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Weekly roundup
What do you find when you look past Italy’s postcard views? In Sardinia, these underground chambers feel close and almost personal, with carved stone rooms, fading traces of color, and centuries of myth wrapped around them.
Keep reading to see why this corner of the island feels so different from the Italy most people know.
Hidden Italy
Sardinia’s Secret Fairy Houses Beneath the Earth
In Sardinia, archaeologists have uncovered ancient underground “fairy houses” carved into rock, revealing 5,000-year-old chambers once used for ritual and burial. With new tombs found near Bonorva and UNESCO recognition adding to their significance, these hidden spaces offer a haunting glimpse into the island’s prehistoric world.
The legend is part of the allure: locals long called them the “houses of the fairies” or “houses of the witches,” turning these rock-cut tombs into places where folklore and archaeology still meet.
The new find adds real depth: archaeologists uncovered three more tombs near Bonorva, including one intricate structure with seven chambers and traces of paint and ornamentation still visible inside.
UNESCO has already recognized their importance: the Domus de Janas were collectively recognized as a World Heritage Site in July 2025, cementing their place in Sardinia’s prehistoric story.
What makes them unforgettable is their intimacy: these were not monumental ruins built to impress from afar, but quiet stone spaces carved for memory, ritual, and the belief that life continued beyond death.
Beyond the hotspots
Sicily After Dark: Ancient Ruins, Sea Air, and a Festival With Pulse
Ancient stone, modern sound: Sicily’s new Aura Festival lands at Segesta, where a Doric temple and hillside theatre create a stunning setting.
Over two days, house and techno acts will take over the archaeological park, turning a historic site into a spring destination with serious energy.
It is a fresh reason to see Sicily differently, where culture, landscape, and nightlife come together in one memorable stop.
This May, Aura Festival brings electronic music to one of Sicily’s most atmospheric ancient sites, offering travelers a rare mix of history and movement.
City spotlight
Italy's Best Kept Secret: Discover the Underrated Gems of the Country
Italy isn’t just about Rome or Venice; there’s a whole world of stunning cities waiting to be explored. From the charming hills of Umbria to the vibrant streets of southern cities, Italy’s lesser-known spots boast unique histories, hidden treasures, and unforgettable experiences.
Dive into the heart of small-town Italy, where quaint cafes meet medieval architecture, and each corner offers a slice of authentic Italian life.
Discover destinations off the beaten path like Matera, with its ancient cave dwellings, or Ferrara, where cycling is the best way to explore a UNESCO-listed Renaissance city.
If you’re seeking a different side of Italy, look beyond the famous landmarks and uncover these hidden gems that still hold the magic of la dolce vita.
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Italy Dream Guide gives you a done-for-you Italy travel map that clearly shows where to go and how to connect the stops, so you can plan faster and travel smarter.
Do This, Not That
Prosecco Hills 🥂
North of Venice, rolling hills hide the vineyards behind many of the world’s favorite bubbles. It is an easy escape from the lagoon.
Do this: Rent a car or hire a driver for the day and follow the Strada del Prosecco, stopping at a couple of small producers for tastings with a view. Plan a slow lunch in a hilltop trattoria and treat the whole day as one long toast.
Not that: Do not just drink Prosecco in Venice and assume you have “done it.” The landscape where it is made is half the experience.
Itinerary of the week
Three Days in Perugia 🍫
Day 1: Start in the heart of town at Piazza IV Novembre, taking in the Fontana Maggiore and the cathedral before wandering down into the atmospheric Rocca Paolina passages. For a local-feeling moment, pause for a slow coffee and a chocolate bite at a classic pasticceria, then do an easy evening stroll as the streets fill for aperitivo.
Day 2: Spend the morning with Perugia’s art and history at the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria, then keep it simple with a long lunch near the old center and a wander through small lanes and quiet viewpoints. Later, walk the elevated Via dell’Acquedotto for a breezy, everyday Perugian moment above the rooftops.
Day 3: Go underground and ancient with the Etruscan Well and a quick look at remaining Etruscan and medieval traces nearby, then reset with a relaxed browse at Mercato Coperto to snack your way through Umbrian specialties. Finish with a sunset view from a hilltop terrace and a no-rush dinner, booking ahead if you have a specific spot in mind.
What to expect: Perugia is a hilly, layered city where the best experiences come from walking, wandering, and letting the lanes lead you. You’ll get a mix of big Umbrian sights and a lived-in student-city energy, especially in the evenings. Bring comfortable shoes, and plan your biggest climbs earlier in the day.
Italian Dish of the Week
Polenta Con Funghi (Northern Italy)
What It Is: Polenta con funghi is one of those dishes that tells you immediately you are in the north of Italy. Polenta is made from cornmeal cooked slowly until it turns thick, smooth and comforting, then topped with mushrooms, usually porcini or mixed woodland mushrooms, cooked with garlic, olive oil, parsley and sometimes a little butter. It is simple country food, but when it is done properly, it tastes rich, earthy and deeply satisfying.
Why You Should Try It: Tourists should try this because it shows a very different side of Italian food. Not everything here is pasta or pizza. In mountainous and rural regions, polenta has been part of daily life for generations. It is warm, filling, and full of flavor, especially on cooler days. The mushrooms bring this deep, woodsy taste that makes the whole dish feel cozy and very local, like something made in a stone house after a long walk outside.
What Makes It Special: What makes polenta con funghi special is the texture and the honesty of the ingredients. Good polenta should be creamy and soft, not dry or lumpy, and it takes time to stir it properly. The mushrooms, especially if they are porcini, bring an incredible aroma that feels like autumn in one plate. There is nothing flashy about it, and that is exactly the point. This is the kind of dish Italians love because it respects the land, the season and the ingredients without trying too hard.
Get involved
📊 Take this edition’s poll
Would you rather build a trip around prehistoric tombs or a night festival at ruins? 🌙
Why it matters
This story matters because it reveals an Italy shaped not just by beauty above ground but by belief, ritual, and memory below.
For travelers, it offers a deeper kind of wonder, one that feels less like sightseeing and more like stepping into an older way of seeing the world. Some places do not ask for attention, but stay with you anyway.
Alla prossima,
Francesca Vitali
Editor-in-Chief
Italy Dream Life
PS: Love Italy as much as we do? Follow us on Instagram @ItalyDreamLife for daily inspiration, hidden spots, and real moments from il bel paese. Because Italy isn’t just a destination—it’s a lifestyle. 🇮🇹✨
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