Rural Escapes

Rural Escapes We’re the Staysmiths of Italy — crafting authentic, slow travel experiences that connect you to place and people.

21/08/2026

Just outside Florence, Tuscany takes an unexpected turn.

Castello di Sammezzano is unlike the Renaissance villas, medieval villages and cypress-lined landscapes we usually associate with the region. Inside, vivid colours, intricate geometric patterns, arches and ornate ceilings create a journey inspired by the East, all within the Tuscan countryside.

Built around the vision of Ferdinando Panciatichi Ximenes d’Aragona in the 19th century, Sammezzano is one of Italy’s most extraordinary examples of Orientalist architecture.

A reminder that sometimes, the most fascinating side of Tuscany is the one you weren’t expecting.

Discover the story of Castello di Sammezzano on the Rural Escapes Magazine.
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The Aeolian Islands, but made personal.Seven islands, seven different ways to experience the Mediterranean.💚 Lipari for ...
14/08/2026

The Aeolian Islands, but made personal.

Seven islands, seven different ways to experience the Mediterranean.

💚 Lipari for a lively historic centre, beautiful beaches and a little more energy.

💚 Vulcano for black-sand beaches, volcanic landscapes and its famous thermal mud baths.

💚Salina for green hills, vineyards and Malvasia sunsets.

💚Stromboli for the unforgettable sight of a volcano glowing over the sea.

💚 Panarea for whitewashed houses, long aperitivi and a more glamorous island rhythm.

💚 Filicudi and Alicudi for something quieter: wild nature, crystal-clear waters and the feeling of being far from everything.

And then there is the way you experience them.

A beautiful stay chosen around your style of travel. A private boat journey between islands. Authentic Sicilian cuisine. A sunset aperitivo overlooking the sea. Time to swim, explore, wander and also to do absolutely nothing.

At Rural Escapes, we create tailor-made journeys that bring these pieces together, selecting the right islands, stays and experiences for you rather than simply giving you an itinerary to follow.

Because the best Italian escapes aren’t simply booked.
They’re designed around you.

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ITALY IS NOT A TREND.And this is what’s currently happening on some of the beautiful trails of the Dolomites.More and mo...
14/08/2026

ITALY IS NOT A TREND.
And this is what’s currently happening on some of the beautiful trails of the Dolomites.

More and more, the way we travel is being shaped by what we see online: the restaurant everyone is talking about, the viewpoint that has gone viral, the mountain hut everyone suddenly wants to visit for the same famous krapfen.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to experience these places. The problem begins when the experience becomes the destination, when we travel somewhere simply because we saw it on Instagram, rather than because we want to experience the place itself.

A krapfen enjoyed during a long mountain walk, after discovering a little mountain hut along the trail, is part of the magic of being there.

Queuing for hours at the same hut, blocking a mountain path and turning a peaceful landscape into a photo opportunity is something very different.

And perhaps this is a good moment to pause and ask ourselves: are we travelling to experience a place, or simply to recreate what we have already seen online?

Italy has so much more to offer than the places currently trending on social media.

It is the small trattoria where the menu changes with what the local farmer brought that morning. The village where you stop because someone recommended it to you. The mountain trail where you meet more goats than tourists. The family-run winery where you spend an afternoon talking about wine, food and life. The little baita you discover along the way, not because an algorithm sent you there, but because you happened to find it.

This is the kind of travel we believe in at Rural Escapes.

Not travelling against tourism, but travelling with greater awareness of the places we visit.

Especially in the busiest seasons, choosing experiences that spread tourism beyond the same few locations helps protect landscapes, respect local communities and, ultimately, preserve what makes these places worth visiting in the first place.

Because the most memorable moments in Italy are rarely the ones you went there to photograph.

They are the ones you never expected to find.

The views are among the many reasons why Lake Iseo is worth a visit. You get to walk along the pier, enjoy the lake view...
22/07/2026

The views are among the many reasons why Lake Iseo is worth a visit. You get to walk along the pier, enjoy the lake views, have a gelato while exploring the town center, and you get to savour Franciacorta wines.

Just over an hour from Milan, this is a true sanctuary for spending some time just enjoying the landscapes, the culture and participate at local events. All year round, along the towns of Lake Iseo, local associations organize food festivals, outdoor cinema, fairs and much more!

This is a true seasonless destination.

The best way to experience Capri? Leave room for the unexpected.One of the most valuable pieces of advice we share with ...
15/07/2026

The best way to experience Capri? Leave room for the unexpected.

One of the most valuable pieces of advice we share with our clients is this: don’t try to see everything. Leave space for the island to surprise you.

Yes, Capri is home to iconic landmarks, but its true character is found beyond the must-see lists. It’s in the quiet lanes without a destination, a seaside lunch that turns into a sunset aperitivo, an unplanned swim in crystalline waters, or simply lingering as the island returns to its slower rhythm after the last ferries depart.

The most memorable journeys aren’t built around checking off attractions. They’re shaped by moments that couldn’t have been planned.

At Rural Escapes, we believe Italy is best experienced with intention, curiosity, and flexibility. Capri is a perfect reminder that sometimes the most rewarding itinerary is the one that allows you to wander.

If you’re dreaming of an authentic Italian journey, we’d love to help you experience Capri, and beyond, with thoughtfully curated stays and personalised experiences designed around you.
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20 wine regions, each shaped by its own landscape, climate and traditions.Some are world-famous, like Tuscany and Piedmo...
08/07/2026

20 wine regions, each shaped by its own landscape, climate and traditions.

Some are world-famous, like Tuscany and Piedmont. Others remain wonderfully under the radar, rewarding curious travelers with quieter vineyards, family-run wineries and unforgettable hospitality.

The best part? Wine in Italy is never just about what’s in the glass.

It’s the story behind each vine, the conversations with local producers, medieval villages that overlook the hills, and everything that sits in between.

Which is your favourite wine region?
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Florence during peak season may be overwhelming. The bustling streets, restaurants fill up quickly, the warmth, the line...
25/06/2026

Florence during peak season may be overwhelming. The bustling streets, restaurants fill up quickly, the warmth, the lines at the Uffizi, and the stress of finding a taxi because you’re feet are tired.

Except, it doesn’t have to be that way. Planning in advance your trip to Florence with Rural Escapes allows you relax from the moment you arrive. Our job is to ensure your journey is enjoyable, where you get to spend as much time experiencing the city and not being stuck waiting in a queue.

Not everyone comes to Florence to visit the main highlights, so don’t feel pressured to or that you’re missing out. Uncover with Rural Escapes the many layers of this city and its surroundings: tell us what you like and well tailor the whole experience.

Link in bio to start designing your authentic escape to Florence
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Florence seen from a hilltop… but not every hilltop gives you the same beautiful view. This one in particular is from the Giardino delle Rose, a garden offering hundreds of varieties of roses, overlooking the Duomo and the entire city.

Walking your way up, you will reach Piazzale Michelangelo. Here, you can enjoy a broader 180-degree view of the city, leaving you speechless.

If you are looking for a more tranquil setting, walking in the garden is an intimate experience we recommend.

One of those places in Florence where you don’t just look at the view, you can sit with it.

Ponte Vecchio is one of the most iconic landmarks in Italy, probably the busiest part of Florence. The bridge takes you from the city centre to the Oltrarno.

In the other side of the bridge you will find artisanal boutiques, family-owned bakeries, boutique hotels and much less crowds.

Don’t forget to look up to admire the beautiful architecture. Many historical buildings have frescoed exteriors, statues, and incredible details.

📸 Photography pro tip when visiting Florence: instead of capturing the Arno river from Ponte Vecchio, walk to Ponte alle Grazie (the next bridge).

This way, you’ll be able to capture a beautiful shot of Ponte Vecchio, as well as prettier river

Most trips begin and end in Rome, but very few experience Latium. Beyond the capital, the region opens into layered land...
28/05/2026

Most trips begin and end in Rome, but very few experience Latium.

Beyond the capital, the region opens into layered landscapes, quiet hill towns, coastlines, an thermal springs that feel world away from what you’re used to. This is where your travels go from being a “trip” to a “journey”.

Our boutique hotel edit, for a different way of experiencing the region:

📍Palazzo Fiuggi
A refined wellness retreat where historic grandeur meets one of Italy’s most renowned spa traditions.

📍La Posta Vecchia Hotel
A coastal residence layered with history, where Roman ruins sit beneath your feet and the sea is just beyond the gardens.

📍Corte della Maestà
An intimate and soulful stay within Civita di Bagnoreggio’s ancient walls, where each room feels like a quit peace of art suspended in time.

📍Vigna Caio Relais & Spa
A peaceful retreat immersed in vineyards and calm countryside rhythms.

📍Terme di Vulci Glamping & Spa
A more elemental escape, where you can soak in natural hot springs surrounded by raw, untamed nature.

Save this for your next journey through Italy, and if you’d like to experience Latium beyond the obvious, we’d be delighted to curate and book something truly personal for you.
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Summer in Calabria feels best when it’s carefully curated and naturally spontaneous. A few days along the coast for the ...
25/05/2026

Summer in Calabria feels best when it’s carefully curated and naturally spontaneous.

A few days along the coast for the sea-clear, warm, and still relatively quiet compared to the more obvious Italian hotspots, then time inland, moving slowly through small towns where life is still very local.

I like to plan it around simple rhythms: swim in the morning, drive out to a hill town for lunch, wander without a fixed agenda in the afternoon, and end the day with Calabrian food that always has a bit of peperoncino heat in it.

Follow the link in bio to start designing your trip to Italy 🇮🇹
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Travelling from Rome to Florence? There's a good chance you’re missing the best part.Most people jump on the fast train ...
22/05/2026

Travelling from Rome to Florence? There's a good chance you’re missing the best part.

Most people jump on the fast train and never realize how much beauty sits between these two cities. You are crossing Latium, Umbria, and Tuscany - three regions with their own landscapes, villages, food traditions, and that gentle, authentic Italy you only find when you slow down.

Our 10‑day Rome to Florence itinerary is for travellers who want the classics but also the quieter corners most people overlook. It’s the kind of journey where the “in between” becomes the highlight, where a simple detour turns into the memory you talk about for years.

Read the full journey… and yes, it’s absolutely worth the detour: https://www.ruralescapes.it/post/rome-to-florence-itinerary-10-days

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