Make Your Next Trip Extraordinary
Zip to Italy’s Hidden Treasures
Naples, Italy, is a treasure trove of secret spots. Wendy and Tim found this secluded courtyard at the Palazzo Venezia. A bumper crop of new nonstop routes to Italy makes it increasingly easy to avoid connecting in Rome and other large European hubs and instead speed your way to Italy’s best-kept secrets. Thanks to routes added in 2025, you can now fly nonstop to:
- Sicily from New York: to Catania from JFK, and to Palermo from Newark.
- Puglia from New York: to Bari from JFK.
- Naples (the gateway to the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii) from Atlanta, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
- Venice from Dallas-Fort Worth and Washington, D.C. (Dulles).
- Rome from Denver, Miami, and Minneapolis.
All of these new routes are in addition to many other nonstops to Italy that have been added over the past few years. Each time a new one is announced that we believe will save you significant time and logistics, we add it to our list of Nonstop Flights To Make Your Travels Easier.
If you’re as excited as I am about these direct flights—because who wants to be transferring luggage between terminals at FCO when you could be nursing an aperitivo in Catania’s Piazza del Duomo?—then you’ll also want to use a local insider to expedite and optimize your on-the-ground experience. After all, life is too short to go to Italy yet miss the hidden courtyards and secret gardens, the tastiest delicacies and most interesting local people. Read on for more of what not to miss, and click the black bar below to connect with the best-suited local fixer for your specific trip needs and goals.
PUGLIA: “Every single day of this trip had a WOW factor…”
The Gallipoli coastline in Italy’s Puglia region. Photo: Traveler Paula Kramer
“Antonello and Valeria leveraged their substantial network to create a bespoke itinerary that included experiences that we would not have known to ask for and that wound up elevating our trip beyond our wildest dreams.
We stayed in an array of wonderful hotels and masserias—fabulous experiences unto themselves—and were educated by outstanding guides. We chose to do our own driving for 90% of the trip, and even here Antonello’s team was so helpful, electronically sharing target destinations and parking facilities which enabled us to go from points A to B with confidence, independence and the least amount of stress.
Every single day of this trip had a WOW factor, whether it was visits to Pompeii and Herculaneum, our cave-turned-hotel in Matera (Sextantio), or our stays at delightful masserias in Salento. But beyond that, having the chance to sample the delights of a renowned cheesemaker, learn from the third-generation owners of a family-owned flour mill, get expert insights into the complexities of olive oil, or sample gelato with a young woman who is combining innovation with tradition as she expands the gelato business started by her grandfather—these are culinary experiences we could only encounter thanks to Antonello’s deep understanding of and connection with the hidden gems of Puglia. Trust me, you are not going to find these on your own.
Jeff Weiss spent an afternoon learning from a renowned sculptor in his home atelier. Photo: Paula Kramer
If all this wasn’t enough, we spent an afternoon in the home/atelier of a renowned sculptor and another afternoon with a couple that makes jewelry. I confess that, when I first read our itinerary, I thought these sounded weird: Neither my husband nor I would become the next Michelangelo or make jewelry anytime in the near future, so why take time to do this? I could not have been more wrong!
These artists were so genuinely interested in sharing their craft, their food, and their kindness. We were besotted by these one-of-a-kind experiences, making friends and actual art along the way. We even got to visit the private home of a potter who showed us the ancient and Byzantine relics and the Byzantine chapel that he discovered on his property during renovation.” —Paula Kramer
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
SICILY: “This trip to Sicily was not just about sightseeing; it was about forming connections and understanding the heart of the island…”
Cefalu, on Sicily’s north coast. Photo: Shutterstock
“Our family just returned from a magical 10-day trip to Sicily planned by Laura, who lives in Palermo. Traveling with tween boys can be a challenge, but Laura understood exactly how to craft an itinerary that would captivate their imaginations while immersing us in the rich culture of Sicily. Her connections on the island run deep, and it truly showed in the unique and meaningful experiences we enjoyed.
Our guide for the majority of the trip, Maria, was an absolute gem. Despite facing terrible rainy weather for three days in a row, Maria remained flexible, always adjusting our plans with grace and ensuring our boys stayed engaged and happy.
One of the highlights was our time in a small Sicilian village where we cooked alongside an extended family and their children. Sharing stories and recipes in such an intimate setting made us feel like part of the community. Another remarkable experience was visiting a Sicilian cart maker’s workshop and participating in a painting tutorial led by a master artisan who also creates textiles for Dolce & Gabbana. It was fascinating, and my sons were particularly enthralled by the Archimedes studio outside of Siracusa. There, they learned about the scholar’s inventions with real-life replicas, bringing ancient ingenuity to life in a way that still has them talking about it.
In Palermo, we had the privilege of meeting one of the last remaining puppet makers (pupari) on the island. Not only was the art of puppet making more captivating than we ever imagined, but the experience was also deeply moving. The generosity and passion shared during that visit left a lasting impression on all of us.
This trip to Sicily was not just about sightseeing; it was about forming connections and understanding the heart of the island. Laura and Maria made sure we experienced Sicily from a local’s perspective, which made every moment feel so much more profound.” —Gina Melton
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
NAPLES AND THE AMALFI COAST: Everything was locally sourced and much of it grown on their farm—all I can say is, “Mama Mia!”
Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Photo: Shutterstock
“Jennifer planned a masterpiece of a trip for my husband and me in southern Italy. We started in Naples and loved every minute of it. The food was out of this world, and the people are warm and welcoming.
We then ferried to Capri and spent three days. The highlight of our time in Capri was a cooking class with Sabina, owner of Columbus Ristorante in Anacapri, and her 80-year-old aunt, Rosa. They taught us how to make ravioli, and Rosa taught us when it is appropriate to say, ‘Mama Mia,’ which is basically all of the time. We thought it could not get better, and then Sabina and her husband served us the most incredible lunch. We lost count of the courses. Everything was locally sourced and much of it grown on their farm—all I can say is, ‘Mama Mia!’
Jennifer arranged a private boat tour of Capri, and that was our ticket to Positano. On our way to Positano we docked in Nerano and were shuttled to a delicious restaurant called Maria Grazia. The seafood was incredible, and we felt like we were visiting a smaller, quieter Italy.” —Carrie Gaykowski
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
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