado, Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Nicknamed 'The Island of the Sun,' Grado has a mix of beaches, lagoons and Roman ruins. The village also has thermal spa tradition dating back to the 19th century. A view through the window of Castello di Montechiarugolo. getty 10. Montechiarugolo, Emilia-Romagna: Not far from Parma, this riverside town is a place for foodies and history buffs. Visit the 15th-century castle and stop at a trattoria for local prosciutto and Parmigiano. The medieval village of Corenno Plinio on the shores of Lake Como. getty 11. Corenno Plinio, Lombardy: This tiny hamlet on Lake Como is pure medieval magic with winding stone stairways and ancient churches. Far quieter than nearby Bellagio, it's ideal for travelers seeking stunning lake views without the crowds. Montalbano Jonico, perched above the dramatic badlands of Basilicata. getty 12. Montalbano Jonico, Basilicata: Set between two ravines and surrounded by dramatic clay badlands known as calanchi , Montalbano Jonico has an otherworldly landscape. View of the rooftops in Penne, a historic hill town near the Gran Sasso mountains. getty 13. Penne, Abruzzo: This hilltop red-brick village—the gateway to the Gran Sasso mountains—has sweeping countryside views and a well-preserved historic center. Visit in fall for truffle season. The village of Scarperia in Tuscany, just north of Florence. getty 14. Scarperia, Tuscany: Scarperia is famous for its handmade knives. The village also has tons of motorsport energy, thanks to the nearby Mugello Circuit, a favorite of Formula 1 fans. A view of the countryside just outside the walls of San Gemini in Umbria. getty 15. San Gemini, Umbria: San Gemini is a wellness haven with healing mineral springs and Roman ruins. Don't miss the ancient Roman cisterns or the peaceful Benedictine abbey just outside town. The hilltop village of Agnone in Molise, known for its ancient bell foundry. getty 16. Agnone, Molise: This village is home to amazing artisan cheesemakers, as well as one of the world's oldest bell foundries, where bells have been cast for centuries. The village of Ala in Trentino-Alto Adige, surrounded by vineyards and Alpine hills. getty 17. Ala, Trentino-Alto Adige: Set in the Vallagarina wine valley, this village is known for its aristocratic past. Hiking trails nearby lead into the Dolomites, and local red wines are worth a taste. A view of Sirolo, overlooking the Adriatic. getty 18. Sirolo, Marche: This clifftop village is a stunning a coastal escape without the crowds. Its white stone streets overlook pebble beaches and turquoise waters. The coastal village of Deiva Marina in Liguria, a peaceful alternative to Cinque Terre. getty 19. Deiva Marina, Liguria: Just up the coast from Cinque Terre, Deiva Marina is a much quieter alternative with much of the same beauty. The beaches are wide and relaxed, and the surrounding trails offer dramatic views of the Ligurian coastline. Nus Castle in the Aosta Valley, overlooking the Alpine village of Nus. De Agostini via Getty Images 20. Nus, Valle d'Aosta: Surrounded by castles and vineyards, Nus is a scenic base for exploring the Aosta Valley. Don't miss the rare Vien de Nus red wine, grown on terraced mountain slopes. MORE FROM FORBES: Forbes This Affordable European Country Is Launching A Digital Nomad Visa: Here's What You Need To Know By Laura Begley Bloom Forbes Tourists, Beware: Europe Cracks Down With Bans, Fines And Restrictions For 2025 By Laura Begley Bloom Forbes Move To Europe: 8 Secret Towns Where You Can Live Well (For Less) By Laura Begley Bloom
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ferrari's 12Cilindri Spider Is a Sensory Experience
"Everything else is a derivation," Enzo Ferrari once said of his original V-12. Eighty years ago, Il Commendatore and Gioacchino Colombo conceived the first Ferrari V-12 engine and in 1947 put the 125 Spyder Corsa on the road. Today, the 2025 12Cilindri Spider harks back to Ferrari's grand-touring roots and its front-engine, V-12 soul. The 12Cilindri Spider is a first-quarter opening salvo in what's shaping up to be a pivotal year in the brand's storied history. The company will introduce six products, including its first EV in October. Meanwhile, F1 fans count the days until the Australian Grand Prix for a glimpse of Lewis Hamilton in the Scuderia Ferrari paddock. Hamilton, like Enzo, has effortless cool, an attitude that makes modern Ferrari feel distinct from the competition. Arriving on the precipice of an expanded electrified portfolio, the 12Cilindri Spider features a naturally aspirated front-mounted 6.5-liter V-12 engine that is an internal-combustion coda to Ferrari engine lore and a delicious guilty pleasure. The operatic engine note, experienced unfiltered in the open air, is the Spider's reason for being. For the Ferraristi, driving is a provocative sensory experience. For the 12Cilindri Spider, creating that experience was the assignment. "I'm getting emotional," said Ferrari designer Andrea Militello, only half-joking. Militello is head of sport design projects for Ferrari and participated in a panel discussion with his engineering and product planning colleagues the night before our coastal drive. Militello explained how the engineers, designers, and test drivers work side by side. "The final design of the car, it transmits something that we can't describe with words" he said. "It's something that happens in the guts." The 12Cilindri Spider's look references the 1969 365GTS/4, the famed Daytona Spider styled by Leonardo Fioravanti of Pininfarina. You can see the classic proportions in the long, clamshell-shaped hood and the set-back cabin. The modern car's contours and surfaces are tucked and shaped in sympathy with the front end and carefully frame the large 21-inch wheels. The A-pillars are swept back dramatically, and flying buttresses fade from the headrests into the rear decklid. The Spider is meant to be savored outside in the elements, and so we traveled to Cascais, Portugal, for our drive. There, we found a half-dozen Spiders in Verde Toscana, a gemstone green hue that sparkled in the sunshine. For this car, Ferrari says it started with the "gentleman driver" in mind. What that driver is looking for in a Ferrari is defined by Raffaele de Simone, Ferrari's chief development driver, who was there to walk us through the ins and outs of the driving setup. De Simone paused to listen as we brought the 12Cilindri Spider engine to life with a tap of the haptic button on the center of the steering wheel. He let the sonic drama sink in. "Bellissimo! It sounds like music," he said. De Simone recommended the 1600-watt Burmester audio system's Live setting (others include Pure, Comfort, and 3D Surround) as an accompaniment to the V-12's engine note. Live produces a full-on concert experience in the way the sound is distributed through the speakers. It's one of the more impressive systems we've tried, balancing the audio sound with the engine note even with the top down. Act one of the 12Cilindri Spider opera was underway as we warmed up the tires on Portuguese coastal roads that were made for King Luís I of Portugal's court in the 19th century. For the unfiltered experience, we turned off the ADAS with the touch-sensitive button. The haptic-touch buttons and sliders are a bit fussy but became more intuitive over eight hours of driving. The 10.3-inch center infotainment screen and 8.8-inch passenger's display are low-key compared to the Purosangue's more digitally based cockpit. A violent windstorm had left the pavement sand-swept, and the 12Cilindri's little wiggles in the turns were a thrilling reminder of its rear-wheel drive and V-12 power in action. Soon the roads opened up, and we pursued the engine's delightful 9500-rpm crescendo. We cycled through high notes, trying out the various driving modes, reveling in the palpable feedback of 819 horsepower as the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission worked its silky magic. Top down, the Spider magnified the V-12's glory. On public roads, we never saw the claimed 211-mph top speed—same as the coupe's—but 60 mph comes quickly at an estimated 2.8 seconds, and the four tailpipes served as trumpets for those we left in the dust. On-the-money steering and confidence-inspiring carbon-ceramic brakes checked boxes on a GT-car wish list. The suspension's magnetorheological dampers produced a smooth ride on bumpy concrete, a welcome bonus. The neck-level heat vents and the retractable center window between the headrests kept the cabin serene and let us settle in to focus on the driving dynamics. In third and fourth gear, Ferrari now does electronic torque shaping, like it's done previously on turbocharged models, to keep the rising crescendo of power linear, a move the company claims doesn't slow acceleration. Later, we closed the retractable hardtop, a quick 14-second maneuver—raising or lowering the roof can be done when the car is in motion at speeds up to 28 mph, a fun party trick to deploy with the touch of a center switch. Top up or down, 12Cilindri Spider satisfies all five senses. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
