Travelers flock to Italy for its rich culture, incredible gastronomy, and stunning landscapes. While tourism darlings like Florence, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast habitually wow, the boot-shaped nation also has some less obvious locales that fall outside the regular tourist route and deserve a spot on your itinerary, like historic Ravenna. Another destination worth the detour? Bolzano.
This city in the South Tyrol province of northern Italy, not far from the Austrian border, is known as the gateway to the Dolomites and the departure point for many outdoor activities and excursions through the Italian Alps. Besides providing access to the most beautiful mountains in Europe, this cross-cultural alpine escape puts on a show for visitors with art, architecture, and history galore.
