These three Italian regions gaining momentum among well-travelled guests share a common thread: they offer Italy at its most satisfying, without the feeling of being funnelled through the same predictable itinerary. In other words, these are places where the luxury is not about being seen. Instead, it is about living well. Think space, beauty, thoughtful design and tables where the food tastes unmistakably of place. Crucially, they also allow for privacy and a calmer pace, while still offering the level of comfort and service that discerning travellers expect.
Italy will always have its classics. However, many guests are now looking for destinations that feel more personal, more grounded and more rewarding. With that in mind, here are three Italian regions gaining momentum among well-travelled guests, each with its own rhythm, its own charm, and its own way of raising the bar.
Puglia for sun, style and high calibre tables
Puglia has become a confident destination for those who want southern light and long outdoor days, but still care deeply about standards. It delivers that holiday feeling, and yet the best addresses here take service seriously, which is why the region continues to draw well-travelled guests back year after year. In other words, it is no longer only charming. It is also highly capable.
If you want one dinner that captures modern Puglia at its most refined, book Due Camini at Borgo Egnazia. The cooking is rooted in the region but delivered with precision, making it ideal for a celebratory evening or a final night where you want everything to feel considered. For a second dinner with a strong sense of setting, Carosello at Masseria Torre Maizza offers seasonal Puglian flavours in an elegant masseria context. It is the kind of place where the meal naturally becomes an occasion, particularly if you lean into local produce and seafood.
For lunch, aim for somewhere that makes you feel the coast. Quintessenza is an excellent choice when you want a smarter midday table. Trani itself is part of the pleasure, with a seafront mood that suits a leisurely lunch followed by a slow walk by the harbour.
When the sun drops, Puglia does aperitivo beautifully and it rewards those who choose a bar with personality rather than a generic terrace. In Lecce, Quanto Basta is a strong cocktail stop that feels lively, local and serious about what is in the glass. If your evening is closer to the coast, Bougainvillea bar at Masseria Torre Maizza is made for a more dressed up mood, with a setting that leans into comfort and elegance rather than noise.
This is why Puglia sits confidently within Italian regions gaining momentum among well-travelled guests. You can build a trip that feels sunlit and relaxed, yet still anchored by real culinary highlights and strong service.
Le Marche for discreet beauty and standout Adriatic dining
Le Marche is not a region that tries to impress you. It simply gets under your skin. The landscapes shift between coastline and hills, the towns feel lived in and the pace is calmer. That is precisely what makes it so appealing for travellers who have “done” the obvious Italy and now want something more personal.
For dining, Le Marche has a very clear pull: Senigallia. If you book one headline experience, make it Uliassi. It is an exceptional table by the harbour and it delivers that rare combination of creativity and confidence that keeps seasoned guests talking about it for years. For a second iconic dinner, La Madonnina del Pescatore is also a landmark name. It is worth noting that it is currently scheduled to reopen in February 2026, which means it can be perfect for spring onwards planning.
For cocktails in Senigallia, you have options that actually feel like places, not just bars. Bicchia is a smart choice when you want a late drink in the centre and it suits both a pre dinner aperitivo and a longer night. If you want something more coastal, the People American Bar at Terrazza Marconi’s beach area is a strong choice for an aperitif with sea air in the background. For a rooftop mood, Le Ciel rooftop bar at Riviera Hotel Senigallia offers sunset energy and a more intimate atmosphere, ideal when you want a relaxed evening that still feels special.
Le Marche belongs in any edit of Italian regions gaining momentum among well-travelled guests because it offers something increasingly precious: high calibre experiences, without the sense of being in a destination that is performing for visitors.
Piedmont for grown up elegance, truffle season and serious cocktail culture
If Puglia is about light and Le Marche is about understated charm, Piedmont feels like the region for people who travel with intention. The heart of this story is Langhe, Roero and Monferrato, where villages, landscapes and gastronomy create a complete destination rather than a single theme.
For a truly memorable lunch or dinner, Piazza Duomo remains one of the most important tables in the area. The setting in Alba adds to the experience and it is a perfect anchor for a day that includes a market stroll, a slow drive through hills, and an evening digestivo.
For cocktails with a sense of place, head to Casa di Langa’s Sorì Cocktail Bar in Cerretto Langhe, which is designed for evenings that feel polished but unforced. It is particularly satisfying after a day exploring villages, because it lets you keep the tone refined without needing a late night plan.
If you want to add a city layer, Turin is Piedmont’s elegant counterpoint, and it is ideal for a final night or a beginning that sets the mood. For a cocktail that feels properly old world, Bar Cavour at Del Cambio is the kind of address that understands tradition and delivers it with style. You can pair it with dinner at Del Cambio in the same location if you want a seamless evening where everything is handled well.
This is exactly why Piedmont earns its place among Italian regions gaining momentum among well-travelled guests. It offers depth, culture, and dining that can hold its own against anywhere in Europe, without needing spectacle.
If you want sun, coastline glamour and a trip that naturally revolves around outdoor living, choose Puglia. If you want a calmer Italy with real culinary landmarks and the pleasure of discovery, choose Le Marche. If you want a more gastronomic, heritage rich journey where every detail feels considered, choose Piedmont. Better still, combine two. For example, Piedmont in autumn for truffle season energy, then Puglia in late spring for coast and long lunches.
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