Episode #291: 8 Enchanting Italian Towns to Visit in Autumn

Listen to “291. 8 Enchanting Italian Towns to Visit in Autumn” on Spreaker.

LISTEN ON APPLE LISTEN ON SPOTIFY DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT

Summary

In this episode, host Katy shares her top eight towns that truly come alive in the golden glow of Autumn – from the mist-kissed heights of Orvieto to the lakeside serenity of Mantua and the dramatic vistas of Civita di Bagnoregio. Get filled with inspiration for experiencing Italy when the crowds have faded, the flavors are rich, and every charming corner is touched by the beauty of Fall.

What you'll learn in this episode

• Fall/Autumn is an ideal time to visit Italy, with cooler nights, misty valleys, and the slower rhythms of local life make fall especially atmospheric. This season also brings olive harvests, regional food festivals, and golden countryside views, offering experiences you won’t find in summer or spring
• Small towns and hilltop villages come alive with color and tradition in the Fall. Vineyards turn golden, markets brim with seasonal produce, and mild weather creates the perfect conditions for strolling historic streets and scenic countryside paths
• Eight towns that shine in autumn: From Orvieto’s dramatic volcanic cliffs and Alba’s world-famous truffle festival to Mantua’s Renaissance palaces wrapped in lakeside mist, other towns to discover that offer unforgettable seasonal charm are Greve in Chianti, Urbino, Asolo, Civita di Bagnoregio and Sulmona
• Autumn travel means savoring specialties like pumpkin-filled tortelli in Lombardy, tajarin pasta with truffles in Piedmont, and saffron from Abruzzo, while also experiencing centuries-old festivals, harvest fairs, and artisan traditions
• Capturing Italy’s authentic Fall atmosphere: Each town highlights a different mood: chestnut-colored hills in Asolo, Civita di Bagnoregio appearing suspended in clouds, or Sulmona buzzing with harvest markets. Together, they showcase the beauty and diversity of Italy in its most enchanting season

Timeline Overview

• 06:22 Exploring Urbino's Autumn charms
• 10:23 Asolo – Italy's scenic Autumn retreat
• 14:06 Plan an Italian trip in the Fall – which town will you choose
• 15:04 Your Italian adventures await – how we can help

Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned

Places

• Orvieto – hilltop town in Umbria – an easy and quick train journey or drive from Rome
• Orvieto Cathedral – 14th-century cathedral 
• Orvieto funicular – cable car that takes you up to the city
• Urbino – a university city in Marche
• Ducal Palace – houses the national gallery of Marche, in Urbino
• Alba – town famous for truffles in the northern Piedmont region
• Greve in Chianti – at the heart of the local wine industry in Chianti
• Piazza Matteotti – gorgeous piazza in Greve
• Montefioralle – a village located between Florence and Siena
• Asolo – town in Veneto known as the “town of a hundred horizons
• Mantua – town surrounded by 3 lakes in Lombardy
• Gonzaga Palace – the Ducal Palace of Mantua
• Palazzo Te – built in the Mannerist style of architecture 
• Civita di Bagnoregio – this unique town in the Lazio region, known as the dying town, is connected by a narrow pedestrian bridge
• Sulmona – charming town in Abruzzo, located at the foot of the Majella
• Navelli – an Abruzzo town in the province of L'Aquila, famous for its saffron

Food / Drink

• Strangozzi – also known as Stringozzi, this long pasta hails from Umbria and is often served with local truffles or a rich meat ragu
• Tajarin pasta (Tagliolini in Italian) – a ribbon pasta, halfway between spaghetti and tagliatelle (great with a ragu)
• Barolo – famous Piedmont red wine
• tortelli di zucca – a delicate pasta stuffed with sweet pumpkin and spices from Mantua

Words / Concepts

• Henry James  – an American novelist who spent a lot of time in Italy in the late 1800s
• Borghi più belli d’italia – an association of small Italian towns of historical interest
• The Ducal Star – a geometric ornament based on a mathematical design. A prominent symbol of Urbino’s Renaissance heritage, with the design dating back to the 1400s

Related content on Untold Italy

Podcasts

• Ep 284 – From Dream to Reality – A Solo Adventure in the Heart of Italy
• Ep 267 – Italy in your pocket!
• Ep 256 – Unlocking Italy’s Untold Charm – Stories from Professional Trip Planners
• Ep 250 – On Tour with Untold Italy – Our Hosts’ Highlights Revealed
• Ep 242 – Tastes of Tuscany in Fall
• Ep 215 – Discover regional Italy without a car
• Ep 212 – Untold Italy – Our story
• Ep 176 – A week in Tuscany with Untold Italy
• Ep 173 – From Tree to Table: The Olive Harvest in Umbria
• Ep 089 – Harvest in Tuscany

Articles

 

• Visiting Italy in October – Reasons to Visit and What to Expect
• Italy in November – Reasons to Visit and What to Expect
• Regions of Italy
• Hidden gems in Italy – off the beaten path from North to South
• 50 incredibly beautiful small towns in Italy
• One week Tuscany Itinerary: 7 Day Tuscan Trip Ideas
• Best Agriturismo in Umbria
• Piedmont travel guide

Plan your Italian adventures with Untold Italy

If you're enjoying the podcast and are excited about going to Italy but are overwhelmed by all the options, why not hire our Italy travel experts to help you build your dream trip. Our Italy Trip Planning services will get you from dreaming to booking the trip that suits you and your travel companions best – whether it's a week in Tuscany, visiting the iconic Italian cities or an off-the-beaten-path adventure in Sicily > learn more

THE BEST!

If you want a curated Italian adventure, this is your solution. We hired Tyla and the Untold Italy crew to put together our itinerary through Tuscany. We had the vacation of a lifetime! – Jamey Ice (Google) –  read more reviews.

Untold Italy Tours

Founded in 2022, our small group tour company takes curious travelers on multi-day adventures to Italy's lesser-known regions and to secret spots in places that are better known. Departing in Spring and Fall/Autumn, each trip focuses on food and wine, local traditions and uncovering the Italy you've always dreamed of > learn more.

Disclosure: Untold Italy assists our readers with carefully chosen product and services recommendations that help make travel easier and more fun. If you click through and make a purchase on many of these items we may earn a commission. All opinions are our own – please visit our disclosure page for more information.

Please share if you found this article useful