But after sweltering in the streets, fighting the crowds, seeing the sights, and throwing back more than a few negronis to beat the heat, many start dreaming of the gently beckoning hills and slower pace of life hiding in the villages and vineyards of the Italian countryside. For millennia, the elites of both cities have fled the sweat and bustle to embrace the rustic peacefulness of a simpler life.

If you’re ready to escape into the less traveled regions where traditional Italian culture and a truly restorative, authentic travel experience can still be found, you’re speaking our language. Here’s where to find the hidden gems and get a taste of the sweet life in the Italian countryside on your next trip to Florence and Rome.

Once you leave Rome on the train heading north, the green fields and great wine of Umbria and Tuscany open up before you. You’re following in the footsteps of ancient Roman aristocrats, papal entourages, and Renaissance dukes as they left the grime of the city behind for cool hills and country estates.

Many of these provincial retreats grew into famous centers for artists and artisan products, and wealthy patrons adorned their favorite locales with grand cathedrals and palaces. Because of their idyllic locations, many of them have been inhabited for thousands of years and sport impressive archeological wonders.

Some of these towns are a bit off the beaten path, others are just up the road from an unassuming train stop. Whether you’re looking for a satisfying day trip or a week soaking up the sights and local culture, these four towns are the perfect Italian countryside destination.

The people of Tuscany and Umbria have a tremendous zest for life, and every year is marked with traditional religious festivals and cultural events. Holidays like the Feast of the Immaculate Conception are celebrated everywhere to mark the beginning of Christmas, and various parades and feasts produce colorful celebrations of miracles and memories.

Italy is also a hotbed of automotive excellence. The Ferrari Cavalcade—a procession of hundreds of new and historical cars from the iconic manufacturer—takes a different route across Italy every year, and scenic Umbria and Tuscany are popular choices. Vespa clubs are also common in the region because of the stunning old-world towns, glittering lakes, and rolling hills. It’s easy to rent one or join a tour for an Italian countryside excursion.

Of course, if you love music, Italy is undoubtedly the place to be. Some of the most important arts and chamber music festivals in the country take place in the towns between Florence and Rome, and they make for ideal getaways for cultural lovers who want to combine incredible music, art, food, wine, local craftsmanship, and a taste of traditional Italian culture.

• Orvieto Musica is the premiere Italian chamber music festival, featuring an international roster of some of the finest emerging professional performers and a world-class faculty in late June and early July. A day trip to Orvieto or a week-long excursion to soak up the local experience will be rewarded with performances by strings, vocalists, brass, and organ in historic venues and throughout the city’s piazzas.
• Umbria Jazz Festival. This 10-day celebration of contemporary musical creativity has been held in Perugia since 1973, and it’s considered one of the best jazz festivals in the world. Running from mid to late July, it’s a perfect follow-on for Orvieto Musica in the region for visitors who want to let their ears guide their Italy excursion.
• Pistoia Blues has brought legendary artists like Jimmy Page and Pat Metheny to the Tuscan countryside for a 5-day festival celebrating wailing solos and wallowing lyrics. If you’re venturing north of Florence, a trip to Pistoia in July might need to be on the itinerary.

Pork is also on the menu, with towns like Orvieto being famous for their crispy-skinned porchetta. Norcia in eastern Umbria produces mild pork sausages that go in the celebrated pasta alla Norcina—a creamy dish of white wine, pecorino, and black truffles.

And, of course, no trip to Tuscany would be complete without bistecca alla fiorentina. The Medicis were big fans of steak, and this large, grilled T-bone is a highlight for any meat lover. Just bring a friend, because it’s easily enough for two!

A glass of deep-red Tuscan wine on a patio overlooking the vineyards at sunset is the definition of la dolce vita—the sweet life travelers, adventurers, and dreamers are yearning for when they book a trip to the Bel Paesa. Tuscany’s reputation for wine is well-deserved, and the black clusters of Sangiovese grapes its hills and valley produce are the foundation of some of the finest wines found anywhere in the world.

• Chianti. This bright red, high-tannin wine is ideal for the table when it’s young and fresh. Hints of irises, violets, and vanilla make it a perfect partner for the wild game, red meat, and aged cheeses that permeate the cuisine of the Italian countryside.
• Brunello di Montalcino. This medium-bodied, high-acidity Tuscan superstar was among the first three wines granted the coveted DOCG status. Those lucky enough to try a bottle are treated to a complex profile of plums, figs, black cherries, and strawberries that are balanced with notes of leather, undergrowth, and high tannins that reflect its rustic origins.
• Vino Nobile de Montepulciano. This is the most classic of classic Italian wines, with origins dating back to the Roman Empire. In contrast to its neighbor Brunello, the notes of plums, strawberries, and dark fruit in the Vino Nobile are balanced with low tannins and high acidity. It’s been considered a king of Italian wine since the 17th century and was in the inaugural DOCG class.

Of course, there are many, many excellent wines both red and white that come from Tuscany and Umbria in addition to the giants listed above, and even the most humble house wine is typically far superior to most comparably priced sip anywhere else. Here are some of the best wines to round out your evening’s course selection when dining in the central Italian countryside.

• Orvieto Classico. This crisp, dry white features notes like grapefruit, melon, peaches, and pears, and is perfect for Umbria’s hot summer days. The soil in the region has been recognized for millennia for the quality of Trebbiano grapes it produces, and local winemakers like Argillae have perfected this ideal counterpart for the big Tuscan reds.
• Montefalco Sagrantino. Made in the Perugia region of Umbria, it comes in both secco and passito styles (dry and sweet). The secco is high in tannins from the thick skins of the Sagrantino grapes and consequently benefits from aging. The sweeter variety is produced by drying the grapes to concentrate their natural sugars and pairs well with pastries, jams, chocolate, and local aged cheeses.
• Vin Santo. The “holy wine” from Tuscany is a quintessential dessert wine that can range from dry to extremely sweet. It features perfumed notes of caramel, honey, tropical fruits, and dried apricots that make it an excellent companion for cakes, pastries, and even blue cheese.

Italy is a country rich in history, and travelers who only stay on the beaten path could almost be forgiven for believing the Renaissance was unique to Florence and the Roman Empire was the first sign of life on The Boot. 

The truth is, while these cities are unquestionably focal points for history enthusiasts, many of the most important archaeological sites and museums are scattered throughout the hill towns and villages in the central Italian countryside. Here are some of the most important churches, palaces, and ancient archeological sites waiting for you when you hop on the train.

Anyone who’s spent a day in Rome can attest to the sweaty side streets, packed restaurants, swinging backpacks, and legions of tourists swamping every corner of the city you came to enjoy. For some, the frenetic bustle goes hand-in-hand with travel, but for many others, it’s a rude awakening from the experience they’ve been dreaming of.

The central Italian countryside offers an escape to a place where fresh food, clean air, open spaces, plenty of outdoor activities, and a restorative glass of red wine (obviously!) are always on the menu. The hill towns of rural Tuscany and Umbria are where traditional Italian culture and a slower pace of life still exist, and the hours of the day are marked by friendly local interactions, sunny excursions, lovingly-plated meals, and relaxing sunsets with friends.

Perhaps that’s why the average life expectancy of Italians is nearly 83, and Blue Zones like Sardinia stand in testament to the invigorating fulfillment a timeless approach to beautiful living can bring. A picture on Instagram may be worth a thousand words, but a trip into the ancient fields, vineyards, and villages between Rome and Florence is where you’ll learn the secrets no picture could ever tell.

If you’re a lover of food, wine, culture, the arts, and all of the wonderful things the Italian countryside has to offer, embrace the La Dolce Vita experience with Orvieto Music this summer. OM is a world-class chamber music festival located in the iconic hill town of Orvieto, Italy in the heart of Umbria.

For three weeks, a talented international roster of emerging string, vocal, and brass performers immerse themselves in masterclasses and coaching with an acclaimed international panel of artists and showcase their virtuosity in the city’s most historic venues. Visitors in the La Dolce Vita experience are given unprecedented access to all the artists and festival activities, as well as treated to a carefully curated range of activities that showcase the best of what the region has to offer, including:

• A chef’s table introduction to local cuisine
• Bicycle tours of regional wineries
• Tours of the spectacular Duomo and the Etruscan Orvieto Underground
• An organ concert in the Duomo
• A medieval tile painting workshop with local artisans
• Trips to Lago Bolseno
• Pre-concert talks, events, and signature Aperol receptions
• Tours of Orvieto, its historic churches, and the surrounding environment
• Unrestricted access to all festival activities and chamber music concerts

If you’re dreaming of your next trip to Italy and aching to connect with authentic culture, artistic virtuosity, and like-minded adventurers, it’s time to turn your eyes toward the Tuscan and Umbrian horizon. Start exploring the La Dolce Vita experience at Orvieto Musica and discover how sweet life in the Italian countryside can be.