Italian Countryside: how to plan an on-the-road trip

Let yourself be transported into the imagination of films set in Italy or into the romantic words of famous novelists. Taking a road-trip through the Italian countryside is the dream of many.

It is the desire for adventure, surprise and freedom that an all-Italian panorama evokes. But on a practical level, what are the advantages and why choose a road-trip through the Italian countryside?

Traveling on-the-road allows you to choose your own pace, reach your planned destinations in your own time, but also make sudden detours or stops in front of unexpected scenery. It allows you to reduce your travel costs because you can reach the most competitive accommodations at ease; finally, you have the ability to carry as much luggage as you need without over-selecting.

Discover with us all the useful tips on how to plan your road trip through the Italian countryside.

The best way to discover the infinite variety of Italian countryside landscapes is undoubtedly a road trip. Traveling on the road gives you the opportunity to explore a different, more authentic, and less touristy Italy. Italy is a land of many characteristics, and in every region you'll encounter differences in both landscapes and food and wine traditions.

Traveling on the road is the key to exploring hidden and unreachable places at your own pace, giving you the chance to be surprised at every turn by unexpected views. The first thing to do is choose the area you want to explore and plan your itinerary. It's difficult to say which are the best scenic drives because Italy is full of them

A slow journey through the landscapes and flavors of Piedmont? Or the breathtaking scenery of the Cilento or Amalfi Coast on the road in the heart of magical Campania? Open yourself up to the infinite possibilities that Italy offers when it comes to on the road trips through the countryside. You can choose an unconventional itinerary in the Tuscan countryside or lose yourself in the sun and nature of the enchanted villages of Puglia and discover why this year everyone is suddenly going to Puglia. Finally, exploring Sicily on the road is something that has no equal, or the rugged and uncontaminated countryside of Basilicata on the road to say that you really know all of Italy.

Let's take a closer look at the incredible itineraries that the Italian hinterland offers when it comes to road trips.

Hidden medieval villages along barren country roads, crystal-clear sea, and unique food with unforgettable flavors: it's no coincidence that Puglia attracts so many tourists. The best way to explore this incredible region is undoubtedly a road trip, which will allow you to reach even those destinations that are less accessible by public transportation.

You can start from the splendid towns of Gargano, such as Vieste, and then venture inland through the Alta Murgia National Park to Altamura, known for its fragrant bread. To truly understand Puglia, a stop in Alberobello is a must, where you'll discover the characteristic Trulli. Be amazed by the villages you'll encounter along the way, and take advantage of all the opportunities that await you, such as traditional festivals and fairs. A road trip in Puglia has the flavor of summer.

Another road trip itinerary idea is undoubtedly to traverse the beautiful countryside of two regions little-known to tourists: Marche and Lazio. Although famous only for Rome, the rest of the region is virtually unexplored. Lazio offers landscapes we can hardly imagine, and the road trip will leave you free to stop whenever you want: on a ghost town like Celleno, the picturesque Civita di Bagnoregio perched on a tuff rock, the cool lakes, the adjacent beech and pine forests, and all the stately homes lost in the countryside. Check out our itinerary through the secret villages and countryside of Tuscia. 

A road trip in Marche offers so much: in a short time, you can travel from mountains to hills to the sea, from small villages scattered throughout the countryside to splendid cities of art. A charming region full of hidden gems, you'll never be bored. Another of the Marche's specialties that alone is worth a road trip is its food and wine tradition, worthy of a culinary itinerary.

Let's face it, Tuscany is made for road trips. Its rolling hills, offering relaxing views at every turn, are ideal for traveling by car, with the opportunity to stop simply to realize you're not in a dream. An unforgettable experience that will allow you to discover the region's uniqueness.

You can finally allow yourself to appreciate lesser-known but equally beautiful towns, such as Arezzo, or decide to stop on the outskirts of Florence to discover Leonardo da Vinci's birthplace, in the small village of Vinci. Explore the Val di Chiana, the wonderful villages of the Tyrrhenian coast like Castiglion della Pescaia, and Etruscan Tuscany like Volterra. A Tuscany road trip is a journey that never ends.

Northern Italy also offers many possible itineraries for road trips. The nature and landscapes of Piedmont immediately inspire the idea of an unforgettable road trip. Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore, beautiful Stresa; the extraordinary areas of Monferrato and the Langhe, unique and authentic experiences to be enjoyed slowly and thoroughly. In Piedmont, food and wine itineraries among vineyards and farms are also highly recommended.

Another region often overlooked due to the fame of its capital is Lombardy. This region offers many destinations to explore, such as Lake Como and its surroundings, Lake Garda and Franciacorta, the medieval villages of Oltrepò Pavese, and, for trekking enthusiasts, the spectacular, breathtaking views of the Stelvio Pass.

If you want to go on a road trip, you need to know how the Italian Highway Code works. To drive in Italy you must be 18 years old and have a driving license. The documents you must always have on hand in addition to your driving license are the vehicle registration document and vehicle insurance. What should you do to avoid getting fined? In EU countries, you must keep in your car: a safety triangle, a reflective vest and seat belts, both for the driver and passengers, which must always be fastened. Remember that in Italy you drive on the right. Pay attention to road signs: green signs indicate motorways, blue signs indicate extra-urban roads and white signs indicate urban roads.

Let's now move on to motorways and tolls. In Italy, most motorways are toll roads. The cost of the toll generally depends on the type of vehicle and the kilometres travelled.

There are also free highways going towards the south in particular: the Salerno-Reggio Calabria, the Palermo-Catania and the Palermo-Mazara del Vallo. On urban and extra-urban roads you will not have tolls to pay, since your trip will take place through the countryside, apart from the highway that will take you to the area you will not have other tolls to pay.

The ZTL indicate limited traffic zones and are generally present in the center of cities and towns, they are well signposted. Last tip, the parking lots delimited by the blue lines are paid, if you do not want to incur fines it is always good practice to pay them.

Traveling on the road through the Italian countryside will allow you to choose a wide variety of accommodations, even at the last minute, you can choose the most competitive ones, since with your vehicle you can reach any destination.

Take advantage and choose between Agritourisms in the middle of the countryside, apartments to rent even just for one night, hotels, B&Bs. A tip if you have one, bring a tent with you, you could take advantage of some campsites along the road or even do some free camping where it is allowed, who knows, maybe you will find yourself on the sea shore, or in the middle of an ancient olive grove.

If you intend to take a road trip through the Italian countryside, the period to avoid is definitely winter, in some areas of Italy the roads could be icy, travel is slower and the cold excludes the possibility of camping.

The ideal periods due to the mild climate and less crowded at a tourist level are spring and autumn. But if you like the heat another ideal period could be summer. The summer season has the advantage of being able to carry less luggage since the clothes are lighter, you can stop to sleep even under the stars if you want to try this thrill or in campsites, you can also venture to the beaches and try different types of sea especially if your destination is towards southern Italy such as Sicily and Puglia.