If I was planning a 10 day vacation to Italy and wanted to find Italy's "Best Kept Secrets", where would I go and for how long? Please don't say Cinque Terre as it has become totally commercialized.
Thanks

I don't kow if anyplace is really a secret anymore (especially on this board). However our little finds in 2001 that surprised me were Volterra, Pienza, Todi and the hotel we stayed across from Orvieto; La Badia. It is a 12th century abbey converted to a hotel. It is charming, has a pool (with a bartender, of course), a tennis court and a terrific restaurant. Great place to unwind after visiting hilltowns. I think if you traveled all the roads of Tuscany and Umbria (or anywhere in Italy for that matter), there are plenty of "best kept secrets" to keep you busy for ten weeks, let alone days.

This year, after visiting France, Germany and Switzerland, we are spending a couple of days in a place that will offer more surprises. Until I get back (or until I need Fodorite help), it's a secret.

Not having been to Italy, I cannot offer "Best Kept Secrets" BUT based on what others have told me, and what I have read on this board, I know this much:

1. If it's been in a movie, everyone has already made a beeline to it

2. If it's been in a book, everyone has already made a beeline to it

3. If a celebrity has visited there, or bought a home there, or was born there, everyone has already made a beeline to it

4. Anything left over from this list is most likely a "Best Kept Secret."

One thing that we have discovered in years of travel is that very few things worth visiting remain secrets for long.

La Badia in the valley below Orvieto also has a great restaurant!

Here it is one
Parma: wonderful food, history, art (beside the center of town there are several castles around there) and good shopping.

Naples is not exactly a secret, but it is not what I'd consider "touristy" or "commercialized", and I definitely plan to return.

It's a bustling, vibrant city in which the locals are doing their thing, which just happens to have plenty of world-class sights and incredible food. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but if it interests you, I'd suggest at least 3 days in order to see the highlights of the city itself.

Lucca is not exactly undiscovered either, but is a charming small city in Tuscany not completely overrun by tourists.

Let's face it--there has probably already been at least one tourist in every city or village in the world. So it isn't a matter of your discovering a place no one has found. It's more a matter of keeping an inquisitive attitude, an open mind, and a flexible itinerary, and preferably using a car to get around to some of those new spots. Then you simply become a sort of modern explorer.

I have made some discoveries that I have never seen mentioned on this web site or any other place, and I consider them some of the most interesting places I've ever been. If you can simply explore a bit and find a place that you like, one that hasn't been overdone in various media or web pages, and one that doesn't seem to be a magnet for tourists, then you have your own secret.

To that extent, I would have to disagree with mamc, who says places worth visiting aren't secrets for very long. Unless you are very unusual, you will be able to find lots of fascinating places on your own, and without tourist crowds.

Assuming that this is your first trip to Italy--hey, even if it's not--don't be so fussy! Italy's a great destination just about anywhere you decide on!
So, forget your "best kept secrets" attitude and start planning! The fact that it will be your unique experience is in itself something special for you!
Further, if commercialization is a turnoff, then you can eliminate most of Italy--from Venice to Pompeii, Rome to Lake Como, the Amalfi Coast to Tuscany, Sicily to Florence!

I shouldn't tell you this, but Trieste. Beautiful town, coastal views, castels, shopping, and a great jumping off place for Croatia, an entire country of secrets.